WWFB 2012 SEASON PREVIEW Pt. 1

The 2012 season is quickly approaching so it's time to preview how this year may unfold. In part one I'm looking at how I think the teams in our league will fare in the regular season. 2012 Team Rankings
1. Raiders -

This team obviously showed what they are capable of in the opening game beat down they put on the Classics in the 1st round of last year's playoffs. Matt Haas is one of if not the top power hitters in the game and Dylan Gibson is one of the top pitchers so it obviously leads to a team that when playing at its best is hard to beat. In 2011 they struggled to find their identity in the regular season and led to a disappointing 4th place finish but in the playoffs they showed what they are capable of. If they can put it together for the whole regular season a 25+ win season should be attainable. Predicted Record: 25-7, Favorite for 2012 World Series Title
2. Classics -

2011 was a great year for the Classics until they ran into the Dash (now Raiders) in the playoffs. They dominated the regular season posting a 21-9 record behind Christian Martin's pitching. Christian had an MVP season pitching last year as he threw the first ever WWFB perfect game. This team should be strong again even though they are losing Will Essick and Jared Hall they still return Taylor Ray and Christian Martin which is a hitting/pitching combination that rivals that of the Raiders. Predicted Record: 23-9, Favorite to get to the 2012 World Series
3. Seahawks -

Shelton burst on to the scene last year to make this a respectable franchise although there were a lot of questions about his pitching. He will have to prove he can pitch within the WWFB regulations and slow his speed down but if he can he should be able to join Christian and Dylan as top WWFB pitchers. Matt Boles is one of the top 3 hitters in the game and that gives this group the pitcher/hitter combo it takes to win. Shelton's pitching is a huge question mark and will determine how their season goes but I think he'll figure it out. Predicted Record: 19-13, Conference Finals Loss
4. Sharks -

If this list would have been done a day ago the Sharks would've been in the top 3 with the offensive juggernaut of Michael Gibson, Dan Hartsook, and Will Essick. Now with Dan's recent announcement this Sharks team has lost a bit of its bite. Essick should be able to replace Dan's stats and you know Gibson and Essick will have this team competitive but there's no getting around they lack an ace pitcher. The hopes are that Essick will develop into that and the Sharks have their eyes on the minors scouting for pitching talent, perhaps a former World Series MVP Charlie Moran if he can return to form. If the Sharks can overcome the loss of Hartsook and Rojas and find a pitcher they'll be a good team and with Gibson and Essick paired together you never know this team could compete for a title. Predicted Record: 17-15, Conference Finals Loss
5. Big Boomers -

This team will be interesting to see. It is led by former great baseball players but until this year non WWFB regulars. At this point it is hard to really predict how they'll do but I'm betting they will struggle in the regular season as they adjust to the game but may have a chance at going on a playoff run. If Phillip Bullock can translate his baseball knuckle ball to a wiffle knuckle ball they may have a pitcher. I expect this team to be competitive but a little behind the other teams to start but its WWFB anything could happen. Predicted Record: 8-24, Divisional Round Loss
6. Dolphins/Hurricanes -

Unless you've been living under a rock you know we have a new minor league system and that whatever is left of it at the end of the year will be the 6th seed in the playoffs. Well obviously if the players haven't been called up at that point they shouldn't be able to win a playoff series. Predicted Record: N/A, Divisional Round Loss