1. Colorado Springs Organizational Filler-
Last Ranking: 1
Record: 88-41 (22-9)
Expected Win %: .709
The Skinny: Aubrey Kell is looking to blast career home run number 200 this week. CSP should be able to lock up there playoff spot this week. Their bigger goal will be holding off a surging New York team to have home field throughout the playoffs. It should also be noted that they have 3 of the currently names ROY candidates Eduardo Campos, Pokey West and Glenn Gibson. Smells like a Dynasty.
MAGIC NUMBER: 16
2. New York Burros
Last Ranking: 2
Record: 86-43 (23-8)
Expected Win %: .663
Skinny: extended their division lead and all but lock up their playoff run. With 4 guys poised to knock in over 100 runs, this team is more balanced than ever to push through the NL. Is it possible for Ryan Perry to win 2 Cy Young Awards in his first 2 years? People in New York seem to have forgotten old what his name is. Also to note on the Balance of the Farm system, New York could win 90+ games at all levels above Rookie. Quite impressive!
MAGIC NUMBER: 18
3. Cheyenne Marmots-
Last Ranking: 3
Record: 80-49 (19-12)
Expected Win %: .605
The Skinny: Kiki Soto returns to his S9 form, but once again will be a brides maid and not the bride when it comes to Cy Young voting. It's a tough career, but someone's got to have it. Speaking of Awards Chris Durbin has my vote for NL MVP.
MAGIC NUMBER: 24 wild card
4. Chicago Ballbusters-
Last Ranking: 4
Record: 79-50 (18-13)
Expected Win %: .645
The Skinny: 3B Julian Bonilla is looking like a good signing in his 1st season. He is a difference maker at the plate and in the field. On his way to his 2nd Gold Glove. The team's weakness seems to be pitching in the clutch they are without a go to closer and have had 9 different guys get a save while blowing 1/3 of their opportunities.
MAGIC NUMBER: 25 wild card
5. Texas Outlaws-
Last Ranking: 7
Record: 73-56 (21-10)
Expected Win %: .571
The Skinny: Sam Miller's stolen bases have progressively gone down each of the past 4 seasons. The team's starting pitching needs to go deep in games if they want to compete. Middle relief has been mediocre at best outside of their closer Matt O'Malley.
MAGIC NUMBER: 17 division
6. Cincinnati Bowties -
Last Ranking: 6
Record: 69-60 (17-14)
Expected Win %: .575
The Skinny: I'm not saying that a shoulder sprain isn't serious but being out in excess of 60 days as a result of one is a little fishy Bump Loiselle. I smell insurance fraud. Cincinnati has an opening to take the division and as it is every season it's going to come done to the wire between Cinci and Philly with the loser crying themselves to sleep on their pillow.
MAGIC NUMBER: 32 division 23 from WC Elimination
7. Philadelphia Balboas-
Last Ranking: 5
Record: 70-59 (15-16)
Expected Win %: .522
The Skinny: This is Phillies division to lose. They have controlled the North for much of the season, but ultimately never slammed the door closed, now Cinci is looking to smash that door down and leave Philly sprawling everything comes down to their match up with Cinci on 3/22 and CSP on 3/23 they need to win both series to make it this season.
MAGIC NUMBER: 32 division 24 from wild card elimination
8. San Diego Surf -
Last Ranking: 8
Record: 71-58 (20-11)
Expected Win %: .531
The Skinny: 7 games this week against the red hot Burros will make or break their playoff run. They need a spectacular showing against New York going into the final week if they have any hope of the final wild card spot. The Surfs need to invest in a high contact hitter to get on base for Campbell and Salinas, Bud Spence has fallen out of favor for the job and a speedster who gets on base would make them that much better if they did.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 16 division 25 wild card
9. San Antonio Alamos -
Last Ranking: 9
Record: 57-72 (11-20)
Expected Win %: .485
The Skinny:
Graham Greene should be a big free agency ticket this off season if he doesn't get resigned. The layer who exceeds all expectations has to be Oswaldo Amaral who has increased production each of the past 3 seasons. I am not sure how many of us would have given him this chance.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 17 division 10 wild card
10. Florida Marlins -
Last Ranking: 11
Record: 55-74 (14-17)
Expected Win %: .436
The Skinny: all but eliminated, Florida is already looking to next year by stashing lightly injured players on the DL to bring up new blood. Should be looking to retool for next season, with no expendable contracts coming off the books for S12 it will be interesting to see where they go with this team.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 15 division 8 wild card
11. Atlanta Braves-
Last ranking: 9
Record: 60-69 (8-23)
Expected Win %: .435
THE SKINNY: Rough week takes Atlanta out of contention. The team could still finish strong and make .500 on the season. It has been a setback season for the Braves, as they looked to be a strong contender in the beginning of the season, and somehow watched the wheels fall off. DH/1B Matty Evers, LF Nate Anderson and RP Gaylord Jaha might draw some looks in the Majors after roster expansion.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 7 division 13 wild card
12. Memphis Amon-Ra
Last Ranking: 12
Record: 49-80 (12-19)
Expected Win %: .397
The Skinny: The Minor's are loaded with the Pitching help they really don't need, but everything is still about 2 seasons away from making an impact, so maybe there is a plan. Mike Fitzgerald, Elvis Borland, Wascar Martin, and Jamie Martin have the rotation set for the present. Trade some of these pieces away for a superstar offensive power and they team is in the thick of things next year.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 9 division 3 wild card
13. Seattle Warbirds
Last Ranking: 14
Record: 47-82 (10-21)
Expected Win %: .383
The Skinny: A lot of payroll comes off the books in S12 which should give the team some flexibility with the Roster. The team has the pitching to compete, but players like Walter O'Bryan have never performed up to potential. With a youthful core of Bo Glanville, Jacob Kwon, and Jordan Williamson now surrounding Matt Mathews this team should start to come out its offensive funk.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 10 division
14. Milwaukee Blues -
Last Ranking: 14
Record: 49-80 (13-18)
Expected Win %: .375
The Skinny: The pieces are there to build around. 3 solid starters and 2 good bats in Clarke, and Worthington. C Rolando James has no business in the NL and needs to be shipped to an AL team for value. This team's biggest issue is it's made for the AL, a lot of good hitters with poor defense. A solid infield of defenders and a roving CF would make the pitching tenfold better. Add in a catcher who calls a solid game and BAM Playoff bound.
TRAGIC NUMBER: 12 division 3 wild card
15. Rochester Raging Reverends-
Last Ranking: 15
Record: 46-83 (12-19)
Expected Win %: .348
The Skinny: unlike other teams who have built through the draft Rochester has been like a supplemental farm system for many of the Contending teams the likes of Ryan Perry, Roger Post, Dan Reidling , Vic Castilla, Dan Eldred have all been taken in the 1st round the last 5 years. All are gone and in their place are Brad Finnessey, Harry Hayes , Torey Matos , Lou Youkilis
Tex Boyle, Neil Fletcher. Okay I get it: "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21), but probably not the way to play HBD.
TRAGIC NUMBER: ELIMINATED
16. OMAHA MILE HIGH CLUB -
Last Ranking: 16
Record: 44-85 (13-18)
Expected Win %: .286
The Skinny: In Season S14 this might be the team to beat with 4 top 10 picks on the horizon this is a powerhouse in the making 2b Lucas Martin ( the 2nd coming of Freddie Reynolds), SP Jaret Redman ( middle of rotation guy), SS Delino Frias
(top defender, solid bat), LF Albert Montanez (solid hitting LF). With whoever they get in next season draft they will look good.
TRAGIC NUMBER: ELIMINATED
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