[StLee]

Analysis

In 2297, we would have hit the halfway point of the season. In 2298, we have barely completed the quarter mark, so we still have a lot of season left. Thirty games in, here is where we stand.

If there were any team defying the odds the most, it's the FHE Yao Guai. Not only did they shorten their official name from the Fairline Hill Estates settlement name, but they have shortened their success after a highly-successful 2297. The Yao Guai are tied for 11th in the South Charles Association in runs (137), while they are 10th in runs allowed (193). Despite being a semifinalist in 2297, FHE is looking like it is in contention for the #1 overall pick in the 2298 Rookie Draft at this point. We are not saying that they cannot make up the seven-game difference in wins between Vault 81 and them, but we are saying it does not appear they will.

Last season, Nordhagen Beach and Easy Town ended the regular season tied for second place in the Brotherhood League. Of course, as we remember, the Party Boys won the one-game playoff and propelled themselves all the way to the runners up in the Sole Survivor Series. This season, the Boys and Assaultrons look to be the beginning-to-finish class of the BL, fighting still for first place with the rest of the division sitting in the B category. Based on a few moves made by County Crossing and Finch Farm, there may only be four teams in the race.

Boys from the Beach and the Gambling Paradise teams are polar opposites in where their true strengths lie. Nordhagen Beach thrives on its four starters on the mound, leading the North Charles Association in runs allowed (115) but only tied for 6th in runs scored (155). The Boys are hanging on to the top run differential in the NCA (+40), but they have not been as good in one-run games (5-6) and extra inning games (1-3) as most other top teams. Should they start winning more of those, the Party Boys are going to start distancing themselves from others, including second-place Easy Town.

On the opposite end, Easy Town is still winning thanks to shootouts. The Assaultrons are first in the NCA in runs scored (180) but are worst in runs allowed (184). At 18-12, they are being outscored! That positive record is due in large part to their extreme success in close games. They are now a CBO-best 9-1 in one-run games. For teams that have played in three or more extra-inning games, they are tied with Egret with a 3-1 record. Easy Town is also the second-best team at home (13-3), only behind Oberland (13-1).

In the Institute League, Fort Hagen has been cold as of late, making their 2nd place standing in jeopardy for the rest of the season. This league likes the risers and fallers like no other (i.e., Starlight in 2297). Should the Shroud continue to struggle, Sunshine Tidings and Lexington would love to take their place.

Abernathy may not be the actual second-best team in the NCA, but they currently do hold the second-best record just a game behind Nordhagen Beach. The Adamantium are looking to return to their 2296 prominence, currently 3rd in runs (164) while 2nd in runs allowed (137). All of this is despite the CBO's first-ever pick, SS Austin Engill, struggling in 2298 (.257/4/18). RF Donny Kowalski (.362/10/26) is balancing that by contending for the MVP early in the season. Brad Westing (6-1, 3.43) is still thriving on the farm, making Abernathy a potent enemy to the rest of the NCA.

In the SCA, there is really only a two-team battle for dominance: Oberland and Goodneighbor. Beyond those teams, which we will surely give a lot of writing space to over the course of the season, let's look at the other teams in their leagues.

In the Minutemen League, Quincy and University Point currently are tied for second place, which may make both teams buyers later in the season for making a playoffs push.

Quincy is licking its wounds after losing a series to 5th place Jamaica Plain. The Gunners are in the position of needing to outscore opponents regularly to win. They are 1st in the SCA in runs scored (204) while only 7th in runs against (169). Other than SS Robbie Adams (.202/2/10), the rest of the lineup is tearing it up game after game. Stuart Costantino (.404/6/28) is among the leaders in the MVP race in the SCA. Flatface Parker (.352/8/27), Brian Drinkwater (.353/10/33), and Ben Pettinato (.348/6/28) are also in the discussion.

The Deathclaws are using successful pitching to make their push. They have the 3rd best runs against (129) while only being 8th in runs scored (161). Ace William Radwater (2-3, 2.67) is not getting the decision in his favor, but he always puts his team in position to win. Jukebox Luttrell (.358/8/21) is another of those players in the MVP discussion.

In the Railroad League, Vault 81 and Egret are currently battling for the wildcard spot after the Ninjas swept the Dwellers. The Dwellers have been cold of late, dropping them back into the pack. They could refind their winning ways thanks to being 4th in runs scored (171) and 5th in runs against (156). On the other hand, Egret has been surging in recent weeks, tied with the T-51s for the best 10-game stretch (8-2), which includes two straight sweeps in league series (Diamond City and Vault 81). The Ninjas are 7th in runs scored (163) and 6th in runs against (164).