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Czechguardsman
With only ten games left in the regular season, the postseason picture is taking shape.
1. Washington
Chuck Norris must be managing this team. I'm predicting the Rangers to knock off Baltimore in five games in the ALCS. However, Kason Gabbard was very touchable earlier this month, and Hank Blalock suffered his longest power drought of the year around the same time. Abner Cotter, who was hitting .340 off the bench, is lost to injury for the postseason.
2. Philadelphia
The current preview series of the NLCS with St. Louis(94% probable) is split at one game a piece. Who will have homefield advantage in that series is the last big question of the regular season. The Peas are built around an airtight defense; run prevention is their primary strategy. The quality throwing arms in the Philly outfield mean that it takes three hits for an opposing runner to score from first. Defense wins games in the postseaon. Also, where did Jack Pose come from?
3. St. Louis
Except for closer Matt Theilman and rookie J.C. Calhoun, the current bullpen is a relative liability. William Wheeler and Hal Downey were expelled from the rotation and should absorb most of the time in Middle Relief roles. On the offensive side, hitting with two outs and/or RISP has been a huge issue this year. William Wallace, who was a ball of fire in the first half, hasn't homered since July. The goal here is to clinch a postseason spot with a few games left to spare in order to rest tired position players.
4. Baltimore
Baltimore should cinch the AL WildCard in upcoming days, earning a trip to Arlington to face a leviathan Texas club. Ralph Kling will have to scintillate and outduel Texas aces for this team ho have a chance. Other position players besides Garland and Krug will have to step up with big hits.
5. Milwaukee
The Crew still has a long shot at posteason play, but hopes are evaporating rather quickly. It will take playing with a severe sense of urgency the last ten games to get there. #1 SP pick Jeff Sanchez has repeatedly been outduelled in crucial games by lesser pitchers; he seemed to turn into Lefty Summers when allowing a runner to reach base. Injuries to impact position players hit at the wrong time.
6. Pittsburg
For a time, the Charlatans seemed on the verge of clawing back into contention, but just couldn't get closer than three games out. Though the Pirates won't be in the playoffs, they should finish with a very respectable record. This is one of the most balanced teams in the N.L.. The team led the Majors in steals this year and gave up the fewest Earned Runs of any team except the Rangers.
7. Cleveland
Gilberto Chapin will be out the rest of the year after stepping on a hypodermic needle, thus the Tribe is done. Cleveland lacked a serious middle-of-the-order power bat to help them get through a recent offensive funk. The bullpen has been a sinkhole here all year.
8, Detroit
The offense seems to be back on track, but this team has been out of contention for a while. Finishing over .500 is the new goal. Gary Fittery has been starting in Center Field. Al Lee looks suspiciously like Livan Hernandez. This club can take solace from Roman Hruska's "In Defense of Mediocrity."
9. Brooklyn
.400 Watch: Red Frasier is at .390, so he still has a shot at it. Frasier could be the first guy to his at least .390 in a full season since George Brett accomplished the feat in 1980. The rest of the team continues to chug along pointlessly. Tim McCarren has had a nice 18-4 season.
10. Chicago(AL)
The Scotsmen have been much better of late, winning a bevy of games in recent days. Congratulations to Tom Myer on his outstanding season, he might have had around 140 RBIs if he had hit in a cleanup spot. If ABE wasn't biased towards giving hardware to players on contending teams, Myer would be a dark horse to win the AL MVP.
11. Kansas City
The recent 11 game losing streak was ugly, very ugly. Injuries just decimated this team down the strech. Floyd Linhart's 4-14 season hasn't really helped. Johnny Ettles quietly had an outstanding year.
12. Cincinatti
The recent 13 game losing streak was surprising, considering the quality pitching on this team. Lave Cissell has the worst conditioning of any player in the league; he is so fat, he sweats butter and syrup, and he has an offseason job at Denny's wiping pancakes on his forehead. (In real baseball news, the Reds hired Dusty Baker to manage the team. I wouldn't trust Dusty Baker to feed my cats.)
13. Chicago Cubs
I won't say anything else negative about this team after this post. The Cubs have fought the Reich harder than any other club this year. Their starting pitching showed up to pitch in said games. Still, AARP lobbyists circle like vultures outside the team locker room. Apparently some hurlers on this team didn't get the memo that we pitch overhand in this league.
14. New York (NL)
Stephen Bathory(.186 AVG) has been batting third on the days when Birdie Black sits. Pitching prospect Whitey Greene has disappointed in his call-up. Robert Greif goes on the DL, offense the Mets really can't afford to lose.
15. New York (AL)
Its been tough times for the ancient rivals. Earl Larsen has gone 1-8 in 17 starts, and Danny Webster could lose 20 games. Cal Bruner is the only reliever with an ERA under 5.50. The offense has been ice cold. A 1-9 start to the year didn't help. This is probably the worst Yankee team since 1990.
16. Boston
I've almost gotten over the 2004 WS. Almost. For any consolation, the pitching staff has the K title to be proud of, and George Hall has won his last three decisions. Walter Cuccinello and Sandy Niemann lead baseball in pitching appearances, and a few guys on this team have shots at 30 HR. Boston appears destined for 100 losses. It makes me think about how much I want to beat the crap out of Jimmy Fallon.
D
[Edited on 1-5-2008 by Czechguardsman]
September Updated Power Rankings
January 05, 2008 at 09:29PM View BBCode
Its time for the next installment of Power Rankings.With only ten games left in the regular season, the postseason picture is taking shape.
1. Washington
Chuck Norris must be managing this team. I'm predicting the Rangers to knock off Baltimore in five games in the ALCS. However, Kason Gabbard was very touchable earlier this month, and Hank Blalock suffered his longest power drought of the year around the same time. Abner Cotter, who was hitting .340 off the bench, is lost to injury for the postseason.
2. Philadelphia
The current preview series of the NLCS with St. Louis(94% probable) is split at one game a piece. Who will have homefield advantage in that series is the last big question of the regular season. The Peas are built around an airtight defense; run prevention is their primary strategy. The quality throwing arms in the Philly outfield mean that it takes three hits for an opposing runner to score from first. Defense wins games in the postseaon. Also, where did Jack Pose come from?
3. St. Louis
Except for closer Matt Theilman and rookie J.C. Calhoun, the current bullpen is a relative liability. William Wheeler and Hal Downey were expelled from the rotation and should absorb most of the time in Middle Relief roles. On the offensive side, hitting with two outs and/or RISP has been a huge issue this year. William Wallace, who was a ball of fire in the first half, hasn't homered since July. The goal here is to clinch a postseason spot with a few games left to spare in order to rest tired position players.
4. Baltimore
Baltimore should cinch the AL WildCard in upcoming days, earning a trip to Arlington to face a leviathan Texas club. Ralph Kling will have to scintillate and outduel Texas aces for this team ho have a chance. Other position players besides Garland and Krug will have to step up with big hits.
5. Milwaukee
The Crew still has a long shot at posteason play, but hopes are evaporating rather quickly. It will take playing with a severe sense of urgency the last ten games to get there. #1 SP pick Jeff Sanchez has repeatedly been outduelled in crucial games by lesser pitchers; he seemed to turn into Lefty Summers when allowing a runner to reach base. Injuries to impact position players hit at the wrong time.
6. Pittsburg
For a time, the Charlatans seemed on the verge of clawing back into contention, but just couldn't get closer than three games out. Though the Pirates won't be in the playoffs, they should finish with a very respectable record. This is one of the most balanced teams in the N.L.. The team led the Majors in steals this year and gave up the fewest Earned Runs of any team except the Rangers.
7. Cleveland
Gilberto Chapin will be out the rest of the year after stepping on a hypodermic needle, thus the Tribe is done. Cleveland lacked a serious middle-of-the-order power bat to help them get through a recent offensive funk. The bullpen has been a sinkhole here all year.
8, Detroit
The offense seems to be back on track, but this team has been out of contention for a while. Finishing over .500 is the new goal. Gary Fittery has been starting in Center Field. Al Lee looks suspiciously like Livan Hernandez. This club can take solace from Roman Hruska's "In Defense of Mediocrity."
9. Brooklyn
.400 Watch: Red Frasier is at .390, so he still has a shot at it. Frasier could be the first guy to his at least .390 in a full season since George Brett accomplished the feat in 1980. The rest of the team continues to chug along pointlessly. Tim McCarren has had a nice 18-4 season.
10. Chicago(AL)
The Scotsmen have been much better of late, winning a bevy of games in recent days. Congratulations to Tom Myer on his outstanding season, he might have had around 140 RBIs if he had hit in a cleanup spot. If ABE wasn't biased towards giving hardware to players on contending teams, Myer would be a dark horse to win the AL MVP.
11. Kansas City
The recent 11 game losing streak was ugly, very ugly. Injuries just decimated this team down the strech. Floyd Linhart's 4-14 season hasn't really helped. Johnny Ettles quietly had an outstanding year.
12. Cincinatti
The recent 13 game losing streak was surprising, considering the quality pitching on this team. Lave Cissell has the worst conditioning of any player in the league; he is so fat, he sweats butter and syrup, and he has an offseason job at Denny's wiping pancakes on his forehead. (In real baseball news, the Reds hired Dusty Baker to manage the team. I wouldn't trust Dusty Baker to feed my cats.)
13. Chicago Cubs
I won't say anything else negative about this team after this post. The Cubs have fought the Reich harder than any other club this year. Their starting pitching showed up to pitch in said games. Still, AARP lobbyists circle like vultures outside the team locker room. Apparently some hurlers on this team didn't get the memo that we pitch overhand in this league.
14. New York (NL)
Stephen Bathory(.186 AVG) has been batting third on the days when Birdie Black sits. Pitching prospect Whitey Greene has disappointed in his call-up. Robert Greif goes on the DL, offense the Mets really can't afford to lose.
15. New York (AL)
Its been tough times for the ancient rivals. Earl Larsen has gone 1-8 in 17 starts, and Danny Webster could lose 20 games. Cal Bruner is the only reliever with an ERA under 5.50. The offense has been ice cold. A 1-9 start to the year didn't help. This is probably the worst Yankee team since 1990.
16. Boston
I've almost gotten over the 2004 WS. Almost. For any consolation, the pitching staff has the K title to be proud of, and George Hall has won his last three decisions. Walter Cuccinello and Sandy Niemann lead baseball in pitching appearances, and a few guys on this team have shots at 30 HR. Boston appears destined for 100 losses. It makes me think about how much I want to beat the crap out of Jimmy Fallon.
D
[Edited on 1-5-2008 by Czechguardsman]
tigger
enjoyed reports very much, and hope to cross your path again....and while i realize it's a different setup, somebody ought to remind washington that often times the best team doesnt win it all in fantasy sports....though i would be shocked if they didnt sweep their way to a title.
January 06, 2008 at 01:22AM View BBCode
oops! my bad....gave credit for rankings to enocelot...wasnt paying attention to author/reply.enjoyed reports very much, and hope to cross your path again....and while i realize it's a different setup, somebody ought to remind washington that often times the best team doesnt win it all in fantasy sports....though i would be shocked if they didnt sweep their way to a title.
phaze12
my sad attempt to write a quick article. good thing im not writing for a paper.
January 06, 2008 at 02:49AM View BBCode
WOW. in a game that many thought ST Louis was going to pull into a tie with the peas, the peas come back in the bottom of the 9th to pull a victory outta defeat. Ivan Baldwin came up with 3 hits including the game winning single but McGaffingan, Valdez and Haywoods singles before him set up. Alan Shinners came up big going 3.2 innings of 3 hit 1 run ball to give the peas a chance. Zach Taylor pitched 7 strong innings but came up with a no decision. Matt Theilman gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in one of his worst outings of the season. the NLCS should be a classic if both these teams play up to their potential.my sad attempt to write a quick article. good thing im not writing for a paper.
minnesotamike
[Edited on 1-6-2008 by minnesotamike]
January 06, 2008 at 03:43AM View BBCode
i cant believe my team has cracked the top 10. ive learned a lot about managing a team this season. i know i messed this team up,hopefully with what ive learned this season, i can apply to my next team. therefore i am looking forward to my next season. i think what turned the season around for me and why im winning a lil more is 1) gettin my pitchin staff settled and more important puttin kam loe in as my first long reliever. minnesotamike:)[Edited on 1-6-2008 by minnesotamike]
Czechguardsman
January 06, 2008 at 01:04PM View BBCode
Matt Theilman sort of paralleled in the N.L. what Kason Gabbard did in the A.L. all year. I guess he was due to implode. I just wish he had picked a different game.
Enocelot
January 07, 2008 at 10:45AM View BBCode
If you look at Washingrton's pitching staff, it's hard to see why they are leading the league in pitching... speed certainly didn't seem to count for much.Pages: 1