North League Preview
First Tier
Amsterdam Tulips (3-1 Odds)
The Tulips have been weakened the past few years by a couple of trades that fans have called “the worst of all time” and have made them question GM OU Eleven’s sanity. One fan exclaimed “I’m as mad as a dad in traffic!”. Still though the Tulips are a strong team, sporting a rotation with two upper echelon pitchers. They have one guy that is lovingly called Rat who either pitches like he is the best in the league or like some bum they found in an alley way 15 minutes before the game. They also have arguably the best Pen in baseball which has led the league in ERA the last 2-3 years. The lineup is akin to murderer’s row with 6-7 guys who can hit over .300 and knock out 25+.
Moscow Mules (3-1 Odds)
Moscow was strong last year. They had a great staff and had timely hitting that got them to the NLSS, but then they went all in this offseason to build a ridiculous juggernaut of arms. I don’t think the WBL has seen a collection of golden arms like what Moscow has put together. Guys like Hellman, Mason, Morrero, Morales. Oh and they just added three great pieces in Rivas, Bing, and Muniz. It will be extremely hard to hit these guys in a 7 game series. They can shut down any lineup in the WBL with ease, and after the starters leave the game they have guys in the pen who will challenge the Tulips reign as the best in baseball. They haven’t really upgraded their offense but they averaged 4.6 runs a game last year which is plenty for the pitching they have.
Helsingborg Hammers (4-1 Odds)
They’d be higher if they didn’t always implode in the playoffs. The only team in the league with an arguably better lineup than the Tulips. If they didn’t trade away Zach Campbell they might be the favorites, without him they are just a step below Moscow but it is a babby step. Adding Fabian to the pen was a big deal, now they have a shut down guy who can be slotted anywhere. The past two years they’ve still been the young guys who haven’t put it together, but now they’ve been together for 3 years and should be primed to break out and get over the hump.
Second Tier
Las Vegas Pacmen (8-1 Odds)
The Pacmen are good value here, given they were in the thick of things last year in the midst of a brutal stretch of injuries. If healthy their rotation is top notch and their lineup is dangerous. The most important part of the Pacmen organization is the training staff this year. I think their pen is pretty average which could cost them in the long run, and the back half of the rotation is just decent. Their lineup can make up for that though and if they get hot they’ll have a great shot at making the playoffs.
Seoul Glow (10-1 Odds)
I haven’t paid much attention to Seoul the last few years, but they’ve quietly built a contender. Any lineup with Noda, Sally and Carrier will make pitchers nervous and their rotation is good enough at the top. They averaged 4.9 runs last year which should be enough to put them in position to steal a wild card birth this year if the chips fall right.
Bottom Bitches
Dublin Distillers (18-1 Odds)
Dublin is going through what seems to be the start of a rebuild. They’re selling off some older talent as their GM finally started paying attention. They have some young guys coming up through their system so they’re probably a few years away from competing at a high level.
Istanbul Ottomans (20-1 Odds)
I only put them this low because yankee will find a way to mess them up. They actually have a lot of talent in AAA and could field a pretty solid team if guys are put in the right spots. If their young guys come in a perform, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them in the middle of the wild card fight for most of the season. I don’t think they’re ready yet however so they’ll fall off towards the end. The future is bright and they could be in the second tier next year.
Berlin Bomber Bears (22-1 Odds)
Their strength is their rotation but it just isn’t good enough. They are decent but not great everywhere. Lots of young talent and Rutgers Mike has been stockpiling assets so they’re moving in the right direction, it will just take a few years to get there. Getting Muhin’s contract off the books after the 2045 season will be a huge relief for the front office.