Power Rankings #2

Let me first say, its so tough to do a power rankings after only three weeks of games. While some teams have made strong statements (both positive and negative), some teams are still weeks away from establishing what to expect from them this season. Because of the potential flukiness involved with a team’s record after three games, there are some other factors I considered as well. One component is missed games. Some teams’ records are misrepresented by key absences. While every team goes through this during the season, there are certain teams who I can’t have low in the rankings just because their 1-2 record was the result of key missed games. The other determining factor at this point in the season is my pre season expectations. It’s too early for me to change my mind on some teams. However, I have to admit that early performances opened my eyes to the likely true nature of certain teams I misjudged. 

The number in parenthesis represents the previous power rankings position. My rule is that the #1 team will only be at risk of losing its top spot if they lose the current week’s game. So without further ado, here are the current rankings:

1.       Feldman (6)- The Brocks add a special dynamic to this team unlike any Feldman team has had in recent memory.  So far they’re the best balanced team in the league.

2.       Pollock (2)- I know some will think this is a bit biased, but consider that our one loss this year was a 13- inning game at Union Hill in which we were missing Adam Greenspan. So far the top 4 in the lineup are batting a combined .712 with a slugging percentage of 1.068.

3.       Lapine (7) - A pre-season sleeper pick that is really gelling right now.  What’s scary is that they’ve done this well without Lipomi getting hot yet(and he will).

4.       Applebaum (13)- Part one of two teams I potentially underestimated before the season. Jesse Cytryn is  plsying lights out(as usual) and has carried this team to one of three remaining 3-0 records.

5.       Younger (16)- A potential big oops on my part. In a season where offense has reigned supreme so far, Team Younger is averaging just 5.7 runs against. The key question is will they be able to keep up the torrid pace?

6.       Mamone (5)- This is the main reason I brought up the consideration of players missing games when doing the rankings. No way should Mamone be lumped in with the other 1-2 teams. Once Mamone comes back from his honeymoon to begin his life sentence in prison (aka marriage)then this team should start rolling again.

7.       Harris (12)- This team has bounced back very nicely from a lackluster first week. Chris Newman is becoming a star in the league and should help this offense be one of the steadiest all season.

8.       Carlin (1) -  I’m not ready to give up on Team Carlin, but I am beginning to think my 16 win season may be just  a tad bit off. The big three can only come to plate so many times in a game. Others will have to step up if this team is going to reach its lofty expectations.

9.       Sarcona (11)- I should walk on eggshells talking about my team’s opponent this weekend. They’re also known as the “For the love of God, do NOT hit it to their SS” team.

10.   Goldfarb (9)- I’m not used to seeing a Goldfarb team giving up an average of 11.7 runs. They’re averaging 10 runs a game now, but I feel that number will go down during the course of the season.

11.    Randell (8)- Like Team Carlin, This team will only get so far with its triad of offensive stars.  Others will have to step up and so far guys like Wayne Sherman has certainly handled that. Despite their 1-2 record, they’ve scored more runs than have given up in the early going. Defense is going to be an issue all year long and true to form, their 14.3 runs against is the worst in the league.

12.   Wallman (3)- Statistically speaking, Wallman is one of the worst in the league. The lesson learned here is that if you build a team full of singles hitters without any sluggers, then the contact hitters have to all rise to the occasion. Their 5.3 runs per game is significantly lower than any other team’s. Yet I still have some confidence that the team will wake up a bit. They might not meet my early prediction of 13-9, but I do think they can make it to .500.

13.   Schefkind(4)- Another pre-season favorite of mine off to a bad start. Unlike Wallman, I’m a bit less optimistic about their long term success.

14.   Jacoby (10)- A big win last Sunday helped partly salvage a pretty bad start for Team Jacoby. They weren’t competitive for the first two weeks, so could it be that the new guys just needed to warm up? I doubt that last week’s victory will be the catalyst for a long winning streak, but we’ll see.

15.   Beilis (15)- I keep coming back to the fact that the last three times Beilis had a record .500 or worse, they made the finals. That’s the best thing going for them right now.

16.   Granese (14)- As Bob Dylan once sang, “When something’s not right, it’s wrong” and certainly something’s just not right on Team Grenese. After only scoring two runs last Sunday, they go to Municipal for their next game. It might be going from bad to worse.