Updated Playoff Tree
#1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (67-41) vs #5 The Slog Ghouls (61-47)
Season Series: Nordhagen Beach 7, The Slog 5
April 27-29 @NB: NB 5-4, NB 7-2, NB 6-4
June 1-3 @NB: NB 4-3, Slog 10-1, Slog 6-4
June 8-10 @Slog: NB 6-2, Slog 9-8, NB 8-0
August 3-5 @Slog: NB 7-4, Slog 4-1, Slog 5-2
Nordhagen Beach Home Page
The Slog Home Page
Game 1 Matchup
Analysis
Other than in-season injuries that slowed the Party Boys down, including a current injury to one of their top hitter, LF Michael Fogcrawler (.292/19/70), Nordhagen Beach has been one of the best teams all season and BNN's pick to win the 2300 Sole Survivor Series. Offense has only been middle of the pack all season, but 1B Dustin Mart (.282/29/101) has been starcaps in the middle of the lineup. Along with some other good-hitting players like C Mike Swift (.353/2/47), CF Ryan Combs (.310/9/37), and RF Jonathan Angelou (.290/17/60), the Boys can compete with anyone. Where the Party Boys dominate, though, is on the mound. Tops in the NCA in runs against (403) with the 2nd-best Starters ERA (3.32) and 4th-best Bullpen ERA (3.10), Nordhagen Beach is good at holding down its opponents' bats. Once-injured but now health Tommy Beach (9-3, 2.30) and Chet Arthur (15-6, 2.71) have been the best 1-2 starters in the league. Julian Shed (6-6, 2.98) has also found success. CL Matt Breakball (29 SV, 2.82) has been a leader in the bullpen with a lot of help from Sia Abber (3-0, 1.45) and Tom Mannequin (5-2, 3.70).
Prediction
We can guarantee Nordhagen Beach takes Game 1 based on their season series. After that, it will be back and forth. We think the Party Boys will take it, 3 games to 2.