[Magus978]

Magus-team review going into the playoff push. I will also post my thoughts on their tournament aspirations (if any).

New York Patriots (G324): 66-68, 4th in AC Central. While technically still within striking distance for a wildcard, the Patriots seem to have no desire to succeed and are happy to stay in gold and be irrelevant. This is one of many teams I've simply moved on from. We'll try again in PT21 as part of the BFF group.

Brooklyn Dynasty (P443): 52-81, 4th in NC West. After selling TOTY Yelich and investing it way too irresponsibly (packs), the Dynasty have floundered. However, they've held their own in the second half and are fairly certain that they will not be relegated.

Connor Joe Appreciation Society (S353, Meme): 73-61, 1st in NC West. Consistency has been the name of the game for the past two months, as the Appreciation Society made their move into 1st place in the division. Team mascot Connor Joe (.228, 8 HR, 45 RBI) is having his best year ever, posting a -0.5 WAR when he usually posts -2 WAR or worse.

Blitzkrieg Boppers (P443): 59-74, 3rd in AC East. The retooling is finally on for the Boppers, who have put 99 Jackie Robinson & 99 SE Rickey Henderson on the market. Whale Hell has not been kind to the Boppers, who are eagerly traveling on the road to nowhere.

Northeast Corridor Capitals (G324): 71-63, 2nd in NC East. The combined efforts of Hughie Jennings (.308, 8 HR, 79 RBI) & Eddie Collins (.329, 11 HR, 68 RBI) are helping keep the Capitals in the race. Their pitching is awful, and there's not much they can do about that unless they sell one of the big pieces, which isn't happening.

Metuchen Mariners (P437): 80-55, 1st in AC Central. For the first time ever, the Mariners have a championship-caliber pitching staff, and despite their mini-slide as of late, they are in position to make a real run at a title (barring unjustified acts of RNGjesus). There was recently an exception made to this pack-only team, allowing them to buy SE cards that are not in packs. They took full advantage, buying 97 Smoky Joe Wood for 50k and bolstering the back of their starting rotation even more. If they figure out how to win those one-run games, the Metuchen Mariners could be the ones holding a perfect league title come Sunday night.

Nico-Nico Kneecappers (D380): 68-66, 2nd in NC West. It's been a very inconsistent season for the Kneecappers, who have followed up successful months of 18-9 (May) & 15-8 (July) with 9-17 (June) & 13-16 (August), and are not getting off on the right foot in September. What it all adds up to is a team that's probably going to fade into irrelevance as today's games wear on, meaning another week at diamond for #1 SuperIdol Nico Yazawa and her famous baseball friends.

St. John's Steelheads (S324, Pack-Only): 84-50, 2nd in NC Central. I don't know what to make of the Steelheads this week. The records and stats are pretty good, but they just cannot get into a division-winning position. Something for one reason or another is letting them down, and it's a bad sign when I can't think of the reason for it. They will have to be content with a wildcard.

Steelport Saints (P443): 80-55, 2nd in AC East. Landing in Whale Hell was not ideal for the Saints coming off of an LCS appearance in their first perfect season, but it has gone surprisingly well for them as they've feasted on the teams they're supposed to beat and not embarrassing themselves against the megawhales (7-14). Thanks to that, Steelport are cruising to a WC2 and a date with Matt Arnold's Nomadic Developers, who have simply kicked the Saints to the curb all season. They will hope for a weaker league next week for a shot at a title.

Staten Island Silverbacks (I161, BFF): 77-58, 3rd in AC West. For the past two seasons, the Silverbacks have had epic collapses to miss out on the playoffs. It's believed they got that out of the way in May, but an 18-8 run in August has brought them back into the race. However, they are not focused on promotion...instead, they are focusing on being the best they can be for silver & lower tournaments.

Baron Red Wings (B208, Pack-Only): 93-43, 1st in AC Central. Having already clinched at worst a wildcard spot, the Red Wings have their eye firmly towards not just a division title, but a second championship in as many seasons. Jacob deGrom (16-6, 2.42) is in the hunt for a triple crown, while big pack acquisition 2019 All Star Mike Trout (.261, 20 HR, 65 RBI) leads a dominant lineup that is far too good for this level.

Brooklyn Blackhearts (I201): 82-53, 1st in NC West. Pack luck has not been with the Blackhearts, but they've been able to move into 1st thanks to an offense that won't stop hitting. If they hit like they've have all season, promotion to bronze isn't an unrealistic possibility.