|
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 5, 2048
RH REDS PICKED FIRST IN TU WEST
The oddsmakers are predicting a new champion in the Tycobbian West. The division is not one of the stronger ones in the IPA. It has recently been dominated by the Kenwood Wildcats, who reaped six flags in the last seven seasons, but never progressed very far in the postseason. This year's strong favorite is the Rolling Hills Reds, forecast to win by a double-digit margin. In actuality as many as six clubs are potential winners. Denton City was rated second in the preseason poll, followed closely by third place Chicopee, fourth place Bayview, fifth place Kenwood and sixth place Arlon. Only two teams are seemingly out of the hunt, Bay St. Clair and La Claire.
Rolling Hills has seriously contended for the division title in two of the last three years... last year they were beaten out by only one game... the baseball critics think this may be the Reds' year... they haven't won a pennant since 2032... the golden age of Rolling Hills' baseball was 2019 to 2032, when they chalked up 8 pennants and 2 Pro Cups... it's been quite a drought since then... the Reds have three fine starters with ERAs under 3.00... the bullpen is well-stocked, too... rookie relief pitcher Whizzer Whatley should make the team a little better... it may take him a while to get into the starting rotation... rookie RF Yancy Yokum is a pretty fair contact hitter with just a little pop, but he hasn't been able to dent the starting lineup yet. The Reds are better at scoring runs than their numbers show.
Ranked the number-two team in the TU West, the Denton City Redbirds have been down under the .500 mark the last two years, winding up in eighth place and fifth place... they have made the Pro Cup playoffs only once in the last three decades... that was in 2040... never have won a Pro Cup trophy and it won't happen this year, either... to energize the offense, the Redbirds have added five rookies to the roster... LF Bo Reece is given the best chance to break into the line-up... Reece hits for average and with good punch... Denton City's mound staff has four dependable starters, but not a lot in the bullpen... offensively they are just average... other rookies 1B Val Anniston, RF Trace Marcum and 3B Vinnie Schaefer could boost the attack given the opportunity.
The Chicopee Braves have been selected the third-best club this season... they have been reasonably close in the pennant race in two of the last three years, finishing fourth both times... the Braves have a long, long history of failure in the IPA with only three postseason appearances in back-to-back seasons 2034-2036... still no Pro Cups... pitching has carried them in recent years... last year three of the starting rotation put up ERAs under 3.00... Chicopee has a good bullpen, too... scoring runs is the Braves' biggest hurdle to be a serious challenger for the pennant... in a bid to kick up the attack, five rookies have been added... but none of them have moved into the line-up as of yet.
The sportswriters have chosen the Bayview Vikings to come in fourth this year... as for most teams, good pitching is essential to success in the IPA... the Viks have the bats, they just need improved mound work... Bayview has made the playoffs only 6 times in its IPA existence... the only success in the team's history was in its early years 2002 to 2007 when they made the postseason five times... the last pennant came in 2014 and Bayview has never won the overall IPA title... they only have one strong starter and one quality reliever... rookie hurler Jay Polanco will be number five in the starting rotation... but he's not enough to make the Vikings a serious title contender... however, they have th bats to contend, led by IPA icon 3B Jerry Culpepper, who hit 60 homers last year and drove in 154 runs... only three freshmen made the squad, but don't appear to have the talent to win regular spot... new blood is vital to the Viks... they have some aging vets that are not going to last more than a few years, if that long.
The defending division champ Kenwood Wildcats have commanded the weak Tycobbian West with six division crowns in seven seasons (Arlon won it in 2043)... this year the pollsters have placed them in the fifth spot... however, when you look at their roster, there's enough talent to continue their run... the pitching is still solid as a rock, both starters and bullpen... and the bats can still put runs on the scoreboard... don't write off the Wildcats just yet... rookie Tony Myerson should improve the pitching... Kenwood has five freshmen waiting in the wings... SS Errol Phelps and 3B Lynwood Lyles will challenge for regular spots in the batting order... CF Lou Cameron, too... they all hit the ball well... Lyles hits with power... they all handle the gloves well.
The Arlon Champions, picked to finish sixth this year, have been in the first division five times in the last six years... they have one pennant during that time in 2043... but the Champs have no Pro Cups in their trophy cases and have never come close to one... Arlon is showing some signs of age on the hill and at the plate... an infusion of young talent is needed... of the four rookies, only two hurlers are expected to make an impact... Danny May will be the number five starter and prime long reliever this season... Ed Nichols will also get a shot in the bullpen.
For the past 12 seasons the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers have been plagued with second-division finishes... the Bucs have made the playoffs 9 times in the team's history, but not since 2023... BSC has never won the Pro Cup... they have mediocre pitching and hitting... don't expect much improvement on the hill... only one rookie Ronald Lewis made the squad and he is destined for limited duty in the bullpen... to enhance the offense 8 rookies have been signed... only RF Mitch Dann looks like a contributor this year... Dann projects to be a bonafide star... LF Jonah Chisum is a fair talent with good power.
The La Claire Lynx had come in last in three of the past four years... and they are headed for the cellar again it seems... the Lynx have made the IPA postseason only four times in the club's history with the last pennant coming in 2038... La Claire has never won the Pro Cup... the Lynx have poor pitching and lousy hitting with little power... just a bad ballclub... they have 7 new rookies on the roster... CF J. D. Landy is a fine addition with a good bat, good glove and power... C Aron Kline is expected to be platooned regular... he is a good fielder, but not much of a hitter... rookie pitcher T. J. Nettles will be assigned to the bullpen, but is not rated very highly by the scouts.
TYCOBBIAN WEST PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
|