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 March 10, 2010

2009 California League Second Half Predictions


Is a repeat of the first half in store?


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Thanks to a couple of trips associated with book signings, and a jammed packed calendar, I am a little late in getting out my thoughts on the second half of the season in the California League.  That’s not to say I haven’t appreciated to the extra week to see how teams are doing to start the second half.  Bakersfield, for example, seemed to be on fire at the end of the first half, causing one to ponder how they would fare for the rest of the season (they have gone 2-4 so far in the second half).  Meanwhile, Visalia dropped from first to third in the last few days of the first half, after leading almost the entire way.  This downward spiral seems to be past them (they went 4-2 so far).  Of course, one week does not make half a season, but it can’t hurt to see if the hot teams have stayed hot or the cold teams have stayed cold.

Following are my picks for the second half of the California League season.

North

Predicted winner:  San Jose.  The Giants were my pick for the first half of the season.  Midway through the first half, even just three weeks ago, that seemed unlikely.  Nevertheless, they pulled out a fifth straight first half title at the very end.  They have stayed hot to start the second half with a 5-1 record.  I like them going forward, although expect stiff competition from Modesto.

Also watch:  Modesto.  They were my sleeper for the first half of the season, and they fought San Jose neck and neck for second in the north until San Jose leap-frogged them on their way to take over first place.  Look for another good fight in the second half.

Sleeper:  Visalia.  With the kind of start they have had, you may be wondering how I could call them a sleeper.  Yet Visalia’s collapse, including a four game sweep by Bakersfield, could have many people counting them out.  They shouldn’t.  This team has proven they can get hot.  A few good winning streaks could propel them back into first.

South

Predicted winner:  High Desert.  I didn’t see this coming.  The best record in the California League through the season belongs to the Mavericks, who have put on an offensive clinic.  Riding star in the making James McOwen’s hit streak and .336 average, little seems to be able to stop the Mavericks hitters.  It would seem the only way to beat the Mavericks is to have an even bigger offensive output.  The team best positioned to do that appears to be Lake Elsinore.

 Also watch: Lake Elsinore.  The Storm have scored an incredible 58 runs through the first six games of the second half, more even than High Deserts amazing 57 runs.  Granted, 33 of those Storm runs came in one game, against High Desert, who scored 18 runs.  Still, Lake Elsinore seems to be scoring of late.  That’s what is need to beat the Mavericks.

Sleeper: Inland Empire.  My preseason pick to take the first half, Inland Empire hovered in third place most of the first half of the season.  Like a cat waiting to pounce, this team seems to have enough talent to break through and surprise people, especially if either High Desert or Lake Elsinore should falter.


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