[JayW UK]

2034 Regular Season

Eastern League Review

With 1B Matt Henderson (.314, 31 HR, 81 RBI) and LF Lee McDale (.298, 21 HR, 93 RBI) firing on all cylinders and David Adams (17-8, 2.75 ERA) heading their rotation, the Philadelphia Independence (88-74) cantered to their third division title in four years, easily seeing off Washington (81-81) who lost their way midseason when a series of injuries hit them hard. Losing big ticket free agent Marc Baxter to a season ending elbow injury early in the campaign disrupted Baltimore’s plans, and even though rookie RF Sul-Shik Choi (.303, 21 HR, 73 RBI) and Baxter’s replacement Jose Montoya (22 HR, 85 RBI) did their best to carry the offense, it wasn’t enough to propel the bulls into playoff contention as they finished the season with just 76 wins. Although Boston (69-93) played better than most people expected, they still recorded their third straight sub-70 win season while New York (68-94) slumped to their worst record since winning just 66 games in 2017, there was reason for optimism in the big apple though as several young players (LF Scott Perrett and 2B Carl Scott in particular) had the makings future building blocks.
The Central division was a season long battle between Chicago, with their young guns, 1B Julio Cruz (.283, 33 HR, 86 RBI), CF Josh Deric (.316, 16 HR, 90 RBI) and C Eduardo Moreno (.260, 35 HR, 107 RBI) in fine form and Indianapolis whose tried and tested formula of 2B Jose Villalobos (.338, 5 HR, 74 RBI) and 3B Matt Romero (.332, 14 HR, 84 RBI) setting the table for sluggers RF Anthony Williams (.255, 30 HR, 106 RBI) and Jose Cintron (.273, 30 HR, 90 RBI) to bring home, drove an offense that was second only to Tampa Bay in runs scored. In the end it was pitching that was the difference between the two teams, Chicago with Eugene Fey (16-9, 2.78 ERA) and Logan Jones (17-10, 3.62 ERA) atop their rotation held off Indianapolis, who’s best pitcher was Walt Lake (15-13, 3.88 ERA) to take the division by eight games. None of the other three teams broke even on the season, Detroit (78-84) led by pitcher Rajion Samit (15-11, 3.33 ERA) and young star RF Gerald O’Colitaran (.289, 23 HR, 70 RBI) were the best of the bunch, while Cleveland (72-90) who, despite an offense led by 1B Pedro Escoriaza (.351, 20 HR, 92 RBI), CF Alberto Rangel (.294, 24 HR, 89 RBI) and RF Raymond Helms (.309, 21 HR, 71 RBI) couldn’t stop the opposition from scoring and St. Louis (68-94) who even with the best efforts of veteran pitcher Matt Powell (17-8, 4.04 ERA) couldn’t climb out of the division basement.
The Southeast division was home to the juggernaut that was Tampa Bay, the favourites to repeat as Champions swept the opposition aside winning 105-games and cruising into the playoffs clubbing an NABL record 228 homers along the way. Their fearsome offense was led by the ageless Dixon Bodean (.333, 49 HR, 138 RBI) and up and coming star LF Bryant Manton (.275, 34 HR, 86 RBI) also featured three other players (3B Andres Montoya, 1B Ryan Porter and C Marcos Ocasio) who hit 25+ homeruns, while the pitching staff headlined by Angel Castro (17-5, 3.01 ERA) and Dave Cramer (15-4, 2.67 ERA) quietly went about their business of winning games. It took a win over division rivals Atlanta on the final day of the season to guarantee surprise package Charlotte (89-73) the wildcard spot, the Express boasted the EL’s best pitching, with Greg Bailey (18-7, 2.29 ERA) and Wessell Oost (15-9, 3.62) atop the rotation while their offense with star LF Daron Murphy (.282, 31 HR, 90 RBI) leading the way was only middle of the pack. Miami (87-75) faltered when offensive sparkplug Todd Louthian missed time with injury (he still managed to club 24 homeruns despite missing over a third of the season) as their young pitching staff led by 24-year-olds, Cris Bastillo and Jonathan Albert, was not able to carry the team. Clearly missing David Barnett’s power bat, Atlanta clubbed just 118 homeruns (down from 2033’s total of 168) and struggled to a 79-83 finish while New Orleans slumped to a seven-year low, winning just 70 games.

Final Standings

Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 88-74*
Washington 81-81
Baltimore 76-86
Boston 69-93
New YorK 68-94

Central Division
Chicago 96-66*
Indianapolis 88-74
Detroit 78-84
Cleveland 72-90
St. Louis 68-94

Southeast Division
Tampa Bay 105-57*
Charlotte 89-73*
Miami 87-75
Atlanta 79-83
New Orleans 70-92