S60 Initial Power Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Seems we might have turned a corner from the Atlanta dynasty as Crain and Moss get older, either that or they've started out really slow this season. Houston remains strong and apparently doesn't have a problem; no matter what AI says. The NL is mostly dominated by the NL North with Tacoma, Montreal, and reigning NL Champ Hartford all leading the way. Though Columbus has held strong. By record after game 40, here are the top 5 records:

• 29-11
• Helena (AL-W), Houston (AL-S)
• 28-12
• Columbus (NL-E)
• 27-13
• Montreal (NL-N), Tacoma (NL-N)
• 24-16
• Hartford (NL-N), Atlanta (AL-E), Huntington (AL-S), Jacksonville (AL-S), Santa Fe (NL-S)
• 23-17
• Salem (NL-W), Scottsdale (NL-W)

In the AL, Minnesota and Dover are in a tight race for the North, and Philly is doing their best to prove last year was just an off year. Fargo and their new owner work on the rebuilding process. And for those of us still without power after Hurricane Beryl, we feel you. Keep strong Fargo! In the East as mentioned Atlanta has slipped a bit, holding just a 1 game lead on Boston. Augusta is still rebuilding and New York is doing a little more than just rebuilding. Moving on... In the South Houston holds a sizeable lead on the others; and what a strong division this is. Any team in this division would likely be leading the North or East. Helena has a comfortable cushion in the West, up by 10 games and likely already planning their playoff rotation assuming no major injuries through the rest of the season. 

For the NL, the North is where it's at with three teams close to being the top team in the entire NL and then there's Chicago who is only slightly better than New York. But again, enough said. Columbus is pulling away from DC in the East with Buffalo and Pitt no where in sight. Santa Fe still sits a top the South as expected and the West is just as tight as the North though a notch below in talent. Vancouver is Canadian, enough said. 

If we look at how each team has expected to win based off recent play, here is what we'd see. Champs and Wildcard are listed based on current playoff standings and highlighted in bold. Quite a bit more movement than normal in these rankings. Often times it's rather close to the order, even this early in the season but as you can see the OKC Barons are ranked 8th and should take the division from the Sazeracs & Bourbon Makers - guess drinking doesn't pay after all! At the bottom of the list is a bunch of NL teams and New York. Is anybody surprised at NY being bottom? Answer: No, but amazed at how awful they've played. Not evening a .200 expected win percentage! Chicago right above him makes complete sense as well considering the AAA talent on the ML roster there. Tankers gonna tank! 

1. .705 - Tacoma Aroma (NL-N Champ)
2. .688 - Houston Space Cowboys (AL-S Champ)
3. .678 - Helena Hot Dogs (AL-W Champ)
4. .618 - Hartford Rising Stars (NL Wildcard 2)
5. .616 - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates (NL Wildcard 1)
6. .613 - Columbus Corgis (NL-E Champ)
7. .608 - Atlanta Expos (AL-E Champ)
8. .604 - Oklahoma City Barons 
9. .588 - Huntington Tropics (AL Wildcard 2)
10. .583 - Salem Bourbon Makers 
11. .581 - Jacksonville Lizard Kings (AL Wildcard 1) 
12. .570 - Boston Mass Hysteria
13. .565 - Mexico City Staring Frogs
14. .556 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (NL-S Champ)
15. .544 - Scottsdale Sazeracs (NL-W Champ)
16. .524 - Dover Hazmats 
17. .508 - Washington DC Nationals
18. .500 - Philadelphia Harpers
19. .481 - New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers
20. .479 - Buffalo Bisons 
21. .478 - Minnesota North Stars (AL-N Champ) 
22. .472 - Anaheim Diablos 
23. .467 - Tucson Toros
24. .426 - Fargo Snowmen
25. .419 - Charleston Offspring
26. .371 - Colorado Springs From My Loins
27. .355 - Augusta Alcoholics
28. .349 - Vancouver Canucks
29. .324 - Pittsburgh Yinzers
30. .318 - Austin Son's of Odin
31. .292 - Chicago Gunslingers 
32. .160 - New York Empire