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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Ale Division
Divisional Rank: #2 in Domestic League (#2 in BLB)
Pawtucket Patriots
Finish: 1<sup>st</sup> in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #1
What We Like: Offense – The Patriots offense looks to be among the best in the BLB. With young talent throughout the lineup, the Patriots should pack a potent punch at the plate.
What We Fear: Starting Pitching – While Aurillo and Gugz are an effective 1-2 punch on paper, it’s hard to get excited about a top end of your staff that boast ERAs close to 4.50. A lot of unanswered questions in the 3-5 slot will leave the Patriot in a lot of slugfests.
What To Watch: Management – Patriots Ownership has shown a passion…nay…an addiction to roster movement. Patience is a virtue, but a slow start could lead to panic moves and a rapid freefall for an organization that has already traded away their #1 prospect this off-season.
Maine Guides
Finish: 2<sup>nd</sup> in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #4
What We Like: Pitching – Top to bottom the Guides look to have the best pitching in the BLB. An impressive statement considering the loss over Guide mainstays like O’Moore and Corrigan.
What We Fear: Injuries – The Guides got killed by the injury bug in 1991. With depth comprised of unproven youngsters and Vets who may have lost a step, the Guides will need to stay healthy to contend for the Wildcard.
What To Watch: Don McGuire – The 29 year old first basemen may be the best player in the BLB that no one talks about. McGuire has a legit shot to become the first 50 HR hitter in BLB history.
Pittsburgh Millers
Finish: 3<sup>rd</sup> in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #6
What We Like: Power – The Millers have a ton of power in this lineup and should knock the ball around just about any park they visit. They should put a lot of runs on the board.
What We Fear: Stars & Scrubs – While this can be an effective tactic in Fantasy Football, time will tell how it plays out in the BLB. The top end talent on this team is impressive, but there is a lot of borderline talent filling out the back half of the lineup and in the bullpen.
What To Watch: The Gas Tank – The Millers are counting on two 38 year old arms who may not have much left in the tank. If Theodore and Nathan can be effective, the Millers could surprise some teams.
Hartford Whalers
Finish: 4th in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #11
What We Like: Youth Movement – Though it may lead to a painful 1992, Hartford is clearly playing towards the future and their youth looks solid. Chuck Durham will be a name that everyone is talking about by season’s end.
What We Fear: Little Brother – It’s hard to be the rebuilding team in a powerhouse division. Hartford needs to not get discouraged and flush away exciting prospects for a few extra wins.
What To Watch: Naotatsu Matsumoto’s Rookie Season – The 3<sup>rd</sup> pick just last season, injuries will likely force Matsumoto into a Day 1 starter’s position. This kid has a lot of upside and, when combined with superstar in the making Amri Sau in a few seasons, should provide a lethal punch to this team in the near future.
Yeah because my top 3 starters and closer were all hurt at the time.
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