2008 PL Predictions

This is so tough to pick because all three playoff teams had problems over the off season (Nippon Ham losing Hillman, Lotte's bullpen defections to MLB, SoftBank's injuries) while all three teams in the bottom half helped themselves with free-agency pickups or draft picks. My best guess is this:

1. Nippon Ham
2. Lotte
3. Rakuten
4. Seibu
5. SoftBank
6. Orix

The main reason I have SoftBank so low is because of the injuries to Wada and Saitoh. Wada might not be out for long, but Saitoh will. Nor am I sold on Seibu's starting rotation other than Wakui.

(You could say the same about Rakuten not having any pitchers other than Ma-kun that stand out, but Seibu, SoftBank, and Rakuten all look the same for as long as Saitoh and Wada are out.)

So that leaves us with Nippon Ham and Lotte. Nippon Ham lost a DH that didn't perform that well in 2007, and Lotte lost their entire late-inning bullpen. IMO losing the closer and setup man will hurt more; the Fighters still have Darvish, and it's not like Hichori/Kensuke/Inaba are chopped liver (despite how the Dragons made them look in the Japan Series - just kidding! )

NHK presented its predictions today. They were

1. Lotte
2. SoftBank
3. Orix
4. Rakuten
5. Nippon Ham
6. Seibu

They seemed to feel that Orix's combination of LaRocca, Rhodes, and Cabrera would help. Furthermore, the pitcher Kaneko would be a big factor. Note this is NHK's view not mine (I have no opinion).