2016 Pennant Chase + Predictions

[Pat]

ALE DIVISION
1. Pawtucket (88-29)
2. Hartford (62-56)
3. Maine (58-59)

With a 21.5 game lead in the division and +12 wins on the next best BLB record, the Patriots appear to be on cruise control for the #1 seed. A lot can change over six weeks but unless they nose dive, they should be able to rest their players and cake walk to the playoffs. Hartford sits at +1 in the Wild Card standings. Maine is currently 6.5 back for the WC.

LAGER DIVISION
1. Los Angeles (68-56)
2. Dallas (67-57)
3. New Orleans (66-57)

Los Angeles currently sits atop the division with a one game lead. After sending youngster Bobby Marrero packing, the team has backed off the attempted fire sale, even adding infielder Taylor Clarkson to help offset the loss. The return of CF Jerrod Dapson really helps this team defensively. Dallas sits one game back after slumping to 5-11 in their last 16 games. New Orleans is now just 1.5 games back after a 30-15 July-August run. They currently sit #2 and #3 respectively in the WC standings.

PILSNER DIVISION
1. Pittsburgh (74-50)
2. Indianapolis (66-58)

Pittsburgh holds an eight game lead for first place. With the return of SS Andy Garcia next week, the Millers will be 100% healthy and could take a precautionary approach to the final weeks. The team has already been resting regulars but with their the depth of the roster hasn't missed a beat. Indy has been red hot going 16-2 in their last 18. The team also returns DH Alex "General" Villarroel from the disabled list. Catching Pittsburgh won't be an easy feat but they should keep pace in the Wild Card race.

STOUT DIVISION
1. Baltimore (72-52)
2. Philadelphia (70-54)
3. Washington (70-54)
4. Wilmington (60-64)

This is far from over. The Bulldogs are red hot winning 18 of their last 20. Philadelphia is playing their worst baseball of the season heading for their first sub .500 month of the season, 6-13 thus far. Washington has been steady all season and is 100% healthy for the stretch run. Philly and DC are currently the #1 and #2 WC seeds by 2.5 games. Wilmington, last years Stout champs, have an outside shot to make a run at a playoff birth but more likely will have to relish in spoiler role.

BOCK DIVISION
1. Morgantown (67-56)
2. Batavia (67-56)

The defending Brewmaster's champion Mohawks have stumbled the past two months going 18-28 the past two months to relinquish their early division lead. The Muckdogs have gone 25-19 over that same stretch and are now tied for the division. These teams face each other seven more times this season.

PORTER DIVISION
1. Death Valley (77-47)
2. California (60-64)

The Scorpions have been on fire since the All-Star break: 28-6. Now with a 17 game lead in the Porter, the only division in baseball without a 2nd .500 team, the Scorpions can start resting players. They do have an outside shot of catching Pawtucket for home field throughout the playoffs. The Kodiaks are just four games under .500 and are a long shot for a Wild Card berth.

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PREDICTIONS

???

[umd]

We won't catch Funclown, but I think we can hang onto the one seed in the IL. The expanded roster will allow us to bring up a handful of players who could join the BLB squad next season in McGowan, Harper, Ragosta and Calvert. Robles will head to a AAA rehab assignment and Wright will join us again in the playoffs.

Some big names will be traded this offseason, as we continue our youth movement.

[Pat]

We won't catch Funclown, but I think we can hang onto the one seed in the IL. The expanded roster will allow us to bring up a handful of players who could join the BLB squad next season in McGowan, Harper, Ragosta and Calvert. Robles will head to a AAA rehab assignment and Wright will join us again in the playoffs.

Some big names will be traded this offseason, as we continue our youth movement.

No predictions for the rest of the league?

[umd]

No predictions for the rest of the league?

1.PAW
2.PIT
3.LAD
4.HAR
5.IND/DAL (LC game)

1.DVS
2.WAS
3.BAT
4.BAL
5.MOR

[Z]

No predictions yet, but thanks for putting this together!

[funclown]

DL

Ale

I think Pawtucket holds the #1st seed in the BLB. We really feel good about our crop of AAAA players for Sept to go along with the fact RP Swisher and 3B Lee are just sitting in AAA and would be on a anyones starting BLB roster today.

Lager
I think LA takes the Lager. Dallas wins with D and pitching, but it only takes you so far. The disparity on hitting talent is just to steep. Now New Orleans??? Yeah they seemed to have awaken. If I was to divide a pie LA 50% chance NO 35% chance and Dallas 15% chance to take the division.

Pilsner
Pitt has this. Sure Indy is hot, but Pitt is already on coast.

Wilcard
This is really fun. I'm gonna give this to Hartford and Indy. Dallas is one of those "try hard" teams and New Orleans has talent but been crazy streaky. With that, I can agree with UMD and see a Lonnie Coleman game coming. Sorry Maine, too many teams to leapfrog. That scary pitching staff of early decade just doesn't scare anyone anymore.

[mike]

PAW
PIT
NO
IND
DAL


DVS
BAL
BAT
WAS
MOR

Indy is really good. Easy to forget about last seasons success. They're the only team that truly scares me in the DL. There's some good teams in the Lager too but Indy is the biggest threat imo

[Pat]

1.PAW
2.PIT
3.LAD
4.IND
5.NO

Pawtucket and Pittsburgh are easy choices. It's highly unlikely that anyone will catch the Patriots for the #1 overall seed and almost as unlikely that Pittsburgh doesn't end up with the #2 DL seed. Because of that expect both teams to coast to the finish line...potentially resting starters in games that have big impacts for other contenders.

If the Dinos stay healthy, and that's a big if, the Lager belongs to them. A injury to one of their stars could derail their hopes as they are a very top heavy team. I think they can keep it together down the stretch and will be lead by their top notch offense and the best pitcher in baseball.

Like Mike said, Indy is a very good team that struggled through much of the season. Their schedule is about lighten up as they have six series remaining against sub .500 clubs. That includes 19 games against TOR, DAV, SYR, and NYK, four of the five worst records in baseball. I also feel like they have the most to lose by not making the post-season. Indy has made trades the last few seasons to compete in the now and are set to lose a lot of talent to Free-Agency this off-season.

I think New Orleans beats Dallas by a hair for the final Wild Card spot. The Dukes are a different team with Katsunori Oto in center field. Since he has returned, they have been one of the better teams in baseball. The depth in their rotation gives them a chance every day too.

Hartford has a tough remaining road heavy schedule and Maine is too far back already.

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1.DVS
2.BAT
3.WAS
4.BAL
5.PHI

Death Valley is a lock for the #1 IL seed.

I think the Stout beats each other up giving Batavia a chance to sneak in as the #2 seed. They have eight remaining series against sub .500 teams! That's 26 games. They also have five more home games than road, where they are currently 42-17 (.712).

Washington has the best remaining schedule in the Stout and what I see as the most talented roster.

Baltimore and Philly will have to battle Wilmington, who seems poised for a late season charge. Don't be surprised to see the Wildcats emerge down the stretch. It might be too little too late but the Wildcats have just as much talent as the clubs above them.

I think the Brewmaster's hangover has started to hit Morgantown. They have been really struggling and face a road heavy schedule coming up.

[Pat]

Don't look to me for accurate predictions.

Dallas is in the drivers seat for the Lager. PHI/BAL are tied for the Stout with DC fading in the distance. Morgantown just one game back of Batavia.... Six DL teams fighting for three spots. Five IL teams fighting for three spots.

[Sharkn20]

Nobody believed in us!!