Monday, July 1, 2086
IPA RACES ARE TIGHTER IN RUTHLANDIA AT MIDYEAR
There are at least 16 serious challengers in the Ruthlandian Union at midyear. Not so in the Tycobbian Union where only 8 clubs seem to have any legitimate pennant hopes. Tycobbian teams South Fork and Mahaska have played extremely well so far and both have healthy leads. The Stallions are well ahead in the TU East with a very comfortable 10-game edge on Red Bluff and East Point. The Haymakers also have a solid 7-game margin over runner-up Fairfax in the TU North.
The biggest surprises are the Arcona Jumbos and the Colchester Elites. The Jumbos are the top team in the Ruthlandian North halfway through the year, while the Elites are a close third in the Tycobbian South and contending with first place Arroyo Grande and second-ranked Ginza.
Thus far, the biggest flops have been the current IPA Pro Cup champion Colfax Black Sox and the highly-heralded Hartsdale Hellcats. Colfax is in last place in the RU West and already 20 games out of first place. Hartsdale is running 5th and trails by a whopping 15 games at midseason. Both clubs were forecast to be in the thick of the pennant races this season.
WHOLESALE CHAOS IN RU NORTH
6 teams are fighting it out in the Ruthlandian North. Ancona, Ranford, Far Mountain, Kilkenny, preseason favorite Valmara and last year's winner LaGrange are all within 7 games of each other. The Jumbos have been terrific at the end of the first three months of play. This year Ancona was fated to end up in 7th place.
DIAMONDS, WESTERNERS, CYBERCATS AND CURRENT CHAMP SUNBIRDS IN TENSE RACE IN RU SOUTH
It's a 4-team affair in the Ruthlandian South between Claxton, Waleska, Grand City and preseason pick and defending division champion Belair Beach. It only 3 games from first to fourth place.
MUSKIES, NINE AND COTTON KINGS CONTEND IN RU EAST
In the Ruthlandian East, it's a three-team free-for-all between Belle Plaine, Marston and preseason choice and reigning division champion Eastshore. The Nine have been a mild surprise. The pundits ranked them the fifth-best team in the early season poll. Two highly-thought of teams, Wynnamac and Beechwood have slumbered so far. They were forecast to give the Cotton Kings a run for their money, along with Belle Plaine.
SNAPPERS, CANNONS AND FIREBIRDS MAKING LIFE MISERABLE FOR PRO CUP CHAMP COLFAX IN RU WEST
Coming off a glorious Pro Cup season, Colfax has had a miserable season so far and has sunk down to dead last in the Ruthlandian West. Lousy pitching is the reason. The Black Sox can forget about repeating as Pro Cup champion. At midseason they are already 20 games behind. The RU West race is shaping up as a three-team tango among preseason favorite Fort Benton, the up-and-coming Rocky Rapids Snappers and Forest City.
2086 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings
