Official Ranking the Teams in RBI Thread Thread

[OctoFranco]

This may have been done before, but I was bored and wanted to list out the teams as I see them, ranked from best to worst.  Feel free to do the same.

(Note, these rankings are based on ATG [i.e. "curve" pitching], series-style play with 1 SP/game)

1. Boston -- Maybe it's my personal bias since I basically grew up playing with Boston, but I think this is the best team in the game. Top to bottom, the lineup is formidable (after substitutions, of course).  Boston's greatest shortcoming is their overwhelmingly right-handed lineup, which can lead to a lot of double plays, especially with the team's generally poor speed rankings, but the fact that every spot in the lineup has protection (save the 8-hole, of course) typically results in a lot of big homers.  Boston hitting is the king of the Bunyan and the homer-that-should-have-gone-foul-but-stays-fair (does this phenomenon have a nickname?).  Boston has one of the game's top pitchers in Rocket Roger Clemens, but the rest of the pitching staff is very mediocre, except Schiraldi who is terribly sub-par.  Usually the big bats can overcome this, however.

Preferred lineup:

1. Barret Burks (sub immediately)
2. Bucknr Armas (sub immediately)
3. Boggs
4. J.Rice
5. Baylor
6. DwEvns
7. Gedman
8. S.Owen Hndrsn (sub immediately)

All substitutions should be made the first time through the order.  Some prefer going Armas - Burks, ostensibly to minimize the double play, although in my experience, the Burks - Armas order has been more successful.  Sullivan must be left on the bench for a late inning pitcher sub.  Roger Clemens is obviously your main starter.


2. California -- Cali is a great all-around team.  Fantastic lineup and an unrelenting pitching staff.  The fact that this team's pitching roster has more total stamina than any other goes a long way in the successful use of Ca in RBI.  California also benefits from possessing arguably the best non-all star batter in the game in the form of Reggie Jackson, as well as fan-favorite Ruppert(o) Jones, who is far and away the most powerful lefty off the bench in the game.  California's combination of very good, reliable hitting with pretty good, reliable pitching (Donnie Moore is reliable in that he always sucks) lands them in a close second behind Boston.

Preferred lineup:

1. Pettis Wilfng (sub early in game)
2. DeCinc
3. Joyner
4. Jacksn
5. Dwning
6. Grich Jones (sub immediately)
7. Schfld
8. Boone Hendrk (sub immediately)

Jones and Hendrick are huge bats which MUST be subbed in the first time through.  Sometimes I'll let Pettis bat a time or two and leave him in as long as he gets on, which is usually never.  Burleson is very much like Boston's Sullivan, in that he should only ever be a late-inning pitcher sub, and that he very, very rarely actually gets on base.  As for pitching, Witt should be your #1 starter.


3. NL -- NL...  Where do I begin?  Firstly, I admit that I don't play with the all stars as much as the rest of the teams, but I still wanted to include them in these rankings.  Second, it recently came to my attention that I had been misusing this team's subs in the past, which did not lead to maximum efficiency.  With the new and improved lineup, NL moves up a spot in my rankings if only in their new, theoretical value (see below for explanation).  A team that definitely looks good on paper, I look forward to testing this out with Attezz in a couple weeks.   Although it remains obvious that the wicked, wicked stuff of Fernando Valenzuela can be enough to win a game in and of itself.

Preferred lineup:

1. Raines
2. Sndbrg Guerro (sub immediately)
3. Sntago Murphy (sub immediately)
4. Dawson
5. EDavis
6. Schmdt
7. Glrrga
8. Pedriq Gwynn (sub when PH bonus most valuable, or earlier to go for the pettis)

Guerrero and Murphy should always be immediately subbed in.  The remaining two bench players suck, so when and for whom to put them in at the bottom of the order is a matter of personal preference.  This is the new (for me) strategy here.  What you wind up having here is hands-down the best 1-6 in the game, but possibly one of the worst bottom three in the game.  But this 1-6 is so UNBELIEVABLY good that you should be scoring with them every time that large part of the order comes up.  Some will immediately put in both Kruk and Gwynn for Galarraga and Pedrique, but I personally will never, EVER exhaust all of my bench players early in the game, so as to keep the pinch-hit for the pitcher threat alive.  Fernando Valenzuela is one of the most dominating pitchers in the game and should be your main starter.


4. Detroit -- NO holes in this lineup (except for Nokes, but that's only relative to the rest of the Dt dynamite).  I know it may sound scandalous to some to only rank Detroit 4th in the overall rankings, but this is 100% the result of their crappy pitching.  Games against Detroit are usually high scoring with all of Dt's big bats but abominable pitching staff.  Detroit could have made it higher, but I only rank them #4 since they're the team most likely to score 10+ runs in a game but still lose.

Preferred Lineup:

1. Tramml (can be subbed out for late-game PH bonus)
2. Gibson
3. DaEvns
4. Nokes (can be subbed out for late-game PH bonus)
5. Herndn Sherdn (sub immediately)
6. Lemon
7. Whitkr (can be subbed out for late-game PH bonus)
8. Brookens

The only immediate substitution here is Sheridan for Herndon.  Some like Madlock or, less frequently, Heath here, but that ultimately just comes down to your righty/lefty preference (some may think having four lefties in a row here would be excessive).  The rest of the bench is great for pitcher subs, and even coming in for starters in desperate situations at the very end of a game.  Trammal, Nokes, and Whitaker are all players who can be subbed out in late game situations for that all-important first-at bat power bonus from your bench players.  Alexander is the preferred starting pitcher.


5. AL -- I'm again regretting including the all stars in my rankings, because I really do not have a 100% set strategy with this team.  They possess three of the most powerful bats in the game though, which can usually get you somewhere.  Problem is , when it comes to this team's individual power rankings, it's feast or famine.  You've either got loads of power, or zilch.  So this makes AL an easier team to "pitch around", landing them at 5th place in my personal ranking.

Preferred lineup:

1. Rndlph Molitr (sub at own leisure)
2. Mtngly
3. Bell
4. Cansco
5. Ripken
6. Baines McGwir (sub immmediately)
7. Brett
8. Schrdr Seitzr (sub when PH bonus most valuable)

The leadoff spot is an enigma for this team.  It seems none of your three weaker bench players can ever get on base in this spot, but you just CAN'T leave Randolph in either as a matter of principal.  So despite the fact that, with his PH bonus, McGwire becomes the most powerful hitter in the game, you may want to consider using him to leadoff for the team, because although this might lead to more solo homers instead of bigger run scoring shots, it does also have the effect of keeping him from being intentionally walked at his usual 6th spot in the lineup.  Since Seitzer is your "best" (read: least terrible) remaining bench player, he is your safest bet for the 8-hole, although you needn't necessarily sub him in the first time through.  I personally have a problem mismanaging the Am squad, as I can never resist putting Julio somewhere in the lineup for most of the game...  Nevertheless, Am is a decent squad that can win you some games.  As for your primary starting pitcher, Saberhagen is the only side-arming starter in RBI and can be very effective, however Am is one of the few teams I prefer to have start with a reliever (usually Righetti) and then bring in the Sabre a couple innings into it.


(...)

[OctoFranco]

It's a good thing I also made the second post in this thread, because I filled up the char limit in the first one and need to spill over into here.  On with the review:


6. San Fran --. San Fran is a stacked team that can compete with anybody on any given day, but are generally inconsistent and often get pummeled if their starter can't make it deep enough.  I like playing with San Fran though, almost every hitter in the lineup is someone you can look forward to batting with.  Almost everyone is at least a moderate HR threat as well, and you can benefit from some big, multi-run homers from this team.

Preferred lineup:

1. JUribe Spilmn (sub immediately)
2. Mitchl
3. Leonrd
4. Mldndo
5. WClark
6. Brenly
7. CDavis
8. Thmpsn Speier (sub immediately)

Spilman is your leadoff man -- there can be no discussion about this.  Put him in immediately.  If I don't get you, Gantry will if you don't.  Another important pointer: Brenly, although kind of garbage-ey, must be left in since people tend to over-estimate the potential of SF's remaining bench players.  Youngblood should be strictly be used as your first pinch hitter for the pitcher.  Aldrete is a weak lefty who also typically only sees action as a pitch hitter for the pitcher, but he can also be brought into other parts of the lineup late in the game when you're desperate for a leftie hit.  Just make sure you don't bring him into the lineup in a situation where he is going to see subsequent at bats.  Clark and Davis are your big boys and you should always be swinging for the fences with them.  But the pitching is where it gets tricky with this team.  The strategy when playing against SF is to take take take pitches and try to knock out that starter as quickly as possible.  So as a result, when you are playing with San Fran, it's important to come right after the batter and challenge him, only trying to go for the K when you're really in a jam, no matter what team you're playing against.  SF's starters both have a lot of movement, so if there is a batter you just dread coming right after, feel free to sneak a beanball in on them.  As for which between Krukow and Reuschel should be your game 1 starter, these pitchers are basically the same, but I would give a slight edge to Krookoff.


7. New York -- NY barely finishes ahead of Minnie, and mainly because of the solid pitching staff.  Leadoff and second spot in this lineup are absolutely painful, but you do have a couple big bats in the lineup, including one of the best in the game in Strawberry.  The secret to doing well with the Mets is to not expect too much from this team, which means making sure you pitch well and play good D against your opponent, and suffer no outs on the basebaths in order to stay in the game.  There really is no margin for error.

Preferred lineup:

1. Dykstr (sub only if last at-bat for PH bonus)
2. Wilson (sub only if last at-bat for PH bonus)
3. Hrndez
4. Carter
5. Strawby
6. Backmn Teufel (sub immediately)
7. Knight
8. Sntana Johnsn (sub immediately)

Nothing you can do about Lenny and Mookie at the top of the order, so you just have to bear with it.  Bring in Teufel and Johnson immediately.  Although Johnson is the better hitter between him and Teufel, I like Johnson in the 8-spot because his lefty stance is more useful here when Kniggit can manage a single.  Heep is strictly a pitcher sub, and Mazilli can be used to pinch hit for either the pitcher or one of the top two in the lineup if it's late in the game.  Getting big hits with Carter is important since he's the only batter that really has great protection in Strawberry, and will probably get good pitches to hit as a result.  Straw must still be one of your biggest producers to have success with this team though, so if he gets a pitch to hit, make it count.  Doc Gooden is your primary starter and is one of the best all-around pitchers in the game.  Above average speed, above average curve, above average drop, and above average stamina.  Sometimes I like starting with the side-arming reliever Orosco, and then bringing in Gooden to try to finish out the rest of the game, depending on who my opponent is.  Results may vary.


8. Minnesota -- A lot of quality players on this staff, but unfortunately the dud starters cannot be subbed out for something decent, given all four of Minnie's bench subs have 700-level (i.e. terrible) power.  The biggest threat with this team is a tremendously powerful 4-5 in the order, just like with NY, so you should always be trying to just get guys on before this brief heart of your lineup comes up.  Minnie can be a decent team, but the fact that Blyleven can only pitch every 2nd game (by our rules, anyway) leaves this squad very vulnerable.

Preferred lineup:

1. Glddn Bush (sub immediately)
2. Gaetti
3. Pucket
4. Hrbek
5. Brnsky
6. Gagne
7. Laudnr
8. Lmbrdz Larkin (sub when PH bonus or lefty hit is needed)

The only mildly redeeming quality of Minnie's worst bench in RBI is the abundance of lefties.  You'll want to bring in Bush and Larkin as soon as possible, and save the rest for pitcher-sub work.  Smalley might occasionally be good for a late inning sub for a starter, but that would require having already used Davidson as your pitcher sub, which is only arguably slightly better than just leaving in the pitcher to hit for himself.  Hrbek and Brunansky will be your big guns, and if they're not on, don't expect to get too far; even Gary "GAR" Gaetti isn't capable of carrying the team all by himself...  Onto the best part of this team:  Bert Blylevan.  Insane curve, great drop, highest stamina in the game -- this guy is arguably the best pitcher in the game, and is the only tool in your arsenal to overcome things when your offense takes the day off.


9. St. Louis -- Very fun team to play with because of the overall speed and abundance of lefties, but just too great a dearth of power to be competetive.  A player who has "mastered" how to play with St. Louis can be a serious competitor versus anybody though...

Preferred lineup:

1. Colman
2. OSmith
3. T.Herr Morris (sub immediately)
4. JClark
5. McGee
6. Pndltn
7. Ford Lindmn (sub immediately)
8. T.Pena

Morris and Lindeman should be subbed in the first time through, although sometimes if neither Vince or Ozzie gets on, I'll just just let Herr make the third out and save Morris for when the power bonus can be better utilized.  Lake and Oquendo are strictly one-time use pinch hitters (typically for the pitcher) and should never see more than one plate appearance a game.  Tudor is hands down your opening day starter.


10. Houston -- Despite having arguably the best starting "rotation" in the game, having only one guy on the ENTIRE SQUAD with power over 804 (i.e. Greg Gagne level) makes their last place finish self-explanatory.  Games with Ho can be unbearably frustrating and will make you want to never play RBI again, unless your opponent is St. Louis.  Ho and SL do match up pretty well, and I recommend only EVER having the Cards be your opponent if you dare to play with Ho...  Okay, I may be overexaggering a little bit, Houston can be a fun team to play with just for the challenge of trying to beat the odds itself, but one thing you DEFINITELY never want to do is try to play with them for the drinking game...

Preferred lineup:

1. Hatchr Lopes (sub immediately)
2. J.Cruz
3. Wallng Garner (sub immediately)
4. GDavis
5. K.Bass
6. Doran
7. Rynlds
8. Ashby Puhl (sub immediately)

Davey Lopes is actually one of my favorite players in the game and not just because of his mustache.  He's blazing fast, tied for second fastest in the game after only Vince Coleman, actually, and he's been known to leadoff a few games with a bomb every now and then.  Subbing him in should always be the very first thing you do when batting with Houston.  Cruz sucks and it's tempting to sub him out, but there's no better option that doesn't involve putting in a right hander, which will hurt you in this spot.  So leave cruz in but put in Garner in the 3-hole.  He and Glenn Davis will be the pseudo-heart of your lineup.  If Glenn Davis doesn't go yard at least once a game, your chances of victory are slim.  Your opponent will know this as well, so also expect them to take the bat out of his hands most trips to the plate...  Doran is another turd sandwich that your intuition screams to sub out, but there is no better option; Terry Puhl has to go in for Ashby in the 8-spot, while Dickie Thon must be saved exclusively for a late inning pitcher sub.  The pitching staff is the highpoint of this club, with two primo starters in Ryan and Scott, and a pretty decent side-arming reliever in Kerfeld.  Dave Smith is something of an equalizer in his being beyond dispute the worst pitcher in the game, but due to the effectiveness of Ryan and Scott and the low scoring nature of games you play with Ho, he should only ever have to be used if it goes into extras, or in a situation where your opponent has three terrible hitters due up, but even then it's dangerous to bring him in...  Ryan is lightning fast, while Scott is a dropball expert (although such pitches should be VERY seldom used), and his slower speed can increase the effectiveness of curveballs, but in general Nolan Ryan is your best bet for your main starter.

I may continue going back and editing this, maybe even re-ordering, as I pay closer attention to individual team performance in the future, but this is how I see things for now.  Comments/criticsms/own strategies welcome!

[Gantry]

Nice work Octo, hopefully this will generate some RBI discussion...

Based on how you wrote this, I assume these rankings are based on a "no reset" best of three series, correct?  Your writeup of Minnesota and Blyleven for example leads me to believe this is not a "one game for all the marbles" type ranking...

[OctoFranco]

Nice work Octo, hopefully this will generate some RBI discussion...

Based on how you wrote this, I assume these rankings are based on a "no reset" best of three series, correct?  Your writeup of Minnesota and Blyleven for example leads me to believe this is not a "one game for all the marbles" type ranking...

Thanks Gantry.  Most of my games are played against Attezz, and we normally play either 3, 5, or 7 game series against each other (I've edited this in for clarification), but even if it's a one-game exhibition, we typically limit ourselves to just one starter.  And we do reset the game to switch home/away, but we'll remember which pitchers are available for the next game.  I realize the team rankings could vary tremendously based on the style of play...

[Gantry]

I figured that's what you were talking about, but just checking.  I can definitely see pitching styles making an impact with various gameplay scenarios. 

For example, in a one-game series with 1SP, Minnesota may get a boost because of Blyleven.  And if you are allowed 2SP, San Fran may move up because they have two good curve, low stamina starters.  Etc etc...

I'll get my SP rankings out shortly, after my daily Law and Order fix...

[fknmclane]

Reading this thread makes me realize just how long it has been since I played any RBI.  I can't contribute to this thread without sounding like a jackass.

[JoeDirt]

Wow, Octo.  I'm really surprised you rank Na 4th...I cannot see how Ca or Dt are ahead of them.  Really, I'd put them 1 with Bo 2, but I can at least see the argument of Bo 1...

Here's how I break it down btwn Na and Bo:

SP Rankings
1 Clemens
2 Fernando
3 Hurst
4 Sutciffe

So obviously SP advantage goes to Bo.

RP Rankings
1 Bedrock
2 Franco
3 Stanley
4 Schraldi

So obiously RP advantage goes to Na (with the note that SP is more important, but Na's advantage in RP is greater than Bo's advantage in SP so I'll call P a wash).

Line Ups (with assumed PH substitutions)

Na                        Bo                  Advantage?
Raines                  Burks             Na
Guerrero              Armas             Draw
Murphy                 Boggs            Na
Dawson                Rice               Na (slight)
Davis                    Baylor            Na (slight)
Schmidt                Evans            Na
Kruk                      Gedman        Draw
Gwynn                  Henderson     Bo

Team Speed                              Na
Team Power                              Draw

Just my opinion...I can see a healthy debate on some of the above.

[OctoFranco]

More RBI talk is being had, JD!

Good input, but I stand by my ranking.

How do you rate Raines better than Burks?  I think Burks +45 power over Raines (not to mention the initial PH bonus) is far more valuable than Raines +6 speed over Burks.  Don't see how you rank Guerrero/Armas as a draw either, since both are slow pinch hitters...  Armas is especially brutal, he seems to hit more home runs on average than any other player in the game in my experience (well, maybe outside McGwire).

No argument on the collective superiority of the NA pitching staff.  I think Nando does top Clemens.  Especially against Attezz, he's unstoppable with high-curve pitchers such as Valenzuala, Tudor, and Blyleven...  Still though, each team has an ace starter and a mediocre starter.  Even if Italian J. Franco ranks higher than Schiraldi for relief pitchers, it's not by much...  And I think you underrate Stanley, whose speed/movement/drop rating is comparable to that of such previously mentioned legends as Blyleven.

For the record, I'll be happy to play you Bo vs. Na anytime online, Dirty Joe!

PS. I'd be less vocal in my defense of placing Na behind Dt, but you have to pick your battles...

[JoeDirt]

How do you rate Raines better than Burks?  ...  Armas is especially brutal, he seems to hit more home runs on average than any other player in the game in my experience (well, maybe outside McGwire).

I do love Burks in the game.  No question.  I also regard Raines as one of the best lead off hitters (off of the top of my head, I'd put him right behind McGwire).  Looking at the ratings, you're right--Burks is better.  But just like you getting great production out of Armas, I seem to get great production out of Raines.  I originally had them listed as a draw but then went back and changed it.  Maybe it's that Raines gets the lefty hit advantage.  Maybe the +6 speed is the difference maker.  I'm not sure, but I seem to get very good production out of Burks and great production out of Raines.

No argument on the collective superiority of the NA pitching staff.  I think Nando does top Clemens. 

I can't agree with this because 'nando takes up too much stamina that he doesn't have to begin with.  But his movement is wicked--sometimes he almost has too much movement.

Especially against Attezz, he's unstoppable with high-curve pitchers such as Valenzuala, Tudor, and Blyleven... 

I can't put Tudor in the same category as 'nando and bertus.  Don't get me wrong; I personally think Tudor is the best SP in the game, but I think he's quite the different type of pitcher than the other two...this has nothing to do with the discussion at hand; I'm just saying.

Even if Italian J. Franco ranks higher than Schiraldi for relief pitchers, it's not by much... 

I can't believe I just read this.  I think Franco is vastly superior than Schraldi...if nothing else for the fact that he's a lefty and can nip the outside corner so well against a R hitter.

And I think you underrate Stanley, whose speed/movement/drop rating is comparable to that of such previously mentioned legends as Blyleven.

I like Stanley--I think he's very fun to pitch with.  I just think Bedrock and Franco are better.  I tend to think that high curve/low speed Ps require more pitches to get outs than good curve/high speed Ps (which is what we're talking here...this is not to be confused with low curve, high speed Ps).

For the record, I'll be happy to play you Bo vs. Na anytime online, Dirty Joe!

I would love this...just let me know when...but more importantly, why are you and Attezz not going to be in Chi for the COTUT?  Don's say because it's full because 1) there's talk of expanding to 32 so you should at least be listed as a reserve, 2) there are always unexpected/last minute drop outs, so you should at least be listed as a reserve, and 3) even if you guys didn't get in the tourney, there'd still be a congregation of the best known RBI players in the country for you to play side games with.

PS. I'd be less vocal in my defense of placing Na behind Dt, but you have to pick your battles...

Well, I won't even get into this one...I'm more likely to argue that Dt is better than Ca.

[JoeDirt]

Okay, Octo because I'm bored, let me explain in a similar manner, why I think it's nuts that you have Ca over Na:

SP
1 'Nando
2 Witt
3 Sutcliffe
4 Sutton

I'd give Na a slight advantage here; Witt is a pretty good SP and Sutcliffe/Sutton is close.

RP
1 Bedrock
2 Franco
3 Corbett
4 Moore

This isn't even close.  This makes Na's pitching clearly and abundantly superior to that of Ca's.

Na                     Ca                Advantage
Raines               Ruppert       Na
Guerrero           DeCinces      Na
Murphy             Joyner           Na
Dawson            Jackson         Draw (IMO)
Davis                Downing       Na
Schmidt            Hendrick        Na
Kruk                 Schofield        Draw
Gwynn        Boone/Burleson   Draw

* This one was a little tough to do because Ca's line up can change so easily--but the point should remain that Na is clearly better!

[ultimate7]

I disagree with this

Kruk/Gedman     Draw

[JoeDirt]

I disagree with this

Kruk/Gedman     Draw

Okay, I'd be willing to give Bo that one with the (slightly) stipulation.

[ultimate7]

I haven't played much recently, but for me it would be something like this, and I frequently change it

Na
Bo
Dt
Ca
SF
Mn
AL ?? could go up haven't used them much
Ny
SL
Ho

[Gantry]

Here are my picks based on style.  We play:

• Straight pitch
  
• Pitcher can move on the mound
  
• No slowballs with two stikes
  
• Use as many pitchers as you want
  
• 1-game series
  
  Given this style of play, the advantage is pretty much towards any team with power.  Also with straight pitch, left-handed hitters have a decided advantage over their righty counterparts for one big reason - with a runner on first, a righty is prone to a double play on a grounder while a lefty is prone to the lefty hit.  So here are the Gantry 2006 rankings, not counting All-Stars.
  
  1. Detroit - This one is pretty much set in stone.  They sport a full lineup of powerful hitters, a ton of lefties, plenty of quality bench players, enough quality starters to leave you with 3 on the bench, etc.  From top to bottom and including the leftovers on the bench, I would say that Detroit boasts the best str8 pitch lineup in RBI.
  
  One of the biggest advantages for Detroit is also that of Willie Hernandez, who I consider to be the best pitcher in our style of play.  Left handed hitters have major problems hitting Willie, especially after facing a righty for seven innings.  He pretty much makes the lower power lefty studs (Wilfong, Spilman and the like) worthless and has a great disparity between his fastball and normal pitch.  This keeps hitters on their toes and forces some bad swings.  Hernandez is good for 1.5 to 2 innings of low scoring pitching, something you typically can't count on for most in our style of play.
  
  2. California - This one is certainly debatable, but for me I think California beats out Boston for #2.  Their lefty power hitting is tops in the game and from 1-8 they don't have many weak spots.  You are typically only left with Burleson on the bench, which gives Detroit the advantage there.  Pitching wise California is weak, and that is really the biggest difference between them and the Tigers.  They have four righties and only Donnie Moore has a decent fastball, meaning your opponent often chooses his own fate at the plate.  The most important factor for success at RBI is powerful lefties, and California's big three (though they have some good righties as well) put them at #2.
  
  3. Boston - Power, power, power.  Studs up and down the lineup, but they only have one usable left-handed hitter in Boggs.  This makes them VERY prone to the double play and those are killer in straight pitch.  Clemens is a stud starter because of his speed and Hurst gives them a valuable lefty arm in the pen.  Many would put Boston a notch above California because of their pitching and slight power edge, but IMHO their lack of lefty hitters is their biggest downfall.  Boston defintiely matches up with Detroit better than any team in the game, however.
  
  4. San Francisco - There is a monsterous dropoff between the #3 team in RBI (Cali/Bo) and San Francisco.  I like to call them the "best of the rest" as they have little chance to consistently beat the big three.  Regardless, San Fran has a pretty potent lineup, though they lack enough quality subs to match that of the big boys.  Spilman is a stud at the leadoff spot, but the ineptitude of Aldrete, Speier and Youngblood forces you to keep in the mediocre Brenley at the 6 spot and use one of the losers at #8.  This gives one of the games better players, Chili Davis no protection before or after him.  The 2-3-4 righties are either on or off, and if they aren't hitting, you have little chance to beat the stud teams.  Pitching lacks a lefty, but Garrelts blazing fastball makes him one of the better relievers.  They are one stud powerful lefty from breaking into the top tier...
  
  5. Minnesota - Another team with a decent lineup, decent pitching, but is absolutely killed by their bench.  You have to take out the #1, #6 and #8 hitters but they only have one semi-decent sub in Bush.  This forces you to keep a total loser in at #6 and use the crappy Gene Dee-Nee Larkin at #8.  Their pitching is OK and Berenguer is one of the best "one out" pitchers in straight pitch.  After timing 70mph pitches all game, timing a 100+ fastball is next to impossible.  Similar to San Fran, but just a little less oomph in the order.
  
  6. New York - They suck, period.  Strawberry is their only true stud hitter, and this is their downfall.  They are chock full of merely OK hitters in their lineup, and lack any sort of stud pinch hitter.  Couple that with the mediocrity of Dykstra/Mookie and you have a lineup that simply cannot put up enough runs to keep up in straight pitch.  Their pitching ain't half bad - Gooden is decent, Ojeda is a tough lefty and Orosco's uniqueness causes trouble.  Still, this team is cursed by their hitting, the st8 pitch style doesn't give the player enough options to win a game with pitching.
  
  7. St. Louis - Terrible hitting, absolutely terrible.  Their speed on the basepaths, the good amount of lefties and John Tudor makes this a fun team to play with, win or lose.  Morris is actually a decent sub and Lindeman is an upper-level bench player.  To win you have to hit consistently with them and Jack Clark.  As silly as it sounds, St. Louis actually matches up pretty well against Detroit.  Their lefty pitching and speed gives Stl a better chance to beat the Tigers than any team outside of Boston, Cali or San Fran.  Regardless, as fun as they may be, you won't be winning a lot of games with them.
  
  8. Houston - Absolutely fucking worthless.  No power and Nolan Ryan is a good pitcher but it matters not.  Houston can beat nobody outside of Stl more than 35% of the time in straight pitch.  They wholeheartedly suck and I refuse to comment any more on them. 

[Stock]

Almost totally agree with your rankings Gantry, although I consider your top 3 all equals.  Even when I can choose whatever team I want to win a game, I will often vacillate b/w the top 3 depending on my mood.
Just out of curiosity, where whould you put NL and AL in your list.  I would probably put them 4/5 respectfully.

[fknmclane]

4. San Francisco -  There is a monsterous dropoff between the #3 team in RBI (Cali/Bo) and San Francisco.  I like to call them the "best of the rest" as they have little chance to consistently beat the big three.  Regardless, San Fran has a pretty potent lineup, though they lack enough quality subs to match that of the big boys.  Spilman is a stud at the leadoff spot, but the ineptitude of Aldrete, Speier and Youngblood forces you to keep in the mediocre Brenley at the 6 spot and use one of the losers at #8.  This gives one of the games better players, Chili Davis no protection before or after him.  The 2-3-4 righties are either on or off, and if they aren't hitting, you have little chance to beat the stud teams.  Pitching lacks a lefty, but Garrelts blazing fastball makes him one of the better relievers.  They are one stud powerful lefty from breaking into the top tier...

Gantry, have you ever experimented with hitting Spilman 6th or 8th to give Chili more protection? 

[JoeDirt]

Why would Davis need to be protected when the P cannot throw balls?

[TempoGL]

my rankings of the teams I personally use:

1. Boston
2. Houston

my rankings in terms of how much fun I have when playing as the teams I personally use:

1. Houston
2. Boston

[fknmclane]

Do you ever use them in a different way than personally?

[BDawk]

Gantry's rankings are much cooler than everyone elses here. That's why he is my Neo