ABL PRETENDERS OR CONTENDERS

Hello again everyone, Larry Diamond here. The ABL has reached the halfway point in the season, and it's been quite an interesting ride for a few ballclubs. Some clubs that had gotten off to quick starts are coming back to reality while others have climbed their way into the race and have established themselves as a force to be dealt with. In this series we take a look at some of these clubs, the way the "INSIDER" views them, contender or pretender?
  We will first take a look at the Roberto Clemente Division "RCL"
 1) Minnesota-(52-30)- At the half way point clearly the best team in the RCL. This team features outstanding hitting, and good pitching, and above average defense. The team has played consistently well in April,May, and June. They are (3-3) in extra inning games , and (13-8) in 1 run games. The one thing that could be their downfall is their SP ERA which stands at 5.15, other than that they look solid.The Berserkers are a CONTENDER.
2) Seattle-(48-34)- What a difference a couple months make. Seattle was off to a 20-5 start, and threatened to run away with the Bobby Cox division. But since then they have been in a downward slide, going 13-16 in May, and barely playing .500 in June. Why is this, you ask, well it's pretty clear when you look inside the numbers. The hitting has been very good, but their pitching has been awful, and their defense is well below AVG. They are absolutely awful in Extra Innings(0-8), and not good at all in 1 run games(11-14), clearly not a mark of a championship team. If they win their hitting must carry them. The Insider see the Sasquatch as a PRETENDER.
3) Montgomery-(48-35)- Montgomery is getting better as the season moves along. Their hitting is improving as is their pitching. They put together an outstanding month of June, going 19-8.Their SP and BP pitching is well above average, as is their hitting, their defense isn't very good. They are (2-4), in extra inning games, and (13-8) in 1 run games. If their defense improves look out. Their horrible BABIP ia a reflection of their BAD defense. But we see the Mountain Cats as coming on and winning their divsion, and clearly a CONTENDER.
4) Dallas-(48-36)- Dallas has been a consistent team all year,(16-11),(16-13). and (15-12) respectively in the first 3 months. Their pitching and defense are outstanding, but their hitting is a little below average, if their hitting comes around they will be very strong, we'll see. Dallas is (5-3) in extra inning games, and (14-11) in 1 run games. The Insider sees Dallas as a CONTENDER.
5) Ann Arbor-(46-36)- Ann Arbor has been nipping at the heels of Dallas all year long. Their hitting is about average, their pitching above average, and their defense very good. They are (3-2) in extra inning games, and (9-8) in 1 run games. Ann Arbor isnt going away, they are a CONTENDER.
6) Montreal-(45-38)- Montreal is another team that has been very consistent all year long, their hitting is good, but their pitching and defense are not. Their bad pitching and poor defense will be their downfall. They are (5-3) in extra inning games and (11-8) in 1 run games. The insider sees the Bandits as PRETENDERS.
                                   The Insider sees the team to beat in the RCL is Minnesota....
Now The Insider takes a look at the Thurman Munson League "TML"
1) San Francisco-(53-29)- There have been a lot of rumblings around SF, their hitting is adequate, their pitching and defense are very good, they are (4-3) in extra inning games and (12-9) in 1 run games. SF does at lot of things well, the one area they could improve in is their hitting. We see SF as a CONTENDER.
2) Boston-(52-32)- Boston has good hitting, good pitching, a bullpen that's the best in the league, get the game to their bullpen and it's certainly a lock they win. Their weakness are their defense and BABIP. Boston however is (7-4) in extra inning games and (16-13) in 1 run games. We view these guys as CONTENDERS.
3) Las Vegas-(49-34)- Las Vegas has outstanding hitting, but BAD pitching and defense, which will be their downfall. I don't see a team winning without defense and pitching, yes their hitting will keep them in the hunt, but you win with pitching and defense. Las Vegas is (2-1) in extra inning games and (15-10) in 1 run games. Because of their hitting we label them CONTENDERS, that's all.
4) Cabo-(49-35)- We see Cabo as a team with a little above average pitching, defense, and excellent hitting. Cabo looks like a team that will be in contention all year, a very balanced club. They are (6-4) in extra inning games and (13-13) in 1 run games. They are CONTENDERS.
5) Maple-(47-36)- Maple has survived a slew of injuries so far. They aren't a very good hitting ballclub, but they have outstanding pitching, and defense. There is and area of concern, as they are (3-3) in extra inning games and (12-13) in 1 run games. Their pitching and defense make the Marauders a CONTENDER.
6) LA-(46-38)- LA has good pitching, adequate hitting and defense. They are good in extra inning games (9-4), but no so good in 1 run games (13-16). The insider thinks that their pitching will keep them hanging around, thus we see LA as a CONTENDER.
7) Mile High-(43-41)- Take a look inside the numbers, #1 in BABIP, and #1 in defense, very good pitching, but not so good in hitting, that's ok pitching and defense will keep the Mustangs in the hunt all year. They could give Las Vegas a run for their money if they find some hitting. They are (6-2) in extra innings and (14-11) in 1 run games. If they can find a little hitting somewhere lookout.  We label the Mustangs as a PRETENDER/CONTENDER. This team could go either way.

                                       The Insider sees the team to beat in the TML as SF
Until Next Time
Larry Diamond