Monday, September 29, 2087
FROGS ARE BIG FAVORITES IN IPA PRO CUP PLAYOFFS
One would think the Fairfax Frogs have it all this season and should take home the revered Islandian Pro Cup in rather easy fashion. In recent seasons the Belair Beach Sunbirds were choice to win the Pro Cup in 2084 and 2086 and they did. The Frogs top the IPA in offense, pitching and defense. Fairfax looks like a Pro Cup shoo-in. However, the pollsters and pundits are saying the 2087 IPA Pro Cup playoffs are shaping up to be a battle royale between all 8 division champions. It is a well-balanced group of teams, each with its positives and negatives. Actually, the winner will be the team that gets hot and goes on a month-long spree. It will be the team that gets Hall-of-Fame performances from a few of its unsung and unheralded players. Momentum is also a crucial element in the postseason. Still, the overwhelming favorite this year has to be the powerful Fairfax Frogs. Nobody else seems to be in their league.
The current IPA Pro Cup champion Belair Beach is not back to defend their title. The Sunbirds were upended by the Grand City Cybercats in the Ruthlandian South this season. Belair Beach also won the Pro Cup in 2084.
There are lots of postseason novices this year. Not a lot of appearances, not a lot of Pro Cups. By far Tuckanarra is the most experienced club in the playoffs, but not in recent years. The Tucks have made the postseason 25 times with 3 Pro Cups ('23, '24, '35). The Blue Jays did appear most recently in 2076. Ginza is in its 11th postseason and possesses one Pro Cup (2059). The Ninjas and Rocky Rapids are the only two returners from last year's playoffs. They both lost in the second round last year to Rolling Hills and Belair Beach. Ranford has also made 11 playoff appearances with one Pro Cup (2040). The Bulls last won a postseason spot in 2080. This is the 9th time Fairfax has been in the IPA playoffs. The Frogs have not made the postseason since 2033 and they have never won a Pro Cup. This is the 8th playoff appearance for Rocky Rapids. The Snappers won their only Pro Cup in 2019. Grand City has only made the postseason 5 times in its history and has no Pro Cups to its credit. This is the first year since 2055 they have made the playoffs. Poor Belle Plaine has only appeared 3 times in the postseason and has never won a Pro Cup. However, the Musketeers did make it recently in 2084.
2087 IPA Pro Cup Poll
1. FAIRFAX FROGS (98-56) (TU North)
787 Runs/.292 BA/101 HR/3.37 ERA/.983 FA
Frogs can do it all... Has 4 capable starters... only
fair bullpen... a powerhouse.
2. Ginza Ninjas (93-61) (TU South)
769 Runs/.272 BA/176 HR/3.70 ERA/.978 FA
2 good starters... good power... weak bullpen
average defense.
3. Tuckanarra Blue Jays (87-67) (TU East)
722 Runs/.267 BA/173 HR/3.59 ERA/.981 FA
Good power... one solid starter... good overall
staff... very good defense.
4. Grand City Cybercats (93-61) (RU South)
748 Runs/.273 BA/124 HR/3.56 ERA/.979 FA
Only one fine starter... very good closer...
good enough to knock off current Pro Cup champ
Belair Beach in RU South... has a bunch of good
quality contact bats... average defense.
5. Belle Plaine Musketeers (88-66) (RU East)
746 Runs/.275 BA/138 HR/4.02 ERA/.982 FA
lineup is chock full of solid hitters... good power
strong defenders... pitching just fair to middling
with one standout starter... no bullpen at all.
6. La Claire Lynx (95-59) (TU West)
726 Runs/.268 BA/104 HR/3.27 ERA/.983 FA
Fine pitching overall... pretty good group of
contact hitters... short on power... excellent
defense... 2 excellent starters and a top-notch
closer... Lynx upset perennial power Rolling Hills
for division crown.
7. Rocky Rapids Snappers (91-63) (RU West)
760 Runs/.284 BA/143 HR/3.96 ERA/.979 FA
Heck of an offense with good power... average to
mediocre on the mound... average defense...
one fine starter... not much in the bullpen...
the Snappers will have to hit their way to the Pro
Cup title.
8. Ranford Bulls (84-70) (RU North)
718 Runs/.280 BA/146 HR/3.93 ERA/.977 FA
Hits with power and average... not much on
the hill except for 2 strong starters... fairly good
bullpen... less than average defense.
