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It's been awhile since I've done a good preview. In the newer versions of OOTP, including the one we are one, the game actually does a good job of previewing the matchups very well with stats, head to head, etc. Which in a way, makes writing a preview a bit easier. This year I'm posting the betting odds in Vegas, reasons why each team will win or won't win, a spot for predictions (interactive!) and maybe a few more goodies if I have time. Hope you enjoy!
Odds in Las Vegas as of September 30th:
DC - 5/7
PAW - 9/2
TOR - 10/2
SEA - 7/1
KC - 8/1
PIT - 5/2
PHX - 15/14
IND - 18/11
MAI - 25/16
CAR - 25/11
BAL - 30/11
DVS - 40/10
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(Favorites)
WASHINGTON BATS washington_bats.png
Why they will win: Washington has the best hitter (Yonke) and the best pitcher (Carroll). They have the #1 overall seed. They are 1st in the IL in ERA and 2nd in runs.
Washington also feels "due" for a Championship. They haven't won since 2012 but have made the post-season 11 of the last 12 seasons. The Bats longest Brewmaster's drought was 1988-2002, the steroid era in Virginia.
Why they won't win: The Bats are without arguably their #2 SP (Villasenor) and are still currently searching for their #4 SP for a potential Championship Round and Brewmaster's. The lineup strikes out a fair amount (6th in IL) and is subpar (7th) defensively.
Are they cursed? Since GM Matthew Pittman took over they have been unable to get the monkey off their back. They haven't even made the Brewmaster's since 2014, despite 99+ wins each of the last five seasons.
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PAWTUCKET PATRIOTS pawtucket_patriots.png
Why they will win: The Patriots are the DL's best team by using Shark's winning formula he invented before anyone had thought of it. Pawtucket is 1st in the DL in ERA and defense.
Funclown magic. From 2010-2018, the Patriots won 101+ every year but one and took home four Brewmaster's. This was the first season since then they have "snuck into the playoffs."
Why they won't win: Despite finishing 5th in runs in the DL, the Patriots don't hit or run very well. They are patient hitters (T-3rd in walks) and swing for the fences (2nd in HR). They finished 10th in hits and 8th in stolen bases. When the pitching gets better in the playoffs, they might struggle to get key hits or be able to advance runners.
The Patriots don't strike anyone out (9th in the DL). The Patriots rely on their defense but when the lineups are better, will they be able to dial up a strikeout when needed?
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TORONTO CANADIANS
toronto_canadians.png
Why they will win: They have a lot of playoff experience. This has been mainly the same "core" since 2019, and they have not only made the dance every year but made the Brewmaster's twice and were the last DL team to win it all.
They are also the most balanced DL team (3rd in runs/4th in ERA). The Canadians are not known as a deep team but full of stars. They have four of the top 40 players, tied with Washington for the most in the league.
Why they won't win: Toronto plays bad defense, as per usual. 9th in the DL.
They don't take walks. 10th in the DL. They are average against RHSP.
SEATTLE PILOTS
seattle_pilots.png
Why they will win: Seattle has the best lineup in the Import League, 1st place in almost all leading categories. Nieto, Urmson, Diewert and Ulloa all have .875+ OPS and 20+ HR.
They also have consistently won with a monthly low winning percentage of .536.
Why they won't win: The lineup strikes out a ton (7th in the IL), the pitching staff gives free passes (10th in IL) and they play little to no defense (10th in the IL). They also have no speed (11th IL SB).
Oh and they have gone 2-10 against Washington, in a potential ILCS.
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KANSAS CITY COMETS
kansas_city_comets.png
Why they will win: The most HRs and XBH of any team in baseball. The lineup is dangerous no matter who is on the mound.
They are hungry after last seasons early exit. The team that won 116 games lost in the DLDS. I'm sure they have learned their lesson.
Why they won't win: Injuries. The Tornado is out 1-2 more weeks. Pelloni three weeks. And Burkhead will miss the playoffs. Can they stay healthy when it matters?
The pitching is fairly average (7th in DL ERA), the defense as well (7th in DL efficiency) and they have little to no speed (13th in SB).
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Odds in Las Vegas as of September 30th:
DC - 5/7
PAW - 9/2
TOR - 10/2
SEA - 7/1
KC - 8/1
PIT - 5/2
PHX - 15/14
IND - 18/11
MAI - 25/16
CAR - 25/11
BAL - 30/11
DVS - 40/10
***
(Favorites)
WASHINGTON BATS washington_bats.png
Why they will win: Washington has the best hitter (Yonke) and the best pitcher (Carroll). They have the #1 overall seed. They are 1st in the IL in ERA and 2nd in runs.
Washington also feels "due" for a Championship. They haven't won since 2012 but have made the post-season 11 of the last 12 seasons. The Bats longest Brewmaster's drought was 1988-2002, the steroid era in Virginia.
Why they won't win: The Bats are without arguably their #2 SP (Villasenor) and are still currently searching for their #4 SP for a potential Championship Round and Brewmaster's. The lineup strikes out a fair amount (6th in IL) and is subpar (7th) defensively.
Are they cursed? Since GM Matthew Pittman took over they have been unable to get the monkey off their back. They haven't even made the Brewmaster's since 2014, despite 99+ wins each of the last five seasons.
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PAWTUCKET PATRIOTS pawtucket_patriots.png
Why they will win: The Patriots are the DL's best team by using Shark's winning formula he invented before anyone had thought of it. Pawtucket is 1st in the DL in ERA and defense.
Funclown magic. From 2010-2018, the Patriots won 101+ every year but one and took home four Brewmaster's. This was the first season since then they have "snuck into the playoffs."
Why they won't win: Despite finishing 5th in runs in the DL, the Patriots don't hit or run very well. They are patient hitters (T-3rd in walks) and swing for the fences (2nd in HR). They finished 10th in hits and 8th in stolen bases. When the pitching gets better in the playoffs, they might struggle to get key hits or be able to advance runners.
The Patriots don't strike anyone out (9th in the DL). The Patriots rely on their defense but when the lineups are better, will they be able to dial up a strikeout when needed?
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TORONTO CANADIANS
toronto_canadians.png
Why they will win: They have a lot of playoff experience. This has been mainly the same "core" since 2019, and they have not only made the dance every year but made the Brewmaster's twice and were the last DL team to win it all.
They are also the most balanced DL team (3rd in runs/4th in ERA). The Canadians are not known as a deep team but full of stars. They have four of the top 40 players, tied with Washington for the most in the league.
Why they won't win: Toronto plays bad defense, as per usual. 9th in the DL.
They don't take walks. 10th in the DL. They are average against RHSP.
SEATTLE PILOTS
seattle_pilots.png
Why they will win: Seattle has the best lineup in the Import League, 1st place in almost all leading categories. Nieto, Urmson, Diewert and Ulloa all have .875+ OPS and 20+ HR.
They also have consistently won with a monthly low winning percentage of .536.
Why they won't win: The lineup strikes out a ton (7th in the IL), the pitching staff gives free passes (10th in IL) and they play little to no defense (10th in the IL). They also have no speed (11th IL SB).
Oh and they have gone 2-10 against Washington, in a potential ILCS.
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KANSAS CITY COMETS
kansas_city_comets.png
Why they will win: The most HRs and XBH of any team in baseball. The lineup is dangerous no matter who is on the mound.
They are hungry after last seasons early exit. The team that won 116 games lost in the DLDS. I'm sure they have learned their lesson.
Why they won't win: Injuries. The Tornado is out 1-2 more weeks. Pelloni three weeks. And Burkhead will miss the playoffs. Can they stay healthy when it matters?
The pitching is fairly average (7th in DL ERA), the defense as well (7th in DL efficiency) and they have little to no speed (13th in SB).
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