More of the same at the top, with some shifting below among the West’s top teams.
1. Orleans Firebirds
Record: 25-12 (4-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 1
For about a two-week span, Orleans and Y-D won every game except when they played each other – and they nearly made it to tonight’s rematch with the streak intact before both lost Wednesday. Still, the top two are crystal clear at this point, and Orleans still gets the edge. I don’t remember a team so consistently successful in every area. The Firebirds still lead the league in batting average, team ERA and fielding percentage.
2. Y-D Red Sox
Record: 23-12-1 (4-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 2
If things hold, it’s going to be a heck of an East Division finals series. Y-D has been almost as impressive as Orleans, ranking third in both batting average and ERA. They haven’t been the league’s best in the regular season in their title years recently, but they’re right there this summer.
3. Falmouth Commodores
Record: 19-17-1 (4-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 5
Wareham has fallen off after an impressive win streak, leaving three teams neck-and-neck. Falmouth currently leads the group in the standings and leads here, too, though the Commodores could lay claim to this spot even if they weren’t in first place. The slugging offense has yet to cool off, and there’s an ace emerging in Matt Mercer to solidify the pitching staff.
4. Bourne Braves
Record: 19-17 (3-2 last week)
Previous Rank: 6
The Braves are sandwiched between Falmouth and Cotuit in the standings and they get a boost above the Kettleers here thanks to the quality of their three wins this week. They beat Falmouth, Cotuit and Orleans to hold serve in the tight division race.
5. Cotuit Kettleers
Record: 18-17-1 (2-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 3
Cotuit didn’t have a great week and now sits sixth in both team batting average and team ERA. The pitching rotation doesn’t shape up to be as strong as some of the other top teams – not a single Kettleer pitcher has thrown enough innings to qualify for the ERA title – and the departure of Justin Hooper hurts. Griffin Conine and Greyson Jenista keep the offense dangerous, though.
6. Chatham Anglers
Record: 18-19 (2-3 last week)
Previous Rank: 7
The Anglers have won their last two games over Brewster, helping them keep a leg up on the Whitecaps for third place. Austin Bergner looks like a bona fide ace, leading a pitching staff with the fifth-best team ERA in the league. Chatham’s team batting average ranks ninth in the league.
7. Wareham Gatemen
Record: 16-19-1 (1-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 4
Wareham takes the biggest tumble in the rankings after a win streak turned quickly into a losing skid. This time last week, the pitching staff was in the midst of a dominant run, but one starter departed and two more – Joey Matulovich and Griffin Roberts – have since joined him. The Gatemen will likely still make the playoffs, but may not be as dangerous as they looked.
8. Brewster Whitecaps
Record: 16-19-2 (1-3-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 8
Brewster has lost a few key arms, too, with the departure of Davis Daniel and all-star Robert Broom. The Whitecaps have gone just 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. The pitching staff still ranks fourth in team ERA.
9. Hyannis Harbor Hawks
Record: 13-21-3 (2-2-1 last week)
Previous Rank: 10
Fading this time last week, Hyannis has stayed afloat by beating some other sliding teams, with the two wins coming against Brewster and Wareham. With top hitter Jake Mangum and Robert Neustrom heading out after the All-Star game, it’s going to be grind the rest of the way.
10. Harwich Mariners
Record: 11-25-1 (1-4 last week)
Previous Rank: 9
Harwich lost nine in a row before Wednesday’s win over Y-D, which snapped the Red Sox’ nine-game winning streak. The Mariners are still in playoff contention and have gotten a boost from Team USA arrival Jake McCarthy.