National League
#1 Rochester Rolling Rocks- 107-55, 1st place NL North
Strengths: It's more like a case of what isn't a strength for the Rolling Rocks. On paper this team should own every other squad in the NL. And it shows in the awards as well, with Rochester having three MVP candidates, two Cy Young candidates, and the Fireman of the Year runner-up.
Weaknesses: If there is a weakness it might be the closer spot, where despite having an excellent season Bucky Rodgers isn't the most intimidating closer in the league.
Keys to Success: The key for the Rolling Rocks is to avoid the playoff letdown that has plagued this team the past few seasons. They have the talent to win, even against the best of the AL, but have been flat in the playoffs and have yet to live up to their potential.
Team MVP's: RF Bill Everhart & SP Vasco Serra (although there are worthy replacements for both)
Outlook: The rest of the NL was nowhere close to Rochester in the regular season, and the Rolling Rocks are seriously overdue for some playoff success, so Gord thinks that this is the year they finally break through.
Odds: 2-1
#2 Dover Diamond Dogs - 95-67, 1st place NL East
Strengths: The Diamond Dogs lineup may not have the most power or speed, but they are extremely disciplined at the plate and were second in the NL in OBP to Rochester. Rondell Burks leads a balanced and deep lineup that features many very dangerous hitters. The starting pitching is pretty good as well, and was a top 5 performer in the NL.
Weaknesses: The main weakness for Dover is probably their lack of a true #1 starter, although Bernie Melo is having a career year to put himself in Cy Young contention. In the playoffs it really helps to have a stopper, although Dover has done a very good job of getting around that, seeing as how they made the World Series last year and had another successful regular season this year.
Keys to Success: Bernie Melo or some other starter will need to step up and throw a few big games, and the lineup will have to keep it's mojo going into the playoffs against some of the tougher rotations in the NL.
Team MVP's: RF Rondell Burks and SP Bernie Melo
Outlook: This team has historically gotten it done, having represented the NL in the World Series three times in seven seasons, and they have the potential to do it again this season if they can get some good matchups. If Rochester gets upset Dover definitely has the inside track.
Odds: 4-1
#3 Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens - 89-73, 1st place NL West
Strengths: Sacto's bullpen helped overcome an atypically weak year by the rotation, led by Cy Young candidate Sammy Felix, who was named player of the week twice. The lineup overcame a very slow start as well to become a pretty decent group at getting on base, finishing 2nd out of 32 teams in walks. The rotation has a few good pitchers too, notably Gerald Heathcott and Brandon Choinard.
Weaknesses: Once the lineup got on base they had trouble finishing the job, as the Sacto offense was pretty meagre. The rotation had bad years from the normally solid Greg Maduro and Ray Fitzgerald.
Keys to Success: Keep riding the hot streak that saw them win 10 straight at the end of the season to come from behind and win the NL West, and get some solid games thrown by Heathcott, Maduro, and Choinard.
Team MVP's: RF Ricky Swann & SP Gerald Heathcott
Outlook: The Cornish Hens are the hottest team heading into the playoffs, having won 10 straight at the end of the season to come from behind and win the NL West. In truth, they have been one of the best teams in both leagues for the latter half of the season, and if they keep that form up could make a deep run. But if they play like they did at the beginning of the year they will be a quick out in the playoffs. Gord thinks it could go either way.
Odds: 7-1
#4 Jackson Rockets - 79-83, 1st place NL South
Strengths: The Rockets have a great starting pitcher in Shawn Creek, and this is a veteran team that has continually experienced playoff success.
Weaknesses: The Rockets are either old, inconsistent, or injured at many key positions, thus their regular season losing record. Top run producer and key player William Katou is injured and out for the playoffs.
Keys to Success: Todd Nichols needs to rediscover his old MVP calibur self for one last run, and Shawn Creek needs some support in the rotation from the likes of Jason Reames or Willy Murray.
Team MVP's: 1B Todd Nicholson & SP Shawn Creek
Outlook: The outlook isn't very good for the Rockets, Gord is sorry to say. They just don't have the depth or lineup to make it happen in the playoffs against top tier competition. They might pull an upset in the 1st round if Creek gets two victories and one of the other pitchers throws the lights out, but anything further than that is a stretch.
Odds: 40-1
#5 Honolulu Haoles - 87-75, 2nd place NL West
Strengths: Honolulu has the best starting pitching in the NL, and possibly all of Cobbfather. Justin Powell was just incredible this season, and Joseph Hyun and Alberto Beltre also impressed.
Weaknesses: As good as the rotation was for Honolulu, the lineup was anemic. Chuck Donovan came out of nowhere to put up a career year, but pretty much everyone else in the Haoles lineup under produced.
Keys to success: If pitching is key to success in the playoffs, the Haoles are in good shape as Powell was nearly unhittable this year. If the lineup can offer the rotation any kind of support at all the Haoles could make a run.
Team MVP's: 1B Chuck Donovan & SP Justin Powell
Outlook: The Haoles might be reeling after blowing a 3 game lead with 10 games remaining to lose there shot at their first division title. But they still made the playoffs and got a favorable matchup with Jackson as a result. Gord thinks the quality of their pitching should be enough to get them into the next round vs. Rochester, where there it is probably lights out.
Odds: 15-1
#6 Cincinnati Red Stockings - 85-77, 3rd place NL East
Strengths: Marvin Mays is far and away the main strength of this team, and once again lived up to his preseason MVP hype. Del Campos won the Fireman of the Year award over some very good competition this year, and the rest of the bullpen is also very good.
Weaknesses: The starting rotation is not a group that will strike fear into the hearts of opposing lineups, and if Cincy loses they will probably be the reason why.
Keys to Success: Keep getting pitchers like Gus Shibata and P.T. Chantres to outperform their expectations, or at least have the rotation keep the team in the game long enough to reach the very good bullpen and let Marvin Mays and Talmadge Malone do the rest.
Team MVP's: 3B Marvin Mays& RP Del Campos
Outlook: Cincinnati faded a little bit at the end of the year and cost themselves a chance to face Jackson in the 1st round, and instead got on paper the tougher wildcard draw vs. Sacramento, a team they went 4-6 against in the regular season. But this is a team that has outplayed expectations before, as their season 6 World Series title shows, so count them out at your peril.
Odds: 16-1
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Super Duper Delayed Power Rankings
Stiffy Stifflerson - Cobbfather Post Gazette
Here we go (as of the PM2 cycle):
Sorry for the delay. Stiffy will be more on the ball next time.
Here we go (as of the PM2 cycle):
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | 95-38 | |
| 2 | 90-43 | |
| 3 | 90-43 | |
| 4 | 82-51 | |
| 5 | 79-54 | |
| 6 | 71-62 | |
| 7 | 74-59 | |
| 8 | 71-62 | |
| 9 | 72-61 | |
| 10 | 73-60 | |
| 11 | 70-63 | |
| 12 | 67-66 | |
| 13 | 68-65 | |
| 14 | 67-66 | |
| 15 | 66-67 | |
| 16 | 66-67 | |
| 17 | Tacoma | 69-64 |
| 18 | Syracuse | 65-68 |
| 19 | 64-69 | |
| 20 | 61-72 | |
| 21 | 63-70 | |
| 22 | 59-74 | |
| 23 | 61-72 | |
| 24 | 59-74 | |
| 25 | 58-75 | |
| 26 | 58-75 | |
| 27 | 55-78 | |
| 28 | 53-80 | |
| 29 | 52-81 | |
| 30 | 52-81 | |
| 31 | 50-83 | |
| 32 | 48-85 |
Sorry for the delay. Stiffy will be more on the ball next time.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
National League
Overview:
--The National League has become very competitive lately, with old guns Sacramento, Nashville, Jackson, and Dover having to make room for teams like Rochester, Buffalo, and Cincinnati. While Rochester may have been the dominant regular season squad the last few years, that dominance hasn't equated to playoff success. They certainly have the horses to make another run this year, but so do several other senior circuit squads, and there are more than a few teams that are young and improving and may do some damage as well.
Projected Cy Young:Vasco Serra - Rochester Rolling Rocks
Other Contenders: Raul Escobar (ROC), Paul Junge (DOV), Greg Maduro (SAC), Pepper Boyer (ROC), Paul Wirth (NAS), Alberto Beltre (HON)
Projected MVP: Bill Everhart -Rochester Rolling Rocks
Other Contenders: Dan Carter (ROC), Rondell Burks (DOV), Buddy Poole (NAS), Brian Taylor (SYR), Marvin Mays (CIN), Quinton Allen (CHR)
Projected Fireman of the Year: Billy Cox - Nashville Mayhem
Other Contenders: Sammy Felix (SAC), Del Campos (CIN), Rick Beltran (JAC)
Projected Rookie of the Year: Yamid Montanez - Los Angeles Lunatics
Other Contenders: Jaime Davis (CIN), Glenn Acquilino (LA), Chip James (SJU)
Top Five Rotations in the National League
1. Rochester Rolling Rocks
2. Nashville Mayhem
3. Honolulu Haoles
4. Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
5. Jackson Rockets
Top Five Lineups in the National League
1. Rochester Rolling Rocks
2. Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
3. Syracuse Sycophants
4. Nashville Mayhem
5. Dover Diamond Dogs
Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Rondell Burks - Dover Diamond Dogs
2. Paul Wirth - Nashville Mayhem
3. Elvis Leon - Charleston Chew
Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Honolulu Haoles
2. Cheyenne Chiefs
3. Los Angeles Lunatics
4. Charleston Chew
Two Teams on the Decline
1. San Juan Chinchillas
2. Jackson Rockets
Six prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Vasco Unamuno - Buffalo Bisons
2. Carlos Hernandez - Cheyenne Chiefs
3. Ismael Ortiz - Cincinnati Red Stockings
4. Eddie Merritt - Honolulu Haoles
5. Skeeter Brewer - Nashville Mayhem
6. Chip James - San Juan Chinchillas
Projected finishes, by division:
NL North
Rochester Rolling Rocks - 103-59
Syracuse Sycophants - 85-77
Trenton High Tide - 73-89
Ottawa Renegades - 68-94
NL East
Dover Diamond Dogs - 91-71
New York Primetimers - 86-76
Buffalo Bisons - 85-77
Cincinnati Red Stockings - 76-86
NL South
Nashville Mayhem - 97-65
Jackson Rockets - 92-70
Charleston Chew - 84-78
San Juan Chinchillas - 65-97
NL West
Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens - 95-67
Honolulu Haoles - 89-73
Cheyenne Chiefs - 81-81
Los Angeles Lunatics - 76-86
Overview:
--The National League has become very competitive lately, with old guns Sacramento, Nashville, Jackson, and Dover having to make room for teams like Rochester, Buffalo, and Cincinnati. While Rochester may have been the dominant regular season squad the last few years, that dominance hasn't equated to playoff success. They certainly have the horses to make another run this year, but so do several other senior circuit squads, and there are more than a few teams that are young and improving and may do some damage as well.
Projected Cy Young:Vasco Serra - Rochester Rolling Rocks
Other Contenders: Raul Escobar (ROC), Paul Junge (DOV), Greg Maduro (SAC), Pepper Boyer (ROC), Paul Wirth (NAS), Alberto Beltre (HON)
Projected MVP: Bill Everhart -Rochester Rolling Rocks
Other Contenders: Dan Carter (ROC), Rondell Burks (DOV), Buddy Poole (NAS), Brian Taylor (SYR), Marvin Mays (CIN), Quinton Allen (CHR)
Projected Fireman of the Year: Billy Cox - Nashville Mayhem
Other Contenders: Sammy Felix (SAC), Del Campos (CIN), Rick Beltran (JAC)
Projected Rookie of the Year: Yamid Montanez - Los Angeles Lunatics
Other Contenders: Jaime Davis (CIN), Glenn Acquilino (LA), Chip James (SJU)
Top Five Rotations in the National League
1. Rochester Rolling Rocks
2. Nashville Mayhem
3. Honolulu Haoles
4. Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
5. Jackson Rockets
Top Five Lineups in the National League
1. Rochester Rolling Rocks
2. Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
3. Syracuse Sycophants
4. Nashville Mayhem
5. Dover Diamond Dogs
Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Rondell Burks - Dover Diamond Dogs
2. Paul Wirth - Nashville Mayhem
3. Elvis Leon - Charleston Chew
Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Honolulu Haoles
2. Cheyenne Chiefs
3. Los Angeles Lunatics
4. Charleston Chew
Two Teams on the Decline
1. San Juan Chinchillas
2. Jackson Rockets
Six prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Vasco Unamuno - Buffalo Bisons
2. Carlos Hernandez - Cheyenne Chiefs
3. Ismael Ortiz - Cincinnati Red Stockings
4. Eddie Merritt - Honolulu Haoles
5. Skeeter Brewer - Nashville Mayhem
6. Chip James - San Juan Chinchillas
Projected finishes, by division:
NL North
Rochester Rolling Rocks - 103-59
Syracuse Sycophants - 85-77
Trenton High Tide - 73-89
Ottawa Renegades - 68-94
NL East
Dover Diamond Dogs - 91-71
New York Primetimers - 86-76
Buffalo Bisons - 85-77
Cincinnati Red Stockings - 76-86
NL South
Nashville Mayhem - 97-65
Jackson Rockets - 92-70
Charleston Chew - 84-78
San Juan Chinchillas - 65-97
NL West
Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens - 95-67
Honolulu Haoles - 89-73
Cheyenne Chiefs - 81-81
Los Angeles Lunatics - 76-86
Friday, March 5, 2010
Season 8 Preview - American League
American League
Overview: The American League proved to be the home of the world champions once again, as the Houston Space Cowboys dispatched the Dover Diamond Dogs for the second time in two seasons. The competition to reach the top was stiff last year and should be again this season, as Florida's pitching staff remains the cream of the crop, and the offensive juggernauts of Santa Fe and Tucson should produce runs by the dozens. There are also many rising teams that could stake a claim to the AL pennant, including the very talented Kansas City Tweakers. In the AL North, only the SIM knows what will come of that division.
Projected Cy Young: Chris Pendleton - Florida Hurricanes
--Other Contenders: Harry Mieses (FLA), Carl Sosa (FLA), Matt Lawrence (FLA), Ken Evans (NY), Gordon Oliver (BUR)
Projected MVP: Rafael Benitez - Durham Radicals
--Other Contenders: Al Martinez (NY), Charlie Dickenson (TUC), Johnny Sherman (BOS), Jamie Summers (HOU), Benito Guerrero (KC)
Projected Fireman of the Year: Anthony Gordon - Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
--Other Contenders: Luis Gonzalez (HOU), Adam Winn (FLA), Arthur Camilli (DUR)
Projected Rookie of the Year: Arthur Camilli - Durham Radicals
--Other Contenders: Weldon Black (CHI), Dennis Gulan (KC), Cap Rivera (OK)
Top Five Rotations in the American League
1. Florida Hurricanes
2. Houston Space Cowboys
3. Kansas City Tweakers
4. Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
5. Burlington Huskies
Top Five Lineups in the American League
1. Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
2. Tucson Tornados
3. Houston Space Cowboys
4. Boston Loggers
5. New York Pride of the Yankees
Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Walt Lowe - Houston Space Cowboys
2. Sam Cohen - Burlington Huskies
3. Stuart Paulson - Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Kansas City Tweakers
2. Durham Radicals
3. Tacoma Termites
4. Chicago Puppies
One Team on the Decline
1. Austin Rock Stars
Two Teams From Which 100 or 60 Wins is Possible
1. New York Pride of the Yankees
2. Durham Radicals
Five prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Dennis Gulan - Kansas City Tweakers
2. Donaldo Cordero - Kansas City Tweakers
3. Mac Song - San Francisco Hammer'd Leprechauns
4. Scott Rolle - Tacoma Termites
5. Marvin Collier - Vancouver Canucks
Projected finishes, by division:
AL North
Tacoma Termites - 86-76
New York Pride of the Yankees 85-77
Detroit Dirt Dogs - 81-81
Scranton Meal Ticket - 58-102
AL East
Florida Hurricanes - 99-63
Burlington Huskies - 88-74
Boston Massacre - 85-77
Durham Radicals - 83-79
AL South
Houston Space Cowboys -100-62
Santa Fe Dope Smugglers - 98-64
Oklahoma City Pain - 74-88
Austin Rock Stars - 72-90
AL West
Kansas City Tweakers - 98-64
Tucson Tornados - 93-69
San Francisco Hammer'd Leprechauns - 85-77
Vancouver Canucks - 70-92
Overview: The American League proved to be the home of the world champions once again, as the Houston Space Cowboys dispatched the Dover Diamond Dogs for the second time in two seasons. The competition to reach the top was stiff last year and should be again this season, as Florida's pitching staff remains the cream of the crop, and the offensive juggernauts of Santa Fe and Tucson should produce runs by the dozens. There are also many rising teams that could stake a claim to the AL pennant, including the very talented Kansas City Tweakers. In the AL North, only the SIM knows what will come of that division.
Projected Cy Young: Chris Pendleton - Florida Hurricanes
--Other Contenders: Harry Mieses (FLA), Carl Sosa (FLA), Matt Lawrence (FLA), Ken Evans (NY), Gordon Oliver (BUR)
Projected MVP: Rafael Benitez - Durham Radicals
--Other Contenders: Al Martinez (NY), Charlie Dickenson (TUC), Johnny Sherman (BOS), Jamie Summers (HOU), Benito Guerrero (KC)
Projected Fireman of the Year: Anthony Gordon - Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
--Other Contenders: Luis Gonzalez (HOU), Adam Winn (FLA), Arthur Camilli (DUR)
Projected Rookie of the Year: Arthur Camilli - Durham Radicals
--Other Contenders: Weldon Black (CHI), Dennis Gulan (KC), Cap Rivera (OK)
Top Five Rotations in the American League
1. Florida Hurricanes
2. Houston Space Cowboys
3. Kansas City Tweakers
4. Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
5. Burlington Huskies
Top Five Lineups in the American League
1. Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
2. Tucson Tornados
3. Houston Space Cowboys
4. Boston Loggers
5. New York Pride of the Yankees
Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Walt Lowe - Houston Space Cowboys
2. Sam Cohen - Burlington Huskies
3. Stuart Paulson - Santa Fe Dope Smugglers
Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Kansas City Tweakers
2. Durham Radicals
3. Tacoma Termites
4. Chicago Puppies
One Team on the Decline
1. Austin Rock Stars
Two Teams From Which 100 or 60 Wins is Possible
1. New York Pride of the Yankees
2. Durham Radicals
Five prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Dennis Gulan - Kansas City Tweakers
2. Donaldo Cordero - Kansas City Tweakers
3. Mac Song - San Francisco Hammer'd Leprechauns
4. Scott Rolle - Tacoma Termites
5. Marvin Collier - Vancouver Canucks
Projected finishes, by division:
AL North
Tacoma Termites - 86-76
New York Pride of the Yankees 85-77
Detroit Dirt Dogs - 81-81
Scranton Meal Ticket - 58-102
AL East
Florida Hurricanes - 99-63
Burlington Huskies - 88-74
Boston Massacre - 85-77
Durham Radicals - 83-79
AL South
Houston Space Cowboys -100-62
Santa Fe Dope Smugglers - 98-64
Oklahoma City Pain - 74-88
Austin Rock Stars - 72-90
AL West
Kansas City Tweakers - 98-64
Tucson Tornados - 93-69
San Francisco Hammer'd Leprechauns - 85-77
Vancouver Canucks - 70-92
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