The Greatest MLB Showdown Project: MLB Showdown 2000-2001 Sim League: Update after Game 153

Monday, July 27, 2020

MLB Showdown 2000-2001 Sim League: Update after Game 153

This post brings the latest update in the Sim League series. Old posts are below:

Teams have now played 153 games each. Full stats after 153 games can be found here.

We are now 153 games into the sim league, and the playoffs are more clear. One of the divisions is locked up, three are almost locked up, and two are still in play.

Eastern Conference

Williams Division

In the Williams Division, all four teams went 6-6. Providence retains their 7 game lead, and with 9 games to play, they should have the division clinched. 01 BS Pedro Martinez had a 1.23 ERA, and 00 PR Vladimir Nunez an even more ridiculous 0.69 ERA, but both of them went 1-1 as the Providence lineup just couldn't produce. The 2nd and 3rd place teams in the division, Columbus and Ottawa, are tied for the second wild card spot. Buffalo is in last, and while eliminated from the division, still have a chance at catching Columbus and Ottawa. It's not a great chance though, as they need to make up five games on each of those two with 9 to play.

Musial Division

In the Musial Division, Memphis went 8-4 to gain ground on all their division rivals, with 01 BS Herbert Perry (.340 AVG/1 HR/10 RBI) and 01 BS Richard Hidalgo (.320/3/10) leading the way. Second place Indianapolis went just 5-7, despite 01 BS Barry Bonds hitting .426 with 6 HR and 15 RBI. 00 BS Gil Heredia did his best as well, going 3-0 in his three starts with a 2.50 ERA, but they now trail by 8 games. Memphis has all but clinched as a result. Indianapolis is very unlikely to make the playoffs now, having to catch both Columbus and Ottawa or pass Memphis to make it in. Louisville went 7-5, with 00 PR Darren Dreifort going 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA, but the team's winning streak is likely too late for them to have a chance. Nashville went just 4-8, falling to 4th, and while not technically eliminated (8 games out with 9 to play), there is no scenario that gets them into the playoffs as too many teams ahead have to lose.

Aaron Division

Once again, Birmingham and Charlotte are tied. The two teams have been neck and neck all season, and both went just 3-9 in this 12 game set. One of these teams is guaranteed the division title, and barring a major collapse, the other one will get a wild card spot. Jacksonville and Orlando each went 9-3, but Orlando is eliminated and Jacksonville all but.

Western Conference

Mays Division

All four teams are technically in the running for the division, but it likely is a two-team race as Calgary made up two games on Portland. With 9 to play, Portland's two-game lead is shaky. Calgary currently holds the first wild card spot, so in all likelihood both of these teams will make it in. Anchorage is just one game out in the wild card race after going 7-5. 01 BS Frank Thomas was the best hitter in the league over the 12 games, hitting .451 with 7 HR and 17 RBI for Anchorage. Vancouver is still alive as well, just three games out in the wild card, so this will be an interesting division to watch.

Gibson Division

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Gibson division. Las Vegas has become the first team to clinch a division, despite an awful 5-7 stretch. Boise hurt their playoff chances, going just 4-8 to fall to two games back in the wild card. Salt Lake City went 8-4 and Sacramento 7-5, but the latter is already eliminated and the former about to be as well.

Koufax Division

Albuquerque went 7-5 to gain ground on Tucson and Oklahoma City, and is in the driver's seat, up 6 with 9 to play, despite ace 00 BS John Halama pitching with an above 14 ERA. Tucson holds a narrow one game lead on Oklahoma City (and Anchorage) for the wild card, so while this division race is mostly over, there could be any of three teams in the playoffs. San Antonio technically has a chance as well, but five games out in the wild card race is going to be tough to overcome, even with 01 BS Jeff D'Amico pitching like an ace (3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in this update).