How it will all play out:
In the Jr Circuit expect ERA's around 5 for every team in the East except California. I don't see any team challenging the Crush for the division title, while a wild card is a possibility for one of these teams if they pick up a good #3 starter. The West sees Burlington and Orlando fighting it out, then playing each other in the first round, where the winner faces the Crush in the second round, with the Crush moving on to the World Series.
.
The Sr. Circuit has the stronger teams this year, Carolina and San Diego the cream of that crop. The battle for the two wild card positions comes down to Chattanooga, Pistakee Bay, and Parkland. Expect Carolina to face San Diego, with no clear cut favorite to meet California in the World Series.
.
The World Series sees two evenly matched teams facing each other, with fatigue possibly playing a part as some players might not be available.
.
Good luck to all teams in proving these projections wrong. Remember just one major trade can change everything.
.
NOW THE TEAM BY TEAM PREDICTIONS:
.
JUNIOR CIRCUIT
EASTERN
California Crush 100
Best hitting in the league with Posada, Helton, Arod, and company, plus 3 good starters and easy division could lead to the World Series. 4th starter only weakness and doesn't come into play for this team in the playoffs.
Salusan 76
No real hitting star with the team led by Burrell, lack of enough good starter innings will lead to an average season. A couple trades landing another hitter and pitcher gets this team into the wild card. Will they make that push?
Lafayette Legends 73
Vlad will help this team score a lot of runs, but only two decent starters will lead this team to a lot of high scoring games. Bullpen lacks depth as well. Looks like a rebuilding year.
Oakland 71
Surprise team last year as they were outscored but still won 90 games, look for the team to drop back into the basement as Roberts and Matsui won't be enough to get this team in contention.
Wabash 69
Hudson and Kazmir are fine, but they are the only two guys that can be counted on starting, Heath Bell will help, as will a strong offense led by Soriano, but breaking .500 is extremely doubtful.
WESTERN
Burlington 89
Braun, Hanley Ramirez, Teixeira plus a very strong relief corp make Burlington the team to beat in its division. Don't expect the starting staff to be as good as their ERA might suggest, but still good enough to win.
Orlando 86
Strong bullpen plus Ortiz, Lincecum and Lilly get this team into the playoffs. Some weakness at catcher and the lack of another hitting superstar will keep this team from going far in the playoffs.
Siebu 78
This team can hit with guys like Thome, Utlely, Hermida and Cust smacking the ball around. Lack of bullpen depth and higher than expected ERA's from the SP keep this team around .500. Picking up a couple strong pitchers sees this team finish above .500 and get the final wild card spot.
Port Orchard 75
Fielder, Dunn and Howard make things tough on pitchers, but beyond McGowan these starters don't frighten you. If another SP is brought in this team will climb the standings.
Kokomo 73
Average starters and relievers plus average hitting for this division leads to a last place finish. Could just as easily finish with the last wild card if top reliever and a SS/2B can be traded for as the 4th through the 8th teams aren't much different from each other.
SENIOR CIRCUIT
EASTERN
San Diego 93
Pitching pitching pitching, this team has it. It’s the best staff in baseball. All 5 starters may end up with ERA's below 4, plus two great closers make this the team to beat in the division. Some worry next year as Lackey and Escobar have complained about some arm soreness.
Chattanooga 89
Pena, Ichiro, and Alou lead a strong offenxe with a very good 1-2 punch in Verlander and Young. Could use a better 3rd pitcher to help guarentee a wild card.
Pistakee Bay 88
Peavy, Albert and Putz, no, not a law firm, but the leaders of this team that will have them in the wild card chase.
Morgan Hill 63
The bullpen looks good with depth and a great closer. The problem is they won't have many leads to protect as the starters are suspect and the hitting is average. Should be able to stay out of the cellar.
Tucson 62
No starting pitching in this division means a long season. This team can score some runs, but a team ERA that will approach 5 won't cut it in the NL.
WESTERN
Carolina 96
Best offense in the NL combined with good pitching should get the best record in the NL. Catcher only real weakness.
Parkland Boyz 88
Three very good starters plus Holiday, Martinez and Craford leading the attack sees this team getting the Wild Card. Possible that the three lefty SP underperform and the team misses out. Good test for the lefty curse of PB.
Stanton 82
This team can hit with Bonds and Pence, but expect the pitching to underperform leaving the team at just above .500.
Glen Ellyn 78
Josh and Fausto are very good, but with the best two hitters on the team sharing the same position, they won't score enough runs to make it to .500
Burlington 71
Very good infield offensively, they are short circuited by a poor hitting catcher and starting pitching, which leaves the team in last place.