Leon Jackson - Cobbfather Post Gazette
Shenaynay - Special Correspondent from the Psychic Friends Network
The AL North is the most talkative division in Cobbfather by far...even with one of its owners out of the country! The trash talk is endless and the rivalries are many. Currently, the biggest rivalry is a toss up between phillyfan vs. domiisgod and ploppie vs. his pants. But I'm sure that will change once commish Kid returns from parts unknown. Let's get to the preview!
AL NORTH
4. Sioux Falls Great Danes
Last Season: 70-92
Shenayany’s crystal ball shows: the masses chanting “all hail, der Kommissar!” once again, anticipating his long awaited return
Gazette says: Well, the commish is out of the country, so I guess I can talk smack about his team. Sioux Falls took a step backwards last season, after a great season 2. Sioux Falls has a great bullpen, decent starting pitching, and some good pieces on offense. The only downside is that the commish is coming back at the end of the month. (ha, kidding!) Sioux Falls has a low payroll, so this could be a year for them to build, in what is a tough division this season.
Psychic Friends Network prediction: 74-88, 4th place
Vegas Odds to win it all: 70-1
3. St. Louis Silver Sluggers
Last Season: 76-86
Shenayany’s crystal ball shows: the moving van is being packed up yet again, not only for the team moving in town, but for players being shipped out of town.
Gazette says: I had to rewrite this preview 4 times, as every time I had finished it, there was another trade by phillyfan that affected it. All in all, the Sluggers have completed 11 trades involving 42 players to date, and probably have a few more pending. And yes, of course, the team switched cities again! Looking at the Sluggers roster now, it appears they have assembled a very formidable pitching staff. However, we don't think their offense is quite as good as the top 2 teams in the division. Still, it's nothing a few trades can't fix, but for now, we rank them 3rd in the division.
Psychic Friends Network prediction:83-79, 3rd place
Vegas Odds to win it all: 35-1
2. Fargo Rat Bastids
Last Season: 90-72
Shenayany’s crystal ball shows: a pleated, folded up pair of pants, just begging to be worn by its owner. they're sitting on a chair underneath a sign that says "Sister For Sale"
Gazette says: We jumped the gun last season predicting Fargo to be the AL Champions, so we'll temper our expectations a bit this season. The Fargo rebuilding project is coming along nicely, as it appears they will field a well-balanced, complete, talented team this year. We see an improvement over last year for them, but they're not quite ready to reclaim their division crown from Season 1.
Psychic Friends Network prediction: 94-68, 2nd place
Vegas Odds to win it all: 15-1
1. New York Pride of the Yankees
Last Season: 97-65
Shenaynay’s crystal ball shows: pride is still booming in the Big Apple.
Gazette says: So, we picked New York to finish last in the division is Season 3, and they ended up winning it. Our bad. New York has a great team returning this year. Just ask the owner. And they will probably lose in the playoffs again. Just ask the owner. New York will have their trademark potent offense once again this year, and they made moves to improve their pitching this offseason as well. Looks like it should be a very good season in NY, and we'll probably never hear the end of it.
Psychic Friends Network prediction: 101-61, 1st place
Vegas Odds to win it all: 10-1
UP NEXT: NL South