Power Rankings III

The first round of divisional play is in the books and it's time to see who's left standing. It's been watching teams beat each other up to try to get a foothold on a playoff spot. I think everyone should have a good idea of where they stand as we hit the stretch run and what they need to do to have a shot at the crown. As we're all still trying to feel each other out (out, not up, Paul), it'll be interesting to see what kind of deals get done in the next few weeks.

1. Setauket Horde (Last Ranking: 2)

• The Horde's march to the top is complete. Looking at his roster, I still have no idea how this is possible. It has to be battlefield leadership and that great fantasy baseball equalizer, intangibles.
  

2. Simpsonville Slayers (1)

• The Slayers have fought their way through the Cool Papa gauntlet and emerged still holding onto the division lead. They know it's not over yet, so it's a good thing Mauer's finally back in the fold.
  

3. Ninth Street Nine (5)

• Roy Halladay is back at the front of a talented young rotation and the 1300+ HR bats of Bonds & Griffey have come alive behind one of the most underrated right side of the infield combos in the league, Casey Kotchman and Kelly Johnson. No doubt, the Big Ticket is back.
  

4. Westphalia Shepherds (4)

• Finally had a shot at Setauket and came up a bit short, but there's another mano-a-mano down the line. Until then, the Shepherds will continue taking out their frustration on the rest of the league and trying to lock up at least a Wildcard.
  

5. Nassau Chin Music (3)

• Nassau is still the home of the biggest lead in the league thanks in large part to the unexpected offense of Carlos Pena and Hunter Pence. And Jose Reyes is pretty good, too.
  

6. Mattituck Natives (9)

• In what experts thought would be a hotly contested division, the Natives have started to put some distance between themselves and the field. Bad news for the rest of the Paige now that Magglio may finally be getting some help as Manny should start heating up and Billy Butler looks like he's going to be getting a legit chance to rake in the bigs this go-around.
  

7. Shaolin Empire (7)

• Statistically, the best team in the league BY FAR. Too bad they can't actually beat anyone. Finally came up big in battle with Bay Ridge to take control of the Larry Doby Division. Still, getting over crushing by Coram (Coram!) will take years of therapy. I hear Dr. Melfi is taking on new clients.

8. Hampton Bay Bambinos (6)

• The up and down season by the Bay continues as the stumbling Bambinos stuck it to the streaking Nine to bring them right back into the thick of the Cool Papa. I'm thinking it's Go Time for $31 million duo Howard and Soriano.
  

9. Pequash Panters (10)

• The Panthers just keep chugging along under the radar, but after serving notice during divisional play, they are lurking in the shadows of the Doby, ready to pounce.
  

10. Bay Ridge Wapdagos (8)

• First, congratulations to owner Frankie Wilders and his new bride. Losing the divisional lead is not the best wedding present he received, but welcome to married life, pal. And because Frankie was upset that his boy Justin Morneau never gets a mention, here you go: that had to be the absolute pussiest slide into home ever. Good one, MVP.
  

11. North Babylon Generals (18)

• Number 11 with a bullet. I said from the jump that this was a team to watch and they're not disappointing. The combo of a dedicated owner and star players waiting to break out still make a playoff spot a possibility.
  

12. Browntown Fudge Dragons (13)

13. Riverhead Red Streaks (14)

• Okay, so Clemens hasn't been the savior and the Chipper Jones blockbuster trade hasn't exactly shot them up the standings, but there's something to be said for treading water. They're not out of it yet.
  

14. Kohler Toilet (17)

• As disappointing as Pujols has been (for $19 million), Andruw Jones has been even worse. Still, the Toilet are getting better each week thanks to strong years by C.C. Sabathia and Adam Dunn. When all is said and done, being in the same division as the mighty Horde and Shepherds might be too much to overcome.
  

15. New Libertatia Swashbucklers (11)

• The company line was always that they were building for the future, but it looked like they might klong up for a run this year. This 4 spot tumble shows they may have been overreaching a bit. Though having Johan means they're never out of any race.
  

16. Ridge Ducks (15)

• I never know what to expect from this team. They're not bad on paper, but games aren't played on paper. Although this is fantasy baseball, so in one sense, games are played on paper. Like I said, I have no idea what to expect from the Ducks. Quack.
  

17. Laurel Leathernecks (16)

• At this point, if the Commish makes it through the season in one piece, he can count it as a success. The stress of running a Super League has taken its toll on the formerly happy-go-lucky Trader Tom (though his craptastic OF isn't helping either).
  

18. Philadelphia Kane Nines (12)

• Statistically, the worst team in the league. They've managed to put together all of 2 Steals and -17 Wins. That said, their wheelin' & dealin' GM has picked up some pretty good young talent that sets them up nicely for the long haul. And ownership can't be too unhappy that they're selling out every one of super prospect Homer Bailey's home starts.

19. Coram Crushers (20)

• Let's give them some credit. They showed a lot of heart in recent weeks and haven't given up on what has been one fugly season. There's some work to do for next year, but they're really not that far away.

20 St. Olaf Dutch Ovens (19)

• There's a lot to work with here even though nothing seemed to work this year. The few fans that still show up seem to do so for the sole purpose of chanting "David Price! David Price!"