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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 1, 2059
7TH-INNING STRETCH FOR IPA
After 5 months of hot-and-heavy action the Islandian Pro Alliance is getting down to the nitty gritty... September is upon us... and only 3 weeks are left in the regular season... just 20 games to go to decide the Pro Cup playoff teams... the Oxford Red Caps have a huge 12-game lead in the Tycobbian North... Valmara is 6 games up in the Ruthlandian North... likewise for Marston in the Ruthlandian East... defending Pro Cup champion Crystal Lake leads the Ruthlandian South by 5 games... Sligo is the Ruthlandian West leader and 4 games in front... over in the Tycobbian Union Ginza also has a 4-game edge in the TU South... according to professional oddsmakers, those clubs will probably win the pennants... and then we have the other two races where the outcome is certainly in doubt... in the Tycobbian East the Red Bluff Red Sox totally collapsed in August... they blew a 7-game bulge and now trail the High Mesa Mustangs by 1 game... there is also a very close race in the Tycobbian West, where Rolling Hills took a dive in August and got knocked out of first by Arlon... the Champions lead the Reds by 2 games and third place Denton City by 3.
Taking a whirlwind tour around the IPA... the big story is in the Tycobbian East... going into August Red Bluff (75-59) had a seemingly safe 7-game lead and they blew it... the Red Sox slumped badly to 11-17, while High Mesa (76-58) leaped past them by 2 games with a sensational 20-8 month... third Tuckanarra (72-62) posted a 17-11 mark and is still in the pennant chase... fourth place Midway (70-64) was 16-12, but they are 6 games back and its pennant chances are remote.
Tycobbian East Outlook:
High Mesa is hot and playing very well... they will win out over Red Bluff... the Mustangs can match the Red Sox on the mound and are better with the sticks.
There is also a fight to the finish in the Tycobbian West... the Rolling Hills Reds had a 2-game lead over Arlon last month... however, the Reds slumped to a 14-14 record, while the Champs went 18-10 and third place Denton City 17-11... now Arlon is 2 games better than Reds and 3 ahead of the Redbirds... Arlon took the lead despite losing one of their veteran starters J. C. Hilburn (11-10/3.46) to injury in early August... they also lost valuable closer Mack Blair (0-1/1.17 ERA/5 saves/10 G) in May.
Tycobbian West Outlook:
Arlon gets the call... the Champs are experienced in close races and playoff competition... they also are on a roll and have been one of the best teams in the IPA the last two months with a 38-19 record... Rolling Hills and Denton City are just not quite equal to the Champions... the Reds should beat out the Redbirds for the second spot in the standings... they have better pitching.
In August, the standings didn't change much in the Ruthlandian North... the first place Valmara Vipers (82-52) maintained its 6-game lead over the Glasco Athletics (76-58) and Far Mountain Redhawks (76-58)... the V's chalked up a 15-13 mark last month, while the A's were 17-11 and the Redhawks 16-12.
Ruthlandian North Outlook:
Valmara has too much firepower for Glasco and Far Mountain... all three are talented teams... but the Vipers have that 6-game lead... 'nuff said.
The Crystal Lake Skippers (74-60) sailed to an impressive 19-9 record in August and boosted its lead in the Ruthlandian South to 5 games over the Valka Blackhawks (69-65) and 7 games over the St. John Crusaders (67-67)... last month the Blackhawks finished 15-13 and the Crusaders 17-11.
Ruthlandian South Outlook:
The Skippers have righted the Good Ship Lollipop since that atrocious 8-20 posting in the merry month of May... the defending Pro Cup champion is a solid ball club and ready to go for its second straight IPA title... Valka and St. John are not likely to overcome the Crystal Lake lead.
In the Ruthlandian East race, it's down to just two teams... Cold Creek (79-55) shaved 3 games off Marston's 9 game lead with an impressive 19-9 showing for the month... however, the Nine (85-49) had a good month with 16-12 and retained a 6-game margin going in the September... third place Wynnamac (72-62) and fourth place Elnora (70-64) slipped further back in the race... the Macs were only 12-16 and the All-Stars 13-15 and now both clubs trail by double digits.
Ruthlandian East Outlook:
Statistically, teams with a 6-game bulge going into the last 20 games of the year win the pennant 95% of the time... I like that number... also like the Marston Nine, one of the best clubs in the IPA this year and one of the favorites to win the Pro Cup... Cold Creek has come a long way this year and is on the rise, but the Catamounts are not likely to overcome that big Marston lead.
The Sligo Rovers (76-58) are still on top of the Ruthlandian West by 4 games over the Colfax Blasters (72-62)... last year's division winner Volusia (71-63) is running 5 games behind... none of them played well in August... the Rovers and Blasters were only 11-17... the Vigilantes 12-16.
Ruthlandian West Outlook:
Superior pitching can win a lot of ball games... Sligo has a standout staff... the Rovers are headed for the postseason playoffs for the first time since 2040... they should hold off Colfax and Volusia.
It's no contest in the Tycobbian North where Oxford (86-48) has totally dominated this year... the Red Caps rolled to an 18-10 mark in August and are 12 games in front of the runner-up Fairfax Frogs (74-60)... the Frogs also stood out with 18-10... last year's TU North flag winner Luxora (68-66) really fell to the wayside with only 10 wins and 18 losses... The Zorros are now 18 games off the pace and tied for third with Blue Lake (68-66).
Tycobbian North Outlook:
I'll go out on a limb and make a daring prediction: Oxford will win the TU North... you would probably agree with me.
Things have tightened up in the Tycobbian South Division... the Ginza Ninjas went into August with a healthy 7-game edge over second place Turon (75-59), but the Typhoons narrowed it to just 4 games with a strong 18-10 record... the Ninjas were 15-13... Summerland (73-61) and Cape Coral (72-62) still have slight chances of taking the pennant, but are 6 and 7 games out respectively... the Sunsets compiled a 16-12 mark last month, while the Hurricanes came in at 15-13.
Tycobbian South Outlook:
Don't you hope the Karate Kids hold off the Turon Typhoons... this may be right down to the wire... but I think Mr. Miyagi will come through for us... Ginza still looks like the better ball club... Summerland and Cape Coral have too many shortcomings and too much ground to make up... the Sunsets can't hit... and the 'Canes can't pitch a lick... neither will catch the Ninjas.
Rutlandian Union Standings (September 1st)
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