2011 Predictions
MIDDLE EARTH - With the 2011 season set to begin, it's time for the MESN pre-season picks. Last season, we predicted 4 out of the 6 division winners, but we missed on both Wild Card predictions, again. Lothlorien, our pick to win the Goblin Division, fell in the last month of the season, while Rohan surged to victory. Meanwhile, in the Shire's Elf Division, our pick of the 2009 League Champion Old Forest team fell flat, as Mirkwood, once again, reigned supreme.
The Shire Wild Card winner was not Bucklebury, as improperly forecast for the second year in a row, but the upstart Bywater Bounders, who seemed to come out of nowehere in the second half of the season. And, while the Mordor Conference Wild Card was tough to call (as usual), Misty Mountain fell in favor of Dead Marshes.
Here are the predictions for 2011, made by our staff of crack prognosticators.
Shire Conference
Old Forest and Mirkwood look to battle it out for the Elf Division again. Both teams look to be the other's equal, with the Marauders having a slight edge in pitching, while the Merry Fellows hitting appears a tiny bit stronger. Both Minas Tirith and Rivendell have as good hitters as either of the other teams in the division, but weaker pitching should keep them out of the top spot this season.
Lake Town should have no problem dominating the Hobbit Division, as usual. Assuming Bywater doesn't pull off another miracle season, none of the other teams can touch the Archers pitching.
Bree and Bucklebury will go toe-to-toe again for the Dwarf Division title. The Cheese have the stronger offense, while both teams match up with the best pitching staffs in the league (only Minas Morgul's is their equal).
Elf Division: Old Forest
Hobbit Division: Lake Town
Dwarf Division: Bree
Wild Card: Bucklebury or Mirkwood (too close to call)
Conference Champs: Bree
Mordor Conference
The usual suspects will be fighting it out in the Orc Division. Misty Mountain doesn't have the hitting of either Grey Havens or Dead Marshes, but their pitching is dominant. The Stars have the bats, but their bullpen is weak. The Uruk-hai starters are some of the best in the game, but they have bullpen problems, too. The Hops should squeak out a win.
In the Goblin Division, Rohan has the most powerful hitting in the entire league. Lothlorien should be able to keep up with them based on a brilliant pitching staff, but the RoughRiders bats will be hard to top. Numenor has enough firepower and strong pitching to stay lurking around the edges, too.
The League Champs, Minas Morgul, shouldn't have any problem repeating as Troll Division winners this season. They have one of the 3 best pitching staffs in the league, and their hitting is right up there. Dagorlad has the hitting to contend for a little while, but their pitching doesn't appear to be up to the challenge.
Orc Division: Misty Mountain
Goblin Division: Rohan
Troll Division: Minas Morgul
Wild Card: Lothlorien
Conference Champs: Minas Morgul
League Champs: Minas Morgul
Power Rankings
Minas Morgul Slayers
Bree Cheese
Old Forest Merry Fellows
Lake Town Archers
Bucklebury Fairies
Mirkwood Marauders
Rohan RoughRiders
Rivendell Royals
Lothlorien Lumberjacks
Minas Tirith Titans
Misty Mountain Hops
Dead Marshes Uruk-hai
Moria Miners
Numenor Kings
Gondolin Griffons
Dagorlad Disaster
Bywater Bounders
Dol Guldur Dragons
Grey Havens Stars
Wilderland Wargs
Carrock Bears
Weathertop Witch Kings
Isengard Raiders
Dunharrow Devils