Down to the wire in the SASL American League
2018 Season – Wowwwww, that’s is all I have to say about the American League in 2018!! It has been an exciting year from start to finish, in SASL to say the least. But with that said, the Playoffs are only one week away. What is going to happen, who is going to qualify, who will be the unlikely heros, and which team will have bragging rights till 2019. The final weekend will answer some of these questions, but I am here to give you my prediction as to who will make the Playoffs.
2018 Season Recap
Savages
Perhaps the biggest question in 2018 was, will anyone be able to beat the retooled Savages? They started the year slowly with a few losses to 516 and everyone was immediately concerned. Now with the playoffs one week away, they have secured the #2 slot, and have been on cruise control. This is still the toughest team to beat out there, and will be a tremendous challenge for anyone that has to face them in the Playoffs. The SASL world is salivating at a possible first round matchup with 516 or the Mets.
Mighty Ducks
Who could have seen this coming? The Ducks are 20-0 and will be the #1 seed when the playoffs begin. No matter what happens from here on out, the Ducks have put together the best regular season in SASL history. Only question left to be answered, is will they finish undefeated? If they are to do so, they will have an enormous test as the must battle the Savages to have the perfect season. Having played the Ducks, they don’t do one thing great, they just do everything well and execute perfectly. They do the one thing, that is the hardest to do, that is play as a true team. Will the Ducks win it all or be like the Patriots, have a perfect season only to get there heart broken in the playoffs?
Mets
Power, Speed, and Heart are all qualities of this team. They have been up and down all season long, but here they are with 4 games left and a legitimate shot to finish #3 in the SASL. Will that happen or will they finish 4th and have a date with SNL? Its hard at this point to imagine this team not making the playoffs, but if they lose the next four they could be on the inside looking in. What will the Mets be in the playoffs, I don’t know but its hard to see them beating the Savages or Duck in the 1st round.
516
It is hard to figure this team out, one week they are beating the Savages convincingly and one week they lose to the Scorers. They have def not played to their potential all season long. Looking at that line up and you see, Jay, Maury, Denen, Yoba, Steve, Wahid, Anthony, and Ray, you wonder where the out is. Anyone of those guys can take you deep at anytime. The trio or Denen, Yoba, and Steve might be the most feared in the Sasl. Simple answer is they have just not clicked, but things have been changing the last few weeks. Steve has 5 Home Runs and 12 RBI’s in the last 3 games, if he has figured it out good luck all. This team looks to have a playoff spot locked, now we must figure out if it is the 3rd spot or 4th. No matter the spot, this is the one team that I believe has as good a shot as any to win the Championship.
Empire
A pre-season favorite who has not live up to the billing. This team is as deep as any, might have the best outfield in the game, and yet with one week left to play are hoping to make SNL. It has been a tough and challenging season, as they just have not clicked. Empire started off on fire, and since the break have not found their first half magic. This is another team that no one wants to see in the 1st round. They can hit, they can field, and they have quality veterans. If they somehow sneak in, watch out as they can beat anyone any given week.
Scoobys/Troopers
Before the season started, these teams had turmoil. They were supposed to be one team, then they split. Looking back at it, if they stuck together they would have been a good team in div. 1. As a result they combined for 5 victories in 2018 and a lot of losing. Both teams will have to decide if the will be competitive in 2019 or just fold. I Believe with a few minor changes and additions both teams will find a way to turn it around in 2019. Having no chance this year, Scoobies will try to play the spoiler roll in the final week of the season. The Troopers have not stopped drinking since week one and that party will continue through the offseason.
Final Predictions:
1 – Mighty Ducks (not moving from this spot)
2 – Savages ( have this locked)
3 – 516 ( Playoff starts this week for them)
4 – Mets (tough schedule will have them fall to 4th)
5- Empire ( though it did not seem this way will finish here)
Looking in:
6 – Outlaws ( great team on paper will fall a bit short)
Never had a chance:
7- Scoobies / 8 Troopers
