Sunday, September 1, 2069
SEPTEMBER SURVIVAL IS IN THE AIR IN THE IPA
Down the stretch it's survival of the fittest... 8 Islandian Pro Alliance division leaders are counting the 29 days until the end of the season... September is here... the final month of the regular season... the big question all around the Islands is what will it take to win the pennant?
Only one team is looking signed, sealed and delivered... that would be the Red Bluff Red Sox (75-54)... they have a solid 8-game lead in the Tycobbian East... it will take quite an effort for the Hillsboro Blazers (67-62) and the South Fork Stallions (67-62) to catch them... two teams have 5-game leads... Pro Cup favorite and Tycobbian West-leading Rolling Hills (81-48) and Marston (76-53), the top team in the Ruthlandian East, both are up by 5 games... the Southport Sun Sox (80-49) appear to be in control of the Tycobbian South with a 4-game edge over Turon (76-53)... but after that, the other 4 divisions are up in the air and up for grabs... the flag-winning clubs will have to have a good September to make the Pro Cup playoffs.
Ruthlandian Union Recaps and Recollections
NO GUARANTEED WINNERS IN THE RU... PENNANTS UP FOR GRABS
It's a three-team tussle in the Ruthlandian North race... Far Mountain (73-55) now has a fight on its hands... preseason favorite LaGrange (71-58) and Taranto (70-59) have surged back into the race with strong play in August... the Gators feasted with a standout 18-9 mark and the Tars were right on their tails at 17-10... Far Mountain's lead has been cut to just 2 and a half games over LaGrange and 3 and a half over Taranto... the Redhawks were 14-13 for the month.
The Claxton Diamonds (76-52) have captured the Ruthlandian South the last 6 seasons, but it has not been easy this year... they have been harassed the whole season by the Valka Blackhawks (75-54) and Belair Beach Sunbirds (67-62)... for half the season Grand City (61-69) and Waleska (63-66) gave them fits, too... Claxton finally made it to first place in August fending off everyone except the high-flying Blackhawks... both clubs had sizzling summers... in July and August the Diamonds went 33-19 and the Blackhawks 34-18... the winner of the RU South will be the team that stays the hottest and sizzles in September... Claxton's margin is down to just one and a half games... every game will be crucial.
Heading into September things are looking swell for the Marston Nine (76-53) with a 5-game edge over the Wynnamac Sundowners (71-58) and 6 games better than the Eastshore Cotton Kings (70-59)... all of them had steady months in August... all a little better than .500... the Nine was 14-13, the Macs 15-12 and the Cotton Ballers 15-13.
And just who will win in the chaotic Ruthlandian wild, wild West?... it will be one of 6 teams... Sligo (68-62) tops the division by an eyelash... a half-game better than Volusia (67-62) and Middlefield (67-62)... only 2 ahead of Rocky Rapids (65-63)... and would you believe the fifth place teams are just 2 and one half games off the pace... last year's Pro Cup champion Forest City (65-64) and Fort Benton (65-64) are both breathing down the necks of the Rovers... Rocky Rapids (17-10), Sligo (15-13), Middlefield (15-12) flourished in August, while Forest City (13-14) and Volusia (12-15) slipped some.
