Week 6: Steady Anglers

Not a whole lot is changing in the sixth edition of the RFF Power Rankings – certainly not the top spot. Chatham has won 16 of 21 and is showing no signs of slowing down.

RANK	TEAM	RECORD	THE SKINNY
1	Chatham Anglers	23-10-1	The league’s steadiest team is showing now signs of slowing down. After their hot start to the season followed by a cold streak, the Anglers have won 16 of their last 21 games. They lead the league in fewest runs allowed and rank second in runs scored, which gives them a plus-56 run differential, also best in the league. Using runs scored and runs allowed to figure out the Pythagorean winning percentage, the Anglers are projected to finish the season with 30 wins. At this point, it’s a good bet.
2	Falmouth Commodores	19-14	The Commodores have yet to really catch fire and they remain just off the pace of Cotuit and Hyannis in the West, but I still like them as the league’s second-best team. The debate on whether Hyannis or Falmouth is better centers around the team’s polarizing strengths – hitting for Falmouth, pitching for Hyannis. In reality, Falmouth has scored 61 more runs than the Harbor Hawks and has actually allowed one fewer run. Maybe Hyannis just plays better baseball, but Falmouth has the profile of the better team and its 3-2 week included a 12-1 victory over Hyannis.
3	Hyannis Harbor Hawks	21-12-1	At this point, you can throw the run differential stat out the window. Yes, Hyannis has a minus-15 number, but it’s clearly one of the best teams in the league regardless of that. Hyannis went 4-2 for the week and shut out Chatham to finish that stretch. As noted above, I still give the edge to Falmouth in the rankings, but Hyannis has the inside track on winning the West. They’ll be a team to reckon with in the playoffs, although one concern is that star pitcher Jeff Hoffman won’t be there – he has made his last start on the Cape.
4	Cotuit Kettleers	20-14-1	Cotuit continues to hold its own, going 2-3-1 on the week. The team’s leading home run hitter, Yale Rosen, is out with an injury, adding another line to the long list of players the Kettleers have lost this year. On the bright side for Cotuit, Nevada standout Austin Byler and Texas’s Mark Payton are joining the fold as big late-season additions and Bradley Zimmer is expected to return after spending most of the summer with Team USA.
5	Harwich Mariners	17-16-1	I was tempted to put Harwich ahead of Cotuit but it’s a tough sell based on results. The Mariners rank third in the league in run differential but they went 1-3-1 for the week and are clinging to second place in the East. Ultimately, I think they’ll be a dangerous team in the playoffs, especially with Aaron Bummer, Chandler Shepherd and Dillon Peters at the front of the rotation, but for now, they’re treading water.
6	Bourne Braves	16-17-1	Bourne and Harwich have followed similar paths all season – they look like they should better but they haven’t quite put it all together. The pitching rotation still has as much upside as any in the league, with Jaron Long, Ryan Kellogg and Austin Gomber leading the way. Finding production continues to be a key – the Braves have scored the fourth-fewest runs in the league despite the second-ranked batting average.
7	Orleans Firebirds	17-18	The Firebirds were teetering on a collapse this time last week. Now, they’re making a two-spot move up the rankings after a 5-1 week. The victories included one over contender Falmouth, and one each over East challengers Y-D and Brewster. Will Fulmer, Ross Kivett and Jordan Luplow have given the offense a big boost of late, and the pitching staff is settling in.
8	Y-D Red Sox	16-18-1	The Red Sox went 3-3 for the week and with Brewster sliding, they have put themselves in a much more comfortable position as far as a playoff berth goes. If they get in, it might still be a tough road, though. At one time, the Red Sox had one of the league’s highest batting averages but it has dipped to .257, which is only good for seventh. The pitching staff has given up the most runs in the league.
9	Brewster Whitecaps	12-22	For a while, it looked like the Whitecaps might make a run at a playoff spot. It’s not out of the realm of possibility but this week really hurt the cause. While Orleans went 5-1, Brewster went 1-5. The Whitecaps still have some standout players but it’s going to be an uphill climb.
10	Wareham Gatemen	7-27	The Gatemen need a miracle to make the playoffs at this point and it isn’t likely to happen. They’ll just be trying to finish the season strong, and could still deliver some bright moments. Playoff MVP Kyle Schwarber is reportedly coming back to town after a summer with Team USA.