Power Rankings, by sullyb2332 (Portland Pilots)
As a way to provide some content for the blog, I thought I would try to do a NL and AL Top 10 Power Rankings list (new rankings should come out every 10-15 games). The methodology is simple; a separate AL and NL list using mainly overall records, and using team hitting and pitching stats to separate teams with the same Win/Loss records. Not scientific by any means, but overall, I think it works because it takes a lot of the opinion and guess work out of the equation (and gets me off the hook of passing judgment on other teams). Here is the Top 10 after the first 15+ games of the season. So feel free to comment, argue, cuss out the author, etc…
AL Power Rankings – Top 10
1. 1 - Portland Pilots (13-5) – A top 5 offense plus the AL’s only sub 4.00 ERA (3.79) equals a #1 ranking and the AL’s top record.
2. 2 - Colorado Knockers (12-6) – The Knockers are the hottest team in the AL in their last 10 games (8-2). The leagues #2 offensive unit more than makes up the Coors effect pitching (6.18 ERA).
3. 3 - Philadelphia Starz (11-6) – After a quick start, the Starz have struggled by losing 4 in a row. A top 5 offense is keeping the Starz at the top of the AL North.
4. 4 - San Antonio Coyotes (10-7) – To paraphrase Jack Nicholson, the Coyotes offense wants the pitchers on that wall, they need them on that wall. Despite a below league average offense, the Coyotes are 10-7 because of the leagues second best staff ERA (4.38).
5. 5 - Wichita Whirlwinds (10-7) – See above and reverse everything. The Whirlwinds are led by the AL’s #1 offense that carries the leagues third worst ERA (6.42). An improvement on the hill may cause Wichita to shoot up the standings.
6. 6 - Boston T-BagParty (10-7) – Consistency is thy middle name. The seventh ranked offense and the seventh ranked pitching staff all add up to a 10-8 record and a #6 ranking. Damn, I should have ranked them #7, just to keep up the pattern.
7. 7 - Pawtucket PawSocks (10-8) – Pawtucket’s road struggles are the only thing keeping them from a higher spot on these rankings and in the AL East. A top 3 pitching staff paired with a top 5 offense should be a sign of future success.
8. 8 - Trenton Thunder (10-8) – I am not sure how they keep winning (at this point). An offense ranked in the bottom half of the league paired with the leagues second worst ERA (6.58) usually wouldn’t add up to a 10-8 record.
9. 9 - New Orleans 911’s (9-9) – Call 911! (sorry, couldn’t resist) After a good start, New Orleans is 3-7 in their last 10 games. Much of the problem appears to be a knack of losing away from home. League average pitching and hitting numbers equal a 500 record.
10.10 - Tucson Pueblos (8-9) – Almost identical numbers as New Orleans. A sub .500 road record also prevents the Pueblos from climbing over the .500 mark.
NL Top 10 Power Rankings to follow.
