Power Rankings: Week 3

For the first time this summer, it’s not the Y-D Red Sox at the top.

1. Orleans Firebirds
Record: 14-7 (5-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 2

The streak ended Wednesday, but it had already cemented the Firebirds’ spot. Orleans won 10 games in a row, the first such streak in the league since Cotuit in 2012. Everything was working as the wins piled up, with the Firebirds out-scoring opponents 72-21 in the streak. They lead the league in team ERA and strikeouts, while ranking first in on-base percentage and first in fielding percentage. The crazy thing is the Firebirds started the season 0-4. That makes them 14-3 since.

2. Cotuit Kettleers
Record: 12-9 (5-2 last week)
Previous Rank: 5

Falmouth looked set to join Orleans in a clear top two when it won six games in a row, but Bourne beat the Commodores Sunday and Cotuit got them twice in a holiday home-and-home set. Those victories were part of a four-game win streak for the Kettleers, who grab the No. 2 spot instead. Cotuit ranks in the middle of the pack in team batting average but is third in slugging. The team ERA was at 4.46 last week but dropped to 4.19 at last check.

3. Falmouth Commodores
Record: 11-10 (3-3 last week)
Previous Rank: 4

Even with the recent skid, Falmouth’s offense remains a force to be reckoned with. The Commodores have 10 more home runs than anyone else in the league and are tops in runs scored. The middle of the order is the toughest in the league- with Alec Bohm on fire and Hunter Steinmetz, Trevor Larnach and Marty Bechina not far off his pace. Pitching is still the issue – the Commodores have the second worst ERA in the league at 4.66. They’re actually top four in opponent batting average, but walks continue to pile up.

4. Y-D Red Sox
Record: 11-9-1 (3-5 last week)
Previous Rank: 1

Knocked from the top spot, the Red Sox tumble a bit further after being on the wrong side of a 32-inning scoreless streak and three consecutive losses. A week after they led the league in batting average and OPS, they’re now fifth in average and fourth in OPS. I would wager it’s a cold stretch for a lot of hitters and not a sign that the Red Sox will struggle at the plate the rest of the way. The pitching will keep them in games either way, with Y-D ranking third in team ERA. Three of the top six on the league’s strikeout leaderboard are Red Sox.

5. Brewster Whitecaps
Record: 10-10-1 (3-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 3

Two wins over scuffling Harwich helped Brewster get back on track after it managed just one run in two losses to Orleans. The Whitecaps remain one of the top pitching teams in the league, with a 3.48 ERA and 173 strikeouts that both rank fourth. An offense that ranks in the middle of the pack should get a boost from the arrival of Vanderbilt’s Julian Infante, but the Whitecaps could really use help on defense. Their fielding percentage is worst in the league.

6. Wareham Gatemen
Record: 10-11 (4-2 last week)
Previous Rank: 7

The Gatemen are behind Bourne in the standings but a good week – and good underlying numbers – get them a step ahead here. Wareham owns the second-best team ERA in the league and is tied for second in team batting average. That looks like a team that should be better than 10-11. The problem? Wareham has racked up the numbers in a handful of games – they have 9-0, 10-2, 11-3, 11-0 and 13-2 wins to their name. If those performances become more regular, look out.

7. Bourne Braves
Record: 11-10 (4-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 6

The Braves were one game over .500 for the first edition of the power rankings and have gone 4-4 in consecutive weeks to stay pretty much where they were. The offense still lacks pop – four home runs and 32 extra-base hits – and the team ERA ballooned to 4.57 due to 13-run games this week, but the Braves are finding ways to win.

8. Hyannis Harbor Hawks
Record: 8-12-1 (2-5 last week)
Previous Rank: 8

The Harbor Hawks rank second in the league in hitting, but they’re having to out-slug people thanks to a struggling pitching staff. Hyannis’ team ERA sits at 5.16. Oddly enough, they’ve had three shutouts, one back of the league lead, but consistency has been the issue.

9. Chatham Anglers
Record: 9-12 (3-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 9

Chatham stopped Orleans’ win streak and has a leg up on Harwich for fourth place in the East. The Anglers rank eighth in the league in team batting average and sixth in team ERA. Apart from a good start to the summer, they haven’t been able to string much together.

10. Harwich Mariners
Record: 7-13-1 (2-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 10

Still not much going right for the Mariners, who rank seventh in team ERA and still can’t get the offense going. They’re batting a league-low .214, .33 points behind the closest team.

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