BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, CYL, and CBA
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
8 September 2315
NCA Playoffs Preview - Association Semifinal Round
#4 Bunker Hill 75ers (69-61) vs @#1 Lexington Synths (77-53)
Season Series: Lexington 5, Bunker Hill 5
April 5-6 @BH: Lex 6-5(11), BH 3-1
June 2-4 @Lex: BH 9-1, Lex 4-1, BH 6-2
July 22-23 @Lex: Lex 7-3, Lex 5-1
August 23-25 @BH: BH 10-5, Lex 5-3, BH 15-10
Analysis
Bunker Hill had little trouble with playoff newcomers, the Malden Grognaks. Now, the 75ers get to face off with Institute-League rivals, the Lexington Synths. As it turns out, all Association Semifinals series are in the category of league championship, just like this IL vs IL matchup.
In the regular season, the teams split their series, 5-5, with the home team going 3-2 in each case. While the Synths ended up pulling away with an 8-game league title game difference, Bunker Hill was one of the few teams they did not have a winning record against. Interestingly, the one team they are glad is out of the playoffs is Nordhagen Beach, in which the Synths went 0-4.
Lexington is making its third-straight and overall playoff appearance. In its past two playoff appearances as the 3rd and then 2nd seed, the Synths have yet to win a playoff series. As the #1 seed, they are hoping that will change.
Statistically, the Synths are formidable on both offense and defense, though they somehow finished 5th in runs scored (650), desptie not finishing lower than 4th (home runs - 147) in any other category. They were 1st in average (.292). The first five hitters all bring something that leads to runs: LF Campy Madrid (.308/6/54/31 SB), 1B World B. Free (.331/12/47), RF Hurr Lee Reyes (.345/20/57, 20 SB), 3B Tommy Whitetiger (.352/30/100), and CF Packs Ton Kling (.262/22/63/38 SB).
On the mound, Lexington was 1st in runs allowed (555) and Starters ERA (3.81) and 5th in Bullpen ERA (4.48). All three starters have a sub-4.00 ERA: Hunter Kim (15-4, 3.23), Deedee Martinson (10-11, 3.79), and Admiral Kelm (14-9, 3.77). Lyle Pine (12-9, 3.56) moves to the bullpen to join CL Harry Baines (11 SV, 4.73).
Prediction
Lexington is extremely talented and should be considered the favorite to represent the NCA in the Sole Survivor Series. Still, they have never won a playoff series, much less sniffed what it takes to get to the SSS. If they play at what they are capable of, they can win this. Bunker Hill thought it was the best team in the IL. They could prove it here, but we think they will fall just short. Lexington 3, Bunker Hill 2
#3 Easy Town Assaultrons (70-60) vs #2 Salem Witch Hats (75-55)
Season Series: Salem 7, Easy Town 3
April 26-28 @ET: Sal 16-5, Sal 4-3(10), Sal 3-1
May 24-25 @Sal: ET 5-2, Sal 7-2
June 23-25 @Sal: ET 9-7, Sal 11-2, Sal 4-3
August 5-6 @ET: Sal 11-5, ET 4-2
Analysis
Easy Town did not get through Concord as easy as it could have, but the Assaultrons did to get here. Former 1st-overall pick (2313), Finnan Hunt has looked as though he is becoming a quick star in the CBO.
Where the Trons may run into trouble starts now in a Brotherhood League matchup with Salem. During the regular season, the Witch Hats dominated the series, 7-3, including a 2-1 series win in Salem and an April sweep near the Downs. Salem scored double-digit runs in three of those wins.
The Hats were never a playoff team, but they are now in their fifth-straight appearance and sixth overall. This will be their first matchup against Easy Town in the playoffs.
Salem was the top-scoring offense in the NCA (704) with their best category being 2nd in OBP (.364). All three of their middle of the lineup hit over .300 and had the top RBI numbers: RF Thatch Heard (.306/20/79), 1B Brian DeLong (.314/22/87), and 2B Seemly Sam Tucker (.325/11/100).
On the mound, the Witch Hats were also good, finishing 2nd in runs allowed (595) and Starters ERA (3.94) and 6th in Bullpen ERA (4.49). All thre starters are good: Paul Stains (16-11, 3.80), Jaa Thirtysix (12-8, 3.59), and Chris Teddybear (17-10, 3.74). Gary Harvard (13 SV, 4.37) and
Corpulus Vinius (13 SV, 3.48) each shared time as closer.
Prediction
Easy Town has made it further than they probably thought they would in 2315. However, the Hats are really good and a legitimate title contender. We like them. Salem 3, Easy Town 1