Any Given Sunday - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

I figure I've had good luck with using "The Sequel" in the past, so maybe that will be a good sign. To make a long story short, I started a dynasty almost two years ago http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...en-sunday.html after reading this article - http://joeposnanski.com/rule-change-...l-at-16-games/

I had a lot of fun with it, and for about ten years things went well, and then things started struggling for me. I think it was a combination of making too many changes in a short period of time, and perhaps it not being football season. With football season right around the corner I thought it would be fun to rekindle this. I thought about resurrecting the original, but it's easier to focus on what is wrong rather than what is right. Some playoff history is in the game, some is outside of the game, there are too many players from experimenting with college leagues, etc.

As much as I grew to like the players involved it's just better to start fresh. I went a couple different directions when I made a fresh start, and had a few different test leagues going. One of those versions I thought it would be fun to produce NFL-like scores. It was fun to follow along during testing to see a 22-21 game, or a 36-26 game, or to see a long hitting streak, but I struggled when I actually started writing the dynasty. When it seems like everybody gets four hits per game it's hard to get invested in certain players, at least for me. It was short lived, but I've always felt if you aren't having fun then what's the point.

So that led me to take a step back, and think about what I wanted in a league. The original goal would be playing games once a week, and in the first iteration the starting pitchers were pretty equivalent to quarterbacks. And while the games were fairly low scoring, it's hard to imagine pitchers not having an edge. But I also didn't want pitchers to dominate, or at least every pitcher to dominate.

While I'm looking for something close to the NFL, I also don't need it to be an exact clone. I'm ok if teams have to break a tie on the field for example. So here is what I landed on:

• 32 teams, 16 games per year - while I could squeeze more games into a season going once per week, this set-up just feels right for this dynasty
• The season is set to begin on the first Sunday in August
• League totals will be consistent throughout history with only normal variations. We should expect to see between 4 and 4 1/2 runs per game on average.
• All teams will be fictional
• Most players will be fictional, but I'll put between 1-5 real players into the draft pool each year. Just enough to satisfy my curiosity of 'I wonder how so and so would do', but not enough to dominate the league.
• Teams will have 20 man rosters, and five man pitching staffs with a one man rotation. This usually means one guy will start every game, but not always, especially for teams without a dominant pitcher.

My final step was running a 30 year test to make sure things looked good, and for the most part was satisfied. After that I erased league history, and the National Baseball League officially began in 1900. I did one final step, moving through the next five years week by week, doing one last check that everything looked good, and am ready to begin on Opening Day 1905.

[CatKnight]

Question: With the season beginning in August, won't you have alot of snow outs?

[boogeyboard1]

I really like the idea of adding a few real players each year

Also, are you making your schedule manually? That seems like a lot of work.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Question: With the season beginning in August, won't you have alot of snow outs?

Well, one of the things that I did early on was to change all the stadiums to domes avoid rainouts, so while not realistic it solves the problem.

The other thing I was going to do, but it was too late was to move the start of the season earlier. It'll probably take a couple of years based on when preseason started, but that's the plan to start next season.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

I really like the idea of adding a few real players each year

Also, are you making your schedule manually? That seems like a lot of work.

Thanks, i thought that was a way to satisfy my curiosity with some players, but not make it 100% real players. I did start that in 1901, so I'll give a couple of examples after work.

I took a shortcut with the schedules and created a spreadsheet that I used to create the schedules. I'd paste in the actual NFL schedule and for the most part it made it almost cut and paste. I know I did all the NFL schedules where the league had 32 teams and put them in the mods forum. I think this was a couple years ago, so I haven't done the past couple years. I know I can find the link once I'm done work, and should be able to find the spreadsheet and can share that with you if interested. I know I used it for the NFL, NBA, and NHL schedules.

[NYY #23]

Before I get started for real I did want to take a few minutes and preview each of the divisions. I'll begin with the ABC East which will feature the following teams:

Buffalo Blizzard
All-time record: 46-35
1904 record: 7-9 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



Oscar Nicholson will be entering his first season as the starter for the Blizzard taking over for 37 year old Floriano Sardinha (39-29, 3.72) who will be pitching out of the bullpen. Nicholson has been waiting for this opportunity for five years, although he has yet to pitch a game in the majors. He'll be making his debut at home against the Massachusetts Generals

Predicted finish: 8-8

Massachusetts Generals
All-time record: 43-38
1904 record: 7-9 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



Juan Jaramillo is back for his second year as starter for the Generals after going 5-6 with a 3.73 ERA last year after replacing the traded Bill Egan as starter. As a 25 year old Egan went 11-6 with a 3.04 ERA three years ago, but was traded along with prospect Monfre Ontiveros in exchange for shortstop Jason Weaver.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Miami Hurricanes
All-time record: 32-49
1904 record: 5-11 (4th)
Playoff appearances: None
Last playoff appearance: N/A

Starting pitcher:



Steve Cramer is making the transition from the bullpen to starting pitcher this season and since he has never given up a run in the majors the Hurricanes hope he can continue that success. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes that's just 5 innings, and Cramer will be looking over his shoulder and see former starter Rich Hanscombe (5-11, 5.82) in the pen. Don't expect either to stick around too long though, with 22 year old Juan Rivas providing Miami fans with hope for their future.

Predicted finish: 6-10

New York Titans
All-time record: 47-34
1904 record: 10-6 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



There isn't much question that the Titans have the best starting pitcher in the division in Erik Crawford. The 27 year old continues to get better, finishing last season with a 10-6 record, 2.95 ERA, and league best 161 2/3 innings. Crawford also led the ABC in strikeouts (211), WHIP (1.14), K/9 (11.7) and WAR (4.1). With Crawford on the mount the Titans should be playoff bound in 1905.

Predicted finish: 10-6

[boogeyboard1]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Thanks, i thought that was a way to satisfy my curiosity with some players, but not make it 100% real players. I did start that in 1901, so I'll give a couple of examples after work.

I took a shortcut with the schedules and created a spreadsheet that I used to create the schedules. I'd paste in the actual NFL schedule and for the most part it made it almost cut and paste. I know I did all the NFL schedules where the league had 32 teams and put them in the mods forum. I think this was a couple years ago, so I haven't done the past couple years. I know I can find the link once I'm done work, and should be able to find the spreadsheet and can share that with you if interested. I know I used it for the NFL, NBA, and NHL schedules.

That would be great, thanks so much!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

That would be great, thanks so much!

Here is the link to the schedules that I created before - http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3691832

It looks like I can't upload a spreadsheet, so I put a link to the spreadsheet I use on dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j55wrokvj0...aker.xlsx?dl=0

I've also attached a sample schedule file:
ILY_BGN_G16_SL1_D1_T4_D2_T4_D3_T4_D4_T4_SL2_D1_T4_D2_T4_D3_T4_D4_T4_C_a1_20xx.lsdl

There are 4 tabs in the spreadsheet:
2015
2014-by day
2014-by week
Lookups

The 2015 is for the current year and I've been using football reference to grab the schedule:
2015 NFL Weekly League Schedule | Pro-Football-Reference.com

The 2014 is really for any previous year with 32 teams using the same website - 2014 NFL Weekly League Schedule | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Hopefully this makes sense but here are my instructions:
1) Select all of the games and paste text into A1 on either tab. The website is in two different formats, so if there are scores go to the 2014 tab for example

2014 by day is really just set up to start on Thursday, and follow the actual NFL schedule. 2015 by week just looks at the week and has all games on Sunday.

2) Once you paste the games in the Output column should be the XML that's needed to paste in. The lookups and formulas should do the trick. For all previous year's I make the start time 1pm.

The lookup tab has the teams and team number. I didn't have to change anything once I got it set-up, so hopefully it just works.

3) Select the Output column from line 2 to the end of the file (usually line 273

4) Paste between the Games tags in the XML:

5) Save and you should be able to import the schedule. The header should match your game settings (interleague - Y, balanced games - N, games per team - 16, etc

Your start day and start day of week should match your game settings, and you'll need to modify that in the XML file before loading.

Hopefully those instructions make sense, but if you have any questions or problems please let me know.

[NYY #23]

Next up is the ABC North:

Cincinnati Tigers
All-time record: 41-39
1904 record: 6-10 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1901

Starting pitcher:



The Tigers are turning to 30 year old Peter Cunningham as their starter this year, moving long time starter Quinton Brown to the bullpen after he went 6-10 with a 4.60 ERA last year. Cunningham is not a long term solution though, but the Tigers don't have a better option in house. With third baseman John Francis the team's best hitter, and third baseman Home Run Baker the team's best prospect the Tigers would be wise to try and move one to improve their pitching.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Cleveland Lakers
All-time record: 39-42
1904 record: 5-11 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



Bob Cain has been the starting pitcher in Cleveland for two years and the results couldn't be more different. In 1903 Cain was 8-5 with a 3.21 ERA while helping the Lakers reach the playoffs, but last year was more of a disaster for Cain, going 5-11 with a 5.59 ERA and giving up a league leading 20 home runs.

Cain is the all-time leader in wins for the Lakers with 19, but the Lakers are counting on last year's first round pick Larry Richardson, selected third overall to be their pitcher of the future.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Indianapolis Ravens
All-time record: 43-39
1904 record: 8-9 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



Danny Bailey has been the starting pitcher for the Ravens since the begin and has a career 38-30 record with 3.86 ERA. Bailey is a former Pitcher of the Year winner in 1902 when he went 11-4 with a 2.04 ERA, but last year is a year that Bailey would like to forget after going 8-7 with a 5.07 ERA. Bailey is still just 29 years old, so the Ravens are hoping last year was just an off year.

Predicted finish: 6-10

Pittsburgh Rivercats
All-time record: 38-42
1904 record: 11-5 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Rivercats are starting to be rewarded for the patience with Bryan Hayes, who looked overmatched in his first two years in the league (4-11, 4.27) and (2-5, 7.20), but Hayes has won 10 games in each of the past two years as the Rivercats made the playoffs both years.

Pittsburgh will a team to watch this year though with a strong lineup, good defense team, and strong pitching. They enter the season as the ABC favorite.

Predicted finish: 12-4

[boogeyboard1]

Thanks so much for the schedules!

Edit: And also go Tigers!

[boogeyboard1]

Also, how do the minor leagues work in this league? And is the amateur draft 7 rounds like in the NFL or larger like the MLB?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

Thanks so much for the schedules!

Edit: And also go Tigers!

Your welcome! The Tigers have a lot of young talent, but the preseason predictions aren't too kind to their offense either. Once I get the season going I'll take a closer look at some of that talent.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

Also, how do the minor leagues work in this league? And is the amateur draft 7 rounds like in the NFL or larger like the MLB?

Right now I don't have any minor leagues, just a reserve roster. I'm thinking of adding a couple of levels though because it helps to see how players progress. When I did it before I had the games staggered, so the minors would play all their games on Saturday, and the pros on Sunday.

Right now I've got the amateur draft at 3 rounds. Between 20 man rosters, adding a few real players to the draft each year, international free agents, that held up during a 20 year test. I actually cut back on the number of international free agents about 10 years in because it seems most teams are keeping between 100-102 players on their reserve roster. I only found a couple teams with less, and they were both in the high 90's.

[boogeyboard1]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Right now I don't have any minor leagues, just a reserve roster. I'm thinking of adding a couple of levels though because it helps to see how players progress. When I did it before I had the games staggered, so the minors would play all their games on Saturday, and the pros on Sunday.

Right now I've got the amateur draft at 3 rounds. Between 20 man rosters, adding a few real players to the draft each year, international free agents, that held up during a 20 year test. I actually cut back on the number of international free agents about 10 years in because it seems most teams are keeping between 100-102 players on their reserve roster. I only found a couple teams with less, and they were both in the high 90's.

Sounds great, thanks!

[NYY #23]

Next up is the ABC West:

Denver Bears
All-time record: 51-30
1904 record: 13-3 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 4
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



Roger Henderson has never been a pitcher that wins awards, or thought of as one of the top pitchers in the league, but Henderson has a way of going out to the mound and winning. Henderson was acquired in a trade with Dallas in 1900, and became a full-time starter in 1903 going 9-5 with a 3.69 ERA, and followed that up with a 13-3 season and 3.82 ERA, and made two starts in the playoffs going 1-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. He's surrounded by a veteran team behind him that has been to the playoffs four years in a row.

Predicted finish: 9-7

Kansas City Natives
All-time record: 36-44
1904 record: 6-10 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: None
Last playoff appearance: N/A

Starting pitcher:



The Natives paid a steep price to acquire Gilbert Bird from the Cincinnati Tigers two years ago sending CF Robinson Santos and SS Freddy Hernandez. It was the second time in less than a year Bird was traded, and as a 29 year old Bird was given his first opportunity to start. It was a rocky debut for Bird though going 5-7 with a 4.54 ERA, and 4-6 with a 4.76 ERA last year. Scouts love Bird, but the 31 year old has never been able to produce the results on the field that have been expected.

The preseason predictions have the Natives tied for first though, and project Bird to go 9-6 with a 3.76 ERA. Maybe this will be the year he finally proves he belongs.

Predicted finish: 9-7

Los Angeles Bombers
All-time record: 36-45
1904 record: 5-11 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



Jesus Aranda will be the fourth different starter in four years for the Bombers, with the team still struggling to replace Dan Phillips after his 12-4 season in 1902, which was the 37 year old veteran's final dominant season. Aranda isn't a long term solution though, more of a place holder. The Bombers are waiting for one of their two pitching prospects to emerge, with 19 year old Smokey Joe Williams and 21 year old John Davis both former first round picks and highly rated prospects.

Predicted finish: 9-7

San Diego Sailors
All-time record: 36-44
1904 record: 6-10 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1900

Starting pitcher:



37 year old Felix Nuno's best days are behind him, but the Sailors will still use him as a starter this year. Nuno turned in a respectable performance last year going 6-10 with a 3.24 ERA with 151 strikeouts, his best season since 1900 when he went 11-5 with a 2.65 ERA with 145 strikeouts.

Predicted finish: 7-9

[NYY #23]

Next up is the ABC South:

Dallas Texans
All-time record: 47-34
1904 record: 12-4 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 3
World championship: 1 (1904)
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



Fraser Davenport has been the starting pitcher for the Dallas Texans for three years, with a 31-16 record, 3.25 ERA, 407 strikeouts, 420 2/3 innings, one Pitcher of the Year Award, and one World Championship in which he had a 3-0, 3.06 ERA postseason. The 28 year old is one of the best pitchers in the league, and I think that the defending champions are one of the teams to beat in the ABC South. The preseason predictions don't agree with me though.

Predicted finish: 7-9

Nashville Hornets
All-time record: 36-44
1904 record: 8-8 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1900

Starting pitcher:



The Hornets are another team where their starting pitcher job is in flux, with Mario Arevalo getting the opportunity to start for the first time in his career. The 30 year old pitched four innings in relief last year without allowing a run. The Hornets will start with on again off again starter Brent Gray in the bullpen. Gray has made 44 starts in the past five years with a 22-21 record and 4.72 ERA. They also have 22 year old David Hazard pitching out of the bullpen, the #6 prospect in baseball.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Orlando Wizards
All-time record: 39-41
1904 record: 10-6 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Wizards are sticking with 38 year old Ben Howell as the starting pitcher after a season in which he went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA last year. Orlando also has the number 22 prospect in baseball closing out games in Manny Nieves, ready to take over the starting pitcher job when necessary. Still just 25 years old Nieves has looked good in limited action striking out 3 batters in 3 innings.

Predicted finish: 9-7

Texas Longhorns
All-time record: 42-40
1904 record: 9-8 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 3
World Championships: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Longhorns will feature the first big name real player holding down a starting pitching job, Christy Mathewson. Mathewson will be entering his fourth season as a starter, and is 22-26 with a 4.28 ERA during his career. He made one playoff start last year and allowed 9 runs in 5 innings (16.20 ERA). The Longhorns have the talent to get back to the playoffs though, and the 24 year old has pitched better than his stats would indicate in the regular season.

Ironically Mathewson made his debut in 1900, but did not pitch in 1901, the year the Longhorns won it all, led by back to back Pitcher of the Year Pedro Rodriguez, who was traded for catcher Ricardo Perez (.390, 4 HR, 12 RBI) and 2B prospect Carolos Gonzalez.

Predicted finish: 9-7

[NYY #23]

Next up is the NBC East:

Baltimore Atlantics
All-time record: 25-57
1904 record: 4-12 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



No team has lost more games in their history than the Baltimore Atlantics, but they hope that their trade for Louis Scott will make a difference. Scott was 16-15 with a 4.51 ERA with Kansas City, but never held down the starting pitcher job for a full year.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Brooklyn Saints
All-time record: 47-34
1904 record: 12-4 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 3
World Championships: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



Christian Oliver won the Pitcher of the Year Award last year after going 12-4 with a 1.85 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 141 innings. Oliver has started four years, and shown improvement in each year. He's got a career record of 36-21 with a 3.30 ERA. Oliver has also pitched well in the postseason with a career record of 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA. Despite pitching just once last year and in 1901 in the playoffs Oliver allowed 3 runs in 10 innings last year, and 3 runs in 11 innings in 1901, giving the Saints a chance to win.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Philadelphia Liberty
All-time record: 40-44
1904 record: 9-8 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



Stan Harris had to wait a long time before getting an opportunity to start. Harris was stuck behind veteran Cisco Palocioz, getting an opportunity to start for the first time as a 34 year old, and going 8-8 with a 3.35 ERA while leading the league with 162 strikeouts. He followed that up with a 9-8 campaign last year, and a 3.75 ERA. Now 36 Harris is looking to get back to the playoffs for the second year in a row and get some redemption after giving up 8 runs in 8 innings last year.

Predicted finish: 7-9

Washington Maroons
All-time record: 43-39
1904 record: 7-9 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



33 year old Charles Barber will be entering his sixth season as starting pitcher for the Washington Maroons and will be looking to bounce back from an elbow injury that ended his season early last year. During his career Barber has gone 40-34 with a 3.97 ERA. Barber led the league twice in strikeouts with 156 in 1902, and 144 in 1900.
Predicted finish: 12-4

[NYY #23]

Next up is the NBC North:

Chicago Blues
All-time record: 41-40
1904 record: 9-7 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 2
World Championships: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Blues acquired Josse Crispim in a trade with the Wolverines before the 1903 season and he made a successful debut last season going 7-6 with a 2.86 ERA as he helped the Blues win the NBC North. Crispim was even better in the postseason going 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 27 innings, and will attempt to get the Blues back to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Predicted finish: 10-6

Michigan Wolverines
All-time record: 33-49
1904 record: 8-9 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: None
Last playoff appearance: N/A

Starting pitcher:



The Wolverines are one of only four teams who have never been to the playoffs and will look to second year starter Jose Prieto to get to the promised land. Prieto was 8-8 last year with a 3.22 ERA and was acquired in a trade with the Longhorns in 1902.

Predicted finish: 9-7

Milwaukee Bisons
All-time record: 39-41
1904 record: 7-9 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



The journey from top prospect to star by Tariyel Turkestanov has hit a few bumps along the way. After debuting at the age of 23 in 1900 he went 1-2 with a 7.33 ERA, and the roller coaster began after going 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 1901, leading the league with 10 losses in 1902 against 5 wins and a 4.19 ERA, then following that up with a Pitcher of the Year winning season (13-3, 1.76). Last season Turkestanov fell to 5-8 with a 3.96 ERA. Looking at his FIP Turkestanov showed more consistency with steady improvements in each of his first four year.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Minnesota Muskies
All-time record: 36-46
1904 record: 6-10 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



Bob Browne has been the starting pitcher for the Muskies since the beginning, going 25-30 with a 4.14 ERA during his career, missing time with a shoulder injury in parts of three seasons. Unfortunately for Browne the Muskies have been offensively challenged during this time period.

The Muskies are also an aging team who hasn't been able to inflict much young talent into their lineup. While the Muskies have two prospects ranked in the top 20, both of those prospects are starting pitchers, with Walt Spencer and Mike Martinez close to being ready. That may mean the end is near for the 33 year old Browne.

Predicted finish: 8-8

[NYY #23]

Next up is the NBC West:

Arizona Wildcats
All-time record: 31-49
1904 record: 9-7 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Wildcats hope that Pedro Rodriguez will be able to lead them to a World Championship, like he did with his former team the Texas Longhorns. The two-time Pitcher of the Year was traded to Arizona and was 6-4 with a 2.91 ERA last year in 10 starts and helped the Wildcats earn their first playoff appearance. After going 6-0 in the playoffs with the Longhorns Rodriguez lost his only playoff start with Arizona after giving up 3 runs in 8 innings. Not a bad showing, but the Wildcats hope that this year in the playoffs will be a return to form.

Predicted finish: 13-3

San Francisco Legion
All-time record: 39-44
1904 record: 9-8 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1901

Starting pitcher:



Al 'Stallion' Mejia has been the starting pitcher for the Legion each of the five years they have been in the league and is 31-38 with a 3.89 ERA during his career. Last year as a 29 year old Mejia had his best season yet going 9-6 with a 3.23 ERA.

Predicted finish: 8-8

Seattle Angels
All-time record: 47-33
1904 record: 11-5 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



On the surface it looks like Valentin Bastardo had a career year last year for the Angels after going 11-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Bastardo has been a starter for the Angels all five seasons and set a high for wins, and low for ERA. There are some warning signs for the 34 year old though, a FIP nearly a run higher, a career low K/9, and a career high in walks which could factor in the 11 game winning Angels being predicted to lose 11 games this year.

Predicted finish: 5-11

St Louis Lions
All-time record: 50-31
1904 record: 7-9 (4th)
Playoff appearances: 4
Last playoff appearance: 1903

Starting pitcher:



Alejandro Lopez took over as starting pitcher in the middle of the 1903 season and finished with a 7-4 record and 3.19 ERA, then followed that up with a 7-9 record and 2.52 ERA. It was an unexpected opportunity after watching his mentor Jesus Torres go from winning 10 games or more for three years in a row to going 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in 4 starts, with an even worse FIP of 9.26.

Predicted finish: 9-7

[NYY #23]

Next up is the NBC South:

Atlanta Thrashers
All-time record: 48-32
1904 record: 10-6 (1st)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last playoff appearance: 1904

Starting pitcher:



The Thrashers have one of the best pitchers in the league in 28 year old Luis Cano. Cano has been with Atlanta for five years with a 39-19 record and 3.00 ERA. Cano has finished second in Pitcher of the Year voting two straight years, going 13-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 1903, and 9-5 with a 2.71 ERA last year. Atlanta hopes Cano can lead them to the playoffs for the third straight year.

Predicted finish: 10-6

Carolina Breakers
All-time record: 43-38
1904 record: 8-9 (3rd)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



The Breakers are led by Rex Ray, a 30 year old who won Pitcher of the Year in 1901 when he went 13-3 with a 1.98 ERA. Ray has started all five years for the Breakers going 37-37 with a 3.19 ERA during his career. The Jersey City native was 8-9 with a 3.41 ERA last year while leading the league with 148 innings pitched, 151 strikeouts, and 1.5 BB/9.

Predicted finish: 10-6

New Orleans Crescents
All-time record: 32-49
1904 record: 7-9 (4th)
Playoff appearances: None
Last playoff appearance: N/A

Starting pitcher:



36 year old Edgar Vazquez has been the starter in New Orleans for three seasons going 15-25 with a 4.95 ERA. The Crescents are one of only four teams that have never been to the playoffs. Part of the problem for New Orleans has been the quality of starting pitching. With Vazquez and Jim Baker before him the Crescents never had a top starting pitcher, and Vazquez posted the lowest ERA by a New Orleans' starting pitcher last year with a 4.30 ERA.

Predicted finish: 6-10

Tampa Pirates
All-time record: 50-30
1904 record: 8-8 (2nd)
Playoff appearances: 3
World Championships: 1
Last playoff appearance: 1902

Starting pitcher:



There was a time when there was no better starting pitcher in the league than Leroy Unicume. Unicome won the first Pitcher of the Year in the NBC in 1900 when he went 12-4 with a 2.62 ERA, finished second in 1901 when he went 11-4 with a 2.26 ERA, and won his second Pitcher of the Year in 1902 when he went 10-3 with a 2.50 ERA. Age has started to catch up to Unicome and the 37 year old went 7-8 with a 4.10 ERA last year. He still has a little bit left in the tank, but the Pirates are going to find a replacement soon.

Predicted finish: 8-8