NL South S10 Preview

Jacksonville Jimmies -- I hate guys who can win games with moderate budgets.  That's right, I hate bnags.  Other than Season 1 when he was more or less handcuffed with contracts he might not have wanted, he hasn't gone over $75M except for Season 6.  Meanwhile, he's played .550+ ball each of the last five seasons.  What makes me happy?  He's still got that Rick Halama contract this season.  But he's also got Neal, White, Wan, etc.  The starting pitching is a little bit suspect, but the bullpen is sound.  Is that gonna be enough to get these guys back to the World Series?  I just farted.

Offense: A
Defense: C
Pitching: C+
Prediction: 95-67, 1st in division

Jackson Generals -- Shooting for their 10th straight .500+ season, Jackson is the picture of consistency.  They have the hitting (Ontiveros, Wagner, Strickland), they have the pitching (May, Black, Stahl), they have the defense (Strickland, Arias, O'Rourke).  But......they didn't do anything to improve from last season to this one.  "If you stand still, you get passed."

Offense: B
Defense: B+
Pitching: C+
Prediction: 78-84, 3rd in division

New Orleans Posse -- Nine seasons, nine sub .500 records.  But last season was the closest they have been to .500 in their history.  Can they finally get there this year?  Lots of former first-rounders are coming into their own at this point.  The top end of the team's roster is just full of young guns.  And I'm not talking about Emilio Estevez.  The hitting is solid.  The defense is good.  It's going to be the pitching, like it is for so many other teams, that hinders them this season.  Corban Little will be good, but he can't start everyday.  These guys are improving, but they're still a ways behind Jackson and Jacksonville.

Offense: C
Defense: B
Pitching: C
Prediction: 81-81, 2nd in division

Charlotte Sometimes -- BGJ, you need to explain this team name.  I still don't get it.  But this poor team has had such turnover the last few seasons.  After posting its first 100 loss season, things can only get better this year, right?  There are no ridiculous salaries, which is good.  Espinosa and Donovan were good pick-ups.  Bubba Coles was shopped quite a bit, which I don't get since he is one of the best players on the team.  But unlike every other team so far, the Sometimes will actually be led by the pitching staff, as the offense tries to keep up.  Pitching wins games, right?

Offense: C-
Defense: B
Pitching: B+
Prediction: 75-87, 4th in division