Kevin Sharkey's Predictions

National League

North
1. Chicago Smooth Horses
2. Rochester Raging Rhinos
3. St. Louis Birdnals
4. Cleveland Steamers

The Smooth Horses take over as the default king of the division after Rochester let go of three big horses from last years trip to the NLCS. The Birdnals retooled quickly this offseason with some big name signings & trades, and could take the division. They could also finish 4th. Lost amid the Rhinos losses and the Birdnals gains, Cleveland quietly had one of the better offseasons in the world, and 80-85 wins, while potentially a stretch, is also potentially possible.

East
1. Pawtucket Polythene
2. Norfolk Nomads
3. Huntington Cousins
4. Scranton Dunder-Mifflins

Norfolk had arguably the best offseason of any team in either league this year, but it may not be enough to overcame a 20+ game deficit in the division. Pawtucket shows no signs of slowing down, as it looks to win its fifth straight divisional title. The Cousins have been full of promise for seasons, but the sudden emergence of little man leader Bob Kennedy, coupled with Scranton's loss of all world 2b Steve Randolph, sets Huntington up to finally escape the East's basement.

South
1. Texas Tittyballs
2. Memphis Hound Dawgs
3. New Orleans Breeze
4. Richmond Moonshiners II

Put Memphis in the North or West, and they have a shot at winning the division. Unfortunately for them, they're in the South, where Texas, the NL's best all around team, resides. The Hound Dawgs may win 90 games anyway. The New Orleans Breeze are also a team on the rise, and if they catch the right breaks, they may find themselves buyers at this years trade deadline. Richmond looks to take a season to access the team and competition, but should not be taken lightly, regardless.

West
1. Colorado Springs AltiDUDES
2. San Francisco Sourdoughs
3. Tuscon Turbocors
4. Salem Dodgers

Colorado or San Francisco? San Francisco or Colorado? Last year's best NL divisional race returns, both teams a year more mature, and both teams looking to replace Rochester in the NL's fictional "Big Three." The AltiDUDES have had a stranglehold on this division for awhile now, and I don't see that changing this season. Meanwhile, Salem & Tuscon both sit quietly in the shadows, and both teams look to create havoc for the bigger boys.

Playoffs

Last Two Out: Memphis Hound Dawgs, Rochester Raging Rhinos

First Round:
#3 Colorado Springs over #6 San Francisco Sourdoughs
#5 Norfolk Nomads over #4 Chicago Smooth Horses

NLDS
#1 Texas Tittyballs over #5 Norfolk Nomads
#2 Pawtucket Polythene over #3 Colorado Springs AltiDUDES

NLCS
#1 Texas Tittyballs over #2 Pawtucket Polythene

The Nomads & Sourdoughs were the surprises of the NL the last two seasons, and the AltiDUDES look poised to become an elite team in the NL, but no teams are ready to compete with Pawtucket & Texas yet this season, except each other. Both teams can win 110+ games this year, while no other team is expected to hit triple digits. A playoff rivalry that will see its fourth series in five seasons, the Tittyballs will join the Polythene as two-time NL Pennant winners, as they return to league glory.

American League

North
1. Fargo Nines
2. Iowa City Kaysons
3. New York Moon Shots
4. Detroit Tigers

The Nines look to take that next step into the elite this year. Unfortunately, so do Iowa City & New York. Baseball's best division had a bit of a misstep last season, but all 3 top teams in this group should be above 85 wins once again. Detroit continues to make the right small moves to improve, but the competition is just too stiff.

East
1. Charleston Rebels
2. Charlotte knights
3. Atlanta City Slickers
4. Hartford Defenders

The Rebels, like Fargo, look to take one more step this season. After dominating the ALDS last season, the Rebels forgot to show up in the ALCS, and now their players are hungry. Charlotte has been infused with youth this year, and thinks it can compete for a wildcard berth. Atlanta is still competitive while rebuilding its once proud franchise, and should finish above .500. Newcomer Hartford is trying to find its identity, and for this season will follow Richmond's example, and just see what's up.

South
1. San Antonio Border Jumpers
2. Jackson Jaspers
3. Houston Aggies
4. Little Rock Big Rocks

This is finally the year, hopefully, that San Antonio makes that leap to the elite of the American League. Everyone has seen it coming for some time now. Jackson, the former Freezer Monkeys, is on the decline, but still has some good competition in them. Houston & Little Rock figure to finish in the Top 5 draft spots for this season, but you can bet that their owners know what they're doing, and they see the future of this division wide open for anyone to grab.

West
1. Kansas City Shuffle
2. Cheyenne Chillipeppers
3. Fresno Firedragons
4. Scottsdale T's

The division has been building to beat KC for so long, that it may now be the most loaded division in the league. A case can be made for any of Cheyenne, Fresno & Scottsdale, or all of them, to win 80-85 games, or more. Kansas City is still the cream of the division, but the gap is shrinking. And the Shuffle won't be able to beat up on its divisional rivals anymore. The West, like the North, could potentially claim 3 of the AL's 6 playoff berths this year.

Playoffs

Last Two Out: New York Moon Shots, Fresno Fire Dragons

First Round:
#3 Fargo Nines over #6 Cheyenne ChilliPeppers
#5 Iowa City Kaysons over #4 San Antonio Border Jumpers

ALDS:
#1 Kansas City Shuffle over #5 Iowa City Kaysons
#2 Charleston Rebels over #3 Fargo Nines

ALCS:
#1 Kansas City Shuffle over #2 Charleston Rebels

Iowa City, who retooled this offseason, and is the only AL team to beat KC in the offseason, should give the Shuffle fits in a short 5 game series. The Shuffle have proved already to be susceptible to dominant pitching, and two good starts by newcomer Willie Tapies & Chuck Justice could be enough. For traditional reasons, I see KC winning this series, but wouldn't be shocked if they lose. A rematch of Charleston vs Fargo yields the same results as last season, as does a rematch of the ALCS. The Shuffle face their toughest competition in the LDS & WS once again.

The World Series
The most dominant team of the first 5 seasons faces off with what is likely the most dominant team of the second 5 seasons. Texas vs Kansas City. Kansas City will go into this looking to be the first repeat champion in league history, but before they won last years WS on pure willpower, they proved human. A 6 game loss in season 4 coupled with an embarrassing performance in the first four games of last years WS is all the amunition Texas needs to prove to itself that it can win this series.

The Tittyballs grab the NL torch from Pawtucket in the NLCS, and then a few days later take the league torch from Kansas City.


Tittyballs win in 5.