UMEBA Predictions?

[FuzzyRawley]

Here we go, tomorrow we start the 2041 season. Where does everyone see the season going? Will Jerusalem repeat after a dominant 2040 season? Will Bancroft continue to wipe the floor with Burt?

To start the conversation, here are the teams ranked by WAR gained:

Cairo: 0.9
Baghdad: 0.6
Bucharest: 0.4
Beirut: 0
Jerusalem: 0
Mumbai: 0
Manama: -1.4
Istanbul: -4.4

Based on this alone, I see season playing out similar to last year, can't see anyone dethroning Jerusalem this season in the regular season, but the playoffs are always more random!

[drummerJ99]

3.3 of that for Istanbul was because C Luis Miguel Carrillo decided to retire. I guess 37 is old? HAHA All my 10 players that I added before moving to Montreal are 0.0 WAR. Will admit, I really have no clue how WAR works. LOL especially when it comes to free agents. Depending on how long they are without a GM, I'd expect Istanbul to challenge and make their first playoff appearance in franchise history.

[bschr682]

I don’t think the WAR gained thing will work well because most of the good additions will be coming over from the BBA and thus have no UMEBA stats.

[DugoutDesperado]

I think Istanbul may make a run at taking the BURT with Cairo taking second. I also think that Jerusalem may be fighting for second in the BANC behind Bucharest. JER may be fighting with just Mumbai, but with any luck maybe it will be a 3 way heat for second.

[lordtoffee]

I like our chances, though the gap is closing quickly.

[DugoutDesperado]

Hard to argue when you have the power hitters that the Hammers have in the lineup.

[bschr682]

You guys should have put out a predictions podcast

[FuzzyRawley]

I don’t think the WAR gained thing will work well because most of the good additions will be coming over from the BBA and thus have no UMEBA stats.

Yeah, kinda wondered if it worked like that.

[FuzzyRawley]

Hard to argue when you have the power hitters that the Hammers have in the lineup.

Seriously, made me very self conscious of my pitching last season.

[allenciox]

Istanbul and Beirut were both very active in the offseason, and have improved their rosters substantially. I think Istanbul is the favorite in the BURT league, but there are three teams that could conceivably win the BANC: mine (Bucharest), Jerusalem, or Beirut.

Jerusalem was quiet in offseason, but their farm is so great it might not matter. Bucharest definitely improved their team, but then Armando Rasquilha (one of their star pitchers) just got an injury that will sideline them for half the season.

It should be an interesting season!

[DugoutDesperado]

I am still not ready to rule out Mumbai in all of this. The in-game prediction low-balled Mumbai by about 10 games last year. My personal prediction is that all 4 teams will finish within 10 games of each other and that Beirut is still about 4 or 5 games short barring trades, injuries or personnel development.

[DugoutDesperado]

I also still feel that Bucharest has a slight edge over the rest of the pack.

[Fat Nige]

Cairo are always a slow starter but then again, as in previous season's the pitching staff is a mess. It takes a while to sort each year and once again injuries will play a big part. Adrian Young missed 2040 with injury and couldn't last 2041 Spring Training out before heading for the IL again

[allenciox]

Hmmm, I just discovered the odds chart on statsplus. Only two weeks into the season, it shows Istanbul with a 93% chance of winning BURT --- up from 72% at beginning of year. I know Istanbul has a good team, but I wonder how it gets such a high percentage. It also gives my team (Bucharest) a 61% chance of winning BANC. We will see, but I think that is too early for such confidence.