1919 NL Preseason Predictions
After adding several talented rookies in the offseason, the defending NL champion Giants are primed for another pennant. They are expected to pull away early as they did last season. They have nary a weakness, with defense being their biggest concern.
The Pirates believe they are ready to challenge the Giants thanks to the addition of rookie
Cliff Lee (7-6-7-4-5 ratings) behind the plate. They know they have the best pitching staff around, and any additional offense should be key in their attempt to unseat San Francisco. However, they still have several offensive holes, so they will need some of the veteran role players to step up and perform well.
The Reds are in a similar spot. They have a top notch pitching staff, but they failed to address their offensive needs this offseason. That does not bode well for the Reds as several key players, such as 35-year-old
Bob Bescher (.217 AVG, .300 OBP, 20 HR, 56 RBI, 80 R, 51 SB), are beginning to show their age.
The Cardinals and Cubs are built with offense. The Cubs have a little more pop in the lineup, but St. Louis boasts the best player in the NL in
Rogers Hornsby (.320, 51 HR, 118 RBI). Hornsby will move his poor defensive range to first base this season, which allows the team to make a defensive improvement at second base with
Sam Bohne. However, with 33-year-old
Ed Konetchy moving to a backup role, they also lose his 5 Gold Gloves at first base.
Chicago is counting on their pitching staff improving and their offense being more consistent. That is yet to be seen, with the Cubs striking out more often in recent years.
Predicted Standings
(Scale of 1-12)
| Rank | Team | Rotation | Bullpen | Offense | Bench | Speed | Defense | Totals | Grade | Predicted Wins |
| 1 | San Francisco Giants | 7 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 8.6 | A | 101 | 61 |
| 2 | St. Louis Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 7.7 | B+ | 90 | 72 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7.5 | B | 89 | 73 |
| 4 | Chicago Cubs | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | B | 88 | 74 |
| 5 | Cincinnati Reds | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7.2 | B | 85 | 77 |
| 6 | Atlanta Braves | 7 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 6.0 | C | 71 | 91 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5.7 | C | 67 | 95 |
| 8 | Philadelphia Phillies | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 4.9 | D+ | 58 | 104 |
MLB results for the NL in 1919
Champs: Cincinnati Reds, (96-44, .686)
World Series: Reds defeated White Sox 5-3
For players who appear below on a team they are not playing with in MLHR, their MLHR team is listed in parenthesis
Combined WAR: Rogers Hornsby, Cardinals, 6.7
Offensive WAR: Rogers Hornsby, Cardinals, 5.8
Defensive WAR: Art Fletcher, Giants, 3.9
Batting Title: Edd Roush, Reds (White Sox), .321
On-Base%: George Burns, Giants, .396
Slugging%: Hi Myers, Dodgers, .436
Runs: George Burns, Giants, 86
RBI: Hi Myers, Dodgers, 73
SB: George Burns, Giants, 40
OPS+: Rogers Hornsby, Cardinals, 150
AB/HR: Cy Williams, Phillies (Cubs), 48.3
Pitching WAR: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cubs (Phillies), 7.5
Win%: Dutch Reuther, Reds (Cubs), .760
WHIP: Babe Adams, Pirates (Cardinals), 0.896
K/9: Hod Eller, Reds, 4.965
Innings: Hippo Vaughn, Cubs (Yankees), 306.2
K/BB: Babe Adams, Pirates (Cardinals), 4.000
ERA+: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cubs (Phillies), 166
FIP: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cubs (Phillies), 2.11
MLHR Milestone Watch
500 Home Runs
Fred Luderus, CHN, Age 33, 464 HR
300 Saves
Chick Brandom, PIT, Age 31, 265 Sv
3000 Innings Pitched
Ed Reulbach, CHN, Age 36, 2986.1 IP