Charlotte is the Center of the BBA Universe For Final Series

[lordtoffee]

I think that it is fair to say that with the BBA going to a new scheduling format this year, what is going to go on in Charlotte for the final series of the regular season is exactly what the BBA leadership was hoping for. The Johnson League has provided plenty of ups and downs this year, as going into the last series of the year only Charm City and Calgary know for certain that they are in the playoffs. Incredibly, only Calgary knows for certain that they are going to be division champions, and even the Pioneers could play for home field advantage throughout the Johnson League playoffs depending on how Charm City does the rest of the year.

Charm City doesn't have an easy matchup for looking to clinch the Atlantic, as they are going to have to travel down to Charlotte to face the Flyers, in what promises to be a playoff atmosphere in the regular season. The Jimmies have a magic number of 2 to clinch the division, but know that Charlotte has taken care of business against the bottom feeders in the Atlantic the past couple of weeks. While Charlotte has an outside chance of winning the Atlantic, their best path to the postseason is to work on their magic number of 4 dropping to zero.

What makes this series even more intriguing is that every single question surrounding the Johnson League playoff picture is going to be answered in part due to this one series. Both teams in this series obviously are going to be watching, but the entire seeding could change multiple times during these games. Montreal is only 2 games back of Charm City, and has to balance making sure that they clinch with keeping an eye on how things go in Charlotte among other places. New Orleans has an outside shot of getting the division, but they are going to probably try and clinch their spot and make sure that they get home field for the first round. Phoenix is tied with New Orleans, and they are going to be aiming to clinch their spot and then focus on getting home field in the first round as they are currently behind New Orleans based on the tiebreakers. Charlotte is in the most precarious position. While they do get the advantage of playing at home and are the last team who controls their destiny, they have to play Charm City and have to keep an eye on Las Vegas. Vegas is a game back, and needs to likely win out and hope for some slip ups to make certain that they can win.

What makes this even more delicious is that there is a strong feeling among the BBA executives that a tiebreaker could be needed, and where that game is going to be played is anyone's guess.

All in all, Charlotte and Charm City are going to play a series that might be the most anticipated around the league in a while. Should be an example of BBA baseball at it's best.