#4 Starlight Lady Killers (59-51) vs #5 Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (58-51)
Season Series: Starlight 7, Fort Hagen 6
May 3-5 @Star: Star 5-3, FtH 6-4, Star 3-2
May 17-19 @FtH: FtH 3-1, FtH 7-4, Star 5-4
July 5-6 @Star: FtH 11-7, FtH 9-2, Star 7-4
August 9-11 @FtH: Star 4-1, Star 11-6, FtH 9-3
September 2 @FtH: Star 5-3
Starlight Home Page
Fort Hagen Home Page
Game 1 Matchup
Analysis
This has been a good series throughout the season, and Starlight should have the slight home-field advantage based on seeding. Still, the Lady Killers are not regulars to the playoffs like Fort Hagen is. With the Killers entering this series a little more banged up--SP Chris Schneier, LF Jesus Church, and backup LF Ryan Raider all out--it will be a tough battle.
The loss of Church certainly hurts Starlight's lineup. His replacement for this series, Malachi Barnes hit only .178 with the BMU's Mystic Pines Raybathers this season. Overall, though, the Killers produce runs, tied for 2nd in runs scored (561) in the NCA and 1st in home runs (123). The power mostly comes from the big boppers, RF David Seaweed (.287/33/99), who led the CBO in homers, and 1B Zeldolph Violet (.327/28/100). 3B Hubris McBride (.271/12/54) and CF Glenn Higinbotham (.288/13/47) also produce with their power. The pitching is where Starlight loses any advantage, allowing the 8th most runs (510). SP Roberto Gonzales (16-8, 3.89), who came from Salem this season, has been the most successful pitcher with ace Schneier out. Ray Human (5-9, 4.40) and Justin Sphinx (10-12, 4.80) are not going to help win many games. CL Larry Undertaker (31 SV, 2.77) has been OK out of the bullpen.
Fort Hagen would usually flaunt its balanced team, but the Silver Shroud had a hard time staying healthy. Right now, they are healthy, which makes them dangerous. Most notably, 2B Mark Miller (.292/0/2) came back to play the last 13 games of the season. The Shroud finished 4th in runs scored (546), led by CF Ben Pawlak (.346/22/70). Other contributors include 1B Jim Tiller (.331/8/65), though seeming to lose his power, SS Well Done Dungan (.305/3/30), and rookie RF Gargoyle Falcone (.314/2/60). Pitching also missed out on some success, mostly thanks to SP Mike Cartrette (6-5, 3.63) missing some time. The Shroud were 7th in runs allowed (504), but 3rd in Starters ERA (3.77). Ace Derek Green (17-6, 3.00) had another stellar season, and Brent Hooker (13-4, 3.36) both pitched well. Matt Hope (9-12, 4.98) did not do as well and will need to pitch from the bullpen in the playoffs. Curtis Thriceshot (31 SV, 3.44) closed down a lot of games, but Fort Hagen could use better production from that position, especially with the NCA's 12th-best Bullpen ERA (4.27).
Prediction
With the Silver Shroud pitching, they can neutralize the Starlight power. We will lean towards playoff experience and predict Fort Hagen to take this series, 2 games to 1.