2012 Predictions
MIDDLE EARTH - With the 2012 season set to begin, it's time for the MESN pre-season picks. Last season, we only predicted 3 out of the 6 division winners, but we got the Mordor Wild Card prediction right, and the Shire Wild Card and Dwarf Division winners were simply reversed. In the Shire's Elf Division, we picked Old Forest for the second time in a row, and once again the Merry Fellows failed to live up to expectaions. Meanwhile, a fierce fight in the Mordor Orc Division saw Dead Marshes take the title away from our pick, Misty Mountain, by a single game.
Here are the predictions for 2012, made by our staff of crack (or on crack) prognosticators.
Shire Conference
Old Forest and Mirkwood look to battle it out for the Elf Division again. This season, it's Mirkwood that has the hitting advantage, while Old Forest dominates pitching. On paper, the Merry Fellows have the best pitching staff in the entire league. Minas Tirith has the best hitting in the Division, but they lack the superstar pitchers of the other two teams. Meanwhile, Rivendell is aging, and some management shakeup is needed to get the Royals back on track.
In the Hobbit Division, Bywater doesn't have to hope for a miracle like they had 2 years ago. This time the Bounders are in it for real. With young superstar, Lester Pulley, leading the charge, the team has the best hitting of any team in the league. Only Lake Town's awesome pitching staff keeps them close this year. Bywater should take the Division, leaving the Archers to fight for the Wild Card. Once again, Wilderland has young hitting potential but no pitching, and Minas Ithil is in a rebuilding mode.
As usual, Bree and Bucklebury will go at it for the Dwarf Division title, but this time they might have a little company from Moria. The Cheese has the strongest hitting in the Division, while both teams match up with the best pitching staffs in the league. The Miners' lack of bullpen talent will keep them out of the running. Carrock, with a new owner, is also rebuilding this season.
The Wild Card race will be very close between Lake Town and Mirkwood.
Elf Division: Old Forest
Hobbit Division: Bywater
Dwarf Division: Bree
Wild Card: Lake Town
Conference Champs: Bree
Mordor Conference
Grey Havens might just dominate this Orc Division as no team has been able to do since the creation of the league. The Stars' hitting is the best in the league. However, both Misty Mountain and Dead Marshes have better pitching. So, it might be another fight.
In the Goblin Division, Rohan has some powerful hitting, but their pitching is not dominant like it once was. Both Lothlorien and Numenor have better hurlers, and the Kings seem to be equal to the Lumberjacks. So much so that the Mordor Conference Wild Card race should be quite interesting.
The Mordor Champs, Minas Morgul, despite Dagorlad's run last season. The Disaster have some great hitting, but their pitching staff doesn't match up to the Slayers. Surprisingly, Dol Guldur looks as good as Dagorlad on paper, and rumors of a new GM might make things a little more interesting in the Division.
The Mordor Wild Card should be a wild affair, with Misty Mountain, Dagorlad, Lothlorien, Dol Guldur and Numenor fighting for the playoff spot.
Orc Division: Grey Havens
Goblin Division: Rohan
Troll Division: Minas Morgul
Wild Card: Misty Mountain
Conference Champs: Minas Morgul
League Champs: Minas Morgul
Power Rankings
Minas Morgul Slayers
Bree Cheese
Old Forest Merry Fellows
Bywater Bounders
Mirkwood Marauders
Bucklebury Fairies
Rohan RoughRiders
Lake Town Archers
Grey Havens Stars
Misty Mountain Hops
Dagorlad Disaster
Minas Tirith Titans
Moria Miners
Lothlorien Lumberjacks
Dead Marshes Uruk-hai
Wilderland Wargs
Dol Guldur Dragons
Minas Ithil Wyrms
Numenor Kings
Carrock Bears
Weathertop Witch Kings
Rivendell Royals
Isengard Raiders
Dunharrow Devils