Season 162 Preview & Predictions

A new season is upon us as we head into fall on Franchise Ball, and with that, a renewed sense of optimism is in the air for all teams looking for a chance at championship glory.

Last season saw another exciting postseason run between the 14 league champions. It would culminate in the Fukuoka Kurokage securing their second World Series win over the first year underdogs, the Boston Wolfhounds, before riding off into the sunset for a final time.

Now as Season 162 kicks off, over 700+ teams will once again fight for the right to punch their ticket to the World Playoffs to claim that same world title won by the Kurokage with triumph.

Without further ado, here are your league previews & predictions, brought to you by Edmonton Nightcrawlers owner Jon Robinson:


Season 162 League Champion Predictions


Alpha Ruby

Last year, Alpha Ruby ran through Portland, who would go on to win the league with a 46-14 record. With strong competition in a revamped squad for the Jamestown Rhode Runners, San Juan Coquis, and Baltimore Oriole, this league should be a hard-fought power struggle once again this season.

Contenders:

Portland Cobras
Jamestown Rhode Runners
Baltimore Oriole

Dark Horse: Caracas Snakes

Prediction: Baltimore Oriole over Jamestown Rhode Runners


Ocean Star League

The Conquistadores took Ocean Star by storm last season, going 48-12 and securing their first league title since Season 152. They will face tough competition in defence of their title, against powerhouses such as the Dayton Blacksox, Baltimore Gangsters, and the St. John’s Raptors. Expect a bloodbath between the Big Three competition for the league crown.

Contenders:

Aguascalientes Conquistadores
Dayton Blacksox
Baltimore Gangsters

Dark Horse: Lubbock Big League

Prediction: Dayton Blacksox over Baltimore Gangsters


Alta Canyon League

The Columbus NATTYBuckeyes may have won it all last season, but defending their title will be a feat hard to replicate. In a league dominated by the big ball teams such as the Cincinnati Reds, Buffalo Error 404s, San Diego Bombers, and time eternal Seattle Marvols, the competition remains just as tightly contested as before, especially with the Reds & Bombers in the same division.

Contenders:

Cincinnati Reds
Charlotte Flight
Baton Rouge Ball Beaters

Dark Horse: New York Silver Surfers

Prediction: New York Silver Surfers over Buffalo Error 404s


Theta Premier League

The New York Dads and St. John’s Deadly Sins are regulars in Theta Premier’s league showdown, and this season will be no exception. Even with a number of other talented rosters in this league, getting past these two juggernauts will be a behemoth task to undertake. Expect one of these two to take the title with 40-50 wins along the way.


Contenders:

New York Dads
St. John’s Deadly Sins
Rochester Spoofly

Dark Horse: Chula Vista Crushers

Prediction: New York Dads over St. John’s Deadly Sins


Epsilon Peak League

54-6. That’s the record the Ocala Coalition had enroute to a league championship win over the San Diego Fleet in Season 161, their first in three seasons. With that kind of domination, it’s hard to see the outcome changing much for a powerhouse responsible for 5 league titles and a World Series title in the past decade. Still, there are some great teams such as the Fleet and Chesapeake homering rebels, who both topped 40 wins last season.

Contenders:

Ocala Coalition
Chesapeake homering rebels
Boston Red Sox 1

Dark Horse: Detroit Mean Green

Prediction: Ocala Coalition over Chesapeake homering rebels


Delta Premier League

The departure of the Toronto Masters and Edmonton Nightcrawlers from Delta Premier only makes the road to a fourth consecutive league title even smoother for the 2-time world champion Pasadena Pinkies. Fayetteville Liberty went on a Cinderella run to the league finals last season, and will be looking to run it back in Season 162. With the competitive ceiling widened, other contending teams such as the Miami Stingers, Rockford Raccoons, and Richmond Spiders will be in the running to play David to take down the Goliath-esque Pinkies.

Contenders:

Pasadena Pinkies
Miami Stingers
Port St. Lucie Ball Grabbers

Dark Horse: Terrace WESTCOASTEXPRESS

Prediction: Pasadena Pinkies over Miami Stingers


Silver Sunset League

The Chicago Wolves took only three seasons to win their first ever league title, defeating the 50-10 Detroit DC Ver Gotas in a thriller of a series. The Wolves will attempt to defend their league crown in one of the more exciting races in the game. With an intense group of teams including the Amarillo Tomahawks, Green Bay Golden Cows, Yokohama Wyverns, and Arlington Texas Drillers, this league is certainly up for grabs. But make no mistake, DC Ver Gotas will be looking to address some unfinished business in Season 162.

Contenders:

Chicago Wolves
Detroit DC Ver Gotas
Green Bay Golden Cows

Dark Horse: Yokohama Wyverns

Prediction: Detroit DC Ver Gotas over Amarillo Tomahawks


Sigma Glacier League

With the departure of the dynastic powerhouse Charlotte Magic, Sigma Glacier looks to see a new face of the league represent them going forward in Season 162. With the elite oppression finally over, it seems like the Athens Bobcats may finally have a shot at winning an elusive league title. They are sorely mistaken. Enter in the Toronto Masters, who come in with one of the most elite rotations in the game along with one of scariest lineups for a pitcher to face this upcoming season. Transferring from Delta Premier, they will look to also achieve postseason success after being in the shadow of a similar giant, the Pasadena Pinkies. Despite these two teams, there is still plenty of competition to look out for in this league, with teams such as St. Louis Birds On a Bat, Detroit Shitters, Hilo Soaring Eagles, Aguascalientes Los Tuneros, and Las Vegas Barra 23 all vying for a chance at championship glory.

Contenders:

Toronto Masters
Athens Bobcats
St. Louis Birds On a Bat

Dark Horse: Aguascalientes Los Tuneros

Prediction: Toronto Masters over Athens Bobcats


Luma Horizon League

Absolute mayhem. That’s two words to describe the state of Luma Horizon, which were won by none other than the Minneapolis Moxostoma Mayhem. In a league featuring the likes of the Jacksonville IronPigs, Aurora Brides, Lincoln Saltdogs, Ann Arbor Wolves, Athens Greek Gods of FB, Portland LumberJacks, and Jersey City SPARKY, anybody could follow in the Mayhem’s footsteps. Expect an exciting race this season.

Contenders:

Minneapolis Moxostoma Mayhem
Athens Greek Gods of FB
Jacksonville IronPigs

Dark Horse: Aurora Brides

Prediction: Minneapolis Moxostoma Mayhem over Portland LumberJacks


Spectra Falls League

Another exciting league brimming with talent and potential, Spectra Falls saw the Canberra Coho Killaz crowned as league champions after all the dust had settled. Once more, it will be a frenzy, with teams such as the Omaha Molotovs, Mexico City Diablos, Newark EZPassers, and San Francisco Bandits battling it out in the postseason.

Contenders:

Canberra Coho Killaz
Omaha Molotovs
Mexico City Diablos

Dark Horse: Madison Hatters

Prediction: Omaha Molotovs vs Mexico City Diablos


Wild Cherry League

Who said just because you’re based in a retirement locale that you can’t keep winning? Tell that to the Coral Springs Golf Carts, who won it all last season with a 49-11. In Wild Cherry, the road to the championship often runs through the Chosen Ones, but something in the air sure is changing. With teams such as the Allentown Cares, Tuscaloosa Crimson Tide, and Denver 14ers all making a run for a chip, expect plenty of fireworks in one of the more wild leagues in the game.

Contenders:

Coral Springs Golf Carts
Chosen Ones
Tuscaloosa Crimson Tide

Dark Horse: Maracaibo Marksmen

Prediction: Chosen Ones over Coral Springs Golf Carts


Azure River League

With the folding of the Kurokage franchise, Azure River looks wide open for a new team to crown as champions. With the Charlotte Magic’s decision to transfer to the league, they will present other teams competing with a difficult benchmark to surpass, or let alone defeat. With a display case of 8 league titles and 2 World Series championships accumulated over the course of the last decade, the Magic don’t seem to show any signs of stopping. They sport one of the best rotations and lineups in the league, not to mention one of the deepest farm systems imaginable. Nonetheless, there are still teams that will attempt to spar with one of most prolific teams on Franchise Ball in recent memory. Watch out for the Tacoma Raging Dicks, Victoria BATTALION, Philadelphia FISH TOWN, Chicago Nellore Sox, and Suwon Hugo Eagles as they make a postseason push.

Contenders:

Charlotte Magic
Philadelphia FISH TOWN
Victoria BATTALION

Dark Horse: Chicago Nellore Sox

Prediction: Charlotte Magic over Tacoma Raging Dicks


Thunder Pass League

The Boston Wolfhounds shocked everyone with their immaculate run to the World Series, becoming the first team to do so in their inaugural season of competition. Despite the heartbreak of losing on baseball’s biggest stage, Boston looks locked and loaded for another run. The Wolfhounds also attracted elite competition following their stellar season. Enter in the Edmonton Nightcrawlers, who transferred over from Delta Premier. Gunning for a 12th straight divisional title, Edmonton means business in their pursuit of a championship, which has slipped out of their hands twice since their return in Season 149 and as recently as Season 160 to none other than the Pinkies. The Wolfhounds & Crawlers potential rivalry will be one to watch out for this season. Even though other formidable teams are sparse in this new league, some other squads to watch for include the Ann Arbor Diggers, St. Petersburg Nibblers, and Albuquerque Black Bears.

Contenders:

Boston Wolfhounds
Edmonton Nightcrawlers
St. Petersburg Nibblers

Dark Horse: Albuquerque Black Bears

Prediction: Boston Wolfhounds over Edmonton Nightcrawlers


Now for the Season 162 World Playoffs picks! As always with a great slate of champions, anything can happen in worlds, but one thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of adrenaline or intensity when it all comes down to the wire. Here are your predictions for the World Playoffs.


Season 162 World Series Predictions

World Champion

Toronto Masters

World Series

New York Dads vs Toronto Masters

League Champions:

Alpha Ruby: Baltimore Oriole
Ocean Star: Dayton Blacksox
Alta Canyon: New York Silver Surfers
Theta Premier: New York Dads
Epsilon Peak: Ocala Coalition
Delta Premier: Pasadena Pinkies
Silver Sunset: Detroit DC Ver Gotas
Sigma Glacier: Toronto Masters
Luma Horizon: Minneapolis Moxostoma Mayhem
Spectra Falls: Omaha Molotovs
Wild Cherry: Chosen Ones
Azure River: Charlotte Magic
Thunder Pass: Boston Wolfhounds

Contenders:

New York Dads
Toronto Masters
Charlotte Magic
Ocala Coalition
Pasadena Pinkies

Dark Horses:

New York Silver Surfers
Chosen Ones
Korean Domain Teams

That’s a wrap on the Season 162 preview! Thank you for reading this far and let us know who you think will win your league this season below in the comments.

Good luck to all teams competing this season and may the best one win it all!