BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, BCAC, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
31 August 2310
SCA Wildcard Round
#6 Egret Ninjas (74-56) vs #3 Vault 81 Dwellers (83-47)
Season Series
Vault 81 5, Egret 5
April 4-5 @Egr: V81 3-2 (11), V81 10-4
June 1-3 @V81: V81 15-1, Egr 8-6, Egr 2-1 (10)
July 21-22 @V81: V81 3-0, Egr 5-2
August 22-24 @Egr: Egr 6-2, V81 11-2, Egr 6-3
Analysis
Neither Egret nor Vault 81 has ever reached the Sole Survivor Series. For the Ninjas, this is their third-straight playoff appearance and fourth overall in the full CBO. In their first playoff appearance, Egret surprised their way into the SCA Championship Series by upsetting #1 Roxbury as the #4 seed. Last season, the Ninjas again reached the SCACS. In both cases, they succumbed to University Point in the SCACS. For the Dwellers, this is their sixth appearance with the last coming in 2308. In 2300, Vault 81 was the #1 seed but lost to #3 Diamond City in the SCACS. In 2306, the Dwellers were again the #1 seed but again fell to the #3, Roxbury, in the SCACS. In 2308, they reached their third SCACS as the #3 seed this time, but they again fell short, losing to #1 Oberland.
In the regular season, both teams ended up winning five games versus each other. The interesting part is each team won three of those five at the other team's stadium, making that something to consider in our prediction.
Egret was much better in pitching than hitting in 2310. The offense finished 7th in the SCA in runs scored (642) and 11th in home runs (116). They were tops in stolen bases (89), including good swipes numbers by Justin Tootles (27), Ajani Peacock (18), and Pockets Aintfull (17). 3B Peacock (.285/21/90) was the best overall hitter, winning the team Triple Crown. Most of the lineup, however, did not strike fear in opposing pitchers. RF/SP Admiral Kelm (.317/9/30) hit well enough to finish second in batting average.
On the mound, the Ninjas were 3rd in runs allowed (538), 5th in Starters ERA (4.02), and 4th in Bullpen ERA (4.19), While not dominant numbers, they were efficient. The playoff starters are Tup Mallory (14-13, 4.39), Kelm (18-9, 3.41), and Max Grove (14-11, 4.22). SP Hrye Caje (15-12, 4.06) moves to the bullpen to join CL Mike Pond (35 SV, 3.00) and RP Clueless Gunsmith (5-3, 2.61).
Vault 81 was the opposite of the Ninjas, using their bats to win games. The Dwellers were 2nd in runs scored (774), including 1st in home runs (219). Seven(!) players hit 20 or more home runs, led by rookie 1B Hax Kim (.270/37/106), RF Joe Rathman (.294/30/80), CF Stu Gains (.278/30/98), and 3B Knud Bather (.251/30/76) each with 30+ homers. Bather also led the team with 19 steals.
On the mound, the Dwellers were just OK. They finished 6th in runs allowed (572), 6th in Starters ERA (4.11), and 7th in Bullpen ERA (4.62). The starters are Scruffy Taguchi (14-8, 3.69), Exxie Summerset (20-8, 4.11), and Closecall Jones (12-8, 4.27), The bullpen is led by CL Ryan Goodpryce (27 SV, 3.92) with help from SP Ryan Downing (17-7, 4.31) and RP Josh O'Farrell (4-2, 3.68).
Prediction
While both teams are good, we believe the bats of the Dwellers will overwhelm the Egret pitching while holding the Ninjas' lineup in check. We see this one being a blowout. Dwellers 2, Ninjas 0
#5 University Point Deathclaws (76-54) vs #4 Oberland T-51s (78-52)
Season Series
University Point 3, Oberland 1
June 14-15 @ Obe: UP 6-2, Obe 7-2
August 10-11 @UP: UP 4-1, UP 4-1
Analysis
These two teams have recently been powerhouses in the SCA, accounting for the last two representatives from their association in the Sole Survivor Series (both losses). The Deathclaws were the last SCA team to win the Sole Survivor Series, taking it over Nordhagen Beach in 2305. Overall, the Claws are 2-1 in the Sole Survivor Series with their other championship coming in 2302. The T-51s have never won the championship in the full CBO, but they won the Sole Survivor Series in 2297. Each teams' championships ended with wins over the Party Boys, who have been to the Sole Survivor Series six times, twice as many as any other team.
In the regular season, the teams played only four games against each other, with the Deathclaws winning 3 of 4. Surprisingly, every victory in the series could be accounted for pitching, with the losing team scoring 2, 2, 1, and 1 runs.
University Point never got its offense going like it did in past seasons despite finishing 1st in runs scored (789). There were lots of injuries, but only SS Austin Engill is out for the playoffs. Of course, when speaking of the Deathclaws' offense, everything turns to 1B Barker Cocoa (.365/56/139) who is sure to win his 7th Nuka Hitter Award. LF Chris Hirshfield (.271/32/83) and CF Aesed Hayjen (.333/23/74) also contributed to driving in lots of runs. RF Tomas Jones (.406/16/51) did not play enough games to earn the batting title, but he was on fire when he did play in 2310.
On the mound, the Claws' starting pitching is bad compared to their playoff peers. University Point finished 9th in runs allowed (614), 10th in Starters ERA (4.58), and 3rd in Bullpen ERA (4.10). The starters for the playoffs are Joey Dimes (12-10, 4.53), Tony Bertha (14-8, 3.71), and Alex Alexson (14-8, 3.86). Players who spent time as starters included the acquired Peak Sizeman (9-16, 5.66), Lawdog Whipple (7-8, 5.84), and Cobra Cobratea (11-7, 4.76). Closer Chase Southie (28 SV, 5.13) was not efficient in his role.
The defending SCA champions, Oberland used pitching as its means to stay competitive though the offense was not bad. The T-51s finished 5th in runs scored (667) although they were 2nd in average (.284). RF Orcin Cardinal (.335/39/106) was the unquestioned leader, winning the team Triple Crown. Other key contributors include C Racky Westheim (.333/13/61), LF/SP Zaire Inquisitor (.316/16/48), and SS Stormin Normin MacDonald (.281/21/61).
The pitching was really good with a team ERA under 4.00. The T-51s finished 1st in runs allowed (532), 4th in Starters ERA (3.97), and 1st in Bullpen ERA (3.51). The starters for the playoffs are Emperry Alizm (14-10, 3.72), Mesquite WIlliams (10-13, 3.62), and Inquisitor (18-8, 4.06) with Trolley Dodge (18-8, 4.55) moving to the bullpen. CL William Butcherman (27 SV, 5.36) was the worst of the pitching staff but there is a lot of help with RP Aaron Geneva (2-1, 2.02), RP Ronnie Messenger (4-2, 3.15), and RP Dave Pain (4-3, 2.79) holding down the middle innings.
Prediction
While University Point won the season series, we think the Oberland bats will be hotter at this time. The T-51s are a championship-quality team, while the Deathclaws have been a bit inconsistent at times. We like Oberland to edge out the Claws in a low-scoring series. T-51s 2, Deathclaws 1