BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
11 September 2316
SCA Playoffs Preview - Association Semifinals Round
#4 Glowing Sea Radscorpions (73-57) vs #1 Vault 81 Dwellers (79-51)
Season Series: Glowing Sea 6, Vault 81 4
April 12-13 @GS: GS 4-3, V81 10-0
May 5-7 @V81: GS 3-1, GS 2-0, V81 6-5
July 18-20 @GS: V81 8-1, V81 4-2 (10), GS 6-1
August 5-6 @V81: GS 6-2, GS 9-3
Analysis
The regular season matchup between Glowing Sea and Vault 81 went in favor of the Radscorpions but with somewhat strange results. The Scorpions went 4-1 at Vault 81, while the Dwellers enjoyed a 3-2 advantage in the Dome.
While both teams were in the playoffs in both of Glowing Sea's two seasons appearing (2313 and 2315), this will be the first matchup after the Radscorpions got past Diamond City in their third try. For the Scorpions, they are now 1-2 in their franchise playoff series history, all against the Swatters.
Vault 81 is again the best all-around team despite PAM's preseason predictions that they would fall out of playoff contention. On offense, the Dwellers lead in almost all offensive categories, including runs scored (593). They finished 2nd in home runs (109) but 12th in stolen bases (64). C Phantom Vargas (.306/21/76) had an excellent season with help from 2B King Hippo (.307/15/56/19 SB) and RF Pockets Wrench (.317/15/68).
The pitching crew was also good, finishing 1st in runs allowed (432), including 2nd in Starters ERA (3.02) and Bullpen ERA (3.11). Zack Million (15-10, 2.49) did not always get the run support needed but was efficient throughout the season. Scruffy Taguchi (18-7, 3.03), Exxie Summerset (11-9. 3.37), and Ryan Goodpryce (10-10, 3.21) all pitched well as starters. Goodpryce is expected to move to the bullpen for the postseason. CL Dynamite Delaney (27 SV, 3.68) had a lot of saves but needs to be better in the playoffs.
Prediction
The defending champions play against a team with little playoff experience and even less playoff success. While the Radscorpions won the regular season series, we are not expecting miracles here. The Dwellers are just that good and should be favorites to repeat as CBO champions until they do not. Vault 81 3, Glowing Sea 1
#6 Quincy Gunners (68-62) vs #2 Atom Cats (70-60)
Season Series: Quincy 6, Atom 4
May 20-22 @Qui: Qui 8-1, Atom 2-0, Qui 1-0
July 3-4 @Atom: Qui 9-1, Atom 5-2
August 25-27 @Atom: Qui 2-0, Atom 4-3 (13), Qui 10-3
August 31-September 1 @Qui: Qui 10-6, Atom 4-2
Analysis
Quincy beat Atom 6 games to 4 in the regular season matchup despite finishing two games back. That string included a 3-2 mark in the last week of the season, and the Gunners won the first game of all four two or three-game series they played. Should they get a win in Game 1, we can probably pick where this series goes.
With Quincy making its sixth playoff appearance and Atom making its ninth, there were opportunities for both teams to play, but this season is the third-straight and third overall season they have both been in the playoffs.
In 2314, Quincy entered as the #2 seed and Atom as the #5 seed. Both teams made the Association Semifinals, but only the Gunners advanced and ended up reaching the Sole Survivor Series. Last season, they met in the Wildcard Round with University Point as the #2 seed. Quincy got the best of the Cats, winning the only previous playoff matchup between the two.
Atom may have won the Minutemen League in 2316, but there is not a whole lot of confidence to how well they would fare against the Dwellers or Grognaks. For their ASF game against the Gunners, though, the Cats have to have some confidence. On offense, they finished 7th in scoring (505) with most of their best production coming from 1B McMack Bingham (.310/14/66) and CF Hickory Dockery (.284/13/47),
The Cats' pitching finished 5th in runs allowed (478) and Starters ERA (3.21). All three playoff starters--Josh Brown (16-10, 2.25), K-9 Creep (17-12, 3.12), and Junkyard Gourd (12-11, 3.29)--had good seasons. Typical starter, Mesquite Williams (8-7, 4.01), was not having as good a season but is out until next season with an injury. CL Dylan Davies (15 SV, 4.70) is also injured.
Prediction
While Atom is the higher seed, the Gunners have the season advantage regardless of home or away and beat the Cats last postseason. That seems to give them an advantage. At the same time, Atom seems to be the better all-around team, meaning they should have at least the chance to win this series. We just do not see it as a sound prediction. That means, we go with the Gunners. Quincy 3, Atom 2