|
Team
|
Record
|
Comments
|
| 1. Norfolk Ninjas |
23-10 |
Led by the 14 taters of Alejandro Sanchez and Moroccan import Sixto
Ciardullo's .393 average, Norfolk has been pounding the ball early, with
six players already scoring over 20 run each. |
| 2. Toronto Dragons |
22-9 |
Despite likely HOFer Terry Andersen being out
3-4 months, Toronto has continued to prosper. Hassan Al-Jahir (7-0,
1.85) has been dominant, as has their all-righty bullpen. |
| 3. Dublin Deadbeat Drunks |
22-11 |
Four of their starters have ERAs well under 3.00, and their bullpen
has locked down a UBL leading 13 saves. With only four position players
suiting up every day, the Drunks manage to win despite their hangovers. |
| 4. Melbourne Beavers |
20-12 |
Johnny Meusel's bat (.275/11/24) and Bob Warren's arm (5-1, 1.77) have
the Beavers holding back the rest of the EHL East. If they can get
production out of the aging Mike Usher and Lucky McBride, this team should
hold court all year. |
| 5. San Juan Destroyers |
19-12 |
The hottest team in baseball, winners of their last 7. If they
can keep closer Mike Babcock from imploding (7 saves, 3 losses), they may
hold on for a wild card run. |
| 6. Atlanta Predators |
19-12 |
Their opponents have a better batting average and ERA. The Predators
have more W's. Only 4-8 against division rival Toronto, look for
the Predators to warm up once they leave their division. |
| 7. Seattle Devils |
18-13 |
With a 5 game streak of their own, Seattle has made a quick surge past
.500 ball. John Stockwell (0.64 ERA in 42 innings) has had no help
early, getting only 2 wins in his 6 starts. |
| 8. Alexandria Kings |
19-15 |
In what may be the strongest division in the UBL, Alexandria gets the
nod for managing a 4-4 record against Dublin, their only foray out of the
Central. Frank Zahn and his 9 dingers are good for 3rd in the league. |
| 9. Amsterdam Fire Ants |
18-14 |
With their lack of power (EHL low 27 HRs), the bullpen must continue
to dominate (7 saves, 10 holds, 2 of 32 IRS). As for Hank Guerrero
(3-1, 3.24), dont call it a comeback, he's been here for years. |
| 10. Roman Gladiators |
16-15 |
Rome hates the French. Hates 'em. You would too if you
were 1-7 against the Isotopes. Masto leads the EHL in runs despite
hitting only .253. Once he finds his stroke, the Gladiator lineup
will up production across the board. |
| 11. Berlin Hoodfellas |
17-14 |
Above .500 courtesy of their last 3 at Helsinki, the Hoodfellas continue
to teach the EHL how to get on base and then take an extra. How management
doesn't start a pitcher with a 150-80 career record is beyond me. |
| 12. Brooklyn Bulldogs |
14-14 |
Matching Berlin, Brooklyn is here courtesy of their last 3 at Pitt.
Winning 'em close (8-2 in 1-run) and late (3-0 in extras) is keeping them
afloat, but it won't help long if Bill Braggs keeps getting innings (2-4,
5.80). |
| 13. Paris Isotopes |
17-14 |
Paris has been in more one run games (they're 9-7) than any other team.
With ownership wary of veteran players, youth may be on the way.
Should just get a bat or two and contend now. |
| 14. Sacramento River Cats |
16-14 |
The lone "new" team above .500, their staff lets them compete every
night. Steve Mantle and Layne Conde keeping everyday jobs while Budnick,
Reinecker and Bell languish in AAA is a travesty. |
| 15. Mexico City Luchadores |
16-18 |
The defending UBL champs have had a rough start, including a 2-6 record
with a 7.28 ERA against Norfolk. If Boever and Martinez
remember how to pitch, the Luchadores should get right back on track. |
| 16. Edinburgh Plaid Sox |
15-16 |
Potential stud Sherry Garbarino is finally showing some offense, assaulting
first base with a .385 obp. If he ever learns how to hit with men
on, he should improve on those 9 RBI. |
| 17. Stockholm Rebels |
14-18 |
Endurance Pacific and Lacy Boomhower are looking worthless after their
respective Cy and ROY seasons in 2012. Combine that with holes in
their lineup and a staff that needs adjusting and the Rebels are looking
soft. |
| 18. Alaska Kodiaks |
15-17 |
Still waiting on the class of '09 to score some runs. They better
hurry...half their games have been at home and the Kodiaks still managed
to give up more taters than 8 other WHL teams. |
| 19. Barcelona Matadors |
14-17 |
Any team below the unowned Matadors actually trying to compete should
be ridiculed in public. Yes, Chee, I'm talking about the Fever. |
| 20. Chinese Yellow Fever |
14-18 |
4-4 against Helsinki. 4-9 against Melbourne. At least they
managed to go 6-5 against Berlin so far. On the plus side, Pepe Fluhrer
has 3 saves and a 2.57 ERA. |
| 21. Harbor Hawkeyes |
14-18 |
Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'. With Alaska stocked for the
foreseeable future, Harbor's best shot is right now. Move some pieces,
load up on talent, and kick some Devil ass. |
| 22. Morocco Mayhem |
12-18 |
Burroughs and Rodriguez must miss playing in Seattle. They're
a combined 4-6 with ERAs over 5.00. Ash Boomstick and Efram Pabich
should be starting at the 5 and 6 in Morocco for the next 10 years. |
| 23. Chicago Windbags |
12-20 |
This is what happens when you go 1-9 in 1-run games. They've
been outscored by three runs on they year, so this record may turn with
a little luck. |
| 24. Helsinki Hellions |
12-19 |
New owner, new city, new direction. With some young talent in
the outfield, they've got a base to build on. Anyone issuing a line
on the date the Hellions give up on starting two knucklers in the UBL? |
| 25. Columbus DemonDogs |
12-19 |
When a guy gives up 17 taters in 43 innings, I usually quit listing
him as my first starter. Mul Jacobs must have one hell of a sore
arm. Probably a sore jaw, too. Gotta be keeping that No. 1
status somehow. |
| 26. London Clash |
11-20 |
New owner, same city, new direction. Hopefully someone realizes
McGuillen, MacCleod, and the rest of the vets can be useful pieces in a
pennant race. Nothing worse than watching the old school talent sitting
out in October. |
| 27. Detroit Polar Bears |
12-22 |
With five rookies on the active roster, the Polar Bears will be hibernating
for another season or two. Jermaine Ong (2-4, 2.95) has been lights
out in his second season. |
| 28. Pittsburgh River Rats |
8-23 |
I guess its only natural for the River Rats to go into hiding when
RiverCats show up. Their pitching has been atrocious, but at least
the bats rate out to mediocre. |
