[StLee]

Analysis

Nothing much has changed in positioning from last week to this one. Starlight is now in a first-place tie after losing its series at Lexington in the International League. Otherwise, the divisions basically look the same.

Something of note is that every division currently has a tight race for second place with 18 left to play. We discussed the IL and Minutemen League's race in more detail last week, so let us look at how the Brotherhood and Railroad races are shaping up.

With The Slog continuing to be the dominant team of the BL, Easy Town and County Crossing are currently leading in the race for the crap pile. At 22-20, neither team has looked like it can dominate the other, so what remains on the schedule and avoiding the Ghouls as much as possible may be the key to success. Of course, just a game back of both lies in wait the defending league champions, the Finch Farm Four Leafs, at 21-21.

The Bloodbugs and Assaultrons are dead even on the power rankings list. For County Crossing, they rely on their potent offense to get things done. The Bloodbugs are 2nd in the BL in runs scored (237) but 5th in runs allowed (262). Other than Bad Company Grognak (8-3, 4.36), the starters are not consistently getting it done. The bats have been on fire, though the Bloodbugs do not hit for power. Seven of the eight in the lineup are hitting above .300, with Mush Levy (.297) just missing out. Left fielder Tom Mastodon has had a mammoth season, hitting .384/.401/.561 in 42 games. He led the BL in hits and triples last season, and he currently leads in both in 2297 (76 H, 7 3B).

Easy Town is just the opposite in 2297 for its production. The Assaultrons are tied for 4th in runs scored (231) but are 2nd in runs allowed (229). The amazing part of their pitching success is that the ace, Angel Waterdrink, has not been good, holding a 1-7 record with a 4.88 ERA. Third starter Smoker Caliman has been the better option, holding an 8-3 record with a 4.39 ERA. Closer Aaron Geneva has 10 saves and a 1.96 ERA. His 10 saves trails only Nordhagen Beach's Sia Abber (12).

In the Railroad League, Fairline Hill Estates and Vault 81 are tied at 22-20 with a nice cushion on 4th place Shaw and Egret (both 18-24). The Yao Guai appear to be the better team of the second-place squads, so let us start there. FHE took over the RL lead for runs scored (268), one head of the Oberland T-51s. They are 2nd in runs allowed (238), meaning that the radbears are a good all-around team. Ace Bow Rome (7-6, 4.17) ERA has looked better of late and the bullpen has a lights-out 3.72 ERA to lead the RL. On offense, Hose Wallcrawler is still looking to be the CBO Player of the Year. He is batting .407 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI. He is not currently leading any of the Triple Crown categories, but he is close to the top in all three.

For the Dwellers, they seem more lucky than good to be here. Egret is 5th in runs scored (235) and 3rd in runs allowed (245). Ace Curt Redcoats is 5-8 with a 4.63 ERA. Right fielder Deer Quickwalker leads the RL with a .434 batting average with 10 home runs and 32 RBI. He would be considered a league MVP leader if it were not for Wallcrawler. 1B Erns Gold leads the RL in home runs (17) and has 48 RBI to lead the team. The rest of the offense struggles regularly, with only leadoff hitter Bubb Islander hitting over .300 besides Quickwalker and Gold.