S5 Projections: The National League

NATIONAL LEAGUE PROJECTIONS: NL projected Champ: Salt Lake City Golden Crew
Wild Cards: San Francisco & Oakland

NL NORTH: Projected order (1) Chicago Orphans, (2) Vancouver (3) Cincinnati (4) Minnesota

The NL North is still the weakest division in Hobb's World. Now, after 4 complete seasons this division is still looking for their first franchise to finish above .500. I believe this year will bring the first! Newcomer Jdrake27's Vancouver Spidermonkeys are of to a great start (6-0), but I'm afraid that it wont last. Rather, it will be manager Cretins and his Chicago Orphans that will have the best shot at the .500 record, and the division title. Carried by team ace Willie Strong, and the talent has been cooking in Chicago the last few seasons, in combination with the call-up of rookie sensation B.J. Lawton (undoubtedly the best prospect to hit the majors this year), these Orphans should slide into an easy win over this struggling division. Following, about 8 games back, will be Jdrake27's Vancouver Spidermonkeys, and then another 7 games back - 15 games out of first - will be Kramr10's Cincinnati Queens. Trailing the division, once again, almost 20 games back will be Patrickkm and the Minnesota North Stars.

NL EAST: Projected order (1) Dover Diamond Devils (2) Scranton (3) Pawtucket (4) New York

And then there's the NL East, one of the easier divisions to predict. Drvmu1 and his Dover Diamond Devils have this division all under control. Like Austin of the AL, this team is just sick! Breaking Hobbs all-time single season win record in S4 (113-49), there just does not appear to be a team other than the Austin Kangaroos that can consistently, and successfully, go up against stars such as Fred Henderson, ace Rob Abercrombie, and S4 MVP Benito Canseco, to name just 3! I could practically name the entire team here. They will take the title in S5, their 4th in 5 seasons. But not without a fight, of course. Following 12 games back - depending on whether another record will be set this year - will be StNick44 and his scrappy Scranton Blue Collars, then 25 games back will be Pawtucket Pencil-Necked Geeks, and then nearly 38 games out of 1st will be newcomer Tk21775 and his New York Nightmares. (Keep in mind before thinking that a projection so far behind is an insult that at 92 wins last year the Blue Collars were 20 games back. I am being generous! Such is the NL east!)

NL SOUTH: Projected order (1) Charlotte Codes (2) Jackson (3) Durham (4) Tampa Bay

Barring another double digit losing streak/slump...Devonjain and his Charlotte Codes should claim this division without much of a struggle. They are easily the best team in this division right now, especially when potential is concerned, with stars such as Alex Gabriel, Amos Callaway, and Bump Thomson (a huge talent who had a great rookie season in S4). Also, the pitching rotation appears solid to begin S5 with SP's like Max Pineiro, Travis Riley, and a still young and improving Julian Cubillan. Most importantly, this team is young and if these pieces fit like they should this team could be in business for a long time! Next in line, about 8 games back, will be PoconoMets and his Jackson Stonewall club. This club only generated 77 wins last season but are still a good franchise with a lot of talent, including Sammy Suarez and the always dangerous Slick Rapp! Then, a surprise, the former Austin Anteaters club have not only changed to the Durham Bulls, but they have made some call-ups who should make an impact ...huhmm hmm Yamil Guzman! They will easily eclipse their 42 wins from S4 and should see 75 or so. Still, they should fall about 12 games out of 1st. This leaves Emdumps Tampa Bay Citrus in last place, but just barely. Yes, I know they won the division last year but it appears that somethings have changed for S5!

NL WEST: Projected order (1) Salt Lake City Golden Crew (2) San Francisco (3) Oakland (4) Los Angeles

Really, now this is the prediction that the NL was waiting for. The West was Hobbs World's most competitive division last season with each team raking in 90+ wins, and by far the most difficult division to project. Why? Because each team in this division represents a solid contender for not only the division, but the S5 championship! Once again this division will change the whole dynamic of the NL (90 wins will be great but again may not get you into the playoffs). These teams raise the NL bar and make the wild card even more difficult to secure. In fact, as was the case in S4, 3 NL West teams will likely to see post-season action! I must admit that last year I cut brettm1220 and the San Francisco Dedringers short in choosing Salt lake City over them. For that I apologize, I was wrong! . . .but I'm afraid that I just have to do it again. At the risk erring twice and having to apologize next year, I predict palet99's Salt Lake City to win this division and the National League! What I saw last year in the Golden Crew is what I am seeing again, which is talent in the acquisitions that are ripening and paying huge dividends. Last year the Crew brought in Bubba Baldwin who made a huge impact, making the all-star team and piling up 190 hits. Later they acquired Jason Beckwith, arguably one of Hobbs top 10 talents at the SS position. Now another late acquisition, Larry Hume, appears to be paying off along with the existing talent such as Hobbs all-time hit leader, Lyle Padden, a hitting machine! Still, the Dedringers are no one to mess with either and still wield one of the best teams in Hobbs World, but the way the dice roll I see them finishing a game or two behind Salt Lake. Shafted again huh Brett, I know, especially after having 3 of the leagues top 5 rookies, including R.O.Y. Brendan Flynn. Then, about 9 games out first will be return manager Indy_Indians and his Oakland Breakers. And behind them, about 10 games back will be ajf00529's Los Angeles Stars.