BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
27 September 2318
Sole Survivor Series: #5 Cambridge Coursers (68-62) vs #1 Diamond City Swatters (74-56)
Season Series: Cambridge 2, Diamond City 1
June 1-3 @Cam: DC 8-4, Cam 12-4, Cam 8-4
Analysis
For the second-straight season, we have a #5 vs #1 matchup in the Sole Survivor Series. Before that, it was #6 vs #3. That is a trend of three straight seasons where one team in the Sole Survivor Series had "road-field advantage" throughout the playoffs.
Historically, there is only one precedent of the two teams here, and that playoff record is not that outstanding versus some other franchises. In the case of the Cambridge Coursers, this is not only their first appearance in the Sole Survivor Series but 2318 also marks their first victory in the playoffs in just their second appearance and their first series win to go along with their second and third series wins. Not only that, but the Coursers' defeated the CBO's top three teams as far as regular season standings are concerned. They now face the team with the CBO's fourth-best record. Defeating all four would be an accomplishment no other team has done on its way to a championship. No team has ever defeated the top three teams, either.
Diamond City is the "capital" of the Commonwealth, and its baseball team (as well as the CBO and our BNN offices) now completely occupy The Great Green Jewel and the rest of the town moved on into the historical Fens. Over time, the Swatters have seen success, especially in the 2299 and 2300 seasons when they defeated Fort Hagen in the Sole Survivor Series. After seven straight appearances in the playoffs from 2298-2304, Diamond City disappeared for the next eight years. They are now in the playoffs for the sixth-straight year, and hope to return to that 2299-2300 form, also their only Sole Survivor Series appearances. The Swatters are the only team to have appeared in multiple Sole Survivor Series and remain undefeated. Technically, that is also true of The Slog, but the 2296 and 2297 Sole Survivor Series are not considered official as part of the CBO.
Looking at the 2318 Cambridge team, we have to first state that the overwhelming definition of BNN's thoughts on them is "underdog." We wrote them off. You wrote them off. Everyone wrote them off but the Bobrov brothers, owners of the team and everyone down from them in the franchise, including manager Katt Daniels, who has been their only manager in team history despite some early down years.
This season, Cambridge's offense lacked proficiency, finishing tied for 9th in the NCA in runs scored (623). There were still stars on offense, though, considering LF Bubbler Mayhem (.332/26/89) and CF Pro Jabonete (.341/18/88) occupy the middle of the lineup. For pitching, the numbers were not outstanding, though they were good. The Coursers were 3rd in runs allowed (587) and 6th in Starters ERA (4.37). Ace Scooter Yaghmour (12-13, 4.70) did not appear to have a good year. However, in the playoffs, he has been 3-1, 2.60, showing flashes of that 2315 Vim! Pitcher Award campaign. The bullpen was 2nd in ERA (4.13) with closer Monte Ward (27 SV, 3.97) leading the way.
For the Diamond City squad, everyone looks at pitching, which is their strength, but the bats have some pop, too. The Swatters finished 7th in runs scored. SS Alex Bragman (.327/21/83) was the leading hitter in the regular season, but he has also been hot in the postseason, too, homering twice so far in 10 games, scoring eight, and driving in five. Rookie RF Teng Dgebuadze, a 4th-round pick out of of Greenfield College in 2316, has been even hotter, batting .351 with a double, two triples, a home run, seven runs scored, and seven driven in.
For pitching, we know the Swatters rank among the best. Diamond City was 2nd in runs allowed (548) with the 2nd-best Starters ERA (3.80). All three playoff starters--Macho Lopez (15-12, 3.06), Dropper Millieu (7-5, 3.68), and Beachboy Nut (8-8, 3.71)--are capable of taking over a game. CL machine Beard (31 SV, 3.21) has been solid out of the bullpen, though there are some weaknesses on that unit.
When comparing the lineups expected for Game 1, Cambridge may have even more advantages than we think. They already earned a pitching matchup advantage by playing six games in the NCACS, while the Swatters had to play seven in the SCACS. Diamond City has advantages at the 2nd and 5th slots in the lineup, but the Coursers have more advantages overall. This talent comparison has shown us something and taught us a lot about just how tough Cambridge had it in the Institute League in 2318. It is amazing they are the team standing but may actually be better than all the opponents they have faced, just not as exposed.
The position vs position matchups look this way with a change in just naming the expected starters for the first three games in direct competition. These are based on OSA scouting ratings only, not 2318 productivity. Easy Town vs Quincy in order of players:
Game 1 SP: Scooter Yaghmour > Dropper Millieu
Game 2 SP: Freon McMahan < Beachboy Nut
Game 3 SP: Malik Watts < Macho Lopez
Top RP: Bullets Barnes > Heaven Fontenot
CL: Monte Ward < Machine Beard
C: Clownie Blammo < Ramrod Arana
1B: Frigate Magdaleno > Slob Zuzoric
2B: Arbor Creek < Chill Pillman
3B: Ace O'Spades < Hey Dentra Venski
SS: Dave Clifford < Alex Bragman
LF: Bubbler Mayhem > Todd Smithfield
CF: Pro Jabonete < Vignar Graymane
RF: Jim Geiger < Teng Dgebuadze
Prediction
Based on their standing, home-field advantage, and history, everything looks to be in Diamond City's favor. Well, not everything. Cambridge had more wins in the regular season and has some lineup matchups that could give them the upper hand. We keep underestimating the Coursers' ability, but they have shown through three rounds that they can be consistent and dangerous. And they are a hot team. We are flipping tables and going against all gut instincts here, picking a new champion to rise from the CBO stockpile. Cambridge 4, Diamond City 3