NL Division Champions: Part I "Out With the Old and In with the New, or a Continuation of a Divisional Dynasty?

Continuing Part I of II (Now in the the NL): "Division Champions: Out With the Old and In with the New, or a Continuation of a Divisional Dynasty." Now, we take a look at the NL playoff picture and a "quick glance" at our division champs or soon to be. In the NL 3 of 4 divisions remain up for grabs, only the NL East has been secured. And the wild-card race appears to be one that will come down to the very end. We may be in store for a "photo finish" folks, so here's what we're looking at division by division.

First, we have the substantially improved NL North. Typically we have seen Kramr1o's Cincinnati Queens (61-85) at the top of this division. Despite sub-par seasons in S1-S3 (yet to turn in a .500 season), this team has managed to claim the division title every year. That is until this year. In fact, this league is still looking for their first .500 team! But appears to be improving. While technically the division is still up for grabs for all 4 teams, the bottom team being Patrickkm's Minnesota North Stars (60-86) and only 8 games out, the true division battle is between Cretins's Chicago Orphans (68-78) and Crimsontears's Trenton Thunder (66-80). Realistically, one of these teams will hold the title at the end. Still, to make things interesting, both teams are "ice cold!" Chicago is currently on a 2 game losing streak and has gone 1-9 of their last 10. Trenton has not done much better, they've gone 2-8 their last 10. Of course, Crimsontears also appears to be on some type of leave as his last login was a week ago, 5/14. Please don't tell me this team has been abandoned again! Especially now with a shot at a title. As is, however, with both leading teams "ice cold" and a possiblle M.I.A. on our hands in Trenton, Cincinnati who have gone 6-1 in their last 7 games and Minnesota are not out just yet! But Minnestota better turn things up if they want a chance. Cincinnati has! In fact, despite beng 7 games back the only hot team in the North is the Queens!

Next we look to the NL East where Drvmu1's Dover Diamond Devils (101-45) have returned to their old ways, their "Division Champ" ways. Dover won the title in S1 and S2 and were only beaten out in S3 by 1 game to StNick44's Scranton Blue Collars (85-61). Back on top Dover may just relax, rest some, and look to the playoffs. They may also look to take a stab at Hobbs single season win record set last year by Kemosabe11 and his New Orleans Bayou Bengals (112-50). To do so they will need to win 11 of the remaining 17 games to tie, and 12 to win. Considering that they have gone 17-3 over their last 20, this is absolutely within reason. Scranton will take 2nd, just as predicted pre-season, and is currently contending for one of the 2 wild-cards. They hope that their recent "roster expansion" call-ups: 3 time minor league Cy Young winner Ross Clemens and C Anthony Velarde will assist them with that. As of now they hold that 2nd spot, but the "crazy good" NL West will look to change things up. Which is also the reason that the other 2 teams in the East, Wylie715's Pawtucket Pencil-Necked Geeks (70-76) and Cwonde1's Augusta Sea Dogs (55-91), will have to play "spoiler" while they prepare to contend in next years race.

Turning to the NL South we address the potential fall of one of Hobbs "Divisional Dynasties." Over the last 3 seasons the Jackson Stonewall (68-78) team has dominated. Winning the title all 3 years with 97 wins in S1, 87 wins in S2, and 103 in S3. Now, under new management of PoconoMets, and having dropped the "S" in "Stonewalls," it appears they may not even reach .500. It remains unknown what the trouble may have been this year, maybe injuries, retirement, perhaps valuable losses to the F.A. market, or lack of star performances. It could have been a number of things, maybe the "S!" Perhaps PoconoMets should consider bringing the "S" back for S5! Lucky for Jackson, however, their division rivals have struggled as well. Despite a sub-par performance this season they remain only 4 games back. Currently they are on a 3 game losing streak (2 losses to Trenton, 1 "so far" to Charlotte), going 4-6 over their last 10 so if they want to compete for the title they better step it up and soon. As of now it is Emdump's Tampa Bay Citrus (72-74) that have the title in their grasp and going 8-2 in their last 10, on a 2 game win streak, do not appear to be willing to let it be taken from them so easily. Still, Devonjain's Charlotte Codes (70-76) will be looking to do just that. Charlotte and Jackson have entered their last series battling each other and the 1st of 3 is now in the books! And it belonged to the Codes in an 11-5 victory. Soon they will battle Tampa Bay, a series that already has playoff implications. By the time it comes around though, it could mean even more. It could be an extremely pivotal series for the division title! Lastly, and very lastly that is, we have Rpsrn and his Austin Anteaters (38-108). The only thing that this team should be battling is to stay above the Single season record low. 47 wins in S1 set by who else but Monty! Trust me, you do not want to take this record.

Last but definitely not least, and in fact first when it comes to the divisional best, we have the NL West. This has been, without question, the best division in Hobbs all of S4. And 3 teams from the same division, once again, have a shot at a playoff birth. This has happened only once before (S3: Scranton, Dover, & Pawtucket). This year's hopefuls include every one of this divisions teams: San Francisco, Tacoma, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. Of course only two can grab the wild-card spots. Still, Brettm1220's San Francisco Dedringers (90-56) have upheld their "Divisional Dynasty" tradition and maintain a 4 game lead on the closest contender, Lcfiore's Tacoma Red Radicals (86-60). It is San Francisco @ Tacoma as we speak, a 3 game series, and Tacoma has come out on top in the 1st game. Naturally, they will look to narrow the gap and the next 2 games could bring them within one! Ajf00529's first season taking over for Squirrel1014's 75-87 team has been a success either way you look at it. Whether they make the playoff's or not, the Los Angeles Stars (84-62) have made their presence known and with this years acquisition of Sven West and Javier Ayala, along with the cast they already had, should be a contender for years to come. In a recent presss conference Ajf00529 stated, "While we hope to qualify for the playoffs, failing to do so will in no way take away from the success of our year. We would like to congratulate the division winners and wish well to our competitors in the wild card race." Likewise, Palet99 has made the necessary moves to bump his S3 78-84 Salt Lake City Golden Crew (83-63) to a new level. Bringing in the likes of Bubba Baldwin and Herman Torres was what inspired their predicted division title in S4. Since then they have added Jason Beckwith. Again, like Los Angeles, whether or not this team makes the playoffs, they have made their presence known and should be around for years to come. Still, being around "for years to come" is secondary to the "right now." And the "right now" is the playoffs. All four of these teams will be looking to make the playoffs! Of course, only three can be successful in that regard but all teams are sure to have a successful year regardless. "Personally, I'm rooting for all 4 teams in the NL West to win 90 games. That would be awesome" said Lcfiore at a recent press. And this may just happen too, maybe.

One thing is for sure though, and that is that nothing is for sure yet as far as wild-card and division titles go (except in the East where Dover has clinched). Things are sure to stay interesting and will be fun to watch as we roll into the last few series. And so this concludes our look at the the NL playoff picture as it stands now. The two-wild card spots are far from decided, as are 3 of the 4 division titles. The biggest battles will involve San Francisco (the S3 Champs), Tacoma, Scranton, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. While others have a shot, these are the most realistic contenders for the wild-cards. But anything could happen at this point! So, again "good luck to those still pushing for those 2 spots and good Job to those who dont have to!"