Who Will Be The First Place Champion -- Second Half

[jackalsfan]

Even though we still have a long way to go 'till the end of ths season, it seems as if the standing have started to even out. Here are my predictions for the second half finish.

1- Quebec Capitales ( Great hitting, great pitching, great team)
2- Atlantic City (Good team that wins games)
3- Worcester (If they play like the first half, then sure, third place is good)
4- Brockton (Always a top 5 team, but is playing well)
5- Ottawa (Finally coming together, they will finish above .500)
6- New Jersey (Nothing special,but a scrapy team thats plagued with injuries)
7- Sussex (Traded a good player, it will come back to hurt them)
8- Nashua (An okay team but I dont see anything special)

[OttawaBallFan]

I think you have it pretty much right for the top four. As for me, I think Atlantic City and Quebec with fight it out for the second half title. I'm going with AC by a few games.

New Jersey has problems. Sorry, but they might finish last.

I'm still not yet convinced Ottawa can get to .500, despite their recent success. But I hope so. Pitching has been much better of late, which is why they won five in a row. Some say Nottle being away is a reason. Carcione does things differently. Let's say "close to .500" which would put my bottom feeders as Sussex (Young's absense will not hurt them that much), Ottawa, Nashua and New Jersey.

[Skyhawks96]

7th.....7th?! r u kidding meh? switch out brockton for sussex dude. and ac to third. And Walter had like a huge ego and was doing horrible. Crespi is a great, young hitter I dont understand why everyone is so down on the skyhawks. this is how it will look
1. Quebec- (good team, not much else to say)
2. Sussex- (another good team with great young talent)
3. AC
4. Worcester
5. New Jersey
6. Brockton
7. Ottowa
8. Nashua

the skyhawks have a good team just need 1 more pitcher. mark my words they will make the playoffs.

[canfan]

Sussex has a great chance to make the playoffs this season for the first time in franchise history however the road to the end of the season could be tough. My top four are
Quebec
Atlantic City
Worcester
Sussex

Sussex has been playing the best baseball of the season, they are the hottest team in the league. My only concern is New Jersey because their schedule seems alittle easier to the end of the season and they are only four games behind. If Sussex can take care of the Rapidz tonight and sweep Nashua(who are playing their poorest) I think we will be in good shape. Odds are in Worcester's favor to win some games against New Jersey which would help our cause a lot.

As for needing one more pitcher to make the playoffs, I think Lanier is going with who he has on the staff right now through the end of the season. The starters have been pitching very good and the pen has picked up the slack. Being last in the league in ERA is very deceiving. The pitchers who contributed to the high ERA are no longer on the roster.

[jackalsfan]

Honestly, I havent been to a Sussex home game until they swept the Jackals a few weeks ago. Sussex is a great team and if I could choose a team to win it all, the Skyhawks are them.

Hitting, pitching, and teamwork.....it's what they have.....especially hitting (weston)

Sorry for really doubting them


http://www.myjackals.com/--- FAN SITE OF THE NEW JERSEY JACKALS

[canfan]

A few observations on this years team:

The starting line-up is the same as opening day except for the DH and 7 of the 10 active pitchers were on the opening day roster. This speaks volumes as to the managing skills of Hal Lanier and his staff. Hal picked his players and stuck with them throughout the season even at their low points. This plays a big part in the team chemistry we are seeing today. Its a lot easier to play when you know if you make an error, go into a slump or have a so-so pitching outing you won't be shown the door.

Magic number is down to 6!!! (if the skyhawks don't win the 2nd half)

Who will be back next year? I think a few of the players will have their contracts sold to affiliated teams in the off season. Anyone have any ideas who will be back?

[OttawaBallFan]

I was surprised to see this morning's standings. Sussex on top by half a game over three other teams.

Let's eliminate Ottawa. They are not yet mathematically eliminated but they have no chance. Much the same for the Jackals although had they won last night would have made things more interesting.

Nashua only 5.5 back but four games under .500 even after two wins in Ottawa. I think we can count them out for the second half title. Brockton looks like they have an easy schedule but are five back.

Quebec are playing Nashua 7 times to end the season. They could take the second half.

Worcester plays Ottawa seven times too. That's a big plus. But the Rapidz are not going to go down without a fight with their hitters at the top of the lineup.

Atlantic City and Sussex also will be playing against each other seven times to end the season. Likely scenario is one of them going 4-3 which means that Quebec or Worcester moves in to win the second half.

I still think the Surf can win this half if they win against the Skyhawks. Quebec could win it too. But don't be surprised to see the Tornadoes win it.

There is also the race for overall standings. Quebec, AC, Worcester and Sussex should all make the playoffs. Only question is what will be the playoff matchups.

[baseball fan]

I think Sussex will win the second half, they r a hot team right now playing great ball. Keep it up Skyhawks!!!