Tuesday, July 1, 2087
GINZA AND LA CLAIRE GOING STRONG AT MIDSEASON
Thus far at midseason in the 2087 Islandian Pro Alliance season things are coming up roses for the Ginza Ninjas, Fairfax Frogs and the La Claire Lynx. The Ninjas were forecast to win the TU South with ease. So far, so good -- Ginza is 7 games up on runner-up Arroyo Grande. In the TU North the Frogs have a huge 9-game bulge over the second place Mahaska Haymakers. In the TU West the Lynx are up by 5 games over preseason pick Rolling Hills. In the other 5 divisions around the IPA, there are some fairly good pennant races. Pro Cup champion Belair Beach is in a little bit of trouble, running fourth in the RU South, 6 and a half games back of first place Grand City. Still, the Sunbirds have the second half of the season, which is plenty of time to get back into the hunt for its second straight Pro Cup Trophy.
RUTHLANDIAN UNION MIDSEASON SUMMARY
The Ruthlandian North has a good race going. 7 of the 8 teams still possess a shot at the division crown. Only last place Kilkenny appears to have no chance. At midyear, Ranford is on top of the standings, leading second place Valmara by 2 and a half games. Third place LaGrange is now 5 and a half games out. The Gators led in the first month of the season. Preseason-favored Ancona is tied for third place. Far Mountain and Taranto are tied for the fifth spot, but still within striking distance, 6 GB. Glasco is in seventh place, just 8 games off the pace. The race is anybody's to win.
Valmara has played the best ball the last two months with a 31-22 mark. Taranto went 29-25. Ranford has been steady at 28-25. Ancona has the same record 28-25. Far Mountain has been over .500, but just barely at 27-26. This race appears to be going down to the wire with quite a few contenders. The Bulls have solid hitting (.284 BA), scoring (373 runs) and pretty fair pitching (3.67 ERA). They are the best in the RU North at the plate and on the mound. LaGrange is the home-run power (97 HR), tops in the Ruthlandian Union and also in the IPA. But the Bulls are batting a mediocre .246 for average. The race may come down to Ranford and Valmara.
With some strong pitching the Grand City Cybercats (3.41 ERA) soared to a 34-18 record and moved up into first place in the Ruthlandian South. They top the runner-up Waleska Westerners by 4 games now. The Cowpokes were riding high in May and at the top of the standings. Waleska went 29-25 the last two months. Third place Claxton had an impressive May and June, posting a strong 31-21 mark, but they fell to 6 and a half games out. The reigning Pro Cup champion Belair Beach Sunbirds were 28-26 and slipped further behind Grand City, trailing now by 6 and a half games in fourth place. It is still looking like four-team race in the RU South.
There are four challengers in the chase for the Ruthlandian East flag. May's leader Wynnamac is still on top of the heap with a 3 and a half game lead over second place and preseason favorite Belle Plaine. The Macs have the hurlers (3.41 ERA), while the Musketeers have the bats (.278 BA). Third place belongs to the Beechwood Blues, 6 GB. Last year's winner Marston is resting in the fourth spot in the standings, 8 GB. The Sundowners have played the best the last two months, chalking up an impressive 33-20 record, followed by the Muskies at 32-23, the Blues 31-24 and the Nine coming in at 29-24. The winner will come down to Wynnamac and Belle Plaine. Good pitching usually wins out. The Macs are looking like the best team in the RU East. Having made the playoffs on a regular basis (24 times), the Sundowners are due for another postseason appearance. They last appeared in 2083, a four-year absence. Then again, the Musketeers did win it last year. If the bats could win it, Beechwood (.271 BA) is looking good. But the Blues have the blues on the hill. They just don't have quality pitching (4.05 ERA).
At the midyear mark five clubs are still in the hunt for the Ruthlandian West title. Forest City was the #1 choice in the preseason poll and they have come through like champs so far. They have a scant one and one-half game edge over the defending champion Rocky Rapids Snappers. The Firebirds have been red-hot, going 33-19 the last two months. Most importantly, they were a sizzling 20-6 in June. Preseason favorite Rocky Rapids was 29-24. Third place Colfax chalked up a fine 33-20 mark, 4 and a half games out, fourth place Stoner was 28-24 and 6 GB. Fading Volusia has fallen to the fifth spot, trailing by 7 and a half games. The Vigilantes went 24-28 in May and June.
Forest City has the best attack in the Ruthlandian Union with 409 runs, 72 homers and a .274 BA. However, their mound staff is troubled with a lousy 4.36 ERA. The Firebirds still win despite the poor pitching. Rocky Rapids can hang with Forest City. Their offense churned out 377 runs, .281 BA and 77 HRs. Their hurlers posted a better ERA than the Firebirds. They put up a 3.95 ERA. After a poor start in April, Colfax has been impressive and on the move, sporting a fine offense with 383 runs, 68 homers and an impressive .283 BA. The Black Sox will certainly be a factor in the RU West this season. Fourth place Stoner is staying close, 6 GB, but doesn't really threaten the top three leaders.
Forest City climbed to the top ot the RU West with a sizzling 20-6 run in June. Over the last two months the Firebirds posted a fine 33-19 mark. Rocky Rapids is hanging tough with a 29-24 record. Colfax moved up with 33-20 in recent months. Stoner was 28-24 and holding steady. All of the also-rans played under .500 in May and June.
Ruthlandian Union Standings on July 1, 2087
