BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
8 September 2312
CBO Playoffs 2312
CBO Playoff Tree
NCA Association Semifinals Round: #5 The Slog Ghouls (71-59) vs #1 Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (82-48)
Season Series: Fort Hagen 2, The Slog 2
June 18-19 @Slog: FtH 4-3, Slog 9-8
August 14-15 @FtH: FtH 12-1, Slog 7-4
Analysis
In the 15-year history of the full CBO, this will mark the first time The Slog and Fort Hagen faces off in the playoffs. In their previous three seasons of making the playoffs, the Ghouls faced Nordhagen Beach twice (both losses), Concord (a Wildcard Round win), and County Crossing (a loss). The Silver Shroud were much more successful in the first seven seasons, making the playoffs each time, including trips to the Sole Survivor Series in 2299, 2300, and 2303, all losses. After a six-year absence, the Shroud finally returned last season, falling to #1 seed Starlight in the Semifinals Round.
This season, thus will see two new teams in the NCA Champions Series since both the Killers and Nordhagen Beach were eliminated. In the regular season, both the Ghouls and Shroud did what they needed to do against each other, making the series 2-2. Only one game was a blowout, the 12-1 Fort Hagen victory on August 14. Otherwise, it was a competitive series and could be fun here. On offense, The Slog's 3B Coup Hertwig (.385) and a combination of RF Danny Faraday (.375), CF Hid Matsumoto (.333) and 2B Nauseous Revere (.333) led their teams in hits. Five different Shroud players each hit one home run, while the Ghouls' C Silvam Fourteen (3) and LF President Washington (2) each had multiple home runs.
For Fort Hagen, they finished five games above County Crossing as the CBO's top team, including being the only team to win more than 80 games. Their #1 ranked offense was a big reason why. The Silver Shroud scored 772 runs, 26 better than the Bloodbugs, for tops in the CBO.The Shroud finished 1st in six offensive categories, including average. Leaders include 2B Nauseous Revere (.326/16/87), SS Brennan Colt-45 (.304/19/86), RF Orcin Cardinal (.275/22/70) whom the Shroud acquired from Oberland after he was benched, and LF/SP Admiral Kelm (.294/21/82).
Pitching was not that far behind, finishing 2nd in the NCA in runs allowed (578) and Starters ERA (3.77) and 3rd in Bullpen ERA (4.77). The top two playoff starters were good: La'Ray Kalel (19-6, 3.00) and Sarthis Idren (12-7, 3.72). Kelm (12-7, 5.27) needed lots of run support to finish with the record he did. SP Harley Buechel (11-6, 3.60) was relegated to the bullpen after being acquired from Bunker Hill but could get the start in Kelm's place if needed. CL Nien Nunb (33 SV, 2.75) was good, but starter Elastic Man Haley (14-9, 3.09) is expected to be the playoff closer.
Prediction
We have been impressed but The Slog's efforts so far in the playoffs with the upset victory over the 75ers in the Wildcard Round. Fort Hagen has built itself into a powerhouse, thanks in part to solid work by Scouting Director Ryan DePembroke recognizing star talent and getting them to join the Shroud. The 65-year-old will probably retire in glory if the Shroud go on to win it all. As far as this series is concerned, we see the Silver Shroud dominating. Fort Hagen 3, The Slog 0
NCA Association Semifinals Round: #3 Salem Witch Hats (74-56) vs #2 County Crossing Bloodbugs (77-53)
Season Series: County Crossing 6, Salem 4
April 12-14 @Sal: CC 14-3, Sal 4-3, Sal 11-5
June 8-9 @CC: CC 6-2, Sal 4-3, Sal 11-4
July 23-24 @ Sal: CC 6-4, CC 5-4
August 31-September 1: CC 3-1, CC 5-0
Analysis
The early part of this regular season showed a tale of two halves for both County Crossing and Salem. In the three-game series earlier in the season, the Witch Hats took a 2-1 series victory over the Bugs in both cases. However, in their two-game series in the second half, when the Bloodbugs started to make their run for the Brotherhood League title, County Crossin won all four, concluding the useless final two games of the season when the Bugs had already clinched.
In the two teams' playoff history, they have yet to face off, mostly because this is the Hats' third trip to the playoffs and, before defeating Nordhagen Beach in the Wildcard Round, the Hats had never won a series. For the Bugs, this will mark their 10th playoff appearance with them missing the playoffs the two previous times (2308 and 2311) Salem had been there. County Crossing won the Sole Survivor Series in 2306 and lost it in 2304.
The Bloodbugs were only behind Fort Hagen in most offensive categories, finishing 2nd in runs scored (746) but 1st in the NCA in home runs (189). While the Bugs are a powerhouse on offense, they will need to survive without their star RF Babs Rooth (.365/37/107), who strained his abdomen on August 15 and missed the rest of the regular season. He could be back for the Sole Survivor Series should they make it. Some players who are healthy and will be featured include CF Bumpy Redfern (.335/24/98), 1B Zeldolph Violet (.272/17/56), 2B Yoink Yukon (.279/12/40/39 SB), and LF Any Why (.290/16/71).
The pitching was not as good and could be detrimental in the Bloodbugs' pursuit of a title. County Crossing finished 11th in runs allowed (644), including 12th in Starters ERA (4.65) and 2nd in Bullpen ERA (4.57). SP College Luckyman (15-8, 3.41) was the only good starter, while the other two playoff starters--Gavin Eviritts (12-9, 4.43) and Shaak Ti (11-11, 5.14)--struggled at times. CL Wick Prater (32 SV, 2.83) was the best option out of the bullpen with contributions from RP Jupiter Jones (5-3, 2.60).
Prediction
County Crossing did what it took to overcome Salem, which struggled mightily to conclude the season. Talentwise, the Bloodbugs are a better team, but having two starters in Rooth and SS Cy Thompson missing could help to balance this series. In the end, we like the Bugs' offense to overpower the Hats. County Crossing 3, Salem 2