BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
23 September 2308
CBO Playoff Tree
CBO Playoff Play-In Series Preview
NCA Playoffs - #5 Starlight Killers (71-49) vs #4 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (69-51)
Season Series
Starlight 5, Nordhagen Beach 3
May 2-3 @NB: Star 8-4, Star 6-1
May 5-6 @Star: NB 4-0, NB 5-2
Aug 4-5 @Star: Star 4-3, Star 7-4
Aug 11-12 @NB: NB 4-3, Star 9-6
Analysis
Starlight returns to the Play-in Series for the third straight season. The Killers have not won the Institute League in their history, but this is their 6th playoff appearance. It is also the lowest seed they have had in their six appearances. Just two seasons ago, these two teams met, with the #5 Nordhagen Beach sweeping the Killers in the Play-in Series. For the Party Boys, they are in their 11th straight playoff appearance and coming off a championship season as the #3 seed a year ago.
The Killers were a good all-around team and could be a threat as the #5 seed in the playoffs. They finished 3rd in both runs scored (627) and runs allowed (502). However, their number of runs scored was due to generated runs, including the top stolen bases number (63), despite being 8th in average (.263) and OPS (.769). The star on offense is of course 1B Oren Gep (.293/35/99). Other standout hitters include SS Nick Maris (.324/16/77), RF Hurr Lee Reyes (.306/17/65), and LF Glenn Higinbotham (.244/20/68).
Pitching benefited more from the Bullpen (2nd at 3.57) than the Starters (5th at 4.22). SP Digger Vadim (12-9, 4.80) did not have a good season overall. He'll be joined in the starting rotation by SP Bill Sarnacki (16-6, 3.41) and rookie SP Shaak Ti (15-10, 3.64). SP Whokill Poole (11-11, 4.87), who struggled the most, has been relegated ot the bullpen. The bullpen is led by CL Ryan Mills (25 SV, 3.30). Other top contributors included RP Closecall Jones (4-2, 2.27), RP Sam Molina (5-5, 3.48), and RP Capstone Goofson (3-0, 2.51).
Nordhagen Beach had a good season despite entering the playoffs with the 5th-best record, something that does not fully make sense. The Party Boys finished 2nd in runs scored (634), including being tops in average (.282), OBP (.361), and WAR (25.0). MVP candidate, CF Maxx Murtagh (.319/37/92) was a true force along with star RF Jonathan Angelou (.265/44/107). The Boys were only 6th in home runs (165) but still had four other players with over 10 home runs: LF Young Goodman (19), 1B Bryan Assman (14), 3B Aaron Sinn (13), and 2B Jumper Hayes (13). C Biter Trout (.358/5/61) won the batting title.
The Boys were also 2nd in runs allowed (482) with the 2nd-best Starters ERA (3.81) and 7th-best Bullpen ERA (4.49). Star SPs, Beachboy Nut (17-4, 2.77) and Ugio Church (16-7, 2.92), dominated all season and could be the reason why Nordhagen Beach could advance far in the playoffs. SP Deedee Martinson (14-10, 4.39) is the third starter. Outside of three pitchers with sub-4,00 ERAs, RP Ted Iam (3.86), RP Derek Gist (2.61), and Marc Woodsman (2.40), the bullpen struggled at times, especially starter David "AntAgonist" Kidd (25 SV, 6.14) who went 6-7 and had six blown saves, which was actually down from 2307.
Prediction
We cannot see the Party Boys being out of the running until they are out. Starlight is trying to get over the hump, but we do not believe they can do it this time. Boys 2, Killers 1.
SCA Playoffs - #5 Egret Ninjas (68-52) vs #4 Spectacle Island Reapers (69-51)
Season Series
Spectacle Island 6, Egret 2
May 5-6 @Egr: Egr 9-5, SI 5-3
August 11-12 @SI: SI 6-3, SI 9-3
September 8-9 @Egr: SI 6-2, Egr 8-2
September 15-16 @SI: SI 7-1, SI 4-3
Analysis
Egret is making just its third-ever playoff appearance and second in the full CBO. In 2305, they also played in the Play-in Round, winning that series and then upsetting the #1 Rad Sox in the next round before losing the SCA Championship Series to eventual champions, University Point. Spectacle Island is making its 5th playoff appearance, including its third straight as the Reapers. Last season, they were the 5th seed, winning the Play-In Series before losing to Roxbury in the next round.
The Ninjas were in the middle of the pack in most offensive series, including 6th in runs scored (599). Power production was little for Egret as 10th in home runs (102). LF Jesus Church (.313/13/71) led the team in home runs. He was also one of three batters who hit over .300, including 2B Justin Tootles (.338), CF Pockets Aintfull (.315), and RF Rick Pickle (.308).
Egret was much more successful on the mound, allowing 524 runs (4th) with the 3rd-best Starters ERA (4.14) and 7th-best Bullpen ERA (4.41). SP Tup Mallory (15-8, 3.84) and SP Max Grove (12-10, 3.65) had successful seasons, including SP Matt Nielsen (12-11, 3.94) who will be in the bullpen for the playoffs. SP/OF Admiral Kelm (13-11, 5.18) will be the 3rd starter in the playoffs. In the bullpen, RP Chief Edwards (4-1, 1.61) had the best season. CL Midnight Flowers (28 SV, 4.02) struggled some.
Spectacle Island was much better on offense than Egret, including finishing 3rd in runs scored (652). The Reapers' 2nd-7th hitters all had good seasons: LF Waze Waiting (.313/22/73), 3B Diamond Ball (.367/35/90), 1B Homestay Lovetap (.315/51/106), SS Pipewrench Mathis (.266/17/57), RF Matt Basile (.264/42/94), and C Ayag Mour (.249/16/56).
For pitching, the Reapers were 6th in runs allowed (563), Starters ERA (4.73), and Bullpen ERA (4.17). SP Chris Teddybear (15-9, 3.85) is the ace. Interestingly, SP Justin Sumbich (15-8, 3.86), who tied for the team lead in wins, will be moved to the closer role for the playoffs, according to reports. Therefore, the other two starters will be Corey Ware (11-12, 5.74) and Jonathan Newman (10-12, 5.45). The two closers, Alien Mars (20 SV, 2.68) and Ghost Kyudalson (12 SV, 5.04) will help Sumbich in the bullpen.
Prediction
We have one big question about the pitching decisions Spectacle Island is making. We would have no qualms about picking the Reapers to sweep. Instead, the Ninjas may have a fighting chance to take this series. In the end, we just think the Reapers' lineup is too talented to tame. Spectacle Island 2, Egret 0.