NL Predictions

NL West:
Poll Prediction: Mayhem
My Prediction:
1. Salem Mayhem - The Salem Mayhem has dominated the West for the past 5 seasons. I don’t see that changing in season 10. They were able to add a solid SP in Esteban Torres. The addition of Torres should help out the Mayhem who ranked 11th in team ERA last season. Last season: 1st
2. Scottsdale Pepperjackets – The Peppers have been quiet on the trade front. They have a lot of solid young talent like Vin Veras, Bey Lynch, Matt Pierce, Lonny Waltman, and Ugueth Cruz. Their rotation appears to be a little too weak right now to compete for a division title. They did sign the legendary Cookie Almanza to a one year deal. He should be a solid addition to their rotation. Last season: 2nd
3. Vancouver Canadians – Although it probably won’t impact them this season the Canadians are more than likely going to lose at least 4 solid players in the rule V draft due to some doodling, and general diddling. There is a lesson to be learned here, dont doodle or diddle before the rule V draft. The Canadians did add Mendy Hughes in a trade with the Cubs. He should be solid out of the pen, and be a big boost to a team that only converted 53% of their save opportunities last season. Last season: 4th
4. Oklahoma City Kevin Durants – Jsholmes did a great job last season with the Kevin Durants last season. This is a project team though that needs a few more seasons. Last season: 3rd

NL South:
Poll Prediction: Swingers
1. Houston Astros – I’m going with the upset here. The Astros may be the most talented team in the league. If they don't make the playoffs this season KJD should be forced to retire. They probably have more pitching depth than any other team in the league. They added SP’s Dick Reed and Jorge Navarro through free agency. They were able to add Russell Relaford and Danny Hennessey through trade. Hennessey should be a nice addition to a bullpen that was medicore last season. Relaford is projected to start at 3B. You got to wonder if he has the glove to play 3rd. Last season: 3rd
2. Louisville Swingers – One of the NL’s elite teams. The loss of Cam Anderson could be big for the Swingers. He was one of the NLs top pitchers last season. They still have Albert Johnson, arguably the leagues most talented position player. There still a 100+ win team. Last season: 1st
3. Jacksonville Beach Boys – The Beach Boys lost SP’s Reed and Navarro to the Astros. They were able to add starter Cam Anderson from the Swingers. The loss of Reed and Navarro may be too big of a hit to their rotation to overcome. Then again with Omar Elcano and Anderson at the top of the rotation it may not be as bad as it seems. Last season: 2nd
4. Santa Fe Heat – Santa Fe doesn’t appear to have the talent to compete with the Astros, Beach Boys, or Swingers this season. They do have a solid farm system stacked with some very good young players though. The Heat have the potential to be a very good team in a few seasons. Last season: 4th

NL East:
Poll Prediction: Pork N Beans
1. Cleveland Indians – Another upset. The Indians started out really strong last season, but faded as the season progressed. They have a lot of solid young talent. There bullpen is a bit weak though. Last season: 2nd
2. Atlanta Pork N Beans – There is enough info in the preview. Not much to say, they have dominated the East for 6 seasons. This is probably the season they fall. Last season: 1st
3. Trenton Ball Hogs – Trenton has improved each of the last two seasons. They were able to add a very good OF in Vin Ibanez from a trade with the Deuce Droppers. Don Bell could be a nice addition to their rotation if he returns to his season 8 form. Last season: 3rd
4. New York Mets – It’s only a matter of time before the Mets turn the corner. They have quite a few talented young prospects. Last season: 4th

NL North:
Poll Prediction: Reds
1. Cincinnati Reds – The North is arguably the leagues toughest division , but there is no reason to think the season 9 champs are going to fall from the top in season 10. The Reds added some solid vets in Posiedon Warden, Doug Cambridge, Tommy Johnson, and Jimmie Bergman. (I hate the Deuce Droppers, I refuse to call them the Fightin Armadillos after trading Bergman and Cambridge to the Reds J/K.) I predict another championship this season. Last season: 1st
2. Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers improved significantly last season over their relatively dismal season 8. This off season they added some solid vets in Cooper Benes and Wes Kelly to go along with some very talented young players. The Brewers have a ton of solid young pitchers like Joaquin Villano, Tomas Camacho, and Edgard Espinosa. They have the potential to be one of the leagues best teams. Last season: 3rd
3. Chicago Cubs – The two time champs were really active this off season. Luis Jose was the teams most significant addition. They have the talent to win the division and a championship, but their window of opportunity may be closing. Last season: 2nd
4. Pittsburgh Pirates – This shows how good the NL North is. The Pirates are stacked. Last season they were over .500 for most of the season before falling off late. They have the potential to be a very good team in a season or two. Last season: 4th

Pork N Beans Season Preview

The Pork N Beans enter season 10 with high expectations. After winning their 6^th division title in a row in season 9, but again failing to progress past the 1^st round of the playoffs management decided to address their biggest weakness – starting pitching. Veterans Britt Swindell and Russell Spence from the Deuce Droppers (fightin’ armadillos) were added at the expense of two solid pitching prospects. The additions of Swindell and Spence should improve upon the teams mediocre starting pitching. The PnBs also added veteran 2B Jim Edmonds. The real question is will this be enough to surpass the NLs elite teams like the Reds, Cubs and Swingers.

C - Max Lima - Last seasons gold glove winning catcher is back. Minor injuries last season limited him to 437 ABs, but he still managed to hit 33 HRs, and 99 RBIs. His pitch calling is weak and he struggles against RH pitchers, but he still one of the better catchers in the NL.

1B - Zoltan Mercedes - Last seasons MVP. He hopes to add a 2^nd MVP title this season.

2B - David Colin and Raymond Neal - Colin and Neal are expected to platoon at 2B with Colin getting the majority of the ABs against RH pitchers, and Neal against LH pitchers. Colin is a little better defensively and little more consistent at the plate. Neal has great speed.

SS - Vernon Rooney - One the NLs top SS. Solid defensively and at the plate.

3B - Jim Edmonds - Edmonds is scheduled to start at 3B. He struggled some last season. Hopefully he can return to his season 8 form.

LF - Junior Bocachica - In his 1^st full season in the majors Junior hit 34 HRs and 103 RBIs. Hopefully he can improve upon that in season 10.

CF - David Colin and Pedro Fernandez - Colin and Fernandez are expected to split time in CF. Fernandez was on fire in the early part of last season, but really cooled off as the season progressed. Colin will shift to CF against RH pitchers. Last season he dealt with some minor injuries and a slow start. When Fernandez started struggling at the plate around the midpoint of last season he took over in CF.

RF - David Guardado - Guarardo was horrible last season. After seeing dramatic improvements in season 8, Guarardo struggled in season 9. Hopefully he can return to his season 8 form.

Bench:

Vince Fyhrie - Backup catcher who only plays when fatigue necessitates that Lima rest.

Maximo Starr - Power hitter who strikes out too much. He should see some time at 3B, and RF.

Slash Kroeger - Every day player last season who will be used in a utility role this season.

Starting Pitchers:

1. Bubba Rose - Not really the teams ace but management is loyal to Bubba since he was the teams 1^st draft pick. Won his first pitcher of the week award last season. Expect 15 wins, with an era around 4.
2. Britt Swindell - Won his 3^rd, and most likely final CY Young last season. Hopefully he can adjust to the NL.
3. Russell Spence - Struggled a bit last season. Still he was better than most of the PnBs starters last season.
4. Gary Wyatt - Won his first pitcher of the week last season. Solid in the regular season, horrible in the playoffs.
5. Michael Ming - Managements hopes that Ming will be anything more than a mediocre pitcher are beginning to diminish. He did show some potential over the 2^nd half of last season though.

Bullpen:

Long Reliever A - Max White - Forced to start a few games last season due to the PnBs pathetic rotation. Solid out of the pen.

Long Reliever B - Aaron Ohka - Way over paid. Ohka was forced to start a few games last season due to the PnBs pathetic rotation. Solid out of the pen.

Setup A - Willard Farley - One of the leagues best setup men.

Setup B - Heath O'Brien - Gets the job done. Started off last season 7 – 0 before cooling off.

Setup B - Joey Henderson - Poor stamina and durability limits him to about 40 innings a season.

Setup B - Rick Dickson - Called up late last season. Pitched extremely well in AAA in seasons 8 and 9. Poor durability limits his innings.

Setup B - Groucho Rogers - He pitched extremely well in AAA and the majors last season.

Closer - Dan Stearns - He should be one of the NLs top closers this season.

Reds Finally Win One

Congratulations to the Reds on winning their first World Series title.

Chicago Cubs vs Salem Mayhem

Season: Even 5 - 5

Starting Pitching: The Cubs have one of the best rotations in the league. It appears that the legendary Dwight Johnson will be the game one starter for the Cubs. Xavier Hart, Sam Strittmatter, and Lorenzo Bennett should follow Johnson. All these guys are very good. The Mayhems is solid but unspectacular. Ronald Scott was very good over the last month of the season for the Mayhem. Jake Owens had a good season.
Edge: Cubs.

Bullpen: Definitely a weak spot for the Cubs as they converted only 68% of the teams save opportunities. The Mayhem were much better at 77%. It appears that Tony Gong is the Mayhems closer. He was solid. Season 7 fireman of the year winner Jorge Padilla is the Cubs closer. Padilla had a bit of an off year.
Edge: Mayhem.

Hitting: The Cubs have a definite edge in hitting. Brett Kinney, Joey Tracy, and Juan Castro all had 40+ HRs for the Cubs. Salem has two big hitters in Harry Brown and Bernie Diaz.
Edge: Cubs.

Fielding: The Cubs have the highest fielding percentage in the league but the Mayhem were not too far behind. The Cubs also have a slight advantage at catcher.
Edge: Slight edge to the Cubs.

Pick: I'm going with the upset here - Mayhem in 5.

Jacksonville Beach Boys vs Atlanta Pork N Beans

Series: Beach Boys 6 - 4

Starting Pitching: No comparison the Beach Boys have a huge advantage. Omar Elcano is one the leagues best. R.J. Molina, Dick Reed, and Jorge Navarro are all very good (probably better than all of the PnBs starting pitchers) . Bubba Rose and Gary Wyatt are decent for the PnBs, but who starts after them? Cookie Almanza? Omar Polonia? Michael Ming? Polonia, Alamanza, and Ming are a joke.
Edge: The Beach Boys have a huge edge in starting pitching.

Bullpen: The Beach Boys have last seasons fireman of the year Johnnie Moeller. The PnBs closer is the very good but young Dan Stearns. The BBs converted 69% of their save opportunities vs. 80% for the PnBs.
Edge: Pork N Beans. The BBs blew too many save opportunites.

Hitting: The PnBs scored more runs, had more HRs, and stolen bases. The BBs had a higher team BA. The PnBs have MVP candidate Zoltan Mercedes, along with big hitters Junior Bocachica and Max Lima. The BBs have one of the best young hitters in the league - Luis Cruz.
Edge: Pork N Beans.

Fielding: The BBs have a better fielding percentage. The PnBs have gold glover Max Lima behind the plate.
Edge: Beach Boys.

Pick: The Beach Boys in 4. The PnBs starting pitching is pitiful.

Kansas City Royals vs Toronto Blue Jays

Season: Royals 6 - 4

Starting Pitching: The Royals would love to start Tuck Buck every game but unfortunately they cannot. Rico Dali and Victor Guzman both had decent seasons for the Royals. The Blue Jays have one of the leagues best starters this season in Don Benson. Dennys Benes also had a very good season for the Blue Jays.
Edge: Both have solid rotations but the Blue Jays is better.

Bullpen: They both have decent closers. Miguel Owen for the Royals and Pascual Solano for the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays converted 78% of their save opportunities and the Royals 77%.
Edge: Slight edge to the Royals. I like Owen a little more than Solano.

Hitting: Both teams have impressive lineups. The Royals have the highest team BA in the league, and led the league in runs scored. The Blue Jays have a lot more speed, and a slight advantage in power. MVP candidate Willis Ulrich had an extremely impressive season for the Blue Jays. Javier Santayana hit 25 HRs and had 51 steals for the Blue Jays. Dallas Payton was impressive for the Royals (surprised he isnt an MVP candidate). Charlie Stone is a rookie of the year candidate.
Edge: Slight edge to the Royals.

Fielding: The Royals have the better fielding percentage and gave up fewer unearned runs. The Blue Jays have the better catcher.
Edge: Royals.

Pick: This one is tough. There both evenly matched but Ive got to go with the Blue Jays in 5.

Austin Deuce Droppers vs. New York Yankees

Season: Even 5 - 5

Starting Pitching: The Deuce Droppers have CY Young favorite Britt Swindell at the top of the rotation. After Swindell the DDs have season 5 CY Young winner Chad Sanders, Hipolito Palacios, and Russell Spence. Sanders and Spence are having below average seasons, and Palacios has been solid but inconsistent. Who will follow Swindell one of the veterans or the young and inexperienced Palacios? Nobody on the Yankees really stands out. Louie Martinez had a solid season in his 1st season as a starter. Patrick Neal (not to be confused with Neal Patrick Harris), Edgar Fernandez, and Benito Lima were all decent but unspectacular
Edge: The Deuce Droppers have the edge here. The Yankees may have to face Swindell twice in the five game series.

Bullpen: They both have very good closers. The Yankees have John Oliver, and the Deuce Droppers Doug Cambridge. The Yankees as a team have converted only 74% of their save opportunites, and the Deuce Droppers are worse at 72%.
Edge: Yankees. The Yankees have the better closer and have converted a higher number of save opportunities, but either teams bullpen is that impressive.

Hitting: The Yankees have more power, but the DDs have a little more speed. Blake Mathews crushed the ball this season for the Deuce Droppers with 59 HRs. Ramon Dong bounced back after disastorous season 8. The Yankees have MVP candidate Roosevelt Stevenson. Ryan Stewart had a big season for the Yankees with 42 HRs.
Edge: Slight edge to the Yankees. The Yankees power is impressive.

Fielding: The Deuce Droppers are one the leagues best defensive teams. They have three gold glove candidates. The Yankees are one of the leagues worst defensive teams. The Yankees have the edge at catcher.
Edge: Deuce Droppers.

Pick: These two teams are very evenly matched. Im going to take the DDs in 5. The Yankees rotation doesn't really impress me.