[JayW UK]

2028 Regular Season

Eastern League Review

The Atlantic division was a tight race all season between three teams, Boston, New York and Washington. Despite the Pilgrims boasting the top scoring offense in the NABL led by stars, RF Jared Guest (.353, 32 HR, 129 RBI) and LF Stephen Thomas (.288, 29 HR, 100 RBI), they also owned the worst defense (their defensive problems highlighted by their .340 BABIP), Boston also struggled with injuries early in the season but finished strong to claim third place with an 84-78 record. New York, owners of the EL’s #1 pitching staff headlined by Marcos Moran (18-9, 3.13 ERA) and Orlando Vicenteno (17-6, 1.97 ERA) fought a season long battle with Washington and their powerful Aaron Harris (.21, 32 HR, 95 RBI) led offense. The Generals eventually took the division by a single game finishing with 89 wins, the Senators ended one game back, and but for the late season loss of leading homerun hitter Antonio Romero (23 HR), they may have had enough to win the division. Philadelphia stumbled through a disappointing season to finish a full 26 games off the pace with a 63-99 record a franchise worst that also cost manager Don Blair his job.
Detroit took the NABL by storm, with Bradley Starks (18-9, 2.98 ERA) topping their rotation and relievers Eric Hastings (11-1, 2.37 ERA) and Greg Gray (8-3, 1.91 ERA + 43 Saves) anchoring the bullpen their knack of coming out on top in close games won them the hearts of many neutrals as well as the Central division title, as they finished the season with a franchise best 98-64 record. Leaning on the arm of Angel Castro (16-7, 2.95 ERA) and the power hitting of 1B Nelson Vasquez (34 HR) and Jose Cintron (31 HR) Indianapolis pushed Detroit all the way, before fading down the stretch but still laid claim to the EL wildcard spot winning 93-games. Even a superhuman season from star 1B Matt Henderson (.393, 36 HR, 107 RBI) couldn’t prevent Chicago from falling back from their 94 wins the previous year to finish third with an 86-76 record whilst St. Louis improved from their 60-win maiden season to finish fourth with a 69-93 record. Defending champions Cleveland had a season to forget, while losing Pedro Arevalo for three months and Richie Rambeaux for four weeks hurt their offense, their real problem was pitching, only three players, relievers Roy Browning and Tony Munoz along with ace starter Eric Parker, owned an ERA under four while a whopping five players had ERA’s north of six !! including 2027 World Series MVP Keith Robison (7-17, 6.67 ERA)
The Southeast division was a lot closer than many expected, New Orleans pushed Tampa Bay close but eventually fell just short finishing with an 85-77 record just two games back of the Hurricanes (87-75). Tampa Bay, owners of the highest payroll in the NABL, used the EL’s #1 pitching unit, featuring stars Larry de Meza (17-10, 2.51 ERA) and Vince Little (16-10, 2.31 ERA) along with timely hitting to win their third straight division title. Atlanta, despite the power hitting of Jason Wilson (44 HR, 100 RBI), David Barnett (37 HR, 105 RBI) and Julio Ramirez (29 HR) could only muster 80-wins, Miami finished with a 73-89 record, their eleventh straight losing season whilst Charlotte bought up the rear, slipping back to 71 wins from the 76 they managed in their maiden campaign, solid season’s from Jose Cuesta (14-8, 2.89 ERA) and rookie sensation Greg Bailey (14-7, 2.41 ERA) only served to mask the real problem for the Express, a lack of reliable batting options.

Final Standings

Atlantic Division
Washington 89-73 *
New York 88-74
Boston 84-78
Philadelphia 63-99

Central Division
Detroit 98-64 *
Indianapolis 93-69 *
Chicago 86-76
St. Louis 69-93
Cleveland 68-94

Southeast Division
Tampa Bay 87-75 *
New Orleans 85-77
Atlanta 80-82
Miami 73-89
Charlotte 71-91