Thu May 6

This is the first issue of FB Power Rankings.

Here is the first ever top 15:

1. Newark Devils                          16-0
2. Kansas City Flying Squirrels     15-1
3. New York Mets                          15-1
4. Cincinnati Reds                         14-2
5. Sioux Falls SDCC Penguins     15-1
6. Chicago WINNERS                   14-2
7. San Diego Giants                     14-2
8. Providence Franzes                 14-2
9. San Diego Bombers                 14-2
10. Hartford HTFD_Yankees          14-2
11. Manchester Maniacs                13-3
12. Eugene Spitters                        13-3
13. Dallas Grease Lightning           15-1
    
14. Just to annoy yall                      13-3
15. Yonkers Renegades                 13-3

Explanations: In Franchise Ball, where anything is possible any given day, it's hard not to go with the last remaining undefeated team in the top spot. Even though Kansas City Flying Squirrels have looked better, Devils is at the top, even though there were some disagreements between the committee members. At #2 is Flying Squirrels, who has had one defeat, and was against Virginia Beach. Their offense, especially in their 41-4 win, has been obliterating their opponents. Then at 3 is the Mets, who are riding a huge win over the Peace Sharks in their first game of the season. Their only loss was by 2 runs to a Grand Prairie Lightning. Reds is at 4, losing to Canberra twice. The Cranberries, at 11-5, were just out of the rankings. #5 belongs to the 1-loss SDCC Penguins. Although their run differential is only +43, their pitching has been off the charts. The Penguins have an ERA under 2.25 and a WHIP under 1.00. Their only loss was in the first game of the season against the Raptors, who are always a tough opponent. At #6 is WINNERS, who are out for vengeance after a tough loss in last season's postseason. They are batting over .400 as a team. The only problem is: They are missing is a marquee victory. #7 belongs to the 2-time champions, San Diego Giants. On the field vs. off the field is crucial, and this team on the field is straight-up scary. Both of their losses were late-game 1 run losses. At #8 is Providence Franzes. A committee member for this is also a Rhode Island representative, but isn't doing nearly as good as this team is. They have lost 2 games, and both were against good teams: 11) Manchester Maniacs and Winnipeg Frost. The offense is solid, defense is good, and pitching needs a wee-bit of work. At #9 is Bombers. Not much needs to be said about them. One of their losses was against "The Upset Machine," Canberra Cranberries. If Canberra was able to win the games they needed, they'd be a sure-fire top 5 team. Right behind them is HTFD_Yankees, who are on an 11-game winning streak. They've never been a pitching-dominant team in the many seasons, but this is looking like one of their best starting 5 since Season 82. At 11 is Manchester Maniacs, who have been on the losing end lately. The biggest problem was their 15-run loss to a semi-struggling Santa Clarita Currents. The defending World Champions are at 12, with a 13-3 record. They are on a 8-game winning streak. #13 is Dallas Grease Lightning, FKA as San Diego Red Bombers. They have a good record, but haven't had that "big-time" win, and lost to a subpar Hawks. Behind them is a bot, who is dominating at 13-3. And the 15 seed is Yonkers Renegades, who dropped a bunch of spots due to a 1-2 record on May 5th, with a loss to the team that customizes your car insurance so you only pay for what you need and a loss to a 10-6 Springfield Royals team.

That's all for today. Tune in on Monday to see the next rankings AND a weekly recap from Polarman!