BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
3 September 2313
CBO Playoffs 2313
CBO Playoff Tree
SCA Wildcard Round: #6 Oberland T-51s (66-64) vs #3 FHE Yao Guai (78-52)
Season Series: FHE 6, Oberland 4
April 11-13 @FHE: FHE 4-3, FHE 7-5, FHE 3-1
June 7-9 @Obe: Obe 14-3, Obe 12-6, Obe 8-6
July 21-22 @Obe: Obe 5-3, FHE 14-4
August 30-31 @FHE: FHE 10-4, FHE 14-5
Analysis
The 2313 matchups between the FHE Yao Guai and Oberland T-51s was one of streaks. The Yao Guai won the first three, the T-51s won the next four, and then FHE took the final three. In this three-game set, then, we already think the Game 1 winner sweeps the series.
FHE is making just their third playoff appearance with only one of those other two involving Oberland at the same time. In 2311, both were in with the Yao Guai as the 5th seed and Oberland as the 6th seed. However, they did not meet in the playoffs, so this season will be the first time for each to meet in the playoffs.
The T-51s are now in their 7th-straight appearance, but have nothing to show for it other than Sole Survivor appearances in 2308 and 2310, both losses. Though their record dropped this season, though, the T-51s are still dangerous team in the playoffs. Well, maybe.
First of all, the T-51s offense will be without star SS Stormin' Normin MacDonald (.300/12/47) who is out with a serious knee injury. That means the team ranked 8th in runs scored (663) is minus one of their run producers. They do have 2B Odd Todd Walker (.319/29/95), though. He has carried the team in power, with LF Foo Fieterz (.264/21/65) second in power numbers. Veteran 1B/SP Lannie Tykeson (.296/14/65) benefits the team more as a hitter than pitcher (10-12, 6.57).
On the mound, the T-51s were 10th in runs allowed (690), showing that they were outscored by 27 runs on the season. For pitching, when the wheels fall off, they fall off as evidenced by allowing more than 10 runs in the last three matchups against the Yao Guai. What Oberland gets, though, is an improvement in starting pitching with the late return of SP Ahsoka Tano (1-0, 3.60) who missed four months with a torn rotator cuff. Emperry Alizm (9-12, 3.57) pitched well but had little run support. In the bullpen, CL William Butcherman (37 SV, 2.96) is still one of the CBO's best. SP Spider Caddell (13-10, 4.72) also moves to the bullpen for the playoffs.
Statistically, FHE is much more advanced than Oberland. The Yao Guai are 2nd in runs scored (722). Three players popped off 20 or more home runs: 3B Cyclone Bolt (.270/24/63), 2B Slip Knotty (.256/22/53), and LF Makin Jobear (.301/22/88). Everyone in the lineup contributed, even with a few people struggling in 2313, like CF Missile Crews (.299/17/75).
On the mound, FHE finished 4th in runs allowed (588) with all four starters--Baker Dozen (14-7, 3.10), Munyeb Funyun (13-7, 4.55), Kennett Kentucky (16-9, 4.02), and Aaron Somer (10-7, 3.58)--finishing with 10 or more wins. The bullpen is solid, including finishing 2nd in Bullpen ERA (4.41). Ollrod Hubbard (5-0, 2.69) and CL Conrad Verner (21 SV, 3.40) contributed the most.
Prediction
Right now, the Yao Guai seem to be a head above Oberland in the talent and performance pool. As we stated at the beginning of this preview, we believe this is an all and nothing series more than any other. We will take the higher seed. FHE 2, Oberland 0
SCA Wildcard Round: #5 Diamond City Swatters (66-64) vs #4 Glowing Sea Radscorpions (72-58)
Season Series: Diamond City 6, Glowing Sea 4
April 11-13 @GS: GS 15-0, GS 6-0, DC 1-0
June 7-9 @DC: GS 8-5, DC 4-0, DC 8-3
July 21-22 @GS: DC 2-1. GS 11-5
August 30-31 @DC: DC 5-2, DC 7-5
Analysis
Diamond City used an end-of-the-season sweep over Glowing Sea to get themselves here as part of a six-game winning streak to edge both University point and Southie for the final two spots in the playoffs. That streak also allowed the Swatters to beat out Oberland for the 5th spot. Now, Diamond City is hoping their surge continues against Glowing Sea, making its playoff debut in the Radscorpions' fourth season of existence.
The Swatters were once playoff regulars, appearing seven-straight times from 2298-2304, including back-to-back championships in 2299 and 2300. After that, though, the bottom fell out, missing eight-straight seasons before sneaking in this time. Diamond City is also saw their record improve five-straight seasons with the hopes they continue to get better heading into 2314. But first, they are trying to win their first playoff series since 2303 when they won a Play-in Round series over FHE.
On offense, Diamond City was tied for 11th in runs scored (612) with home runs (171) being their best offensive stat (tied for 6th). SS Alex Bragman (.276/26/86) was the power leader, while LF Todd Smithfield (.309/14/49) led in average. C Cole Spice (.279/24/66) contributed.
On the mound, the Swatters were 8th in runs allowed (646), partially because of such a poor start. That meant offloading ace Paul Stains, now with Salem. The trade train went through for Diamnd City, which included the acquisition of a new ace from Goodneighbor, Heaven Fontenot (13-10, 3.60). Fontenot is joined in the rotation by Macho Lopez (8-9, 3.55) and D.P. Clark (12-14, 5.37). Another acquisition was Aaron Demps (12-10, 4.71) who served as a starter though he has mostly been a reliever in his career. CL Burt Bloodhound (32 SV, 2.26) had a good season.
For Glowing Sea, their offense finished 3rd in runs scored (700). Part of that was due to the growing star of RF Naga Arakaki (.345/36/123) a possible-but-not-likely Nuka Hitter Award winner. Other top contributors include CF Enigma Montgomery (.303/17/67), 3B Quay Swimmer (.285/18/55), and LF Alloy Jordan (.287/12/56).
The pitching finished 6th in runs allowed (619), including having the top Bullpen ERA (4.07). For starters, the first two--Cutter Redman (17-6, 3.29) and Ryan Dennislynch (18-3, 3.73)--have been phenomenal, while the third expected starter is Swimmer (9-13, 6.68). Tony "Vampire" Frazier (11-6, 4.42) moves to the bullpen to join RP Thrifty Tony Malacara (3-1, 2.48) and CL Pink Floyd (26 SV, 3.65).
Prediction
We have no idea, but the Radscorpions have been the more consistently good team all season. Diamond City is the hotter team entering the playoffs. The Scorpions may be nervous, but so might the Swatters. Let's split them: Diamond City 2, Glowing Sea 1