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Around the Bases: Week 13
With just 9 weeks left, the regular season title is still up for grabs
By Listen DePleyohs / Baseball Tri-Weekly
“Holy shit,” were the first words out of my mouth when I picked up the newspaper Monday morning and looked at the standings. Five teams within two games of first, and nine teams in contention for a playoff spot this deep into the season is rare.
Let’s take a look at the five top teams and see what they need to put them over the top:
Las Vegas Doggs
The defending champs have held onto a bye position all season, but it hasn’t been pretty. Sporting the most consistent offense, Las Vegas should be a lock for a top spot if it weren’t for their poor pitching staff.
Last week’s lost to Bizton amplifies their weaknesses, as the categories they did take would have easily been topped by a ranked team.
Plus: While not the most potent, the Doggs excellent offense has carried them this year.
Minus: A 7-4-1 record is the worst among the top teams and indicates Las Vegas may be playing above their heads.
Moves: Las Vegas has been in the market for an ace starting pitcher, but what they need is two or three mid-level pitchers who can bring a decent ERA and whip. With four quality offensive players on their bench, they have the resources to make a move. Snagging a FA closer wouldn’t hurt either.
Quebec City Piglets
Two big wins for the Piglets and now some GM’s are crowning them champions. Let’s forget that three weeks ago the Doggs murdered them, and it was a struggle for them to win games in May.
A record setting week for the offense is a good sign. If some of their stars can continue to put up big numbers they could match Las Vegas and Bridgewater’s bats in July.
Plus: A veteran offense means the production will come. Patience had paid off.
Minus: Injuries have really hurt the Piglets pitching staff, and while they can match the top teams in quality, production will take a hit until they can get some more arms out there.
Moves: With a month until the trade deadline, Quebec is finally getting an idea of what their team is made off. Improving their bullpen is the first step. Getting another mid-level pitcher or two is next.
Rakeville Rockets
As the only team not to make the playoffs last year, the Rockets are the biggest question mark this season. They have a balanced offense, but still a level below the other four teams. Their pitching staff is what has carried them here, with Sidney Ponson and Chris Young as the only question marks.
With the best record in the league (9-2-1) they can beat anyone in the league, but rarely by much. Expect them to drop out of the race, and then make a strong rush back in the final month as they did in the first half.
Plus: An excellent pitching staff, reinforced by quality free agent pickups. Their bullpen may be the best of the five.
Minus: An unproven offense has looked weak in the last month.
Moves: With a team of above-average hitters but no stars, it is hard to target a certain position. Help in the outfield should be their main objective, and then a more productive catcher.
Weymouth Shaddupu
Sitting at the top of the standings week in and week out, Weymouth has been fairly quiet this season. No big moves, and the trash talk has been limited. Being blown out by the Piglets has hopefully woken up General Manager Yukon Cornelius, who has made the fewest moves for a ranked team.
Despite their underachieving pitching staff, the Shaddupu have been the most consistent team this year. That is a credit to the team design, but it will not be enough to carry them to a championship.
Plus: A very potent lineup and staff from top to bottom. When at their peak, can’t be matched.
Minus: Poor performances by their aces have left a huge void in their production.
Moves: With a boatload of high profile players, Weymouth needs to pull the trigger and get themselves an upgraded pitcher, catcher or infielder.
Bridgewater Weasels
The crack of bats and the squeaking of bones are the loudest sounds in the Bridgewater night. While critics say there is no way this offense can perform at such a high level, its lack of high profile players is actually an asset for Bridgewater.
Their pitching staff has also been quite an asset, and often goes under the radar. With five pitchers having ace-like seasons, they have the arms to throw with Rakeville and Quebec. There is no reason to believe the weasels won’t stay competitive.
Plus: A veteran staff putting up excellent numbers and a powerful infield.
Minus: While they haven’t been a problem, injuries are always a concern for a team this old.
Moves: Their outfield is in need of an upgrade, but second base is their biggest hole. While they may not need to get a superstar, they can easily find someone younger who can match Womack’s production.
As is popular this week, I give my mid-season predictions:
1. Weymouth
2. Quebec City
3. Bridgewater
4. Las Vegas
5. Rakeville
6. Tijuana
7. Golden
8. Winston-Salem
I expect Las Vegas to drop off, especially with the resurgence of Quebec. I also think that Bridgewater will be able to take more categories from the lesser teams, thus pushing them ahead of the Doggs. Rakeville will drop to fifth, and barring a collapse by a top team they will remain there, within a few games of fourth.
Weymouth is the x-factor. While I don’t project a lot of production, I think they will get their wins and stay on top. Though, third place is not far away.
Let’s take a look at this week.
RAK at LV
With the return of Prior to top form, it bolsters the Doggs pitching staff, but is it enough to take down Rakeville? With only Maddux and Oliver Perez constantly pitching well, it will surely be an uphill climb. That, combined with a poor offensive performance against Bizton leaves the Doggs open for a beating.
Rakeville’s offense has also struggled, posting an average of 25 runs and 5.5 homeruns in the past month. These numbers are not conducive to winning, much less a blowout.
Look for this game to be close, regardless of the winner. While a few bad outings by Rocket pitchers could turn the tide, this doesn’t seem like the week for it.
BIZ at TIJ
This is a big week for the Markies, if they are serious about making a playoff run. They are seven and a half games back, with three power teams in front of them. A loss this week may just put them out of reach.
Tijuana’s tie with Plymouth must be demoralizing. Officially deemed an outsider in the race for the championship, the Hispanics are now squared in the sights of Bizton, Winston-Salem and Golden. That means three extra games where they will have to fight tooth and nail to stay in the playoffs. With trades coming every week out of Mexico (which will be the topic in two weeks) the Hispanics will make or break themselves with the front office.
The Hispanics offense was extremely impressive last week. If not for Quebec City’s breakout week, Tijuana would be the talk of the town. Expect that to continue in some capacity this week. With improvement from their staff, they could win handily.
HAV at TKO
While it is odd for me to highlight the two worst teams playing against each other, I noticed a trend that could affect the power teams.
In the last three weeks, Tokyo has tied their opponents in eight categories. Their offense has gone on runs recently that have gotten them close to the league average in homeruns, stolen bases, average and RBI’s. The return of Khalil Greene, the calling up of Brazelton, Gobble and Foppert, and the emergence of Jeremy Reed and others was bound to happen, and it looks like the change has begun.
While I don’t expect them to start competing for anything more than the second pick in the draft, I wouldn’t underestimate their ability anymore. If a power team is having a bad week with a category, expect Tokyo to take it.
As for the game, the Swingers offense has been getting back on track. If both sides play to potential, Haverhill has the advantage. Look for them to pull out a lopsided victory.
Transaction Wire
Quebec City picked up Luis Castillo, presumably for stolen bases, though he did not play last week against Weymouth. Once a speed demon, Castillo has only swiped 21 bases in the last two years and is on pace for 20 this year. Expect a short stay on the Piglet roster.
Tijuana was involved in two trades with Quebec City and Golden, netting them Bill Hall, Kyle Davies, Torii Hunter and Morgan Ensberg. The moves also sent Brian Roberts, Jose Guillen and Garrett Anderson out of Mexico, along with pitchers Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber.
Golden has given up on Dan Kolb. The former Braves closer is now a setup man, with his last save coming May 23rd. With 39 saves last year for Milwaukee, he might be a player to grab for next year.
The great Mark Wilkerson drank his last Corona, as he was dropped by Tijuana. The move was unexpected, with the team trading away two of their starting outfielders.
The Doggs pick up Pirates reliever Mike Gonzalez. While he has little value now, rumors of trade involving closer Jose Mesa going to a contender make Gonzalez, along will recently called up prospect Ian Snell, top candidates to fill the role.
Tokyo signed Hee Sop Choi (1B) yesterday. The Dodger first baseman has gone 1 for 26, after having a breakout week hitting 10 for 31 with 7 homeruns.
Listen DePleyohs’s Lock of the Week (3-1): Quebec City over Golden, 7-3
| 1. | Bridgewater | ( - ) |
| 2. | Weymouth | ( - ) |
| 3. | Quebec City | (+2) |
| 4. | Rakeville | ( - ) |
| 5. | Las Vegas | (-2) |
| 6. | Golden | (+1) |
| 7. | Tijuana | (-1) |
| 8. | Bizton | (+2) |
| 9. | Winston-Salem | (-1) |
| 10. | Plymouth | (-1) |
| 11. | Tokyo | (+1) |
| 12. | Haverhill | (-1) |
League Notes
-- Splits show that Bizton third baseman Adrian Beltre hits better at home. His wife confirmed this in Bizton Federal court on Thursday.
-- As a result of the many trades in Tijuana, the Hispanics pro shop faces financial problems with hundreds of jerseys and souvenirs featured former players still in stock. Officials claim the excess merchandise will be considered collectors items, but very few have been purchased and almost none have been posted on EBay.
-- The Rockets are close to finalizing their mascot. Designers have been torn because, while the mascot looks similar to the team logo, it also looks like a giant penis. “Coloring will be very important,” said designer Raul Treed.
Listen DePleyohs writes a column for Baseball Tri-Weekly. He was recently given a tour of the Jamestown Fire Department, calling it "the greatest time of my life. Ever."
