Now that Spring Training is complete, teams can turn their attention to the regular season, a 60-game affair (ignore those rogue predictions with 61) among individual leagues over 20 weekends from April through mid-August.
For the 2297 season, P.A.M., or the Predictive Analytic Machine, has returned to offer her deep dive into the world of Commonwealth baseball.
P.A.M. is a master of predictive analysis. Running the numbers, here is what P.A.M. had to say about the 2297 season.
"I was, am, and will most likely be P.A.M. Predictive Analytic Machine. All systems fully functional. Baseball token recognized. I provide first order approximations of the behaviors of all residents of the region designated Commonwealth. Rephrasing. I predict the future.
Rephrasing. I also provide first order approximations of the results of baseball of the league designated CBO. Commonwealth Baseball Organization. Nate Howard has reprogrammed this unit's new primary goal. He calls it the B.P.M. Baseball Prediction Model.
Processes reaching maximum capacity. Output only. User must fill in own conclusions. Data sustained. Accuracy is expected to reach better than 80%. Results printed. Recharge in progress. End transmission."
BROTHERHOOD LEAGUE
ANALYSIS
This division is expected to change, though most of the division should be close. Two teams expected to separate from the pack are the Salem Witch Hats, where PAM has them winning only 22 games. One correction to note, PAM assumed an extra game in the league because of last season's play-in game. The order of finish is still the same. The other team expected to separate from the rest is the Easy Town Assaultrons. Not only did they change their city name, but they look geared to take the league crown this season.
The interesting aspect of the season looks to be who teh wildcard team will be. It must be noted that the BL wildcard was the best spot to be in during the 2296 season since The Slog Ghouls ended up winning the Sole Survivor Series. This season, the defending CBO champions and defending BL champs, Finch Farm, are predicted to finish fifth and fourth, respectively. However, they are expected to be within three games of wildcard prediction, the County Crossing Bloodbugs. Nordhagen Beach is also expected to compete for the wildcard spot, predicted just a game back of the Bloodbugs.
INSTITUTE LEAGUE
ANALYSIS
Starlight is looking to extend its momentum of winning the Battle for the North Tournament in the preseason; however, PAM thinks it was a fluke. In fact, the IL is expected to be a two-team race between Abernathy and Sunshine Tidings for the division crown.
The rest of the division looks to need a lot of things to go their way to have a shot at the playoffs in 2297. While teams like Concord and Fort Hagen should be improved, they are still looking at losing records in a division with a clear discrepancy in talent level.
MINUTEMEN LEAGUE
ANALYSIS
Not only did Goodneighbor take the Battle for the South Tournament, but this team looks to legitimately be the top team in the CBO. The Hancocks are the favorites to win it all, replacing last season's league winner, the Warwick Mirelurks.
Not only did the Mirelurks drop from last season's dominance, but PAM thinks they will miss the playoffs altogether. The Warwick pitching was dominant, but if other teams catch up, that prediction could be right on target.
Quincy is the team expected to make the other leap in the division, replacing Atom as the wildcard representative. The Gunners made some moves that makes them a tough out for everyone except, perhaps, Goodneighbor.
RAILROAD LEAGUE
ANALYSIS
Oberland is expected to repeat as division champions, but the Fairline Hill Estates Yao Guai are trying to challenge that banner chase. The Yao Guai are going to depend on pitching to rule the day in their hopes to make the playoffs as either the champions or the wildcard.
Diamond City is trying to make a move on both teams, and that will make this league race one of the better ones. The other three teams are not expected to compete for a playoff spot, but it only takes a few weeks of being hot to change the league dynamics.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
1. Goodneighbor, ML
2. Abernathy, IL
3. Oberland, RL
4. Easy Town, BL
5. Fairline Hill Estates, RL
6. Sunshine Tidings, IL
7. Quincy, ML
8. County Crossing, BL