I’m still not sure how the Jarheads took down Norwich last year to make it to the WS. It was an amazing job by Bill. The Navigators were a juggernaut. Just goes to show you never know what might happen if you can just get to the playoffs.

This year’s version of the Navigators is starting to show some age. Not as good as last year’s version. In fact I believe that the Powder Kegs should take over the top spot. The Kegs have a deep lineup led in the middle by Josh Donaldson. No weak spots in their lineup with some solid bats on the bench. The rotation is solid, if lacking a top of line stopper. There are couple of guys like Rodon and Walker that would be starting on almost every other team that will likely be sitting in the minors most of the year. Picking up Jones, Schugel and Ryan in the draft finished out the team with a very good bullpen. Excellent defense... will be tough to beat.

Norwich is still excellent, but with a few holes they didn’t have last year. The lineup is a bit top heavy led by Big Poppi’s swan song. CF is a bit weak and Escobar, while a “1” at SS, can’t hit. Lots of guys on the bench that can pinch hit though. Jordon Zimmerman’s demise removed some length from the rotation and the pen is mediocre at best.

You can toss the Angels, Jarheads, Klubbers and 89ers in a bag, shake them up and see where they end up. On paper the Klubbers are the best of the lot... solid lineup, good rotation (MadBum, Hamels, Lackey, Hammel, the ageless Colon) and decent pen. If they didn’t historically underachieve I’d say they could contend for the top spot, but I will leave it to Glen to explain this enigma. Bruce once complained I always projected the Angels to come in last place. Last year I predicted they would make the playoffs and they didn’t... embarrassingly beat out by the Klubbers! This year I have them 6th, but I’m giving them a chance to beat out the Klub, cause that’s the kind of guy I am. Kluber and Strasburg top the rotation and Freeman, Seager, Blackmon are a group of solid and underrated middle of the lineup guys. The Jarheads will likely make the playoffs again based on the great trio of Trout/Goldy and Encarnacion, one good starter in Porcello , a couple of good relievers and a great manager. Based on what he gets out of his team every year I have to say Bill is the best manager in the league. The 89ers shocked me last year by making the playoffs... fantastic managing job by Rob. They are a better team this year, so I have to put them in the top five. Lineup led by Cano and Martinez is not bad but they don’t hit lefties well. Rotation and pen decent... Meloncon has turned into one of the more reliable closers. Who the hell is Jerad Eickhoff?!

Illinois could also make a run at a playoff spot, but as I’ve said in the past.... I don’t think they can be taken seriously until come up with better road instructions. The Yaks could also make a run at the 5th spot but I think the back end of their rotation will be a problem.

The Blue Devils are slightly better than last year but not a contender. Taxachusetts has one of the worst pitching staffs ever, with Burlington not far behind. Wall Street is in total rebuild mode.

....click here to see projected team details for the National League
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AMERICAN LEAGUE

Projected Finish
Baton Rouge
Alpharetta
Nashville
New Hampshire
Milford
Lake Wobegon
York Town
Louisville
Arsenal
Hotlanta
Urpaign
California

After years of the NL being better I think the AL has surpassed the NL in top to bottom quality. This season the AL is a little more top heavy. I would be surprised if the Bullets, Aces, Assassins and Hogs do not end up as the top four teams, not necessarily in that order, but the top four.

So the Alpharetta franchise has never lost less than 100 games in a season, so this is new ground. Finally all of those losses have translated into a good roster. Votto was a nice pickup. Unfortunately this will be it for the late Jose Fernandez, but with Thor and Tanaka the rotation should still be fine going forward. Nice one-two punch in the pen with Osuna and Oh. Anyhow, now we get to see if Vic can manage. After last season it appears Doug can, and we know that Mike is a good manager.

Baton Rouge looks to have the upper hand.... filled all of the holes during the draft with guys like Devenski and Bush. He also got some crazy years from guys like LeManhieu and Leon, and of course Rizzo will once again anchor the lineup. The Bullets have a solid starting rotation, an excellent pen led by Miller, and a good lineup. The defense is great with “1”s at SS, 2B and CF. Nashville probably has the league’s best rotation (Verlander, Scherzer, Lester and Hendricks... not too shappy), but the lineup is too right handed and the pen is just so-so. Still, that rotation should carry them a ways. The Hogs are looking to pull another 100 loss to 100 win swing and it should be close. Typical Hog team with solid platoon lineup that has no serious weak spots. They are a little suspect on defense but have a solid rotation led by newly acquired Chris Sale and top draft pick Fulmer and a good pen. And of course the not so secret weapon Gary Sanchez.

If the top four are almost sure things, I’d drop defending champs Milford in as close to a lock for 5th. However, they have a huge hole at 2B (4e24 and 4e41?... yikes) and a crappy pen, so I could see Lake Wobegon for York Town putting a little pressure on them. I’d even give Louisville an outside shot, but I’m skeptical after they underachieved last season. The Whippets have a really good young lineup led by Lindor, Springer and Yelich. However, in spite of drafting Straily they have very little pitching. Yorktown is similar, sans the young starting lineup.... but they can still hit. Drafted Maeda, but after that, again not much pitching. Louisville has some decent starting pitching, but a crap lineup after Altuve and Villar.

After that Arsenal, Hotlanta (still has a good pen) and Urpaign just don’t have enough starting pitching. Also, all three can not hit right handed pitching... never a good thing. California is in tank mode and should battle Wall Street for the #1 pick.

....click here to see projected team details for the American League

Season #44 for the Fly-By-Night promises to be another good one.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE THIS YEAR!!