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Sole Survivor Series History

I: The Slog Ghouls (BL) 4, Finch Farm Four Leafs (BL) 1
II: Oberland T-51s (RL) 4, Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (BL) 2
III: Goodneighbor Hancocks (ML) 4, Easy Town Assaultrons (BL) 0

Diamond City Team Photo



Fort Hagen Team Photo



Game 1 Matchups



Analysis

Well folks, ghouls, pacifist mutants, and synths, Sole Survivor Series IV is set to begin! For the first time in Sole Survivor Series history, a team from the Brotherhood League will not lose the series. This season, two veterans to the playoffs finally get their shot at a title, when the Diamond City Swatters of the Railroad League take on the champions of the Institute League, the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud in a battle of #2-seeds.

Both of these teams are deeply talented and pulled off an upset in their Association Championship to get here. The Shroud went the distance in both of their series, rallying back in the association semifinals against Starlight to win the series 3-2. Then, they downed Nordhagen Beach, coming back from another 2-0 deficit to eventually take the series, 4-3. Diamond City almost struggled as much on its way to the SSS, winning a nail-biter against Quincy, 3-2, and then downing the defending champions, Goodneighbor, 4-2. Both teams finished one game back of the #1 seed, so they are both worthy of being here.

The Swatters look to be the stronger team of the two, finishing one game back of Goodneighbor for the #1 seed in the South Charles Association. Diamond City led the CBO Power Rankings for most of the season, though they did fade a little towards the end. Still, there is a lot to like about this team. Pitching is the starting place of the team's success. With the triple threat of X10-44 Mannson (12-6, 3.50), Tim Fusion (11-5, 2.84), and Tyler Powers (15-4, 3.53), the Swatters are a tough team to score on, finishing second in the SCA in runs allowed (439) and first in Starters ERA (3.69). They were also second in the SCA in Bullpen ERA (3.36) and first in Strikeouts (998). The major factor in the bullpen is the CBO's best closer, Josh Samm (37 SV, 1.12).

On offense, Diamond City has a formidable lineup, but they were surprisingly below a few teams in offensive production, finishing 5th in runs scored (591), 4th in Batting Average (.283), and 4th in Home Runs (141). Despite a few struggles, especially at the catcher position, the team still looks to be tough from 1-7 in the lineup. RF Wayne Lacy (.307/27/85) has been the team star, but rookie 1B Oren Gep (.297/25/102) looks like he has taken over the starring role. 3B Allen Bishop (.363/16/72), SS Wally Warwick (.337/15/71), and LF Tyler Ross (.307/23/67) all hit for average and power.

While Diamond City has been known for its pitching, the Silver Shroud were even better on the mound in 2299, at least for their starters. Fort Hagen had a CBO-best 3.39 Starters ERA but allowed the 3rd most runs (427) in the North Charles Association. That was mostly due to the bullpen being suspect, finishing 8th in the NCA in ERA (4.60). While the Swatters' Samm is the best closer, the Shroud's Curtis Thriceshot (32 SV, 3.12) was shaky despite leading the NCA in saves. He also struggled mightily in the playoffs, only picking up one of his four saves attempts. If the Silver Shroud want to win this series, then, they need their three-headed starters serpent to go deep in games: Mike Cartrette (15-4, 2.51), Derek Green (15-5, 3.25), and Brent Hooker (14-6, 3.80).

Fort Hagen was also a little more successful in their association when it came to batting. They were 3rd in Runs Scored (574) with the best Batting Average (.293). That was mostly because they were only 5th in Home Runs (110), depending mostly on the bombs from their offensive power hitters: LF Andrew Nuka (.326/26/101), 1B Jim Tiller (.374/24/88), and RF David Driftwood (.234/25/57). Leadoff man, SS Well Done Dungan (.357/1/53, 32 SB) is good at getting on base and moving into scoring position. CF Ben Pawlak (.295/9/61) and 2B Mark Miller (.372/2/52) also offer good hitting though not a lot of pop in their swatters.

Fun fact: This series will feature seven former 1st-round draft picks: Fort Hagen's Ben Pawlak, Matt Hope, Brent Hooker, and Organizae Brown, and Diamond City's Witcher Craft, Josh Samm, and Oren Gep. The Shroud's Hooker was the 2nd overall pick in the 2296 Inaugural Draft and Pawlak was the 3rd overall pick in the 2296 Rookie Draft, while the Swatters' Gep was the 1st overall pick in the 2297 Rookie Draft.

Prediction

This one is tough, and we feel and hope it goes the distance. With that said, Diamond City has appeared to be the strongest team in the CBO since the first day of the season. We're going to pick the Swatters to win this one in The Great Green Jewel over the Silver Shroud by a count of 4 games to 3.