NABO48 w/ MLBPA ... Updated for '26

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Both starting pitchers were lights out through 4 innings, then all heck broke loose in the 5th. Birmingham plated 5 runs only to see Nashville come back with 7 runs of their own. The Boars scored a run in the 7th and 8th innings as their bullpen held the Nine scoreless. In the 10th, 2B Colby Jones singled home SS Zachary Kortz to give the Boars an 8-7 lead and eventual win in extra innings.

The daily duo of LF Matt Baker and DH Dave Roberson combined for 7 hits and 6 RBI. SS Zachary 'Zeke' Kortz stayed hot with 4 hits and 3 runs scored.

SP Mike Melchor, after a great start through 4 fell apart in the 5th, allowing 7 runs in the inning. ST Ross Stevens entered the game and threw 2 scoreless innings before giving way to ST Tony Harris who also threw a scoreless inning. CL Jon Gauer came into the game in the 9thand finished the game without giving up the lead to earn his 4th win of the season.

The Boars got out to an early 2-1 lead before the wheels fell off, losing the game 9-3 and allowing the Nashville Nine to even the series 1-1.

3B Colby Jones, filling in for Maddox who had the day off, led the team with 3 hits, while 2B Zachary Kortz added 2 more hits, pushing his average to .306. C Yanuel 'Yani' Casiano also had 2 hits for BIrmingham.

SP Jonathan Booska did not have it going tonight, allowing 5 runs over 4.1 IP, including 2 HRA. LR Mitch Bratt was even worse, 4 runs in 2.1 IP, with 4 walks.

After yesterday's disaster, the Boars bounce back with a well played game. The game was tied 2-2 after 6 innings, when the BOars took the lead ... and they kept due to the bullpen having a great night.

1B Matt Baker and LF Jon Curd led the team with 2 hits each.

SP Fred Steward earned his 11th win, allowing just 2 ER in 6 innings, completing the QS, walking just 1 batter. MR Eric Glazman pitched 2 scoreless innings, MR Dustin Chandler recorded a couple of outs before CL Jon Gauer came in to nab his 29th save, after Chandler allowed the tying run to enter the batter's box.

Yesterday the Boars enjoyed a 4-2 win and today Nashville flipped the script with their own 4-2 win ... splitting the series 2-2, as both teams battle for 2nd/3rd place in the division. The Nine scored 3 runs off ST Tony Harris to take the lead in the 8th.

DH Dave Roberson, 2B Zackary Kortz, and RF Nick Calloway all had 2 hits each for Birmingham.

SP Masahiro Takiuchi pitched very well, allowing just one run over 6 IP, despite a high pitch count. But ultra reliable ST Tony Harris had an off night, allowing 3 runs, including 2 home runs to surrender the lead.

Series W-L: 19-14-4
Game W-L: 68-55
+13 Over .500

Baker's 11 game hit streak snapped. 23-52 (.442), 4 HR

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Orlando, trailing 4-3 in the 8th, scored 3 runs off MR Dustin Chandler to take the lead, and the win in game 1 of the series.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
DH Dave Roberson - 2-5, HR, 2 RBI
SP Javier M Martinez Jr - 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, QS, ND
1B Danny O'Neal - 1-4 2 RBI

Birmingham scores 4 runs in 5th, keyed by a 2R single by LF Jackson Chourio, and he was driven in by a double by 3B Jason Maddox.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Mike Melchor - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, W (6-10)
LF Jackson Chourio - 1-5, R, 2 RBI
3B Jason Maddox - 2-5, 2B, RBI

Booska and Bullpen were outstanding, CF Anthony Pack Jr leads the offense to a 7-0 win, taking the series 2-1.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Jonathan Booska - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, W (12-9)
CF Anthony Pack Jr - 3-5, 2 RBI
2B Zackary Kortz - 3-5, 2 R

Series W-L: 20-14-4
Game W-L: 70-56
+14 Over .500

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In a back and forth wild, exciting game, 1B Bobby "Base Hit Bobby" Sharp delivered a 2 RBI PH single in the 8th inning to put Birmingham ahead for good.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
DH Dave Roberson - 3-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
3B Jason Maddox - 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
2B Zachary Kortz - 3-3, R, BB

Velez and Takiuchi engaged in a tough pitcher's duel, both blanking the other through 6 innings. Montreal got on the board first with a run in the 7th, and Birmingham came right back with 3 in their half of the inning, and were able to hold on for consecutive 1R victories.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Masahiro Takiuichi - 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, W (8-7)
2B Zachary Kortz - 1-4, 2B, Go Ahead RBI
ST Ross Stevens - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, H (15)

Montreal gets out to a 3-0 lead and never looks back on their way to a 5-1 win, despite dropping the series to Birmingham 1-2.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
1B Matt Baker - 2-5, 2B (19)
RF Nick Calloway - 2-2, R, 2 BB
C Caden Bodine - 1-3, BB

Series W-L: 21-14-4
Game W-L: 72-57
+15 Over .500

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Looking at the base stealing situation, I had some ideas that seem to make more sense, in how the game is played, and how the ratings work, regarding when to steal and when to resist.

Using speed doesn't seem to be fair, because it's easy to get a bunch of 60+ Speed guys. But that doesn't mean they're "base stealers". So, here's the new house rules.

Both quantifiers have to be met in order to attempt a steal. A throw over by the pitcher, or a start and stop by the runner cancels the steal attempt ability for that at bat.

1. Steal Aggressiveness > Pitcher Hold
2. Base Stealing Ability > Catcher's Arm

That should reduce it quite a bit. The Boars still have 4 everyday players that should be able to steal quite often, but the "mid guys" (guys with more speed than aggressiveness or ability), will be reduced a lot. The main 4 guys will still attempt a lot, it's the one advantage the 48th (deal last) budget Boars have other other lineups.

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The best team in the East heads to Birmingham for a 3-game series.

Mike Melchor and Eric Glazman stun the Beasts of the East with a combined shutout in the series opener.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Mike Melchor - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K, W (7-10)
1B Matt Baker - 3-5, R, RBI
SS Jacob Lombard - 2-4, R, 2B, RBI

CYA Candidate Paul Sands is too much for the Boars, Gotham wins 3-1.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Jonathan Booska - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HRA, L
DH Dave Roberson - 1-4, HR, RBI
2B Zachary Kortz - 1-3, 2B

Gotham's dominant pitching by Shipes shuts down the Boars in the series finale with a 4-1 win ... taking the series 2-1.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
DH Dave Roberson - 2-4, R, 2B
1B Danny O'Neal - 2-4
RF Nick Calloway - 2-4, 2B

Series W-L: 21-15-4
Game W-L: 73-59
+14 Over .500

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Division Rivals, Georgia and Birmingham, engaged in a back and forth thriller that the Boars took 13-10, propelled with a 4 run 8th in response to Georgia's 5 run 8th.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
DH Dave Roberson - 5-5, 2R, 2 RBI, BB
Anthony Pack Jr - 4-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
RF Nick Calloway - 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI

Georgia's 3 run 5th inning, led by RF Finn Power's (great name, effin' power), 2 RBI single, sends them to victory and evening the series 1-1. SP Justin Williams held the Boars batters to 3 R over 7 IP, striking out 7.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
3B Danny O'Neal - 2-4, 3B, HR, 2 RBI
1B Bobby Sharp - 1-3, RBI, BB
DH Dave Roberson - 1-3, R, BB

With LF Jackson Chourio in the midst of a 1-40 slump, Matt Baker has been playing LF and Danny O'Neal getting time at 1B and Danny O has been responding, living up to his potential. In this game he played 3B, giving Jason Maddox the day off to rest.

SP Mike Melchor threw a 1-hit shutout for Birmingham. 'Nuff said.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Mike Melchor - 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, W (8-10)
2B Zachary Kortz - 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI
1B Danny O'Neal - 2-4, R, 3B

Birmingham got out to a 5-1 lead through 4 innings, and Georgia got SP Booska and ST Harris for 4 runs in the 5th. The Generals got an RBI from Villanueva in the 6th giving them the lead and eventual win. Series ends 2-2. Birmingham missed a big opportunity to close more of the distance between them and the playoffs.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
LF Matt Baker - 3-5, R
C 'Yani' Casiano - 2-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
ST Ross Stevens - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Series W-L: 21-15-5
Game W-L: 75-61
+14 Over .500

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A big series between two teams in the hunt for the postseason.

Dave Roberson's 2 HR, 5 RBI day launches the Boars to victory in the 1st game of this important series. Steward solid in his QS.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
DH Dave Roberson - 3-4, 2R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB
SP Fred Steward - 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HRA, W (12)
RF Nick Calloway - 2-3, RBI

Dave Roberson's power, once again, leads the Boars to a big win over the Machines. Takiuchi was great in his start, and while the bullpen stumbled, it held on for the 6-4 win, going up 2-0min the series.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
SP Masahiro Takiuchi - 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HRA, W (9)
DH Dave Roberson - 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR (19), 2 RBI (78)
3B Jason Maddox - 4-5, 2B (10)

Trailing 2-0 through 6 innings due to the great pitching of Tyler Horton, 1B Danny O'Neal's 2 big hits, driving in 3 runs, moves the Boars ahead, and to the win .... sweeping the series against Motor City.

Birmingham Boars - 3 Stars
1B Danny O'Neal - 3-4, 2B (16), 3 RBI (34)
SP Javier Martinez Jr - 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
ST Tony Harris - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, W (5)

Series W-L: 22-15-5
Game W-L: 78-61
+17 Over .500

The last game of this series took us into September, so we'll update NABO48, including postseason probabilities.

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The most exciting division in NABO48. 4 teams competing for both the division and both of the wildcards.

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Can the Crawfish hang on for the division?
Can the most unlikely underdogs keep moving up the ranks and capture one of the playoff spots?

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Playoff Odds By Division

Eastern League








Western League

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