BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
23 September 2308
CBO Playoff Tree
CBO Playoff Association Semifinal Preview
NCA Playoffs - #5 Starlight Killers (71-49) vs #1 Salem Witch Hats (76-44)
Season Series
Salem 4, Starlight 4
April 23-24 @Star: Star 6-1, Star 9-5
May 12-13 @Sal: Sal 4-2, Sal 6-5
September 1-2 @Sal: Star 7-5, Sal 7-6
September 8-9 @Star: Sal 7-4, Star 14-0
Analysis
Usually, we begin the analysis with a look at each team's playoff history. Since we do a full preview of the Play-in Series, in this round we typically feature just the #1 seed. Well, Salem is unique as a #1 seed because they are making their first playoff appearance in the 13th season of organized professional baseball in the Commonwealth. They have a 0-0 record and a roster with little playoff experience. They are the noobs.
What we have not been able to figure out is how Salem is the #1 seed in the playoffs. Their statistics do not match their success. Except for a couple of tidbits: they were good in close games. In one-run games, the Hats were 22-10. They were 11-3 in extra-innings games; Salem was 1-1 versus the Killers in those games.
On offense, the Witch Hats ranked 5th in runs scored (605) thanks in part to finishing 2nd in home runs (185). The Hats' top four hitters are all boomers: 2B Michael Hoopring (.312/29/69), 1B Needham Tickler (.280/33/86), RF Brian DeLong (.290/24/66), and LF Dan Erb (.315/26/73). CF Andy Dogleash (.295/14/59) contributed.
For pitching, the Hats finished 6th in runs allowed (535), including 4th in Starters ERA (4.09) and 8th in Bullpen ERA (4.55). All three of the playoff starters had an ERA of 4.00 or less: SP Jaa Thirtysix (13-7, 3.74), SP Bry McBourbon (15-9, 3.71), and SP Chase Wede (12-13, 4.00). In the bullpen, CL Justin Wilkerson (39 SV, 2.85) with good support from RP Ben Huber (8-0, 3.65).
Prediction
The playoffs tend to be the time when pitchers take over, which seems to favor Salem for its close-game success. However, we think Starlight is actually the better team. Killers 3, Hats 2
NCA Playoffs - #3 Bunker Hill 75ers (75-46) vs #2 Sunshine Tidings (76-45)
Season Series
Bunker Hill 7, Sunshine Tidings 6
June 5-7 @BH: BH 5-2, BH 3-2, ST 6-3
June 26-28 @ST: ST 6-1, ST 10-4, BH 3-1
July 24-26 @BH: BH 4-2, BH 10-1, BH 8-7
August 28-30 @ST: BH 7-4, ST 4-3, ST 4-2
September 21 @BH: ST 14-8
Analysis
These two teams are evenly matched in 2308, though they have taken a different path to get here. For Bunker Hill, this is their third-ever playoff appearance and first since they moved from Abernathy to Bunker Hill. As the #4 seed in 2296, the Abernathy Adamantium advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual champions, The Slog, three games to zero. Sunshine Tidings, on the other hand, started as a bad franchise but worked their way up and now are in their sixth-straight playoff appearance and sixth overall. The Chemists also won the Institute League for the 5th-straight season after disposing of Bunker Hill in the tiebreaker game.
For the 75ers, they have been an improved team but have proven to be incapable of making any dominant runs. Part of their struggles comes from offense where they finished 6th in runs scored (591). They were 4th in home runs (174) with six players hitting double digits and four with 20 or more home runs: 1B Matt Stickhouse (32), SS Aaron Squire (22), CF Jig McGhee (20), and LF Donny Kowalski (20).
Their pitching was 4th in runs allowed (510) with the 3rd-best Starters ERA (4.08) and 4th-best Bullpen ERA (4.27). All four of their starters hovered around their team average with the playoff starters doing the best: Jason Tonelli (15-9, 4.11), Max Thunderdome (18-7, 4.04), and Mike Cartrette (9-7, 4.05). CL Rafe Sauce (36 SV, 3.65) led the bullpen, though most of the pen allowed an ERA of 4.00 or more.
For Sunshine Tidings, the pick to win the Sole Survivor Series by PAM in her midseason prediction, they appear to be baseball's best team. On offense, the Chemists were 1st in runs scored (677) and home runs (220). Six of their lineup hit 20 or more home runs: 3B Ross Merchantman (45), SS Lernz Tentsleep (40), 1B Dusty Brownell (29), RF Baktu DaWell (28), CF Ricky Ticky Laughy (.201/24/55), and C Red Sone (20).
The Chemists also were 1st in the NCA in runs allowed (460), Starters ERA (3.76), and Bullpen ERA (3.22). Manager Art Clarke had to make a tough decision about the three-man rotation, selecting Eugene Gym (17-9, 3.59), Mike Rubric (15-12, 4.44), and Joey Dimes (16-8, 3.42) over Brian Bridges (16-7, 3.41), who will be designated to the bullpen despite leading the team in ERA and being considered the second-best talent of the pitchers. CL Cush Baker (28 SV, 3.13) is the leader of the bullpen, complimented by an excellent year by RP Kamal Singleton (2-1, 0.95).
Prediction
Bunker Hill will be a contender for years to come. However, the Chemists appear that they are ready to get over the hump this season. Maybe the 75ers will take a game in this series, maybe not. We'll vote not. Sunshine Tidings 3, Bunker Hill 0