Power Ranks- Top 10 End of season

This is being done following game 159...…. the only mystery left in the season is whether Montreal or Washington will finish 3rd in the AL and who will grab the 5-seed in the AL, Atlanta or Lousiville. 

This is not intended to shoot sunshine up anyone's ass but it would not surprise me if any of the top 10 took home the title this year. It's been a long time since I felt the playoff field was this deep. When I did these rankings I had a team drop 5 spots when looking into underlying stats...…. and another jump 3..... It's going to be a very tight playoff. 

10. New York Yankees: 100-59, Last Rank: 8, First Rank 9

Sooo you know it's going to get spicy when a 100W team is the 10th spot...… I predicted that New York would fade in the 2nd half but they didn't. Just when I look at the roster I see a deep roster that is very good but doesn't make the "jump" when the roster gets trimmed down. 

This is a good time to point out that this is shucky's 7th divison title in 8 seasons since joining Hunter

9. Washington Generals:  93-66, Last Rank: HM, First Rank 1

Well the Generals have been the most interesting Power Ranking team...… they re-enter the top 10 as they cruise to their 4th straight division crown and with a 22 game division lead. With three games left they will end the season with the 3rd to 6th best AL record which highlights the parity in the AL

8. Altanta Cheese Grits: 90-69, Last Rank: 4, First Rank: 5

The defending champs faded a bit in the 2nd half but still posses a roster that will DEFEND their title. No one will be happy when they see the Cheese Grits on their schedule. Also I mentioned 2 NL divisons that may have all 4 teams finish .500 or above. Which would make most think those were the top 2 divisions in Hunter...… I've been making Thunderdome jokes all year and the AL South leads all other divisions by a cumulative 20 wins and is sending 3 teams to the playoffs for the 3nd straight year.  If your in the AL better win your division. 

7. Louisville Sluggers: 92-67, Last Rank: 5, First Rank: 7

This is a roster built more for the playoffs than the regular season. The delta between pitchers to who in the regular season but disappear for the playoffs may not be larger. 

6. Monterray Heat: 104-55, Last Rank: 6, First Rank: 8

Mjs22 entered Hunter by kicking down the door to the playoffs and Thunderdome. This season marks the 3rd straight playoffs and 2nd straight division title. At this point in the standing you need to pick nits. While the pitching is improved I still see a team that's better suited for the regular season than the playoffs but I could also be very wrong. 

5. Jacksonville Juicers: 92-67   Last Rank: 9, First Rank: 3

Had a strong second half and lead the NL in expected win %. The Juicers pitching staff is likely the top staff in all of Hunter. Will be a formidable playoff opponent to face. 

4. Vancouver Lumberjacks:95-64    Last Rank: 3, First Rank: 10

Ownership stayed engaged all season. Hector Peters the Hunter man of mystery ends the season with 60 HR and 140 RBIs which may not be enough for the NL MVP buy losing the division the Lumberjacks have to chop a lot more wood to win the series

3. Scottsdale Dawgs: 100-58  Last Rank: 2, First Rank: 6

Philip Goodin decided he was sick of Cristobel Baerga mug and put together a historic 2nd half. The Dawgs held off the Lumberjacks to win their 2nd straight NL West title. Scottsdale enters the playoff as the favorite from the NL

2. Montreal Rippers: 95-64 Last Rank: 7, First Rank: 4

For a large portion of the 2nd half the AL MVP was dominated by Rippers with their holy trinity. Jonathan Griffin is looking to add his 2nd World Series ring to his overstuffed trophy case. The Rippers path likely includes a stop the next town.

1. San Francisco: 99- 60 Last Rank: 1, First Rank: 2

So permeant marker it is...…… will anyone stop the mad titan or is he truly inevitable  

S48- Season End Honourable Mentions

So gents I promised 3 sets and I will deliver but this one is going to be abbreviated. It's my wife's birthday weekend, my son has hockey 4x (insert Canada joke) and I have my end of year beer league ball tourney.... so below please see honourable mentions


Before I get into the Honourable mentions I do want to deliver praise to two of the most competitive divisions in Hunter. With 3 games left there is a chance that the worst record in the NL South and NL East is 81-81. Good seasons to Boston, Baltimore, Memphis and New Orleans who all just missed making the sections below. They represent the Honourable Honourable Mentions

New Britain, Record: 79-80. Current Rank: HM Last Rank: HM   (Honourable Mention), First Rank: HM

So I stated in my first power rankings talent wise I didn't see a playoff team but put New Britian in Honourable mentions because he had made the playoffs every year since S25.... Well that streak will continue. For those that think this might be the demise of New Britian sorry but his next Tsunami of titles is about to hit land. His AAA, AA and Hi A minors have a combined win percentage of .715 which is equivalent to 115W season in the majors.

St. Louis Pounders: 81-76. Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: NR (Not Rated), First Rank: NR

The Pounders with 3 games left look to improve upon last year's win total of 81 wins. Ktryan has stepped in admirably and guided a ship that had hit an ice berg to a 1-3 win improvement.

Iowa Cornpickers:  88-71 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: HM

I always say Honourable Mention thank they are in no particular order, but Iowa came in at number 11. Cristobel Baerga had an amazing season and his chiselled chin is the pride of Iowa water towers but the NL has perhaps one of the most hotly contested MVP races of all time. To the point there will be one MVP and 3 player cards that will be very confusing to future owners on how they didn't win MVP.

I do want to give a hat tip to Tbook for his 3 playoff appearance in the last 4 season and a kudos for returning to Hunter as he was one of the world's charter owners

Scranton Tailgaters 84-75 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: NR

If you are an AL playoff team you will find the gritty Tailgaters wildly annoying...… they lingered in the playoff picture to game 155...… which means limited rest for the playoff teams headed into the playoffs. A kudos to Aaronwayne for a minimum of a 22W improvement and while it's small consolation the best record for a non-playoff team

Boise Bombers 80-79 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: HM

I fully expected the Bombers to be playing for the AL 6th seed this season at they had average approx. 90W for the 5 seasons prior to last year.... Then they started like a rocket only to fade. I struggle to figure out if this is a 2 year aberration or a decline prior to the rebirth of a model franchise..... Selfish note...… glad they aren't in the playoffs because they are Kryptonite to my team

Power Ranks (S48) - Midseason (5-1)

As popularized in the TV show "The League" we are now down to the vinegar strokes...….


5. Louisville Sluggers (53-36) Last Rank: 7

The Sluggers are a balanced overall team currently sitting 3rd in runs and 6th in ERA, with the 2nd highest Exp. Win % in Hunter. Ownership has solved the bullpen woes that plagued it's team last season but early injures to the pitching staff has shown just how susceptible this team is to key pitching injuries. The battle for the Thunderdome and likely  first round bye could  come down to game 162.

4. Atlanta Cheesegrits (53-37) Last Rank: 5

I will admit I missed on the Cheesegrits….. I had put them 5th out of respect to for the defending champs but expected to be moving them back down to the 8-10 range in this update. The Champs are showing why they should not be doubted. Kevin Fujikawa has turned back to clock to support an already potent Cheesegrits offense. Plus Atlanta attendance has spiked even more than usual for a title defense due to the number of career milestones they have to celebrate for Fujikawa this year. Having already reached 3000 hits and 700HR  and 800 SB all in this season. Oh yeah.... their pitching staff is very good as well. The callback to a joke I made in the first power ranks...….insert Ric Flair WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! here.

3. Scottsdale Dawgs(55-35) Last Rank: 6

The Dawgs have flipped flop offensive spots with Monterrey this season, last season's number 2 offense currently sits at top the league by 20 plus runs. This balanced lineup currently boasts 5 of the NL's top 20 players in runs created. Phillip Goodwin may slow in the 2nd half of the season as unsubstantiated rumors have him flying to Iowa on his off days to rip Baerga's face off water towers and pull his picture from wallets. In all seriousness Goodwin is posting an MVP caliber year but looks likely to run into the human embodiment of actual Cornpicker

2. Vancouver Lumberjacks (54-36) Last Rank: 10

After I posted the first rankings I got a message from timf saying that I had undervalued his team. I responded saying "Agreed, but only if the manager doesn't go on a mid seasons sabbatical like last season". This season the management hasn't fallen asleep at the wheel and instead has kept the hammer down. The biggest challenge that the Lumberjacks are going to face this season is that they play in Thunderdome Jr and the Dawgs aren't going to sit, roll-over or play dead (Dad jokes I got them). I see from the world chat that I have sent a few people down the Carlos Baerga rabbit hole...…. now I only recommend this if you can handle it, dig into the Lumberjacks top player Hector Peters but be careful as your will walk away confused and questioning everything you know about HBD

1. San Francisco Night Demons (53-37) Last Rank: 2

The more things change the more things stay the same. Let me harken back to the year 2013....it was a simpler time: legends Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker were both still alive, Breaking Bad was still on TV and we were in the Iron Man 3 portion of the MCU (foreshadowing). This also happened to be the last year that power rankings were done.... below are quotes from the year end power ranks for S26 and S27 about the Night Demons (ranked 1 both times).

"I might as well write this in permanent marker another year another top spot"

"I have a feeling at some point I'm going to end up with "1.San Fransisco" burned into my screen because I've typed it so many times."

Quotes by legendary & historic commissioner Jahu43

So much like Thanos at the end of End Game, I think Bjb sits behind his computer and states "I am inevitable", he's made the playoffs 46 of 47 seasons and has 8 titles. This years teams is once again high on talent and deep on pitching and leads the world in expected win %. 

The biggest question will be if anyone gets to be Iron Man and upset the mad Titan (I guess spoiler alert but it's literally the biggest movie of all-time and came out months ago...….if I ruined it, I'm sorry but only the kind of sorry where you feel you have to apologize). 

Power Ranks S48 - Midseason (10-6)

Once again time for feelings to get hurt and noses to get bent...….welcome to the top 10...….

10. Boston Minuteman (51-38) Last Rank: Honourable Mention

In the first Power Ranks I mentioned that Boston based on some off-season tweaks should make a push for the playoffs....and right now they sit with the 4th best record in the NL but cling to the final playoff spot with Iowa and Baltimore nipping at their heels. Led by Lou Lindor and a strong pitching staff Boston should battle for the playoffs and potentially the NL East.

9. Jacksonville Juicers (49-40) Last Rank: 3

The Juicers drop from 3 to 9, is very similar to Washington's drop from 1-11. Not necessarily an indictment on the team. More a reflection of how razor thing the margins are for the top teams in Hunter. As per usual the Juicers are lead by perennial MVP candidate Eruibel Belliard and an elite pitching staff. The Juicers are the favorite to win the NL south and would not be shocked to see them jump back into the top 3 before the season is over.

8. New York Yankees (58-31) Last Rank: 9

So if dropping Jacksonville and Washington wasn't controversial enough the Yankees check in at 8 despite the fact they have the best record in all of Hunter. The Yankees are a very good team hence is why they are 8th in what's a razor thing rankings. Looking at some of the underlying numbers the Yankees are currently 51pts above their expect win % and currently have a 16-9 record in 1run games. NY does have a very strong bullpen, which is normally a key factor in 1 run record. I expect the Yanks to win the AL East but fall back to the pack in terms of win total.

7. Montreal Rippers (50-39) Last Rank: 4

Expected win total as a tale of two cities while NYY have been outplaying their pythagorean number, Montreal has been dramatically underplaying theirs. Montreal is playing below by 50 pts and 11-18 in 1 run games, however their expected number which edges NYY .612 to .600.  It looked as though this might be the season that Montreal rose to be a dominant force but lack of support for the Rippers all world trio of Cooke, Wood and Griffin has left them short of expectations. Closer Tomas Delgado has reached Brad Lidge versus the Cardinals with Socks Bennett of the Louisville sluggers playing the role of Albert Pujols, 17 for 25 and a .5.01 ERA isn't going to cut it as a closer for a WS contender. Montreal has the talent to make a big run in the 2nd half but also has a couple question marks.

6. Monterrey (56-33) Last Rank: 8 

Current leader in the Thunderdome which if the season ended today would send 3 teams to the playoffs again and boasts the top 3 AL records. Monterrey's heavy investment in improved their pitching staff has not shown the dividends one would have expected at this point in the season, only resulting in a modest improvement from 4.42 ERA (S47) to 4.37 ERA (S48). That said the Monterrey pitchers talent wise are better than .05 improvement which should concern any AL team in the 2nd half as they should only get better. Monterrey offense continues to be among the leagues best, finishing first in runs last season and currently sits 2nd so far this year.

Power Ranks S48-Mid-Season Update- Honourable Mentions

So would just like to start with the reminder that the Power Ranks are  an indicator of who has the best chance at winning the World Series.

Before I get a series of messages why am I, number 9? I have more wins than number 6. If you want to see a listing of the teams in the order of wins click on World----Standings-----League Standings


Now is where I take a self-congratulatory lap, the original top 10 power rankings represented 9 of the top 10 records in Hunter so far and the team not in the top 10, is one win short. This is to say the top 10 stays pretty static in terms of the teams but the order does get shaken up.


Honourable Mentions: (In no particular order)

Washington General: Record 48-40, Last Rank (LR): 1

The King is dead. Long live the King. The original power rankings king has fallen. Mdukes has blamed the curse of the Power Rankings on his failures and there may be something to it as his pitching staff is cruising towards a teams ERA more than have a run higher than last year and it's most apparent in Jacob Kalish who sports a 4.01 ERA which for most pitchers would be fine but I suspect that ownership expects that ERA start with a 3 and then a low number next to it or perhaps even a two. While I say the honourable mentions are in no particular order Washington is the number 11 team I really struggled over spots 10 and 11 but ultimately Washington Exp Win % matched their wins so something is going on in DC.

Iowa Cornpickers: Record 47-41, LR: Honourable Mention

So I joked in the first power ranks that Cristobel Baerga face was going to plastered all over the Water Towers in the Iowa countryside. It turns out that might not have been enough...….it's likely Cornpicker fans carry pictures of him as if he was a son. Baerga leads Hunter in HR and OPS and the runner up in OPS isn't even close (1.200 OPS compared to runner up Phillip Goodwin 1.073). For perspective the gap between Baerga and Goodwin is the same as the gap between Goodwin and the 18th best player in Hunter. The Cornpickers will go as far as Baerga  carries them which will likely be the playoffs at least.


New Britian Yorkies: Record 47-41, LR: Honourable Mention

In my first set of Power Rankings I said I saw a roster that was going to miss the playoffs but because Djbradford is the Bill Belicheck of HBD he was going to make the playoffs and go on a run..... Here we are NB leads the NL north and looks set to continue their 24 season streak of playoff appearance. Dj's ears were likely burning Sunday afternoon as myself and timf discussed his uncanny ability to pull all the right strings to get wins out his franchise. We decided at the end of the conversation that he must have a cheat code it's the only rationale explanation.

Scraton Tailgaters: Record 47-41, LR: Not Ranked

I will admit to start the season I thought it was a forgone conclusion that Montreal was going to win the AL North but 88 games into the Tailgaters have lived up to their name and sit right on the bumper of the Rippers. Scraton has been riding a dominant bullpen headlined by likely All-Star Dan Tomilson and a magical career year from Max Leon. My concern for the underdog Tailgaters is the magic runs out in the 2nd half.

Boise Bombers: Record 45-43, LR: Honourable Mention

The Bomber started the season like they were shot out of a cannon racing out a 17-7 record but have scuffled along since with a particularly bad stretch of 7-21 ball which wiped away the Bombers good start. Young catcher Raymond Houston and veteran pitcher Hal Sheldon have been particular bright spots for the Bombers. Expect Boise to potentially push for the AL 6 seed.

Baltimore Baydogs: Record: 47-41, LR: Not Ranked

The Baydogs look poised to improve their record for the 3rd consecutive season and are one year ahead of schedule in terms of their eventual playoff push. The team's push has keyed off of pitching and defence especially Ace Hughie Kohn and closer Wladimir Cervelli both just entering their prime. To continue to grow the Baydogs will need to add some additional firepower to their lineup.