BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
17 September 2307
CBO Playoff Tree
CBO Playoff Play-In Series Preview
NCA Playoffs - #5 County Crossing Bloodbugs (64-56) vs #4 Starlight Killers (65-55)
Season Series
Starlight 7, County Crossing 1
April 16-17 @Star: Star 5-4, Star 7-4
June 4-5 @CC: Star 6-5, Star 5-2
June 18-19 @Star: Star 10-3, Star 6-5
September 10-11 @CC: Star 2-1, CC 6-5
Analysis
For County Crossing, they are in their seventh-straight playoff appearance, overcoming those first five seasons where they were nowhere close. Last season was the ultimate season for the Bloodbugs as they topped Roxbury in seven games to win their first Sole Survivor Series. Meanwhile, Starlight is making their 6th playoff appearance and second straight as the #4 seed. In their matchups this season, there were several close games, though the Killers took seven of eight to be the Bugs' second biggest enemy on the season. They combined to go 1-15 against both Starlight and Sunshine Tidings, accounting for their lower finish in 2307.
The Bugs had some of their same dominant performers on offense, but they were not as successful throughout the lineup, finishing 3rd in the SCA in runs scored (611). Of course, three players are absolute nightmares for the opposing pitchers: RF Babs Rooth (.328/49/105), 1B Zeldolph Violet (.281/36/101), and SS Cy Thompson (.325/30/72). They struggled at the back end of their lineup, including especially C Jimjames LaFleur (.269/3/40) and 2B Newscap Waldorf (.229/4/18).
Pitching struggled, too, finishing 6th in runs allowed (523) and Starters ERA (4.16), though the bullpen did well (3.78) to finish 1st in ERA. Their most successful pitcher was College Luckyman (15-12, 3.52) who should start Game 1. Ace Gavin Everitts (9-12, 4.01) and SP Matt Hope (9-10, 4.00) ended up with losing records. Everitts broke a seven-year streak of 12+ wins, including a NCA-best 19 in 2306. CL Wick Prater (18 SV, 2.43) led the bullpen but split time as the closer with RP Bobby Carvajal (15 SV, 2.64).
Starlight seems like an anomaly, not being outstanding in any category except stolen bases (1st at 73). On offense, they were 6th in runs scored (593) and 8th in batting average (.253). They were led by 1B Oren Gep (.271/37/109) who generated offense for them, and CF Glenn Higinbotham (.275/24/78/19 SB) supported him. SS Nick Maris (.287/10/36) served as a good leadoff hitter.
Surprisingly, their pitching fared worse. They were 7th in runs allowed (524), including 4th in Starters ERA (4.00) and 9th in Bullpen ERA (4.83). The top two pitchers were good: SP Digger Vadim (15-7, 3.25) and SP Bill Sarnacki (13-8, 3.64). In the bullpen, CL Ryan Mills (34, 3.27) tied for the NCA lead in saves. RP Quest Dawg (3-1, 3.20) should offer some bullpen help before his expected move to being a full-time starter in 2308.
Prediction
While Starlight owned County Crossing in the regular season, this is the playoffs and the good teams usually show what they got. We do not believe the Killers have the instinct to win in the playoffs just yet, while we do not see the Bloodbugs folding. We're going to pick the Bugs to take both games in Starlight and get the sweep, 2-0.
SCA Playoffs - #5 Spectacle Island Reapers (65-55) vs #4 Oberland T-51s (64-56)
Season Series
Spectacle Island 4, Oberland 4
April 21-22 @SI: Obe 7-5, SI 5-2
June 11-12 @Obe: SI 3-2, Obe 9-7
July 2-3 @SI: Obe 15-4, SI 6-3
September 10-11 @Obe: Obe 10-4, SI 5-0
Analysis
Spectacle Island is making its 4th playoff appearance, including its second straight as the Reapers. While they were the Minutemen League champions in 2306, they fell to 3rd place in 2307. Oberland is making only its second full CBO playoff appearance of all time and 4th total. The T051s were in the playoffs in 2296-2298, including a Sole Survivor Series championship over Nordhagen Beach in 2297.
Both teams were pretty even in the regular season, each winning four games with all four series a split. That seems promising for a back-and-forth series this time. This is their second matchup in a playoff series. In 2298, the #2 seed T-51s won over the #3 Warwick Mirelurks, 3-1.
For the Reapers, they struggled a lot on offense except for home runs (180) where they were 2nd in the SCA. Basically, they are a boom-or-bust power team, which is their downfall against groundball pitchers. They were 7th in runs scored (587) and 8th in average (.269). The Big Three do what they do, though those numbers are minuscule to their 2306 numbers: LF Judas Stoner (.272/35/81), 3B Diamond Ball (.354/40/109), and 1B Homestay Lovetap (.275/38/88). SS Pipewrench Mathis (.286/20/65) also added some pop from the 7th spot.
The pitching was bit better, finishing 4th in runs allowed (552), 5th in Starters ERA (4.42), and 6th in Bullpen ERA (4.61). The Reapers' ace, SP Justin Sumbich (10-15, 4.79) was their least successful pitcher. SP Corey Ware (15-8, 3.96) was their best. In the bullpen, Alien Mars (21 SV, 4.33) and Bryan Arsonist (8 SV, 4.71) split time as closer yet again, though neither was great. RP Gary Stallworth (7-3, 2 SV, 3.24) was their best bullpen pitcher.
Prediction
We feel this is an even matchup, and we expect each team to take a game in Oberland. That leaves the third game in Spectacle Island where we will pick the Reapers to pull it out and move on to the next round, 2 games to 1.