Congrats to Mike Stockhaus for guiding the Sudbury Northern Ales to their 3rd BLB title in the league’s 9 year history.

The title caps off an amazing season for Sudbury, as the team went 118-44 in the regular season before winning the title by going 12-3 in the postseason.

I think it’s fair to say that Mike has been the most successful BLB manager/GM in the league’s existence.  In the 9 seasons he has gone a combined 880-578 for a .604 winning percentage.  Additionally he’s won at least 99 games in SEVEN of those 9 seasons.  Here’s hoping for the rest of us that his efforts to win the title this year will result in a rare re-tooling season in 2017 :).

Congrats again to Mike!

How did you like your auction? I’m really happy with mine. I had hoped to maybe get a big guy for 30 then a bunch of cheap guys but ended up just getting a bunch of cheapies. Was surprised to get Gallo for 6, he’s got contact issues and not sure where he plays with the Desmond signing but he’s got big power. Hoover could be Cincy’s closer and is a solid MR anyway at 2 bucks. Valbuena is a guy i’ve owned in the EJMA for a while, personal fav, doesn’t hit for much average but sweet power for a buck. Speaking of low AVG/high power guys, Chris Carter for $2 returns to the Trappers. After those guys I had to focus on pitching as Aaron Sanchez was my only SP, so I got some decent potential in the rotation on the cheap in Bolsinger (in line to play with the Anderson injury), Kennedy (KC seems to have a way with pitchers), Robbie Ray, Porcello, and Velasquez for a combined salary of $7. My last 2 picks were Bryce Harper assassin Jonathan Papelbon for $3 (could be a steal if he returns to his JAM closer ways) and Hanley Ramirez for a buck (if the shoulder is healthy, he’ll hit).

Given my lack of prep time I’m quite pleased with the sleepers I was able to snag. Even if none of them pan out they are low enough dollars that I won’t be hurt in next year’s auction.

Feel free to discuss your auction thoughts in the comments!

Direct link to draft room:

http://blb2009.baseball.cbssports.com/draft/auction/room

Final draft list:

BLB 16 Draft List – FINAL

Please get your roster moves to me no later than February 9th, 2016 (midnight pacific time).

Apologies to Brad for the lateness of this post on the site (I did get something on Facebook right away!) but congrats to Brad for guiding his Shiner Bock Rams to win the 2015 BLB title!

In the Ale League, the playoffs are set:

Edmonton (1) vs Bridgeport (4)

Fargo (2) vs Shiner (3)

Even if Fargo loses their last 6 games, they win the tiebreaker as they have won the season series vs Shiner. Head to head tiebreakers apply only when both teams would make the playoffs…

In the Lager League, things are a bit unsettled as we head into the final few days of the season:

Guadalajara (1) vs Naptown (4)

Woodbury (2) vs Ottawa (3)

The above can change in 2 ways: First of all, if Ottawa sweeps the final series vs Guadalajara, they will win the division on the basis of winning the season series (they are down 8-7 right now but would finish ahead 10-8 with a sweep).

Secondly, Norm’s Toronto Beavers continue their hot play and can pull into a tie with Naptown for the final wild card berth if Sudbury can sweep Naptown. Toronto plays Sudbury while Naptown plays Woodbury in their respective final series of the season. As a reminder, if Toronto and Naptown end up tied for the wildcard spot, there would be a one game playoff to determine who makes the playoffs.

Ale League

IPA Division – Edmonton has a 22 game lead, on the strength of a 15 (!!) game winning streak that’s still ongoing (which coincides with the arrival of new ace Madison Bumgarner, who is 4-0 with 4 CG and a 1.22 ERA in 37 IP).

Stout Division – Shiner has a 3 game lead over Fargo, as both teams are hot (8-2 in their last 10 games). It may come down to head to head play to determine the winner, as these two teams play each other 6 more times down the stretch (the season series is tied, 6-6).

Wildcard – Fargo has a commanding lead for the top wildcard slot, leaving the following teams to fight for the 2nd wildcard:

Continue reading →

http://www.fangraphs.com/community/devon-travis-sign-stealer-2/

Well, not really famous, but cool that I was able to get the above published by the community blog section on Fangraphs.

Perusing the leaderboards and I couldn’t help but notice that Danny Santana’s batting average currently sits at .402! WIth only 1/3 of the season left, Santana is making a run at hitting .400. Of note, the current BLB single season record for batting average his shared by Miguel Cabrera (2014, Newcastle) and Ryan Braun (2012, Jackson Park) so even if he doesn’t hit .400, Santana has a good chance to set the all time mark this year.

Albert Pujols managed to hit for the cycle in game 3 against Sudbury, as he went 4 for 5 in an 11-0 win. Pujols managed a double in the first inning (range play I believe), homer in the 3rd, triple (off his card) in the 5th before hitting the easiest one, a single, in his final at bat in the top of the 9th inning.

Pujols, who has seen his name mentioned in BLB trade rumours of late, is hitting  .261/.309/.455 with 18 HR and 76 batted in over 108 games for the Trappers this season.