They're baaaaaaack.... DOWHER Rankings Pre-season in NL:
1. Las Vegas -- Won 110 games and might be a bit better. Clear #1 in the league with Helsingborg rebuilding.
2. Dublin -- We have a clear #2 as well. The Distillers won 86 games last year and added some nice pieces. Barring horrible injuries, a lock for the playoffs.
3. Istanbul-- Perhaps a shocker at 3, maybe the endless Tankee rebuilding project is over? I'm expecting some players to make a step forward.
4. Amsterdam -- Talent continues to leave Amsterdam but they have lots of young guns. Could make a move or two to get back in the playoffs.
5. Helsingborg -- Still enough stars in Sweden to win 85 or so games. As of now, I think they're better than 50% to make the playoffs... problem is they may still be getting rid of players.
6. Moscow -- On the cusp of the playoffs last year. Bit of a disappointing off-season IMO with a chance to lock in a playoff slot. Still in the hunt but a couple upgrades and they're in the tournament.
7. Seoul -- The Glow made some good moves and IMO a break or player away from making the playoffs.
T8. Lisbon/Berlin -- Let's see how they improve with new(ish) owners.
Top 5 storylines of this season:
1. Las Vegas, Dublin then.... ? -- Last year 82 wins was enough to make the playoffs in the NL. Helsingborg has torn down a 104 win team which means after the top 2 it looks wide open.
2. Meet the New Boss --
@MSUFanatic comes in as a new WBL owner.
3. The Dream Team -- Buffalo's new Boss Mr. Otto has put together a 2055 All-Star team together. They're going to score tons of runs this year but the defense will be awful.
4. South BLOODBATH -- As much as it pains me to say, it looks like the balance of power has shifted to the South. It looks wide open this year. False Bay, Halifax and Buffalo all upgraded their teams.
5. Balbeauna 4-peat? -- Jorge Balbeauna is aiming to win his fourth straight MVP. This might be the hardest to win though as Helsingborg looks to rebuild.