This week in Big Ell Pro Ball

Week 20 in Big Ell Pro Ball saw the seemingly set playoff seeding obscured by some big blowouts and another big upset. A former first place team fell further to 3rd overall, the team that was surging saw their hot streak ended and a team thought to be out of it climbed to 5th place overall. The last two weeks should be exciting as the playoff match-ups come into focus.

Game of the Week
Yang Min Shan Yankees- 11 Formosa Phillies- 4
The Phillies were halted in their attempt to extend their winning streak to four games. The Yankees pounded the now reeling Phillies who fell out of the playoff race as quickly as they moved into it. The Yankees used and all around effort to stymie the Phillies. Gonzales, Reyes and Lopez led a balanced attack for Yang Min Shan while Mulder, Jones and Nathan gave the pitching staff just enough points for the big win. The Phillies pitchers Santana and Lee tried to keep their team in it but a porous bullpen led to their demise. Free Agent pick up LeCroy also tried his best to lift the pathetic Phillies offense but didn’t get any help from Pujols or Blalock. The Phillies will need to start another winning streak if they want to make the playoffs and face a stiff test against Missoula next week.

Upset of the Week
S.B. Spittin’ Camels- 10 -EZ MONEY BRAVES- 4
The Camels pounded the suddenly staggering Braves. S.B was playing for pride and was led by big weeks from Beltre and Furcal at the plate and on the base paths. Free Agent pick –ups Seo and Kazmir put together big games while Wright came off the DL to give the Camels a boost. EZ Money again failed to beat a weaker team but owenr Shane Forrer has nobody to blame this week. The Braves bats were silenced and mediocrity reigned on the mound. The Braves now face a must-win against the Raniers in week 21.

Blowout of the Week I
Bingo Long All-Stars- 11 Swinging Bats- 3
The All-Stars post their second big blowout win in a row and jump into 5th place overall. The All-Stars destruction of the Bats was expected as the Bats have apparently given up on the season. The Bats should be ashamed, not setting his roster or making any roster moves. I guess their owner thinks he’s JR Ewing, now that he’s a big oilman in Cowtown. Bingo Long didn’t have a good week offensively or from the hill but it was enough to beat the Bats.

Blowout of the Week II
Seattle Raniers- 10 Newcastle Guzzlers-3
The Raniers move into 1st place in the Canadian Division after crushing the Guzzlers. Hafner and Griffey provided the offence and Zambrano and Hernandez (2 W 20 Ks) the pitching for Seattle. Like the Guzzlers season, not much went right for Newcastle as the players struggled to achieve mediocre numbers. The Raniers look tougher and tougher as the weeks go by and appear ready for the Braves in week 21.

Marauders- 8 Taiwan E’s- 6
The Marauders retained their hold on the last playoff spot with a win over the E’s. The Marauder bats are heating up with Sexson, Peralta and Ortiz all having huge weeks and Willis leading the pitchers. The over matched E’s did just enough to prevent a Marauder slaughter. The Marauders face another big week with their game against the Yankees in week 21.

Missoula Astros- 9 Cuban Crisis- 5
Missoula continues to roll and stake their claim as the team to beat in Big Ell Pro Ball. The Astros haven’t lost in 10 weeks and will be tough to beat come playoff time. Missoula used a balanced offence to outlast the hapless Crisis who would have been beat worse without the play of Renteria. The Crisis pitching staff also couldn’t match Sabathia and Turnbow this week. What a pickup Turnbow has turned out to be for the Astros.