Major League West 2013

Portland:  The Decepticons have had a solid first half of the season, going 52-36, good for a 4 game lead over the Shockers.  On offense, Zandar Dukakis is finally living up to his potential, hitting .313-.397-.527 with 11 HR and 51 RBI.  DJ Werden has found the fountain of youth this year, and is clearly drinking whatever Raul Ibanez is drinking, hitting .284-.380-.589 with 18 HR and 61 RBI in 236 at bats.  The pitching staff has been excellent this season.  Roger Lewis, Justin Zoolander, and Bill Drummond may be the best 1-2-3 combo in the league.  Roger is 9-2 with a 2.94 ERA and 132 K’s in 113 IP.  Zoolander is 6-4 2.41 with 124 K’s in 115 IP, and Bill Drummond is 6-6 3.35 with 115 K’s in 99 IP.  In the bullpen, Jake Richardson and Kevin Ribaudo have formed the best 1-2 punch in the league.  Richardson has a 1.44 ERA and 24 saves (only 1 blown save), while Ribaudo is 6-2 2.22 with 47 K’s in 44 IP.

Los Angeles:  The Shockers have had some injury problems in the first half, but still managed a 45-37 record.  Kobe Jones is having a great year at Shortstop, hitting .294-.338-.532 with 12 HR and 52 RBI.  Gabe Kotter has been a great 4^th OF, hitting .268-.354-.528 in 127 at bats.  The pitching staff has been erratic.  Big free agent acquisition Suzuke Mazdahonda has had stretches of dominance and poor performances with a 5-6 3.62 ERA and 122 K’s in 112 IP.  Brett Edwards is having a great season, with an 8-0 record, 2.51 ERA, and 106 K’s in 111 IP. 

Hollywood:  The B’s were not expected to contend this year, and have overachieved to have a 41-46 record.  Miguel Tejawa and Elvis Dixon have struggled this year, and Dixon could be trade bait.  Keith Cerrano, a cheap free agent acquisition, is having a nice season with 13 HR and a .460 SLG.  Young ace RD Phillips is 10-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 85 IP.  Javier Cavazos has been a fine closer, with a league leading 29 saves and 2.45 ERA in 33 IP. 

Bay Area:  The Bandits have struggled to a disappointing 39-46 record in the first half.  After a slow start, Miguel Cruz is starting to mash again with a line of .294-.373-.570 and 19 HR.  Ryan Harris is slightly underperforming, going .296-.353-.457.

Hawaii:  The Hounddogs are proving that it is optional to field a major league caliber team and still play in the Major Leagues.  The Dogs are playing like dogs; last in the league with a .212 batting average and 4.90 team ERA.  Kana Wake, the GM, may need to consider trading himself to a contender for draft picks.  Then again, Wake is hitting only .216-.287-.311, so his value is plummeting by the second.  Yoda Skywalker is the only above average player on the roster.  Yoda is hitting .261-.348-.502.  Doug Lefevre is having an Anthony Young season, going 0-11 5.10 ERA in 95 IP.