Thursday, April 4, 2086
HELLCATS, RACERS TOPS IN TYCOBBIA; COTTON KINGS, SUNBIRDS BEST IN RUTHLANDIA
Spring Training has come and gone in the Islands. It's time for the Islandian Pro Alliance games to count for real. It's opening day 2086 all across Islandia. And here is what all of the pundits and prophets are predicting. Hartsdale will capture the Tycobbian Union crown, beating out the Rolling Hills Racers. It will be the Eastshore Cotton Kings reigning in the Ruthlandian Union. The Fort Benton Cannons will give the Cotton Kings the most competition. The current IPA Pro Cup titleholder Colfax and the 2084 Pro Cup champion Belair Beach are also expected to contend again for the overall IPA crown. Should it come down to Hartsdale and Eastshore, the Hellcats will be favored to win it all.
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES 2086 RUTHLANDIAN UNION PRESEASON PREVIEW
VIPERS, CATS, GATORS AND BULLS BATTLE IN RU NORTH
Top to bottom there will be no closer pennant race than the Ruthlandian North Division. When the dust settles the Valmara Vipers (83-71) will edge out the Kilkenny Cats (82-72) by a whisker, followed by last year's champ LaGrange (79-75) and Ranford (78-76). But don't be surprised if some of the bottom four are in the running, too. There is no dominant team in the RU North.
SUNBIRDS PICKED TO WIN RU SOUTH FOR 4TH YEAR IN A ROW
Belair Beach (84-70) got a slight nod from the baseball experts in the Ruthlandian South, but not by much. The Sunbirds will be severely tested by five other clubs: Claxton (83-71), Grand City (81-73), San Dimas (79-75) , St. John (77-77) and Valka (77-77). Parity is everywhere.
COTTON KINGS WILL WIN VERY CLOSE RACE WITH MACS, BLUES AND MUSKIES IN RU EAST
No one has reigned supreme and dominant in the Ruthlandian East in recent years. Wynnamac won the division flag in 2083, gave way to Belle Plaine in 2084 and Eastshore last year. All of them will be back in the hunt this season, along with the Beechwood Blues. Eastshore (90-64) will win a squeaker from Wynnamac (89-65). Beechwood (87-67) and Belle Plaine (84-70) won't be very far behind.
CANNONS WILL WIN SHOOTOUT WITH SNAPPERS; COLFAX, STONER AND VOLUSIA WILL BE FACTORS, TOO.
They have been trading places and playing musical chairs in the Ruthlandian West, too. Only Fort Benton has won twice in recent seasons, taking the title in 2081 and 2084. Colfax is the defending RU West titleholder as well as being the Pro Cup champion. Sligo won it in 2080, Forest City in 2082 and Volusia in 2083.
This season will be a battle royal down-to-the-wire finish between the Cannons (87-67) and Rocky Rapids Snappers (85-69) with Fort Benton winning by a narrow margin. Colfax (81-73) will wind up in third place, followed by Stoner (80-74) and Volusia (80-74), tied for the fourth spot in the standings.