Friday, September 1, 2084
4 NECK-TO-NECK FINISHES IN IPA PENNANT RACES
Heading into September, Belair Beach has it all wrapped up in the Ruthlandian South. Ditto for Ozarka in the Tycobbian East and Hartsdale in the Tycobbian North. The probable victor in the Ruthlandian West is Fort Benton. All the remaining 4 divisions probably will feature neck-to-neck photo finishes. It's a great day to be a baseball fan in the Islands!
Ruthlandian Union September Outlook
5-TEAM LOGJAM IN RU NORTH
Around the Islandian Pro Alliance. It's a great race in the Ruthlandian North. Going to the final month, Ancona is deadlocked with last year's champion Far Mountain. 2 games behind are the LaGrange Gators, the preseason favorite. Don't count out fourth place Taranto, just 4 GB and Valmara, 5 and a half games off the pace. It will probably come down to the Jumbos, Redhawks and Gators. At the beginning of September, they are playing the best baseball of all the contenders.
SUNBIRDS ARE LEAD-PIPE CINCHES IN RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South pennant race was over a month or two ago. The Belair Beach Sunbirds have wiped everybody in sight. Nobody is close. The Sunbirds have a 14-game bulge in the last month of the season. Belair Beach will be one of the favorites to win it all this year, along with Hartsdale, Ozarka and whoever wins the TU West, Bayview or Rolling Hills.
RU EAST UP IN THE AIR, 5 TEAMS STILL IN THE HUNT
What a race in the Ruthlandian East. None of the current top teams, first place Cold Creek, second place Belle Plaine and third place Marston, were given much of a chance to win the division in the preseason poll. Wynnamac was rated most likely to win this season. The Macs are in the fifth spot with a losing record, yet they still have a slight chance to win. With only one month to go, slumping Cold Creek has chilled down. The Raccoons only have a one-game margin over the perpetual also-ran and loser Belle Plaine Musketeers, who have come out of nowhere in the last two months to be a serious challenger. Third place Marston trails by just 2 and a half games. The Nine has cooled off the last few months. Fourth place Eastshore suddenly caught fire in August and is only 3 games behind. Last year's flag winner Wynnamac still has a remote chance at the pennant, but is 6 games off the pace. The Macs have been playing good ball in recent months. The Musketeers and the Cotton Kings are the best bets to take the RU East this year. They are both sizzling going into September. The Belle Plaine Musketeers have only gone to the playoffs one time in its sad and long sordid history. That was way, way, way back in 2009. Come on you Muskies. It's one for all, y 'all and all for one, you all. (That's how we say it in South Ruthlandian and South Tycobbia). The Eastshore Cotton Kings have made the playoffs 10 times in history and even has 2 Pro Cup Trophies (2016 and 2017). Their last division title came in 2074.
CANNONS EXPLODE IN 2ND HALF, TAKE CHARGE OF RU WEST
This season the Ruthlandian West pennant race was forecast to be between just two teams, last year's champion Volusia and this year's favorite Colfax. At midseason the Fort Benton Cannons suddenly caught fire and exploded in a second-half surge to take command of the division race. Fort Benton has a solid 6 and one-half game lead going into September. The Cannons are firing on all cylinders, Colfax has declined over the last few months and Volusia had completely fallen out of the race, 12 and a half games out. This will be Fort Benton 4th flag in the last 8 years. The Cannons will be seeking their very first IPA Pro Cup. It is unlikely Colfax can overtake them at this late date in the season.
Tycobbian Union September Outlook
HARTSDALE HANDILY HANDLING TU NORTH
Though the Hartsdale Hellcats were the second choice of the Islands' baseball experts to win the Tycobbian North pennant, so far, the Hellcats have easily handled all opposition, including preseason favorite Fairfax, and is headed for its 3rd straight pennant and their 6th overall in the last 13 seasons. At the beginning of September, Hartsdale has a strong 9-game margin over runner-up Mahaska and 10 over Fairfax. It is not likely that the Haymakers and Frogs will overtake the Hellcats. Hartsdale took charge in June and never looked back into their rearview mirror. They have thoroughly dominated the TU North this year and will be a potent force in the Pro Cup playoffs. The Hellcats have two Pro Cups to their credit. They won them in 2046 and 2063. Hartsdale would like nothing better than to add another esteemed prize to their trophy case.
5-TEAM BOTTLENECK IN TU SOUTH
Four teams are within 2 games of the top of the standings in the Tycobbian South and each of them has a fighting chance at the division flag. Even 5th place Arroyo Grande, 6 GB, could win it with a super September. Most likely the victor will come from the top four clubs. Preseason favorite Turon and Ginza are hot heading into the final month of play. Momentum is with them. Right now first place Cape Coral is sagging, but it has a game and a half lead over runner-up Ginza. Turon and slipping Colchester are just 2 games behind. The Elites won the pennant last year in a romp. 5th place belongs to the Arroyo Grande Suns, but they are 6 games off the pace, a difficult number of games to make up in one month, especially with 4 teams to overcome and pass. The Suns have been the best team in the TU South the last two months. The first place Hurricanes have won the TU South twice in the last 3 seasons. The last time the Ninjas challenged for the pennant was 2071. Their last division flag and playoff appearance came in 2060. The Typhoons last division title came in 2079, but they have come close in 2080 and 2082. Of course, the pennant winner will be the team that has the best September. That will probably be Turon or Ginza. They are the hottest teams going into the last month of play. May all the underdogs in the pennant races prevail. Long live the unsung, unheralded and the long forgotten.
YEP! NATS SUREFIRE WINNER IN TU EAST
With a 9-game bulge going into the last month of the season, the Ozarka Naturals just can't possibly lose the pennant, can they? The Nats are a remarkable 38-14 since July. Surely they will breeze to the Tycobbian East title. There's no way South Fork can catch them. The Stallions are the only viable horse still in the race. Ozarka has made shambles of the race. The Naturals were favored to edge out the Stallions in the preseason poll. No one else was given any chance to win the division. So you must say the baseball analysts knew their stuff, scribblings and stats this year. At least as far as the TU East is concerned. Last year's winner East Point, the defending Pro Cup winner, was picked to wind up 7th and that's exactly where they are currently. The Panthers got old very fast. I really got fond of the old guys. I thought they would still be a contender this year. That shows you how much I know. Yeah, buddy, it is looking like Ozarka just might be the best team in the IPA and just might win their very first Pro Cup.
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN THIS YEAR IN TU WEST
Last year heading into September the race came down to the Rolling Hills Racers and the Bayview Vikings. The Racers slimmed past the Viks by one game and won the Tycobbian West crown. It was decided on the final two days of the season. It's happening again this year. Bayview is up by the scant total of one and one-half games. It's just between them and second place Rolling Hills. Both clubs are playing very well. So, once again get yo' self set for a torrid fight to the finish in the TU West. Bayview hasn't made the playoffs in almost 7 decades. Wow! That's just terrible. All Rolling Hills has done is make the postseason 28 times. All the Racers have ever done is win 10 Pro Cups. Come on Viking fans. You just gotta believe. EC has mixed emotions. I love the Racers. They are one of my all-time favorite teams in the Islandian Pro Alliance, but my heart may be with the Norsemen. No matter who wins, EC will be sad.
2084 Ruthlandian Union Standings September 1st
2084 Tycobbian Union Standings September 1st
