We are just 36 games into the EBL's inaugural season and so far the Oakland Wolves have risen to the top. The Wolves have emerged from the "pack" with an impressive 29-7 record giving them an early 7 game lead in the AL West.

How are they getting it done? Simply being a well-balanced team. Oakland leads the EBL in hitting, their .306 team average is 14 points higher than the team chasing them in the AL West, the Spencerport Rangers (.292 team average). They also lead the American League in pitching with a team ERA of 3.78 good enough for 7th overall in the EBL.

"We are really playing well!" owner and GM Jeff Thomas boasts, "we've been lucky to be on the right side of some 1-run ballgames and out bullpen has been nothing short of fantistic so far."

Fantastic might be an understatement for the bully. Mariano Rivera has racked up 23 straight innings with giving up a run, racking up a EBL best 19 saves. The throw in set-up man Joe Nathan, an incredible 6-0 so far out of the pen, good enough to lead both leagues. Add 33 K's in 23 innings and you wonder if a reliever could have a shot at league MVP.

The Wolves are 20-1 when leading after 7 innings, 7-0 when tied after 7, and 11-3 in 1-run ballgames so far this season. "It's great to know when I hand the ball off to the bully with the lead.." the 5-0 Mark Buehrle explained, "that they are gonna finish the game off as strong s I started it. It makes you even more confident on the mound."

"We just hope we can stay healty and keep on playing the way we are right now," speed demon Juan Pierre who has 17 swipes so far this season added, "the ballclub is loose, and winning sure makes it fun to come to the ballpark everyday!"

It seems reasonable to think the Wolves can't keep playing .800 baseball. But so far Oakland is enjoying the ride. The rest of the American League can only hope that reason kicks in sooner rather than later.