S61 Power Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Atlanta continues to sit at the top of the pack, Cincinnati continue to prove last season isn't the direction the new ownership wants to go. Going from last to first with the change of owners. Here we are at the 3/4 mark, if your team is going to turn it on and make the playoffs, now's the time to do it. At the bottom of the article we've added a new addition, our MWR tracker. Gives you an idea on how many wins each team still needs this season and a total for the next two.  

• 86-33
• Atlanta (AL-E)
• 82-37
• Cincinnati Reds (NL-E)
• 80-39
• Houston (AL-S)
• 77-42
• Helena (AL-W)
• 74-45
• Tacoma (NL-N)

In the AL, Minnesota has pulled away from the pack though the whole division is under .500. Atlanta continues to run away with the East, upping their lead to 26 games. And the story seems the same in the South, Houston continues to push for the playoffs with Huntington doing what they can but still trailing by 15 now. Out West, Helena has widened their lead to double digits, leading trade happy Tucson by 11. The wildcard looking like Huntington of course, along with either Tucson or Colorado Springs. I'd consider the rest of the American league out of it. 

For the NL, Tacoma has turned on the jets to widen their division lead to double digits as well and pushing for their first 100 win season...ever! While we mentioned Buffalo has done wonders as the season progresses, they've only gained 2 games on Cincinnati since the last power rankings. Santa Fe continues to hold strong, even with Austin improving to their first winning season since S41 when they last won the division. The West  has finally settled down a bit, with OKC barely above .500 but leading the division by 8 games. Wildcard is looking like Buffalo, Montreal, Austin, or Washington DC.   

We've also listed the last two power rankings with the current so you can see how team have moved around a bit. For example, Salem has been ranked 20th all season, Minnesota 19 though they just moved up to 19. Buffalo started all the way down at 30 at the start of the season but have moved up to 16 recently. Austin as well, starting at 14 and working their way up to 6th rank. Vancouver on the other hands is backwards - go figure right? - they started at 16 moved down to 23 and now sit at 26. Chicago and Mexico City can't decide who the worse team in the league is with Philly and Fargo fighting for the 3rd and 4th worse.

1. .664 - Atlanta Expos (AL-E Champ)
2. .649 - Houston Space Cowboys (AL-S Champ)
3. .649 - Cincinnati Reds (NL-E Champ)
4. .639 - Tacoma Aroma (NL-N Champ)
5. .601 - Helena Hot Dogs (AL-W Champ)
6. .591 - Huntington Tropics (AL Wildcard 1)
7. .575 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (NL-S Champ)
8. .567 - Austin Son's of Odin 
9. .559 - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates (NL Wildcard 2)
10. .554 - Tucson Toros (AL Wildcard 2) 
11. .549 - Augusta Alcoholics
12. .527 - Washington DC Nationals
13. .507 - Colorado Springs From My Loins 
14. .496 - Boston Mass Hysteria
15. .495 - Minnesota North Stars (AL-N Champ) 
16. .488 - Oklahoma City Barons (NL-W Champ) 
17. .472 - Buffalo Bisons (NL Wildcard 1)
18. .469 - New York Empire
19. .467 - Salem Bourbon Makers 
20. .466 - Jacksonville Lizard Kings 
21. .456 - Anaheim Diablos 
22. .456 - Philadelphia Harpers
23. .450 - New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers 
24. .441 - Hartford Rising Stars 
25. .439 - Columbus Corgis 
26. .436 - Vancouver Canucks
27. .434 - Charleston Offspring 
28. .407 - Scottsdale Sazeracs 
29. .407 - Fargo Snowmen
30. .368 - Chicago Gunslingers 
31. .366 - Dover Hazmats 
32. .360 - Mexico City Staring Frogs 

Now for the updated MWR. The first W column shows how many more wins each team needs to get to this season's min of 55 wins. The second column, the requirement goes up to 115 games with a minimum of 55, and finally the third season away is 180 wins. You can see there are already a few teams that just need the minimum 55 wins the next two seasons to meet the 180 based upon how well they are playing this year. On the other hand, Mexico City needs nearly 140 wins the rest of this season and the next two combined to get to their 180. Good luck everyone!!