Sticking Points 2034.14: Driver's Seat for Playoffs

[aaronweiner]

It's September, and the Rockville Pikemen are a 20-game losing streak away from not finishing above .500 for the second time in two years in their new digs - which is to say, not close. In fact, at 78-57, the Pikemen are solidly in command of a wild card spot and are strong favorites to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

"We'd appreciate no one jinxing us at this point, ok? Thanks," said Rockville first baseman Dusty Rhodes, who continues to lead the JL in batting average but most likely won't threaten .400 this year. "We're pretty happy with the way we've played this year and we've really come together as a franchise."

As expected, the Pikemen have rallied around their top two starters, Arthur Dempster and Enrique Gomez, who have been two of the best pitchers in the BBA this year. Dempster is a strong favorite for the JL Steve Nebraska Award this season after finishing as the runner-up last year, as the superstar righty has a 15-2 record and a 3.17 ERA on the season while leading the league in strikeouts. Gomez has a chance at his fourth ERA title and has performed as well as his huge contract would require.

"Obviously, we're amazed at how productive our top two starters have been," said pitching coach Arturo Trujillo. "We're thrilled with their performance and we're excited to run out a three man rotation in the playoffs."

The offense has been even better than the pitching this year, currently third in the JL with over five runs per game. Rockville is trying to become only the third team in JL history to finish with a batting average above .300 as a team. Catcher Francisco Flores, just 19 years old, is also trying to become potentially the youngest player ever to win a batting title.

"It's a lot less pressure when you know the guy behind you is also hitting .360," laughed Flores. "Seriously, we've got a really good ballclub and it's exciting to be able to do this every day."

The Pikemen are eight games ahead of the fifth place team for the wild card with just 27 games to play, 11 of which are against Nashville, San Antonio, and Hawaii. If the Pikemen can go just 13-14 over that span, the team behind them would have to go 21-6 just to tie. Their magic number is 20 at this point.

"We're feeling very good about our chances, but we're waiting on that fat lady," said Pikemen manager Chet Rouse. "Until she sings we're still in the middle of the opera."

[ae37jr]

You are probably going to be the hands down best team in the JLA in 2036, maybe even 2035. Jacksonville will no longer be in the division and Charm City will have Salazar, Winston and Behner all in walk years in 2035. So they will either go all in for a year or just break it down early. Atlantic City will have limited budget to get any better, Montreal isn't exactly the well oiled machine it usually is and Brooklyn will probably always be Brooklyn.

[aaronweiner]

Can't be angry about that.

Blake and Puckett and Palacios will all likely be up.

[bcslouck]

You are probably going to be the hands down best team in the JLA in 2036, maybe even 2035. Jacksonville will no longer be in the division and Charm City will have Salazar, Winston and Behner all in walk years in 2035. So they will either go all in for a year or just break it down early. Atlantic City will have limited budget to get any better, Montreal isn't exactly the well oiled machine it usually is and Brooklyn will probably always be Brooklyn.

I think at this point, I'm going to at least go for it one last time if I can't lock up a couple of them. Worst case scenario, I will have a couple draft picks and have to pivot for a year or so.