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05/17/2066
A lot of teams got above water this past week, with LAS and New Orleans being two of them. They both went 5-1 as LA is now 21-17 while New Orleans is 20-18. Throw in the seven teams (Wilmington, Pittsburgh, Washington, SDR, Dallas, Pawtucket, and Hartford) who went 4-2 and a good week was had by many. Then add in the seven teams who went 2-4, and Denver and Phoenix who went 1-5, and a bad week was had by many as well. It happens. You can't control the outcome, only your effort and response. There's always next week.
1) California Kodiaks (144.5, o)
2) Wilmington Wildcats (133.2, o)
3) Hartford Whalers (123.4, o)
4) Pittsburgh Millers (111.0, o)
5) Dallas Drillers (109.0, o)
6) Los Angeles Sharks (105.5, ++)
7) Washington Bats (104.0, -)
8) New Orleans Voodoo (101.7, +)
9) Seattle Pilots (95.7, -)
10) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (95.3, +)
11) Carolina Tobs (93.8, --)
12) Pawtucket Patriots (91.0, ++)
13) Windy City Blues (82.2, ++)
14) Indianapolis Clowns (81.7, --)
15) Montreal Exports (80.2, -)
16) New York Cyclones (78.0, +)
17) Phoenix Roadrunners (77.5, --)
18) Philadelphia Freedom (75.1, ++)
19) Batavia Muckdogs (70.8, ++)
20) Toronto Canadians (70.1, +)
21) Syracuse Snappers (69.8, --)
22) Baltimore Bulldogs (68.8, -)
23) Denver Bulls (66.8, --)
24) Maine Guides (28.5, o)
Performance of the Week
P Grant Henry - The 25 year old is arguably the best pitcher in the league and living his best life after leading the Blues to the title last season. This year he's 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA and 172 ERA+ after dominating SDR last Thursday. Over eight innings he allowed just two hits and no runs while walking none and striking out three. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2058 draft out of Huntington Beach HS he went to his first All-Star game last season and is in his fourth full season in the league.
Prospect of the Week
CF Cameron Kingery - The #1 prospect in all the land was acquired in the Marc Dillard trade with Dallas last season. Dillard then opted out, went to free agency, and joined the Evil Emp...Washington Bats this past off-season. We don't think things went exactly to plan for the Drillers but that's life in the BLB. At just 21 Kingery can hit, hit for power, run, and play any outfield position. He's more suited for the corner spots but with his range and speed he wouldn't hurt you too bad at center. Currently he's in A ball but with a 198 OPS+ he might be on the move soon.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The true Performance of the Week belonged to someone other than Henry, but we figured he deserved his own section. This past week Pat Arballo Jr. blanked Phoenix 5-0 behind an eight inning, one hit, no run, eight strikeout performance. Jr. is now 3-1 with a 4.15 ERA in his first full season in the BLB. Cheering him on in the stands was none other than his father, 2054 BLB Hall of Fame inductee Pat 'Baja' Arballo. Known for his knuckleball, 'Baja' is the all-time BLB leader in games started and games won. He's also the all-time leader in games lost but we won't talk about that. Over his career he was 312-211 with a 3.38 ERA and 120 ERA+. He won three Pale Ale's and was selected to five All-Star games. Learning from his father, Arballo Jr also has a knuckleball that has proven to be just as elusive. According to coaches he's a natural leader whom his teammates love and respect. At just 25 years old we're excited to see how his career turns out.
2. In the world of BLB randomness this past week the Maine Guides went on a three-game win streak. At 4-32 they took down Seattle in extra innings on Wednesday, then took a day off to fly home and host California. Somehow, they beat the 30-7 Kodiaks 7-1 then 6-2 the following night. In the first game Jannero Peter looked like the Peter of old as he went 7.2 innings, allowed just one run, and picked up his first win of the season. In the second game Deondre 'Poison' Ivy picked up his first win by throwing a complete game and allowing just four hits and two runs. With the family ties between GM's an investigation was run by the league into potential match-fixing, but nothing came of it after video surfaced of the California GM smashing up his newly remodeled office after watching his team get just nine hits over the two games.
3. Pawtucket needs to travel to division buddy Indy and learn when and how to steal bases. This season the Clowns are 31 for 35 when on the run. Meanwhile Pawtucket is 23 for 47. That's a 39.7% difference in success rates. Poor Isaac Murphy of the Patriots isn't very fast and doesn't even want to steal, but either he's confused by the signs or manager Jimmy Williamson is just being mean. Last season he was 2 for 10, this year he's currently one for five. At least he's consistent? Indy is led meanwhile by third basemen Nick Edwards. Lifetime he has an 82% success rate, and this season he's a perfect 16 for 16. If the guy had a career OBP higher than .293 he could put up some serious numbers. Mama used to say, "if you ain't gonna be smart, at least be fast." Apparently, Edwards is both of those though. His weakness is hitting.
4. The Drillers went scouting overseas and signed starting pitcher Lee Sopa in Albania this past December. How he turns out no one knows as he is currently settling into the Driller's training center in Texas. Wanting to experience life as an American, Sopa decided to visit the Dallas Zoo yesterday with several friends. Much to everyone's horror, a bat escaped its enclosure when a keeper left a door open and 'attacked' Sopa as he was walking by. The surveillance video showed the bat flying into Sopa, Sopa screaming and running away, and then tripping after he smashed his foot against a handrail post. He is expected to make a full recovery as our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Dallas Drillers: SP Lee Sopa was injured when he was attacked by a wild animal during a trip to the zoo. The diagnosis: bruised toe. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3 days.
5. What's on tap?
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Who's Hot
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Stat of the Week
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| Most .300 Hitting Seasons By Franchise |
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