It's Opening Week in the WLB and our lives will never be the same! Or something like that. Between having a great Orioles team to root for and being in a cutthroat-competitive fantasy league, the 2014 baseball season has a chance to be the best yet. Here are five stories to keep an eye on this week:
5
"If you have an arm, you're throwing!" -Ron Washington
The Kingslayers came away from the draft without a single closer on the roster; a risky proposition in a league that requires 3 relief-eligible pitchers to be active. GM Jon has compensated for the loss of saves by scouring free agency for relief-eligible starters(Tanners Scheppers, Jesse Chavez, and Dustin McGowan) to join the already drafted Drew Smyly. Only time will tell is this strategy has any chance of working.
4
Tommy Johns hope the the worst is behind them
After a pitcher undergoes Tommy John surgery, many claim to throw harder and with more control a year 1/2-2 years after surgery. The Tommy John franchise is hoping that they too can recover from the last 2 years and come back stronger than ever. With an almost completely rebuilt team, they will look to make a strong statement week one against the division rival Crab Cakes, and re-establish themselves as a force in the NWL.
3
Two Starts on a quest for dominance
The Two Starts have a unique opportunity to be the first team in Wombat League Baseball history to win 3 championships in a row. Lead by keepers Andrew McCutchen and Bryce Harper; the whole league should be keeping an eye on them, as they are the team to beat based on their resume alone. The Legendary Mofos get the first shot, but they'll have to play the defending champions on the road in Covey Field, and immediately after the defending champions are awarded their rings. Good luck with that one!
2
Megalomaniacs trying to "get over the hump."
The Megalomaniacs have won the World Series every other year since the inaugural 2007 season; amassing a WLB record 4 championships with one franchise. Fortunately for the AWL, the year 2014 is an even year, and despite coming dangerously close to breaking the trend in 2012, the Megas have only won their titles in odd numbered years. With the AWL East looking as formidable as ever the challenge to repeat is certainly a steep one for the defending champions. GM Deaneorck will look to get his team off on the right start in week one when he travels to Pez Field for a rematch of last year's ALDS.
1
Ice in their veins
The Cold Notes have assembled an envious collection of arms with a starting rotation featuring Chris Sale, Chris Archer, Danny Salazar, and Masahiro Tanaka. After making a concerted effort to rebuild the franchise following a down year in 2013, the Cold Notes have been rated as the team to beat by CBS. As dubious an honor as that may be, there is no doubting the upside of this squad, and they'll certainly be a team to watch in the battle for the East division. They'll get their first chance to show exactly what they're about when they travel on the road against the Baseball Furies to open the year.
Jon Kurkjian