The Bilabial Stops debuted their baby blues and got off on the right foot in week one, sweeping 100% Real Juice 10-9 and 9-4.
After a soft opening in weeks one and two, a full slate of games kicked the season into full swing on Sunday. The radar gun settled down but the wind didn’t. Would-be homers were knocked down time and time again while low liners and hard ground balls seemed much more productive. For those still in Spring Training mode, our first power rankings can catch you up on some of what’s happened so far:
Power Rankings After Week Three
1. Bilabial Stops (4-0)
Last Week: -
The defending champions picked up right where they left off in 2020, sweeping the understaffed 100% Real Juice to open the season. A week two sweep of the South Side Sliders has them off to a 4-0 start, although both games were closer than expected. They’ve shown moments of vulnerability, but it's hard to rank anyone else at #1 as long as the Stops remain undefeated. Four of their six players have just one strikeout each and their offensive numbers would be much more impressive if not for unfriendly winds and some bad luck. They’ll face the the Sheryl Crows on Sunday, hoping to avenge their only loss of the 2020 regular season.
2. West Coast Washout (4-0)
Last Week: -
WCW has come out firing on all cylinders, dismissing Wiffully Ignorant in double mercy and resoundingly sweeping 100% Real Juice to start the season 4-0 with a 52-6 run differential. Rookies Jeff Hanschmann and Matt McGiveron have fallen right in line with the returning cast - and everyone has produced. Shutdown pitching led by Karl Koch’s 0.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP has the greenbacks feeling good heading into a week four bye. The Bilabial Stops hope to spoil their fun in week five and figure to be their toughest challenge yet - WCW is just 2-7 all-time against them.
3. RBI Steaks (1-1)
Last Week: -
Riley Brindle looked like the Brin Diesel of old on Sunday, showing great stuff while limiting the hard-hitting Mighty Knucks to five runs and striking out 10. It’s hard to overstate his importance to the Steaks as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2020. Other good signs: Jim Froio and Quinn MacWatters each went 7 for 11 and Froio wreaked havoc on the base paths as only he can. They’ll face the South Side Sliders in week four in an important series as both teams look to jump to the top of the pack.
4. South Side Sliders (2-2)
Last Week: -
After sweeping Wiffully Ignorant in week one, captain Scott MacGowan called for backup to fill their lineup for their week three matchup against the Bilabial Stops - and he may have stumbled upon something. One Jones became three and all of them performed valiantly in defeat to the Bilabial Stops 8-4 and 4-1 on Sunday. Zach Jones’ knuckler induced weak contact and the defense was up to the task, recording all 15 outs while making very few mistakes. Their week four matchup with the RBI Steaks could be a close one depending on which Sliders show up.
5. Mighty Knucks (1-1)
Last Week: -
A standout mound performance by Brandon Wallach and steady offense was only good enough for a split against the RBI Steaks in week three. We don’t doubt that the hits will continue, but pitching depth remains a lingering question for the Knucks. They’ll face the debuting Wiffle House in the 5:30 game this Sunday.
6. Sheryl Crows (3-1)
Last Week: -
A week three sweep after a split with the Juice should be worth more than 6th place, right? You’re probably right. A 3-1 start is nothing to shake a stick at. Paul Rogers’ has dominated on both sides of the ball and the Crows are racking up extra base hits like no other team. But game two pitching questions remain and their long lineup will need to play as a strength against the Stops this weekend and moving forward.
7. 100% Real Juice (1-5)
Last Week: -
A tough schedule and attendance issues have led to an ugly start for the former champs who already have as many losses as they’ve ever had in a full season. Back-to-back bye weeks will buy some them time to shore up their ranks and regroup ahead of what figures to be a more favorable schedule moving forward. Don’t count them out.
8. Chicken’n’Wiffles (0-0)
Last Week: -
CNW will make their league return Sunday against Wiffully Ignorant. We expect their trademark scrappiness to return as well, and the short mound bodes particularly well for their pitching staff. They have a tough climb ahead, but one or more victories on Sunday would be a great first step.
9. Wiffle House (0-0)
Last Week: -
We have no idea. They may indeed “have a squad.” If the Stops can come out of nowhere, maybe Wiffle House can too. If we could offer the young upstarts any advice heading into their debut matchup against the slugging Mighty Knucks on Sunday, it would be simple: bring pitching.
10. Wiffully Ignorant (0-6)
Last Week: -
It’s been a tough start for Matt Erickson’s crew, but all hope is not lost. They looked noticeably better against the Sheryl Crows last week and there’s plenty of season left. They’ll play the morning game against Chicken’n’Wiffles this Sunday before a much-deserved bye week on Memorial Day weekend. Much respect to the paper lineup card, the high socks, and abundant friendliness.
Finally, some housekeeping
Captains: Please remember to add your teams June availability this week and send Google Forms link for our waiver and sportsmanship pledge to your team. We’ll see you again on Sunday!
