[StLee]

Analysis

The 2297 season is now three-quarters done and one division winner is on the brink of clinching a playoff berth. One other division leader is not far away. The other two divisions are wide open for not only the division title but who might make the playoffs.

Let's look at the one division where any team can finish the season anywhere in the division order, the Institute League. With just 15 games left to play, there is a three-way tie for fourth place, which is last place. However, those three teams--the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud, Sunshine Tidings Chemists, and Abernathy Adamantium--are only four games behind division leader Starlight, which has been struggling as of late. However, the Lady Killers found a way to win the series aagainst Concord, thus putting them back in first place despite their terrible start to the second half of the season.

Looking at the three at the bottom, let's look how they might find themselves in the 2297 playoffs. First, win every series from here on out. Or, if they drop one, sweep another. First remaining weekend scheules:

Fort Hagen: vs Abernathy, vs Lexington, at Abernathy, at Sunshine Tidings, at Concord

Sunshine Tidings: at Concord, at Starlight, at Concord, vs Fort Hagen, at Lexington

Abernathy: at Fort Hagen, vs Concord, vs Fort Hagen, vs Lexington, at Starlight

Advantage: Fort Hagen. The Shroud avoids the Lady Killers and play three series against the bottom three. Winning those series and finding a way to win at least one of their series versus the Synths and Radstags.

Disadvantage: Sunshine Tidings. The Chemists have a bad late-season draw of finishing the season with four of their five series away from home. Not only that, but the Chemists play all of those road series against the top three teams. They have been the hottest team in the IL, though, and if they stay hot, they could irradiate the league waters more.

Wildcard: Abernathy. The Adamantium were there before, so they already have shown they know how to win. After winning the IL in 2296, the Adamantium had a horrible start to the 2297 season. Yet, here they are. Next weekend's trip to Fort Hagen will show better which of those teams stay in the race and which will be futher behind in the league race. That series will be the featured matchup in the IL for the BNN.

The Brotherhood League is more of a battle for second place with Salem currently six games out of the playoff race and The Slog at least five games up on every other team in the league. Finch Farm, County Crossing, and Easy Town are all currently tied for second, and Nordhagen Beach is just two games back after a surprising sweep of the Ghouls. Here are the schedules of the current Fab Four.

Finch Farm: at Nordhagen Beach, at Salem, vs Nordhagen Beach, at Easy Town, vs County Crossing

County Crossing: at The Slog, at Nordhagen Beach, at The Slog, vs Salem, at Finch Farm

Easy Town: at Salem, vs The Slog, vs Salem, vs Finch Farm, at Nordhagen Beach

Nordhagen Beach: vs Finch Farm, vs County Crossing, at Finch Farm, at The Slog, vs Easy Town

Advantage: Finch Farm. The Four Leafs play the next three series against 5th place Nordhagen Beach and 6th place Salem. Winning those three series should put them immediately ahead of the rest of the teams who would have to each beat the Leafs. The one hang up is that Finch Farm is the second-worst road team in the BL with a 6-15 record away from Finch Family Park.

Disadvantage: County Crossing. The Bloodbugs play 4 of their next 5 series on the road, including two trips to The Slog and one trip to Nordhagen Beach where they have not had much success. The road weariness to end the season may kick in and they will have to pay for not winning enough games at home before starting this run will likely put them out of it.

Wildcard: Nordhagen Beach. The Party Boys still have to make up two games versus the other three teams, but 4 of their series are against these three teams. Win all of those series, and they will be picking off their competition towards second place.