2053.5: Thoughts on the Championship Series

[Rubaboo]

Well, here we are again. I made it once in my first 34(!) seasons, now we have a chance to go back-to-back after taking the title last season. In order to do that we have to take down Shoeless' (Camacho's?) Popes.

First, I just want to share some thoughts on the Mad Popes. I love this team. It takes me back to my teams in the mid '20s that slapped the ball around the field and ran like hell. Very frustrating to a certain Kyle Stever, who peered down his nose at my anti-sabermetric approach. It was fun to build the team I wanted to build and beat guys who hated that approach. I love what Shoeless has done here for a number of reasons. I love the slap hitters. I love guys who can run. I love the pitch and defend style. Above all, what I love is that Shoeless tried to be burned out and leave the league last offseason before being bullied into staying. After that, he actively went to work building exactly the team he wanted to build, built it, and is now in the championship series. Bravo.

This matchup is an interesting one to try to figure out. I haven't played against a team like Sacramento yet because there isn't a team like Sacramento. I would say that I'm confident but not comfortable. I like my squad. I feel like we stack up well against pretty much everyone. We can pitch, we can hit. The Sacramento squad is probably the first matchup I've had where I haven't felt like I have a sizeable advantage on the mound. We can pitch, Sacramento can PITCH. The starters are largely a toss up, but the Popes' bullpen. Wow. Hope we aren't playing from behind with any regularity. I like my squad in the offensive matchup. Slap hitters are great but you need to be able to string some hits together. If we can prevent them from doing that, the heart of our lineup should tip the offensive scales my way. Defensively, I think we're at a slight disadvantage. Sacramento has plus fielders most of the way around the diamond, we don't. Is it a huge defecit? No, but in what should be a tight series every edge matters. The basepaths are a big edge to the Popes, as designed, especially when you consider the defensive matchup behind the dish. Klooster is a good offensive catcher and serviceable behind the plate, Kinsella is serviceable offensively and elite defensively. If the Popes can get some guys on base, the track meet might be on.

I won't call the series one way or another here, plenty of other people have started doing that. I am excited for tonight. I'm excited by the opportunity to go back-to-back. I'm excited for the live sim. I'm excited to play against Shoeless, who I think highly of for some reason. Mostly, I'm excited to see if Shoeless can self fulfill his own prophecy and become the new Ron Collins. Let's hope we can split the first two at the Basilica and the rain in Mexico City can wash off whatever fairy dust Recte sprinkled on the Popes this year as a condition of Shoeless staying aboard.

See you all tonight!

[Jwalk100]

The team @shoeless.db is immune to home field advantage. They do what they do well and can win anywhere. There are so many ways to win and lose in this game.

[Rubaboo]

The team @shoeless.db is immune to home field advantage. They do what they do well and can win anywhere. There are so many ways to win and lose in this game.

Just another reason to love a slap hit offense.

[RT60]

I wish my team was built like both of your teams. I am envious. Good luck!

[shoeless.db]

Man, you made me like my team even more. Can’t wait to be swept later.

[trmmilwwi]

Poor agrudez would be steaming mad right now.