WRVR – COUNTY CROSSING BLOODBUGS (11-13) AT THE SLOG GHOULS (13-11)
KNOW THE STARS
CC: LF Tom Mastodon – The Brotherhood League leader in batting average, the Bloodbugs' leadoff hitter has been the best overall batter for his team. He is also third on the team in home runs (3) and second in RBI (21).
SLOG: SP Edwin Mass – Mass has been a great ace for the Ghouls, going 5-2 on the season with a 3.86 ERA. For The Slog to have success, it is important for Mass to get a Game One win for the team, giving the Ghouls the boost they need to take the series.
PLAYER VS PLAYER – GAME ONE LINEUPS AND STARTING PITCHERS
TEAM ANALYSIS
County Crossing is in 5th place in the BL, mostly because they seem to struggle at the plate and on the mound. The Bloodbugs are 4th in runs scored (144) and last in home runs (19). While Mastodon and Joel Carrotflower are hitting well at the top of the lineup, shortstop Clint Bragman is the only other player on the team batting over .300. The Bloodbugs need to be much better on offense to move into playoff position.
The Bloodbugs seem to be doing better with the 2nd best bullpen ERA and 5th-best starter ERA in the BL. However, the Bloodbugs are worst in the BL in runs allowed with 167 runs. None of the three starters--Front Porch Potter, Bad Company Grognak, and Blaine Phrasemaker--have been able to consistently win, so they have depended on players like closer William Whitehurst to help when the starters cannot maintain a lead.
It seems like The Slog should have a huge lead in the BL since the team leads the league in runs scored (164) and runs allowed (137). Led by Millioncap Go, the offense has been pretty good up and down the lineup, perhaps except for 1B Nick Homebody (.091/0/0). It seems a dead body could do better than Homebody. That is why Go has been forced to start at first base rather than his natural position in the outfield.
Somehow, the combination of the league's 3rd-best starter staff and 4th-best bullpen combine to lead the BL in runs allowed. Behind Mass, Gary Estate (3-2, 5.94) and Sage Monticello (2-3, 5.45) have been solid, too, giving the Ghouls a chance to go into any late portion of the game with a lead. That gives relievers David Pitones or Kent Rutledge a chance to pull off a victory.
PREDICTIONS
Ghouls 8, Bloodbugs 4
Bloodbugs 7, Ghouls 6
Ghouls 11, Bloodbugs 7
CBO FULL SCHEDULE
