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 The Cardinals: The Card's open up the '08 season as the defending champs and are heavy favorites to repeat.
With a rotation that is one of the strongest in the league, it's hard to see them lose. Besides an intimidating rotation,
they can also hit for power. Jesse Horwedel led the league with most hits (36) and rookie Zac Longo smacked seven long
balls. Not only do they have a great offense, their defense is one of the best as well. Kyle McKelvey and Zac
Longo make the tough plays look easy, and even the big man at first base (Conor Hart) has great hands. Even if you think
you hit the ball into the gap, the Horwedel brothers have great speed to close the distance.
They'll
win the division if... Kyle McKelvey is in the rotation. Kyle really is the key to their success. His stuff is electric
and in order for the Cards to make another run at the championship they need him at every game. If Kyle is not available,
the Card's become a very average team on the mound. They don't have another reliable pitcher besides Zac Longo.  The Colt .45's: The Colt .45's could be a dark horse in the Lamb West. In order to win in this league you
need to have great starting pitching. Well, the .45's have a very talented southpaw in Eric Verhayden. He was roughed up early
in the season but rebounded to pitch quality games against high caliber teams later in the year. Due to a lack of run support
he wasn't able to pick up a win in the regular season, but did showcase a dominant slider in the playoffs. Eric carries the
weight of his team on his shoulders, unless someone else steps up and can pitch for them. They'll win the
division if... Verhayden wins at least 5 or 6 games minimum. The .45's also need a reliable #2 starter. It would
also help if Kevin Bourassa finds his offensive groove again; the same groove that gave him the batting title back
in '06.
 The Expos: The good old Expos. The 2008 Expos come into the season in a rebuilding mode, after all their
best players left via free agency. After Courtney Weller won captain of the year in '07 for improving her team, all
her wiffleball studs left to form the Athletics. Weller still has most of her team intact though, but it will be difficult
to win in a tough division. They face an uphill battle from the start to the end of the season. They'll win
the division if... well, it should actually say "They'll win a game if....". Not to knock on the Expos, they're
one of the best teams to play against, but they simply don't have the pitching or hitting to compete in this division. With
that being said, they still were responsible for the greatest upset in HFWB history last year. Nick Bove beat the powerful Yankees in the first game of the playoffs. So don't underestimate
the Expos, or you may fall victim just like the Yankees did.
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