#4 Concord Radstags (64-44) vs #5 The Slog Ghouls (61-47)
Season Series: Concord 4, The Slog 4
April 8-9 @SLOG: Slog 7-4, Con 7-2
May 29-30 @Con: Slog 5-1, Con 9-2
June 19-20 @Slog: Con 10-3, Slog 9-8
August 28-29 @Con: Quin 6-2, Slog 9-8
Concord Home Page
The Slog Home Page
Game 1 Matchup
Analysis
After sniffing the playoffs but ultimately missing out in 2298, the Concord Radstags finally found season-long consistency in 2300, making their first appearance. The Stags have a well-liked manager in Mark Gourdroot who has been a beacon of positive energy throughout this winning season. While the across the board talent is not as good as some of the other teams in the playoffs, the Radstags players fight for their manager each game. Offensively, Concord is a true middle of the pack team, but a lot of that has to do with their one star, Dan Erb. Erb (.359/25/101) won the team Triple Crown. The pitching staff is also middle of the pack, but the bullpen (2.46, 1st in NCA) is much more productive than the starters (4.28, 5th). Chris Radsco (14-9, 3.64) gives the Stags their best pitching chance, while Chopstick McWilliams (5-2, 1.43) and Aaron Still (28 SV, 1.22) help shut down teams late.
The Slog has been a regular to the CBO Playoffs, winning it all in 2296 but exiting quickly in 2299. Dick Tricky is in only his second season as manager, but he has already led the team to two postseason appearances. This season, he wants to win. Unlike the average position of Concord in batting and pitching, the Ghouls are an offensive-heavy team. They are third-best in runs scored and tops in stolen bases. No one truly stands out, but SS Lernz Tentsleep (.250/24/78) is probably their best player. The Ghouls pitching was 11th in Starters ERA (5.35) and 2nd in Bullpen ERA (3.02). Second pitcher Gwinnett Southie (11-9, 4.42) had the most success as a starter, while Floatsam DiPasquale (29 SV, 3.08) was their best bullpen pitcher after Jason Woods (2-0, 1.70) went down.
Prediction
Experience matters, and the Radstags have none. We're picking The Slog to take this one, 2-0.