By Jason Harper
The following is a ranking of several key indicators for a team’s postseason success. First is worth 8 point, last 1.

Offense: (Base solely on Runs Scored for Simplicity)

1. California (1021)
2. Cincy (948)
3. Oakland (945)
4. Baltimore (901)
5. Minny (885)
6. Chicago (856)
7. Philly (850)
8. SD (809)

Not surprisingly ¾ of the top teams are from the AL.

Ace Pitcher:

1. Philadelphia – Mike Mussina
2. Chicago – Eric Show
3. Oakland – Tom Glavine
4. California – Orlando Hernandez
5. Cincy – Steve Traschel
6. Baltimore – Jose Deleon
7. San Diego – Narciso Elvira
8. Minny – Jason Bere

By far the hardest category to rate. I went with playoff experience over stats a tad. Mussina is heads above everyone, but after that it’s close. SD’s ace might actually be Cordero, and its hard to argue against Maddux or any or the 3 Baltimore Pitchers.

Top three rotations:

1. California – Orlando Hernandez, Greg Maddux, Jose Mesa
2. Cincy- Steve Traschel, Jamie Walker, Robb Nen
3. Philadelphia – Mike Mussina, Cory Lidle, Curt Schilling
4. Oakland – Tom Glavine, Jon Lieber, Charlie Kerfeld
5. Baltimore – Jose Deleon, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens
6. Chicago – Eric Show, Kelvim Escobar, Ismael Valdes
7. Minny – Jason Bere, Roy Halliday, Mark Langston/Mark Portugal
8. San Diego – Narciso Elvira, Fransico Cordero, Juan Guzman


This may be the best overall collection of pitchers in CJBL playoff history. 7 Sure fire Hall of Famers are in this group, and some of the best young pitchers (Lidle, Halliday, Walker) will be put to the test. Ranked on which rotation I fear the most to least.


Bullpen:

California
Chicago
Oakland
Minny
Cincy
San Diego
Baltimore
Philadelphia


California and Chicago have the best bullpens (Closer Excluded) After that it’s a coin flip. San Diego’s pen looks terrible on paper, but with some SP’s moving back into relief for the playoffs they could be vastly improved.


Closer:

1. Philadelphia-Mariano Rivera- Nuff Said
2. Baltimore-Mark Wohlers (37 Saves, 1.88 ERA)
3. Minny Dave Leiper (33 Saves, 3.88 ERA)
4. Oakland-Tom Henke (43 Saves, 3.33 ERA)
5. Chicago- Todd Jones, (41 saves, 4.29 ERA)
6. California Jose Dejesus (28 Saves, 4.61 ERA)
7. San Diego Julio Machado (27 Saves, 5.96 ERA)
8. Cincy-Mitch Williams (Felix Rodreguez Got Hurt)

In a weird turn of events, the playoffs teams have some very average closers. Unless you live in Philly, their could be some exciting 9th innngs.

Defense:

1. Minny .987
2. Chicago .985
3. California .983
4. San Diego .983
5. Philadelphia .982
6. Cincy .982
7. Baltimore .980
8. Oakland .978


Going strictly by fielding % here. Good enough for government work!

Mr. October-

1. California: Carlos Delgado (1.308)
2. Cincy: Ellis Burkes (1.104)
3. Philadelphia: Vinny Castillo (1.090)
4. Chicago: Damon Buford (.994)
5. San Diego: Jom Thome (.994)
6. Minny: Bob Abreu (.973)
7. Baltimore: Will Clark (.957)
8. Oakland: Jeremy Burnitz (.932)


If the game was on the line, who would you want up! (OPS Rating)

FINAL STANDINGS:

1. California 46 pts
2. Chicago 36 pts
3. Philadelphia 35 pts
4. Cincy 33 pts
5. Oakland 30 pts
6. Minny 28 pts
7. Baltimore 25 pts
8. San Diego 19 pts


California placed far ahead and looks to be the World Series favorite. However, I could have told you this before this exercise! First in almost every category in the league, this is one of the greatest teams every assembled in the CJBL.

In the National League, Phillies, Cincy, and Chicago all look to battle to play bridesmaid, with San Diego forcast to win minus 2 games! However, San Diego has a very balanced lineup, ala the Anahiem Angels in real life, so don’t sell them short.