Week 8 Standings Summary

The most interesting of American League races is proving to be out West, with 5 of the 6 teams clearly in the playoff hunt.   "Interesting" is in the eye of the beholder however, as one can argue the West is the worst division in ATB.  Only one team, the Brighton Shadows, has a record of at least .500 and they accomplished it by the skin of their teeth, winning 8 of 14 this Sim, ending the week at 57-55.

Behind them are the Sparta Hoplites, a team with a +3 Run Differential and sitting a game under .500.  The Shadows, at +35, are clearly the team to beat in the West at this point.  Similarly, with the best of the teams in rest of the division at -30, the Hoplites are clearly the Wild card favorites.

A trio of teams are in the next tier, averaging 7 games under .500 and a -35 run differential - Willets Point, Indiana, and Planet 10.  Finally, Uncle Robbie brings up the rear, 28 games under .500 with a -108 run differential.

While the AL East features a ho-hum Wild Card Race and a non existent Division race, it sports arguably the three best teams in the league.  The Carnies, Gossamers, and Pinata Beaters are 1, 2, and 3 in Wins and Run Differential.  Their well rounded attacks, both with the offense and pitching staff, truly separates these three teams from the rest of the field.  The Carnies are ranked 2nd in both runs scored and runs prevented, the Gossamers 7th and 3rd, and the Pinata Beaters 9th and 6th.  They are the only teams in the Top 10 in both categories.

If the had the luxury of playing in the West, the Chips would be in the Wild Card hunt, but in the East they find themselves 12.5 games back.  Behind them are the World Police and dogphin29, 17 and 20.5 games out of the Wild card respectively.

This Week Around the League

• Tris Speaker (GCG) batted .428 / .463 / .469
• Fred Dunlap (SPB) hit .412 with 7 extra base hits and 15 RBI
• Johnny Mize (BIC) is holding up his end of the platoon bargain, he hit .480 / .519 / 1.120 with a 1.639 OPS against righties
• Jim Thome (d29) teed off belting 5 HR
• Mickey who?  Benny kauff (TWP) batted .412 with 4 2B, 1 3B, and 2 HR
• The Black Sox hit 20 team Home Runs this week; Kevin Mitchell led the way with 8
• Joe Jackson (SH) scored 12 runs and batted .451 with a .548 OBP

• Johnny Podres (DCC) pitched in 29+ innings, giving up just 5 runs (1.53 ERA)
• Danny Darwin (SPB) continues to impress, and threw another great 19 IP this week (1.89 ERA)
• Brett Saberhagen (PRL) went 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in 3 starts
• Randy Johnson (d29) struck out 28 in 18 innings
• Clayton Kershaw is the third "Mechanics" pitcher to win the Player of the Week award
• Justin Verlander (BS) went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA; he tossed 2 complete games
• Mel Parnell (URB) remains a bright spot on a struggling team, we won 2 of 3 with a 2.38 ERA