Season 18 Preview NL South

Charlotte Jordans (57-105, 4th)



This team’s fans haven't had anything to cheer about in a long time and last year was no exception. The new owner, richelle, felt like a move to Charlotte would help cut ties with this franchises longtime failures. However building with youth and an eye to the future will not make things get better quickly. Roy Gordon & Ahmad Gabriel are building blocks that can be counted on now as well as in the future. Rule 5 pickup George Governale also shows some promise that can help a rebuilding team. The pitching staff appears to be in total disarray. Unfortunately there isn’t much more help and this season looks like another struggle with only the hope of not finishing in the cellar as a realistic goal.



Prediction: 55-107



Jacksonville Fake Empires (83-79, 1st)



6 consecutive division titles in St Louis wasn’t enough to keep this team’s ownership in place and to get a fresh start they’ve moved the team to Jacksonville. The starting rotation that included Cela, Coles & Martin was strong and deserved better support than they received last season. Tim Parker will again anchor the bullpen so shutting the door on opponents will be in very capable hands. Jody Lara & Louie Rigdon lead an offense that finished with a team batting avg ranked 25th in the majors. Improved production from C, 1B & RF would go a long way to helping this team go further in the playoffs but this year’s success may be determined by how well the pitching staff does in their new home.



Prediction: 86-76



San Juan Tax Evaders (69-93, 2nd)



It’s been 6 yrs since kevmax’s team has won the division and with only one finish above .500 in that time the Tax Evaders fans are neither happy nor showing up to the park. Last season opponents scored 100 more runs than were pushed across by San Juan. Starters Chance Perez & Pat Lawrence had decent seasons, as did relievers Mario Gaston & Cody Melton. However they will need to put up better numbers this season if this team hopes to make the .500 mark. Mel Haywood is a hitting machine that racked up MVP like numbers; unfortunately his teammates didn’t offer much support. Without more offensive firepower it will be left up to the hurlers to limit their opponent’s runs as was the case last season. A repeat of last season’s success is the most likely scenario for this coming season.



Prediction: 70-92



Santa Fe Let’s Play (69-93, 2rd)



Playing in a hitter’s paradise has position players drooling when coming to Santa Fe and the home team did score over 800 runs last season. Unfortunately pitchers have nightmares about taking the mound in this launching pad and with over 1000 runs allowed bbwinnow will need to find a way to control the other teams offense if he has any playoff aspirations. At the plate Babe Denny, Clem Scott and newly acquired Mike Woodard should power the offense. Chad Scott has a big bat but lacks the defensive skills to play in the NL and is more suited to a DH role in the AL. On the mound Gregg Beard did better than his record would indicate. As would be expected from a team that allowed so many runs last season there is little else toeing the rubber to mention in a positive way.



Prediction: 67-95