ALL DECADE LEAGUE PREVIEW

Thank you for sticking with me through the release of all 30 teams "All Decade Showdown Teams".... with a total of 540 cards on those 30 teams!!! Next up for me -- playing out a season with those All Decade teams! This post is going to serve as a massive preview, complete with divisional breakdowns, point breakdowns, power rankings, and predictions from this blog's "experts" and some guest experts! Of course, we can't do a preview of a league without podcasting about it, so listen to us nerd out and make predictions that'll undoubtedly be proven wrong right here:

Check out our podcast on the league here!!

 Potential NL All Star Outfield for the All Decade league???

(Also these "small" images are full sized if you open the image in a new tab!)

If you have your thoughts about this season, let us know in the comments below!! And fear not -- plenty of amazing cards are going to be featured throughout the post to break up the monotony of power rankings and predictions :)

POWER RANKINGS
This is purely the "computer" rankings based on the strength of each team's best (1) hitters; (2) starting pitchers; (3) bullpen players in comparison to the other teams in Showdown! So it's a little more intensive than purely comparing teams based on points, but tracks it pretty well. However, it's interesting how depth occasionally pushes a lower "overall points" team ahead in the computer rankings. Without further ado, here's how the "computer" says that teams all stack up:

OVERALL (Team Points)

1.  Los Angeles Dodgers (8010)
2.  Washington Nationals (7670)
3.  New York Yankees (7920)
4.  Boston Red Sox (7770)
5.  Milwaukee Brewers (7790)
6.  Houston Astros (7420)
7.  Arizona Diamondbacks (7210)
8.  Tampa Bay Rays (7060)
9.  Philadelphia Phillies (7200)
10.  Cincinnati Reds (7220)
11.  Texas Rangers (7070)
12.  Colorado Rockies (7090)
13.  Chicago Cubs (7000)
14.  Toronto Blue Jays (7140)
15.  New York Mets (7230)
16.  Minnesota Twins (6910)
17.  Cleveland Indians (6880)
18.  Los Angels Angels (6870)
19.  Miami Marlins (6750)
20.  St. Louis Cardinals (6710)
21.  Chicago White Sox (6740)
22.  Atlanta Braves (6790)
23.  Detroit Tigers (6710)
24.  San Francisco Giants (6800)
25.  Seattle Mariners (6880)
26.  Pittsburgh Pirates (6670)
27.  Baltimore Orioles (6830)
28.  Oakland A's (6670)
29.  San Diego Padres (6510) 
30.  Kansas City Royals (6570)

The Power Rankings think that Dodgers-Yankees world series is finally happening!

HITTING (Point total)

1. Boston Red Sox (4590)
2. New York Yankees (4420)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (4340)
4. Milwaukee Brewers (4330)
5. Minnesota Twins (4270)
6. Arizona Diamondbacks (4180)
7. Colorado Rockies (4130)
8. Washington Nationals (4200)
9. Toronto Blue Jays (4040)
10. Cincinnati Reds (3990)
11. Chicago Cubs (3990)
12. Texas Rangers (3990)
13. Houston Astros (3930)
14. Chicago White Sox (3870)
15. Miami Marlins (3920)
16. New York Mets (3880)
17. Philadelphia Phillies (3900)
18. Los Angeles Angels (3810)
19. Cleveland Indians (3690)
20. St. Louis Cardinals (3720)
21. Tampa Bay Rays (3660)
22. Baltimore Orioles (3630)
23. Detroit Tigers (3630)
24. Atlanta Braves (3630)
25. San Diego Padres (3660)
26. Oakland A's (3550)
27. San Francisco Giants (3500)
28. Seattle Mariners (3540)
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (3380)
30. Kansas City Royals (3330)

 I mean, when you've got three absolute studs (and 7 OB 10 or better) hitters leading the way,

your team deserves the #1 lineup ranking

PITCHING (ranking by rotation and bullpen -- lower the points, better the team)

1.  Rays (36)

2.  Nationals (50)

3.  Royals (56)

3.  Dodgers (56)

5.  Braves (57)

6.  Yankees (58)

7.  Pirates (60)

7.  Cardinals (60)

9.  Brewers (61)

10.  Giants (63)

10.  Astros (63)

10.  Orioles (63)

10.  Indians (63)

14.  Red Sox (64)

15.  Rangers (65)

16.  Phillies (66)

17.  A's (68)

18.  Tigers (70)

18.  Cubs (70)

20.  Mariners (72)

21.  Marlins (73)

22.  DBacks (74)

23.  Mets (75)

23.  Reds (75)

25.  Rockies (76)

26.  Padres (77)

26.  Angels (77)

28.  Blue Jays (79)

29.  White Sox (79)

30.  Twins (93)

Top Ten "Top of Lineups"

1. Brewers (1860 points)
2. Yankees (1810 points)
3. Diamondbacks (1790 points)
4. Red Sox (1760 points)
5. Blue Jays (1740 points)
6. Dodgers (1740 points)
7. Washington (1730 points)
8. Astros (1710 points)
9. Rockies (1710 points)
10. Twins (1670 points)

 

 We've seen a lot of the Brewers/Yankees lineups, so shout out to the under-appreciated 

Arizona Diamondbacks lineup, featuring some great speed/power combos and 50 HR power JD

Rotations Over 2250 Points

1. Dodgers (2440)
2. Mariners (2410)
3. Mets (2400)
4. Phillies (2330)
5. Astros (2320)
6. Nationals (2320)
7. Angels (2290)
8. Rays (2280)
9. Indians (2280)
10. Pirates (2250)
11. Tigers (2250)
12. Giants (2250)

And just to be thorough, the teams with the best 1-2 punches to start the rotation 

(aka only teams with TWO Tier 1 starters) 

Top Ten Bullpens by Tier

1.  Rays (3!!!)

2.  Royals (5)
2.  Nationals (5)
4.  Orioles (6)
4.  Yankees (6)
4.  Braves (6)
7.  Red Sox (7)

7.  Rangers (7)

7.  Brewers (7)

7.  Dodgers (7)

7.  Padres (7)

 Reminder that the Rays have TWO Tier 0 pitchers at the end of the bullpen

Top Ten Rotations by Control

1.  Rays (24)
2.  Cubs (23)
3.  Angels (22)

3.  Nationals (22)

3.  Brewers (22)

3.  Cardinals (22)

7.  Pirates (21)

7.  Giants (21)

7.  Yankees (21)

7.  Orioles (21)

7.  Indians (21)

7.  Rockies (21)

 The "Control 6 only" brigade

Top Ten Bullpens by Control

1.  Cardinals (29)
2.  Orioles (27)
2.  Rays (27)
2.  Pirates (27)
5.  Tigers (26)
5.  A's (26)
5.  Yankees (26)
5.  Astros (26)
9.  Braves (25)
9.  Dodgers (25)
9.  Rangers (25)

Just a taste of the dominate high-control arms in Baltimore's arsenal!

600 Point Hitters

1. 2019 Mike Trout (690 points)
2. 2011 Matt Kemp (650 points)
3. 2011 Curtis Granderson (650 points)
4. 2010 Jose Bautista (650 points)
5. 2011 Ryan Bruan (640 points)
6. 2010 Albert Pujols (640 points)
7. 2015 Bryce Harper (640 points)
8. 2014 Andrew McCutchin (630 points)
9. 2019 Christian Yelich (630 points)
10. 2010 Joey Votto (630 points)
11. 2017 Charlie Blackmon (620 points)
12. 2012 Miguel Cabrera (620 points)
13. 2019 Alex Bregman (620 points)
14. 2017 Giancarlo Stanton (620 points)
15. 2017 Aaron Judge (620 points)
16. 2018 Mookie Betts (610 points)
17. 2013 Paul Goldschmidt (610 points)
18. 2019 Cody Bellinger (600 points)
19. 2009 Chase Utley (600 points)
20. 2019 Ketel Marte (600 points)
21. 2013 Chris Davis (600 points)

All hail the king!

Tier 1 Starters

1. 2015 Zack Grienke (700 points)
2. 2018 Jacob DeGrom (670 points)
3. 2011 Justin Verlander (670 points)
4. 2014 Clayton Kershaw (660 points)
5. 2017 Corey Kluber (660 points)
6. 2015 Jake Arrieta (640 points)
7. 2011 Roy Halladay (630 points)
8. 2018 Blake Snell (630 points)
9. 2018 Chris Sale (620 points)
10. 2013 Hisashi Iwakuma (610 points)
11. 2013 Matt Harvey (600 points)
12. 2014 Doug Fister (600 points)
13. 2010 Josh Johnson (600 points)
14. 2019 Tyler Glasnow (530 points)
15. 2015 Johnny Cueto (500 points)

Colby always had a Tier 1, Control 6 with two doubles in his sets

and, people forget, that includes this awesome Iwakuma card!!

Tier Zero Relievers

1. 2017 Kenley Jansen (290 points)
2. 2016 Zach Britton (290 points)
3. 2018 Sean Doolittle (280 points)
4. 2010 Joaquim Benoit (270 points)
5. 2015 Wade Davis (230 points)
6. 2013 Koji Uehera (230 points) 
7. 2012 Fernando Rodney (230 points)

As if the Dodgers needed another weapon lol

EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Standings Predictions
Peter:
AL East
(1) Rays
(2) Yankees**
(3) Blue Jays
(4) Red Sox
(5) Orioles

AL Central
(1) Tigers
(2) Twins
(3) Indians
(4) Royals
(5) White Sox

AL West
(1) Rangers
(2) Astros**
(3) Mariners
(4) Angels
(5) A's

NL East
(1) Phillies
(2) Mets
(3) Marlins
(4) Nationals
(5) Braves

NL Central
(1) Brewers
(2) Cubs**
(3) Reds
(4) Pirates
(5) Cardinals

NL West
(1) DBacks
(2) Dodgers**
(3) Rockies
(4) Giants
(5) Padres

Bob:
AL East
(1) Red Sox
(2) Yankees**
(3) Rays
(4) Blue Jays
(5) Orioles

AL Central
(1) Indians
(2) Twins
(3) White Sox
(4) Tigers
(5) Royals

AL West
(1) Astros
(2) Rangers**
(3) A's
(4) Mariners
(5) Angels

NL East
(1) Nationals
(2) Braves**
(3) Phillies
(4) Mets
(5) Marlins

NL Central
(1) Cubs
(2) Brewers**
(3) Pirates
(4) Cardinals
(5) Reds

NL West
(1) Dodgers
(2) DBacks
(3) Giants
(4) Rockies
(5) Padres

Matt:
AL East
(1) Red Sox
(2) Rays**
(3) Yankees
(4) Blue Jays
(5) Orioles

AL Central
(1) Indians
(2) Royals**
(3) Tigers
(4) Twins
(5) White Sox

AL West
(1) Astros
(2) A's
(3) Rangers
(4) Angels
(5) Mariners

NL East
(1) Nationals
(2) Mets**
(3) Phillies
(4) Marlins
(5) Braves

NL Central
(1) Cubs
(2) Brewers**
(3) Cardinals
(4) Reds
(5) Pirates

NL West
(1) Dodgers
(2) Giants
(3) DBacks
(4) Rockies
(5) Padres

"Computer": 
AL East
(1) Yankees
(2) Red Sox**
(3) Rays
(4) Blue Jays
(5) Orioles

AL Central
(1) Indians
(2) Twins
(3) Tigers
(4) White Sox
(5) Royals

AL West
(1) Astros
(2) Rangers**
(3) Mariners
(4) A's
(5) Angels

NL East
(1) Nationals
(2) Phillies**
(T-3) Braves
(T-3) Mets
(5) Marlins

NL Central
(1) Brewers
(2) Reds**
(3) Cubs
(4) Cardinals
(5) Pirates

NL West
(1) Dodgers
(2) Rockies
(3) DBacks
(T-4) Giants
(T-4) Padres

Kyle:
AL East
(1) Red Sox
(2) Rays**
(3) Yankees
(4) Blue Jays
(5) Orioles

AL Central
(1) Twins
(2) Indians
(3) White Sox
(4) Tigers
(5) Royals

AL West
(1) Astros
(2) Rangers**
(3) Angels
(4) A's
(5) Mariners

NL East
(1) Phillies
(2) Nationals**
(3) Mets
(4) Braves
(5) Marlins

NL Central
(1) Brewers
(2) Cubs**
(3) Cardinals
(4) Reds
(5) Pirates

NL West
(1) Dodgers
(2) Rockies
(3) DBacks
(4) Giants
(5) Padres

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Peter:
AL WILD CARD: Astros defeat Yankees
NL WILD CARD: Cubs defeat Dodgers

ALDS: (1) Texas Rangers over (4) Houston Astros
             (3) Tampa Bay Rays over (2) Detroit Tigers

NLDS:  (4) Chicago Cubs over (1) Arizona Diamondbacks
             (3) Philadelphia Phillies over (2) Milwaukee Brewers

ALCS: (1) Texas Rangers over (3) Tampa Bay Rays

NLCS:  (3) Philadelphia Phillies over (4) Chicago Cubs

WORLD SERIES CHAMP: Texas Rangers over Philadelphia Phillies

The first Showdown league that my friends and I played with modern cards, the ones first made by Colby, was when we ordered the 2011 and 2012 sets from him. This exact world series transpired. Nearly a decade has passed since we were playing Showdown in Schurz Hall at Mizzou in spring of 2012, but here we go again -- Texas v. Philly, destiny has decried it so ;)

Bob:
AL WILD CARD: Yankees over Rangers
NL WILD CARD: Brewers over Braves

ALDS: (1) Red Sox over (4) Yankees
             (2) Astros over (3) Indians

NLDS:  (1) Dodgers over (4) Brewers
             (2) Cubs over (3) Nationals

ALCS: (1) Red Sox over (2) Astros

NLCS:  (2) Cubs over (1) Dodgers

WORLD SERIES CHAMP: Chicago Cubs over Boston Red Sox

Matt:
AL WILD CARD: Rays over Royals
NL WILD CARD: Brewers over Mets

ALDS: (1) Astros over (4) Rays
             (2) Red Sox over (3) Indians

NLDS:  (1) Dodgers over (4) Brewers
             (3) Cubs v. (2) Nationals

ALCS: (1) Astros over (2) Red Sox

NLCS:  (1) Dodgers over (3) Cubs

WORLD SERIES CHAMP: Dodgers over Astros

"Computer":
AL WILD CARD: Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers
NL WILD CARD: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds

ALDS: (1) Houston Astros vs. (4) Boston Red Sox
             (2) New York Yankees vs. (3) Cleveland Indians

NLDS:  (1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (4) Philadelphia Phillies
             (2) Milwaukee Brewers vs. (3) Washington Nationals

ALCS: (2) New York Yankees v. (4) Boston Red Sox

NLCS:  (1) Los Angeles Dodgers v. (3) Washington Nationals

WORLD SERIES CHAMP: LOS ANGELES DODGERS over Boston Red Sox

That's right, despite not winning a World Series in the decade, the Computer thinks the Dodgers will claim the championship in the All Decade league over the two-time 2010s Champ Boston Red Sox!

Kyle:
AL WILD CARD: Rangers defeat Rays
NL WILD CARD: Nationals defeat Cubs

ALDS: (4) Texas Rangers over (1) Houston Astros
             (2) Boston Red Sox over (3) Minnesota Twins

NLDS:  (1) Los Angeles Dodgers over (4) Washington Nationals
             (2) Philadelphia Phillies over (3) Milwaukee Brewers

ALCS: (4) Texas Rangers over (2) Boston Red Sox

NLCS:  (2) Philadelphia Phillies over (1) Los Angeles Dodgers

WORLD SERIES CHAMP: Philadelphia Phillies over Texas Rangers

Hilariously, Kyle and I both put the Phillies and Rangers in the World Series (like our first ever simulation)! Kyle's thoughts on his picks:

"The rangers win every time we simulate! It's the Phillies turn. I mean it's a total toss up with this many good teams, but I like their depth in the lineup and high control starting pitching."

Side note -- really hoping that, if this comes to pass, we get some Hamels v. Hamels and Lee v. Lee match-ups!

AWARD PREDICTIONS
Peter:
NL MVP: Christian Yelich, Brewers
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels, Phillies
AL Cy Young: Tyler Glasnow, Rays

NL Reliever of Year: Archie Bradley, DBacks
AL Reliever of Year: Joe Nathan, Rangers

AL Surprise Team: Blue Jays (and Red Sox, in a bad way)
NL Surprise Team: Diamondbacks

Silver Sluggers:
C Joe Mauer, Twins
1B Joey Votto, Reds
2B Chase Utley, Phillies
SS Jose Reyes, Mets
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
LF JD Martinez, DBacks
CF Bryce Harper, Nationals
RF Christian Yelich, Brewers
DH Yordan Alvarez, Astros

Matt:
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
AL MVP: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays

NL Cy Young: Zach Grienke, Dodgers
AL Cy Young: Corey Kluber, Indians

NL Reliever of Year: Aroldis Chapman, Cubs
AL Reliever of Year: Andrew Miller, Indians

AL Surprise Team: Royals
NL Surprise Team: Giants

Silver Sluggers:
C Mitch Garver, Twins
1B Paul Goldschmidt, DBacks
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
SS Trevor Story, Rockies
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
LF Christian Yelich, Brewers
CF Mike Trout, Angels
RF Mookie Betts, Red Sox
DH Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

"Computer":
NL MVP: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
AL MVP: Alex Bregman, Astros

NL Cy Young: Zach Grienke, Dodgers
AL Cy Young: Corey Kluber, Indians

NL Reliever of Year: Sean Doolittle, Nationals
AL Reliever of Year: Andrew Miller, Indians

AL Surprise Team: Seattle Mariners
NL Surprise Team: Cincinnati Reds

Silver Sluggers:
C  Joe Mauer, Twins
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B Chase Utley, Phillies
SS Xander Boegarts, Red Sox
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
LF Mookie Betts, Red Sox
CF Matt Kemp, Dodgers
RF Christian Yelich, Brewers
DH Mitch Garver, Twins

 

Kyle:
NL MVP: Christian Yelich, Brewers
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
AL Cy Young: Blake Snell, Rays

AL Surprise Team: Twins
NL Surprise Team: Cardinals

Silver Sluggers:
C Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B Jim Thome, Twins
2B Jose Altuve, Astros
SS Jose Reyes, Mets
3B Nolan Arenado, Rockies
LF JD Martinez, Red Sox
CF Mike Trout, Angels
RF Christian Yelich, Brewers
DH Rhys Hoskins, Phillies

 

Kyle and I can both agree -- Jose Reyes 2011 is the best value card ever created for Showdown! ABSOLUTE STUD!!!

Well, if you stuck through to the end, you're a true fan (or love the pictures sprinkled throughout)... Either way, let us know any predictions you have for the All Decade season and stay tuned for updates as I start to play the year out!!! Should be an incredible and competitive ride!