2010 Predictions
MIDDLE EARTH - With the start of the 2010 season just around the corner, it's time for the MESN pre-season picks. Last season, we predicted 5 out of the 6 division winners, but we missed on both Wild Card predictions. The Shire Wild Card winner was not Bucklebury, as forecasted, but Old Forest. And while we did give the Merry Fellows' pitching staff props, we did not see the fall of both the Fairies and the Royals, which allowed Old Forest into the playoffs and on to become the League Champions. And, while the Mordor Conference Wild Card was tough to call (as we said), it was not a battle in which Dead Marshes was involved--despite a late-season winning streak.
This season, we're going to present not only our divisional picks but a set of pre-season power rankings, as well.
Shire Conference
The Old Forest team is not going to give up their crown lightly. In fact, they are a much-improved club over last season. Their hitting is the best in the Shire Conference (and maybe the whole League). Their pitching features a great starting rotation. In fact, their only real weakness is the bullpen. There is still no challenger to the Archers in the Hobbit Division. They have one of the best pitching staffs in the entire League. Meanwhile, Bucklebury was in a position to challenge Bree for the division this year. The Fairies' pitching staff is was as good or better than the Cheese prior to the Deneadur and Elilmalad trades, and they have comparable hitting. However, the loss of two key starters will pretty much guarantee a second place finish for Bucklebury. Moria now has a better starting rotation than anyone in the Dwarf Division. If they only had a bullpen...
Elf Division: Old Forest
Hobbit Division: Lake Town
Dwarf Division: Bree
Wild Card: Bucklebury
Conference Champs: Old Forest
Mordor Conference
As usual, Grey Havens and Misty Mountain will be battling back-and-forth atop the Orc Division. This year, the Uruk-hai hope to keep up with them. The Hops have the best pitching in the Mordor Conference, while the Stars have the best hitting. Numenor won't run away with the Goblin Division this year, either. Not only will Rohan battle them tough again, but Lothlorien looks good enough on paper to beat the Kings and the RoughRiders! Minas Morgul should have an easy time atop the Troll Division, especially since their pitching staff and their hitting is among the League's best. A resurgent Dagorlad should make things interesting. The Wild Card is almost a dead heat between Misty Mountain, Numenor and Dagorlad.
Orc Division: Grey Havens
Goblin Division: Lothlorien
Troll Division: Minas Morgul
Wild Card: Misty Mountain
Conference Champs: Minas Morgul
League Champs: Old Forest
Power Rankings
Old Forest Merry Fellows
Bree Cheese
Lake Town Archers
Minas Morgul Slayers
Mirkwood Marauders
Bucklebury Fairies
Grey Havens Stars
Lothlorien Lumberjacks
Minas Tirith Titans
Misty Mountain Hops
Rivendell Royals
Numenor Kings
Dagorlad Disaster
Wilderland Wargs
Carrock Bears
Dead Marshes Uruk-hai
Rohan RoughRiders
Bywater Bounders
Gondolin Griffons
Moria Miners
Isengard Raiders
Weathertop Witch Kings
Dol Guldur Dragons
Dunharrow Devils