[rockford]

The 2017 Nationals are looking to become the third 21st century team to qualify for the Semifinals, and it looks like they have the pitching (Max Scherzer 16-6, 2.51 ERA and Stephen Strasburg 15-4, 2.52 ERA) and the power (Ryan Zimmerman .303, 36 HR; Daniel Murphy .322, 23 HR and Bryce Harper .319, 29 HR) to make it happen.


If successful, the Nationals will become the lowest original seed (288th) to make it to the Semis so far. They leapt to the 4th seed in the Quarterfinals after posting a .627 win percentage in the First Chance.


On the other hand, the 2019 Nationals also looked formidable before getting the bum’s rush earlier in the Quarters, finishing pool play with just a .480 win percentage.


Two versions of the Bronx Bombers – the 1927 Yankees and the 1941 Yankees – have the power to contend, but may lack the pitching to succeed.


Of course, the ’27 Yanks have the fearsome one-two punch of Babe Ruth (.356, 60 HR) and Lou Gehrig (.373, 47 HR). But are Waite Hoyt, Urban Shocker and Herb Pennock up to the challenge of facing other legendary bats? The ’27 team put up a respectable .549 win percentage in the First Chance but failed to qualify. A similar showing in the Second Chance saw them finishing fourth in that tournament.


The ’41 Yanks should get plenty of offense from the likes of Joe DiMaggio (.357, 30 HR) and Charlie Keller (.298, 33 HR). But with the team’s top pitchers (Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing) sporting ERAs above 3.50, opponents are salivating.


The 1939 Yankees, however, may have the arms to go with the bats. Gomez and Ruffing had better years, with Ruffing going 21-7, 2.93 ERA, and they’ll be aided by Bump Hadley (12-6, 2.98 ERA). Offensively, DiMaggio (.381, 30 HR), George Selkirk (.306, 21 HR) and Joe Gordon (.284, 28 HR) and company shouldn’t have any trouble scoring runs.


Two Dead Ball-era teams have the requisite pitching to be serious threats in this tournament. The 1909 Pirates have Howie Camnitz (25-6, 1.62 ERA), Vic Willis (22-11, 2.24 ERA) and Nick Maddox (13-8, 2.21 ERA). Toss in Honus Wagner (.339, 5 HR, 35 SB) – who always seems to perform well in these simulations – and you have a real threat. The ’09 Bucs were seeded 3rd at the very start of the tourney.


The 1910 A’s rotation is a fearsome foursome of HOFers Chief Bender (23-5, 1.58 ERA) and Eddie Plank (16-10, 2.01 ERA) plus Jack Coombs (31-9, 1.30 ERA) and Cy Morgan (18-12, 1.55 ERA). The offense remains questionable, though led by HOFers Home Run Baker (.283, 2 HR, 21 SB) and Eddie Collins (.324, 3 HR, 81 SB).


Another team relying heavily on pitching is the 2019 Dodgers, who have Hyun Jin Ryu (14-5, 2.32 ERA) and Clayton Kershaw (16-5, 3.03). With Justin Turner (.290, 27 HR) and Cody Bellinger (.305, 47 HR), they may have enough talent to contend.


The 1969 Orioles are looking to join their ’71 brothers in the Semis. To get there, they’ll have to go through the 1966 Orioles, who are in the same league. The ’69 squad looks to have the better staff, with Jim Palmer (16-4, 2.34 ERA) and Mike Cuellar (23-11, 2.38 ERA), plus plenty of pop from Boog Powell (.304, 37 HR) and Frank Robinson (.308, 32 HR).


One team worth watching purely for the offensive fireworks is the 1922 Browns, who feature HOFer George Sisler (.420, 8 HR, 51 SB) plus Ken Williams (.332, 39 HR, 37 SB).