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Old 11-03-2019, 08:28 AM   #40
NovaNation19
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Eurasian Challenge Preview


#1 A.S. Roma (106-44, EPL) vs. Winner of #16 Chelsea B.C. (84-66, EPL) vs. #17 Crystal Palace (84-66, EBL)
ASR Key Players
CF Victor Rodriguez (.300/.357/.484 – 13 HR – 69 RBI – 5.4 WAR)
RF Ottaviano Zanotti (.334/.405/.484 – 8 HR – 63 RBI – 5.4 WAR)
SP John Starr (26-5 – 2.12 ERA – 32 GS, 263.1 IP – 8.4 WAR)
SP Allan Gauthier (20-5 – 2.49 ERA – 31 GS, 242 IP – 7.1 WAR)

CHE Key Players
LF Jayden Green (.294/.359/.496 – 19 HR – 90 RBI – 3.9 WAR)
CF Omar Grimaldo (.302/.362/.459 – 14 HR – 80 RBI – 4.9 WAR)
RF Brannigan Lewis (.269/.373/.424 – 17 HR – 69 RBI – 3.6 WAR)
SP Jesse Plummer (16-14 – 3.62 ERA – 31 GS, 241 IP – 3.9 WAR)

CP Key Players
2B Hocine Delhaye (.337/.427/.465 – 8 HR – 67 RBI – 6.2 WAR)
SS Noι Granger (.283/.369/.428 – 15 HR – 98 RBI – 6.4 WAR)
SP Fiorello Grassi (17-7 – 2.76 ERA – 31 GS, 244.2 IP – 4.0 WAR)
SP Cody Kearley (17-7 – 3.00 ERA – 31 GS, 227.2 IP – 6.1 WAR)

Prediction
Neither team in the play-in game has a deep pitching staff, but Crystal Palace has at least two guys it knows it can go to. After Jesse Plummer, it’s a big question mark for Chelsea, so we’ll take Crystal Palace to move on. After that, though, neither team has anything for the dominant pitching staff of A.S. Roma, who should advance easily.

#8 Atlιtico Madrid (90-60, EPL) vs. Winner of #9 Everton B.C. (89-61, EBL) vs. #24 BK Lokomotiv Moskva (82-68, BASR)
MAD Key Players
RF Manny de la Torre (.332/.400/.547 – 23 HR – 136 RBI – 6.5 WAR)
3B Russell Brovold (.334/.382/.594 – 15 HR – 118 RBI – 5.9 WAR)
SS Sergio Ramos (.278/.343/.412 – 9 HR – 96 RBI – 4.5 WAR)
SP David Couturier (12-7 – 3.22 ERA – 29 GS, 212.1 IP – 4.0 WAR)

EVE Key Players
2B Jan Johannsen (.298/.362/.389 – 6 HR – 76 RBI – 5.0 WAR)
SS Evan Turner (.336/.382/.441 – 4 HR – 55 RBI – 3.8 WAR)
CF Hyun-il Choi (.265/.324/.485 – 22 HR – 100 RBI – 2.9 WAR)
SP Eugene Winterhalter (12-3 – 2.59 ERA – 22 G/15 GS, 142.2 IP – 2.1 WAR)

LOK Key Players
RF Gleb Zharnikov (.314/.405/.543 – 19 HR – 96 RBI – 4.7 WAR)
1B Zeljko Zecevic (.314/.408/.499 – 21 HR – 74 RBI – 5.0 WAR)
LF Orel Omelko (.302/.376/.426 – 11 HR – 62 RBI – 4.5 WAR)
SP Vladmiri Mityashin (19-13 – 3.73 ERA – 33 GS, 185.2 IP – 3.7 WAR)

Prediction
BK Lokomotiv is certainly not going to be considered a pitching juggernaut, but luckily for them, neither is Crystal Palace. We’ll take Moskva to rely on their extremely deep and consistent lineup and pull off the upset of Crystal Palace, but after that, their lack of pitching will doom them as Atlιtico Madrid moves on.

#4 Valencia Club de Beisbol (92-58, EPL) vs. Winner of #13 Allmδnna Idrottsklubben (88-62, EBL) vs. #20 Dundalk B.C. (83-67, EBL)
VAL Key Players
RF Camille Richard (.294/.354/.512 – 23 HR – 118 RBI – 5.0 WAR)
3B Luis Alvarez (.273/.367/.487 – 24 HR – 77 RBI – 4.1 WAR)
SP David Collin (19-12 – 2.80 ERA – 31 GS, 260.1 IP – 6.3 WAR)
SP Ralph Rosengarten (18-11 – 3.20 ERA – 32 GS, 256.1 IP – 5.9 WAR)

ALL Key Players
LF Vanni Carnini (.332/.400/.475 – 15 HR – 90 RBI – 6.7 WAR)
CF Juan Velazquez (.273/.389/.386 – 12 HR – 79 RBI – 6.3 WAR)
C Brian Sharbaugh (.347/.383/.474 – 9 HR – 80 RBI – 4.5 WAR)
SP Jesus Cordova (20-7 – 3.00 ERA – 32 GS, 243 IP – 6.2 WAR)

DUN Key Players
3B Aapo Hostikka (.324/.380/.399 – 4 HR – 77 RBI – 3.6 WAR)
CF Bruce Paul (.284/.372/.399 – 9 HR – 83 RBI – 5.1 WAR)
SP Francis Dellinger (18-8 – 3.11 ERA – 32 GS, 254.2 IP – 3.2 WAR)
SP Jimmy Martinengo (16-14 – 3.47 ERA – 31 GS, 248.2 IP – 5.2 WAR)

Prediction
The preliminary matchup is a good one – an offense-oriented team in Allmδnna versus a pitching-oriented team in Dundalk. We’ll go with the star power of AIK to lift them over the top. They do have enough star power to give Valencia a real run for their money, but we’ll play it safe and go with Valencia to advance to the Round of 8.

#5 SK Rapid Wien (92-58, EBL) vs. Winner of #12 Arsenal B.C. (88-62, EPL) vs. #21 BK Spartak Moskva (83-67, BASR)
SK Key Players
LF Jerry Thompson (.317/.373/.576 – 13 HR – 127 RBI – 7.1 WAR)
3B Robert Sanchez (.295/.393/.419 – 11 HR – 91 RBI – 5.2 WAR)
RF Carlos Mariscal (.334/.416/.516 – 11 HR – 78 RBI – 4.9 WAR)
SP Josh Keller (20-6 – 2.48 ERA – 32 GS, 258 IP – 7.7 WAR)

ARS Key Players
2B Ramon Ortiz (.341/.417/.465 – 8 HR – 77 RBI – 5.2 WAR)
SS Dane Daniels (.247/.338/.387 – 10 HR – 77 RBI – 3.4 WAR)
SP Frode Ramakers (15-6 – 2.44 ERA – 45 G/19 GS, 206.2 IP, 12 SV – 4.3 WAR)
SP Marcus Lloyd (17-11 – 3.31 ERA – 31 GS, 214.2 IP – 3.8 WAR)

SPA Key Players
1B Ben Wellman (.280/.363/.453 – 18 HR – 104 RBI – 4.2 WAR)
CF Mickey Rocco (.279/.368/.402 – 14 HR – 81 RBI – 5.3 WAR)
SP Lukasha Gabov (17-9 – 2.33 ERA – 29 GS, 231.2 IP – 5.7 WAR)
SP Edik Jukhvidov (12-11 – 3.52 ERA – 34 G/25 GS, 222.2 IP, 1 SV – 2.6 WAR)

Prediction
Expect a very low scoring affair in the Round of 24 matchup – neither Arsenal nor Spartak boasts a great offense. However, Spartak has just enough pieces more than Arsenal that we’ll pick them to pull off the upset. As is the trend, though, don’t expect the winner to move far – especially when it’s against the reigning tournament champs. Between the experience and the flat-out significantly better roster, SK Rapid Wien is a safe bet to move on.

#2 BK Shakhtar Donetsk (101-49, BASR) vs. Winner of #15 Manchester United (85-65, EPL) vs. #18 BK Dinamo Moskva (84-66, BASR)
SHA Key Players
1B Gavrilovich Onufrievich (.318/.404/.494 – 19 HR – 79 RBI – 5.0 WAR)
SP Pavdv Matisov (23-4 – 1.98 ERA – 32 GS, 273.1 IP – 9.9 WAR)
SP Pavla Wedyaskin (18-6 – 2.53 ERA – 31 GS, 249.1 IP – 7.4 WAR)
SP Rodion Ohlupin (14-13 – 3.26 ERA – 31 GS, 243 IP – 5.2 WAR)

MAN Key Players
DH Cormick Dunn (.304/.395/.507 – 27 HR – 104 RBI – 3.8 WAR)
SS Tyler Lynch (.343/.417/.419 – 2 HR – 72 RBI – 5.7 WAR)
1B Louie Flanagan (.280/.381/.487 – 25 HR – 100 RBI – 3.8 WAR)
SP Stan Coulling (18-10 – 3.33 ERA – 31 GS, 251.1 IP – 6.0 WAR)

DIN Key Players
2B Joel Salcido (.315/.397/.458 – 14 HR – 85 RBI – 5.1 WAR)
C Alex Cisneros (.303/.392/.405 – 6 HR – 76 RBI – 3.8 WAR)
SP Lev Machinsky (16-6 – 2.99 ERA – 32 GS, 222.2 IP – 4.1 WAR)
SP Aleksis Semyannikov (12-7 – 3.14 ERA – 31 G/25 GS, 206.1 IP, 2 SV – 4.8 WAR)

Prediction
The first round matchup offers another entertaining battle between a strong lineup versus a strong pitching staff. After Machinsky and Semyannikov, though, Moskva’s pitching is somewhat questionable. Because of that, we’ll take Manchester United to move on. Once they get there, though, they’ll have a tough time competing. Donetsk’s lineup won’t blow anyone away, but their pitching staff may be the best in the tournament. We’ll go with Shakhtar to move to the Round of 8.

#7 Crvena Zvezda Beograd (91-59, BASR) vs. Winner of #10 Paris Saint-Germain (88-62, EPL) vs. #23 B.C. Salzburg (82-68, EPL)
BEO Key Players
LF Pacu Mrdja (.279/.393/.491 – 20 HR – 65 RBI – 3.7 WAR)
3B Slavko Martic (.275/.369/.411 – 12 HR – 75 RBI – 4.3 WAR)
2B Cedomil Anastasijevic (.252/.354/.387 – 7 HR – 70 RBI – 3.4 WAR)
SP Earl Dothager (18-9 – 3.68 ERA – 27 GS/222.1 IP – 1.9 WAR)

PSG Key Players
1B Michael Natisin (.304/.384/.557 – 30 HR – 110 RBI – 4.5 WAR)
3B Martin Vallιe (.274/.369/.504 – 22 HR – 95 RBI – 6.2 WAR)
RF Serge Medentsov (.300/.382/.439 – 12 HR – 76 RBI – 5.4 WAR)
SP Thibaut Gregoire (12-11 – 4.28 ERA – 31 GS/195.1 IP – 1.1 WAR)

SAL Key Players
RF Butch Nieman (.301/.385/.538 – 28 HR – 116 RBI – 5.4 WAR)
C Iwan Hesseling (.279/.363/.412 – 9 HR – 76 RBI – 3.9 WAR)
SP Matt Stoltman (17-11 – 2.73 ERA – 31 GS, 260.2 IP – 6.5 WAR)
SP Gernot Keurorst (15-6 – 4.05 ERA – 32 GS, 218 IP – 4.4 WAR)

Prediction
Paris Saint-Germain looked to be in great position for the Eurasian Challenge going down the stretch until ace SP Denes Kousoulas suffered an elbow injury that will sideline him for at least a couple more weeks. With a thinned pitching staff, they’ll need to rely on their offense to outscore Salzburg. Fortunately, Salzburg isn’t spectacular at any one aspect, so we’ll go with Paris to win the first part. Though Kousoulas won’t be available for a potential Round of 16 matchup, we’ll also go with Paris to upset Beograd and move on, simply using their offense to outscore anyone in their way.

#3 RCD Espanyol (100-50, EBL) vs. Winner of #14 Stade Malien de Bamako (87-63, ArBL) vs. #19 Espιrance Sportive de Tunis (84-66, ArBL)
RCD Key Players
LF Jammu Reima (.345/.434/.540 – 20 HR – 90 RBI – 7.1 WAR)
SS Erik Jobe (.289/.367/.455 – 15 HR – 109 RBI – 7.2 WAR)
RF Alleyne English (.295/.408/.466 – 21 HR – 94 RBI – 7.7 WAR)
SP Luis Aloma (20-8 – 3.26 ERA – 30 GS, 248.1 IP – 4.2 WAR)

BAM Key Players
RF Mahjoub Saber (.265/.352/.434 – 18 HR – 74 RBI – 2.8 WAR)
SP Bill McKee (16-17 – 3.67 ERA – 33 GS, 255 IP – 4.1 WAR)
SP Jaleel Akil (7-5 – 3.00 ERA – 19 G/14 GS, 99 IP – 1.4 WAR)
SP Abdul-Quddus Ameen (6-6 – 3.38 ERA – 19 G/15 GS, 130.1 IP – 1.7 WAR)

TUN Key Players
3B Rabah Rais (.284/.366/.433 – 16 HR – 104 RBI – 5.5 WAR)
RF Asil bin Wa’il (.314/.380/.420 – 8 HR – 53 RBI – 3.4 WAR)
SP Ben Lee (14-7 – 3.35 ERA – 32 GS, 228.1 IP – 4.8 WAR)
SP Lan-Fang Sun (14-11 – 3.68 ERA – 31 GS, 213 IP – 3.7 WAR)

Prediction
Bamako finished 3 games ahead of Tunis in the ArBL regular season, but in a 3 game series, we heavily favor Tunis. The lineup has many more pieces than Bamako, and the pitching is comparable with more proven options than the Malian team. Regardless, don’t expect it to matter much, as RCD Espanyol has possibly the deepest lineup in the tournament. We’ll go with Espanyol and think it won’t even be close.

#6 Al-Ain B.C. (92-58, ArBL) vs. Winner of #11 B.C. Barcelona (88-62, EPL) vs. #22 Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. (83-67, ArBL)
AIN Key Players
CF Tamir Ben-Sarel (.297/.380/.412 – 6 HR – 72 RBI – 5.5 WAR)
LF Issam Sa’eed (.305/.372/.428 – 5 HR – 56 RBI – 5.9 WAR)
SP Steve Bell (21-3 – 2.01 ERA – 32 GS, 264.1 IP – 5.6 WAR)
SP ¬Đdris Korcan (17-10 – 3.09 ERA – 32 GS, 259 IP – 5.7 WAR)

BAR Key Players
LF Olin Kelly (.333/.419/.629 – 44 HR – 132 RBI – 8.0 WAR)
3B George Maraia (.311/.421/.412 – 2 HR – 64 RBI – 5.7 WAR)
2B Yong Li (.285/.383/.375 – 5 HR – 71 RBI – 4.2 WAR)
SP Shane Young (15-8 – 3.03 ERA – 25 GS, 187.1 IP – 3.6 WAR)

MAC Key Players
CF Antar Ridwan (.340/.382/.514 – 14 HR – 84 RBI – 7.5 WAR)
C Diwan Hamid (.312/.344/.418 – 6 HR – 87 RBI – 3.5 WAR)
SP Shurochka Kahanov (17-13 – 3.52 ERA – 32 GS, 253 IP – 3.8 WAR)
SP Numair bin Lutfi (17-12 – 3.63 ERA – 31 GS, 255.1 IP – 2.8 WAR)

Prediction
The final quadrant is possibly the most intriguing in the tournament. Tel Aviv is led by OF Antar Ridwan who is quite possibly the best player in the entire tournament. However, the depth of the team doesn’t match that of Barca, led by slugging OF Olin Kelly. We’ll go with Barcelona to move on, as much as we’d like to see what Ridwan can do. After that though, Al-Ain is just deep enough that we feel safe going with them to move along. Both series should be phenomenally competitive though.

Quarterfinal Predictions
#1 A.S. Roma def. #8 Atlιtico Madrid
#5 SK Rapid Wien def. #4 Valencia Club de Beisbol
#2 BK Shakhtar Donetsk def. #10 Paris Saint-Germain
#3 RCD Espanyol def. #6 Al-Ain B.C.

Semifinal Prediction
#1 A.S. Roma def. #5 SK Rapid Wien
#3 RCD Espanyol def. #2 BK Shakhtar Donetsk

Championship Prediction
#3 RCD Espanyol def. #1 A.S. Roma
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