The Prospect Herald

BANANAS STRUGGLE WITHOUT SKENES

Reigning champs fall in power rankings after dealing franchise ace

Where did the time go folks? Somehow after one blink and two blockbuster trades we're already halfway through May, and some teams' dreams of championship baseball have already been crushed. But who are those teams, and where do things stand? Let's find out after we recap the Series of the Week.

SERIES OF THE WEEK

Thousand Island Stares vs. Bananas, Stares win series 5-4

What began as a mid-off quickly surged into a high powered Sunday race for a series victory as the Stares took the league-wide lead in Runs and held firm with a soaring .342 OBP.

In the end, the win came down to pitching, as Bryce Elder's 6 inning, 0 ER start for the Stares locked in ERA and WHIP for the upstart franchise, leaving Banana ownership puzzled as to whether or not the Skenes blockbuster deal was even worth it in the short term.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Vapegods

The Vatican dynasty rolls on, with the best record in the league (no ties???) and strong roto fortresses across just about every category. Once again you're on pace to break the regular season win record of 102, but can you actually manage it this year? The team at your heels would like to prevent that this coming week...

2. Wiener Dogs

Of the top 10 home run leaders in baseball, 4 of them play ball for Washington Ave. That alone is good enough to propel this high floor squad to victory week after week as the Dogs just took their fourth straight series win against their cross-park rivals the Crackers. Can they make it a franchise record fifth straight series win against Vatican City this week? It's a tall order, but it's anyone's ballgame.

3. Crackers

It was a tough break to fall 3-6 against the Dogs, but you'd have gone 6-3 against just about any other squad by the looks of it. The Knickerbockers are just on your tail for first place in Longmeadow, and you have what should be an easy matchup against the Rollers this week. This is still a premium squad.

4. Bananas (nee 732)

I'm gonna level with ya. The win percentage is holding this power rank afloat as high as it is right now. In the last two weeks, your "versus all" metric has you at 69-82, predicting you as playing sub .500 ball in the continuing future. The Bagel Bites are searing hot right now, and they're next on your agenda. All I'll say is... good luck.

5. Knickerbockers

Despite the injuries you're only 2 games out of first place, and you're holding your own in the underlying data. By all accounts, if you get healthy you stand to skyrocket up this list. Not a team I would take lightly under even the worst of circumstances.

6. Thousand Island Stares

For transparency's sake, numbers 4, 5, and 6 are practically a dead even tie by power metrics. You're dead last in the standings in your division, but the data says this is a lull, and that you're trending upward while some other teams ahead of you are trending in the opposite direction. Much like the Knicks this isn't a team I'd take for granted. A hot streak could send you up the charts in no time.

7. Bagel Bites

Even though you're down here, your performance per category has been flaming hot as of late, the data still incorporates your pre-Skenes numbers and as a result, I think, tremendously undervalues you. If you stay hot, you'll be a problem for anyone.

8. Bakery

Worst record of the Parade Ground basement dwellers, but the basement dweller that the data is most bullish on. 4th most Home Runs league wide, 4th most SVs league wide. Seems dire now, but remember: three teams from each division make the playoffs. That means you're only 4 games out of a wild card slot. Why not you?

9. New Roc Rollers

As much as everything else is in the pits, you're rocking the third most steals in the league this season. Frankly I'm shocked John hasn't sold a pick to you for one of your speed demons.

10. Sturgeon

The Schwarber trade was an admission that the season's being punted, but it was a smart one. Writing was on the wall and you got the most bang for your buck from it. Next year there's gonna be a ton of talent in that pool in Round 2. Sturgeon Championship 2027?

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Vapegods vs Wiener Dogs

We got ourselves a showdown between the top two power ranked teams! Ashton & co. have a tight grip on 1st place in Parade Ground by 7 games and could put the division race out of reach as soon as Week 8. Should be a tight, high powered brawl.