HOW IT WILL ALL PLAY OUT:
Tim and Ken will battle it out with the Crush edging the Legends. Orlando holds on for the wild card over Salusan. Burlington then wins to get to the World Series, eventually beating Pistakee Bay, who won vs. Parkland. Wire to wire for Burlington. No pressure Waltar. Save those spot starter studs for Burlington. I'll be using Morrow and Giese instead of Vazquez if we meet.
TEAM BY TEAM PROJECTIONS
JUNIOR CIRCUIT
EASTERN
California Crush 90 wins Injuries at 1B and C see the Crush come back to the pack. They still have Halladay, plus enough hitting from Arod and Hamilton leads to a division title once again.
Lafayette Legends 87 wins Strong hitting OF plus Mauer at catcher bode well leading to a wild card with a deep bullpen in Lidge, Carlson, and Johnson holding leads. Two lefties in the rotation could lead to disappointment.
Salusan 84 wins McCann and Dye lead a strong attack, but another bat at 1B would help. Starting staff needs some help, but don't expect any leads to be lost in the 8th or 9th inning with Balfour and Romo back closing things out.
Wabash 76 wins Hitting is above average, but if you start JoJo Reyes, you can't make the playoffs. Adding an average starter could see this team make the playoffs, but don't expect that with no owner in sight.
Oakland 57 wins Worst team in baseball, they will give up lots of runs with only Santana and Wang providing any type of major league quality. The team should score some runs, but expect many 7-4 losses.
WESTERN
Burlington 108 wins Wow. Best offense, best pitching staff. If you win a 5 game series you have done well. Anything short of a World Series is a disappointment. No holes in this team.
Orlando 89 wins Great hitting team with Huff, Bradley, and Quentin leading the way. Starting staff beyond Lincecum mayb dissappoint with ERA's in high 4's. Should get the wild card.
Port Orchard 82 wins No real ace will hurt as Garza is the best they have. Hitting is very strong with strength at all positions as Navarro is the worst of the bunch at catcher. Pick up an ace, make the playoffs. Then lose to Burlington.
Siebu 75 wins Top 3 starters in Lowe, Duchscherere and Marcum at top notch, but the bullpen is below average beyond Devine, who might be hurt. Holes at catcher, 2B and OF see this team finishing below .500
Kokomo 68 wins Things might have been different if some relievers had been drafted, but then again too many holes offensively see this team finishing last.
SENIOR CIRCUIT
EASTERN
Pistakee Bay 91 wins Pujols, a career year from Ludwick and the consistant Wright give this team a very good offense. Peavy and Shields lead a good pitching staff, with a very good Marmol closing things out.
San Diego 83 wins Last year it was pitching, this year, not so much. If Bannister/Harang can be replaced, this team makes the playoffs. If not, expect .500 Offense is strong with no real weakness.
Chattanooga 75 wins Good bullpen can't overcome injuries to Hudson and Young that will limit their usage. Low scoring offense sees a below .500 record. Trade of Damon to a contender can help the rebuild process.
Tucson 69 wins Offense lead by Iannetta, Longoria, Granderson and Hawpe will score runs, but this team doesn't have any strong starting pitchers. They are young so they could end up being very good next year.
Reno 65 wins New team name sees the pitching staff struggle all year., even from Hernandez who might struggle vs. lefties all year. Team forgot to get a catcher as the Ausmus/Towles combo is worse than the pitcher hitting.
WESTERN
Parkland Boyz 90 wins Strong lefties may be hurt by the lefty effect, much like last year that saw the top 3 lefties end up with ERA's at 4.00 instead of the expected 3.5. A top closer would be helpful as well, but this team should manage to win the division.
Stanton 83 wins How do you keep a team out of the playoffs, start Kenji Johjima. An average catcher boosts this team up by 3 wins. Trade for one. Win the wild card.. Win a playoff series. Who knows. GET A CATCHER.
Carolina 80 wins Chipper, Morneau, Beltran, Giles and Reyes lead a great offense, but beyond Webb and Guthrie the pitchers are offensive. High scoreing games and a .500 record are the norm here.
Glen Ellyn 77 wins Beyond Beckett this team doesn't have the pitching to contend. Solid lineup throughout could mean reaching .500. Oh, they have two good catchers but could use a pitcher. Hmmmm
Burlington 71 wins Haran is good, as is Rivera, but starters 2-5 are not. Rebuild, trade Rivera and Nady for picks, and be ready for next year. Sorry Tim.