Monday, October 15, 2007

Most Competitive Season in Deuce History?

In normal season, by June 13th at least a third of the teams in the league have made noise about selling. This June 13th, only two divisions have a definitive leader (Phoenix in the Rec East and GB in the Browne Central). Furthermore, only six teams are truly out of it, and three of those teams play in a division with Green Bay. That leaves 5 divisions containing 21 teams that all have a legitimate shot at a wild card finish if not a division title.
The poster-child for this season is the Rectenwald East, where last place London (31-34) has the same number of losses as first place Washington (34-31) has wins. This division will be decided by who makes the best deals in the next couple months. (either that or Bermuda's offense whenever it wakes up.) Then there's the central where Mobile and Des Moines are in a dead heat for 1st place, with El Paso charging up the standings. On top of that, Oklahoma City seems to have righted the ship with what is one of the more talented rosters they have ever had.
Over in the Browne the West division probably won't be decided until the last day of the season. Overshadowed by the Honolulu/Calgary duel are two very good teams in Valencia and Oregon, which are both a hot streak away from making this a three (or four) team race. Valencia is very talented and if their pitching gets going, they will be tough to beat. Oregon is very deep, and if two or three of the 20 or so good players they have catch fire, they are right back in it. Harrisburg is starting to pull away in the East division, but is still only 7.5 games ahead of last place. Jackson is a question mark, but apparently one that plays good baseball, and Orlando is just biding time until its pitching staff gets back.
With so many variables involved, its any one's guess as to how the pieces will fall. With that said, I'm giving myself two wild card picks in the following predictions.

Rec East - Key Largo - because I really want to win (Probably Washington though)
Rec Central - Des Moines
Rec West - Phoenix
Wild Card - Mobile or Oklahoma City

Browne East - Harrisburg
Browne Central - Green Bay
Browne West - Honolulu
Wild Card - Calgary or Orlando

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