S5 Pojections: The American League

AMERICAN LEAGUE PROJECTIONS: AL projected Champ: Austin Kangaroos
Wild Cards: Seattle & Louisville

AL NORTH: Projected order (1)Philadelphia Phillies, (2) Seattle, (3) Kansas City, (4) Milwaukee

The North is a difficult division to project, each of these 4 teams have great teams and the truth is any one of them could see post-season action in S5. But a projection is a projection, so lets begin! Seattle's dominance over this division since the beginning of Hobbs makes this a very difficult decision, but it is said that "all good things must come to an end," and that "there is a first for everything." That said, Seattle's reign over the division must end; for the first time they will not be taking the division. Instead, it will be Wholk's Philadelphia Phillies assuming their position at the top! In S4 these Phillies lost the title to Seattle by one game! In S5, with a pitching staff anchored by veterans Chin-Feng Okajima and Cristobal Taveras, and a line-up including the likes of veteran slugger Don Ross, power hitter Jeff Pearson, and the gold glove of the Damian Allensworth, these Phillies should be able to make up that one game difference and take the title. The race for the division should be very tight however. . .Very tight! This division may likely see 3 playoff contenders as they did in S4. The_Oat's Seattle Mariners are still the great team from the past and will likely follow close behind. Following them, very closely as well, will be Dakar's young but quickly maturing Kansas City Jayhawks, and then M22pank's power hitting Milwaukee High Lifes.

AL EAST: Projected order (1) Rochester EliteDucks, (2) Louisville, (3) Washington D.C., (4) Columbus.

Attention AL East: a powerhouse has emerged! In S4 keeid12x's Rochester EliteDucks rocked the division with a 98-64 record, taking the division title by a whole 16 games. Led by Archie O'Neill, one of Hobb's very best (only player to steal 40 bases and hit 40 Hr's, and every other ML season has stolen 30, and hit 30), the EliteDucks should make a repeat out of the Al East title. With veteran LF Terry Alexander and Red Howard, who has been as "cool as the other side of the pillow" for the rotation, one of the best closers in the game Cecil Brand, and now newcomers Derrek Chambers and Bing Hooper, it will take some real talent to match up with this team down the stretch. But look for Kybucki's very solid Louisville Sluggers to give them a run for their money. This team is full of serious talent and will be close near the end. Following closely behind will be Tamadrumr's Washington D.C. Lobbyists with perhaps the best pitching in the division. Then, trailing the rest Ronazbill's Columbus Buckeyes are projected, who have great potential behind future hall-of-famer Sidney Fabregas (although on the block). This team has some great young talent that could make a huge difference though, including Alan Pickett and Glenn Mientkiewicz, to name just a few.

AL SOUTH: Projected order (1) Austin Kangaroos (2) Richmond (3) Florida (4) Little Rock

The AL South, plain and simple, belongs to Kemosabe11 and the Austin Kangaroos (Former Bayou Bengals), the new name and location should not change anything. This franchise has quite simply dominated this division, the American League, and last year. . .Hobbs World! The Kangaroos are a bonafide super power and with last years draft, probably the very best draft with the picks that they had, look only to be getting stronger and stronger. Winning their division by a landslide of each season there just does not appear to be a team that can stand up to these guys. They are a true force to be reckoned with will definitely, like last year, be "the team to beat" in the AL. The only difference from last year is the championship no longer goes through New Orleans, rather it runs through Austin. This team is just sick! Near 15 games back will be good old Jpelot and his Richmond Smokers, who is hopeful that S5 free agent addition Pat Chong can contribute to the already mounting young talent that this team wields. About 20 games back will we find newcomer manager Puddermouse and the Florida TIGERS, and 30 games back will be Rigamortiss, also a newcomer for S5, and his rebuilding Little Rock Travellers.

AL WEST: Projected order (1) Albuquerque Pilots (2) Las Vegas (3) San Diego (4) Honolulu

The prediction you have all been waiting for! And we hope that this doesn't mean he'll be moving on since he has his projection... "Threester and his Albuquerque Pilots to win the AL West!" Threester brings HBD pioneer experience to Hobbs and has proved himself a crafty manager. Over the last few seasons, since taking over this sub-par club, he has climbed the ranks very quickly and has one of Hobbs best playoff records and now one of Hobbs best teams. After last years performance it would not be odd to assume that Yuniesky Morales could carry the club on his own, and he may have! But now, with the F.A. pickup of Tony Miller that just wont be necessary. This team was good to begin the year, an now, well. . .this team may approach Kemosabe11's Austin Kangaroos and give them a worthy battle in a face-off. In fact, this may just be the matchup we see in the ALCS showdown. Lingering behind behind 5 - 10 games will be a manager equally as crafty - though not quite as successful. . . YET - Blackmamba22 and his Las Vegas Legends. Mamaba, once again, has assembled a team that looks great on paper and ranks very high overall in severeal categories. So we will be watching closely to see if this team translates better this time around, and it really should! Then, following 12-16 games back will be long time Hobbs manager Iceman67 and his San Diego Surf Sharks, and then following him, 18 games from 1st place, we should see the Honolulu Poi-Boys of Coltjj.