2051 Cartwright Preview: Crawdads vs Aztecs (Best of 7)

[neugey]

After a very dramatic and parity-filled Doubleday series for all BBA teams involved, there is plenty to keep an eye on in the upcoming Cartwright Cup round. The storylines almost seem to write themselves. We will focus on the Johnson side of these 2051 playoffs, as this author is pretty new around here and doesn't know frick about the Frick, at least for now.

The New Orleans Crawdads survived their 7-game showdown against the Phoenix Talons. They lost 2 extra-inning games early in that series, but rebounded very nicely. Their last 3 wins were by a combined score of 18-4. Those are the kind of performances the Crawdads will need to recreate to overcome their next foe, the Mexico City Aztecs. Leading the way will be OF Juan Donestevez, who was named the Doubleday series MVP with a .367 average and 7 RBI's. An honorable mention for that MVP award, 3B Mal Fountain, also provided a spark with a .308 average and 7 RBI's of his own.

26-year old lefty ace SP Billy Kelly will need to continue his post-season excellence in order for the Crawdads to overcome the offensive might of the Aztecs. Kelly allowed only 1 earned run in two starts versus Phoenix. This is his first season as a starter, as New Orleans general manager Jim Roberts decided to bring Kelly along slowly as a major league reliever before rewarding a rotation spot. The patient approach seems to have paid off.

Along with Kelly, the Crawdads have excellent starters in Arthur Rogalski, Zak Johnson and Cristian Garcia. All of them won 14 games with sub 4.00 ERA's during the regular season. By many measures, the 'Dads have the best pitching in the Johnson, if not the whole BBA. But stifling a feisty Aztecs lineup in a best of 7 series will be their biggest challenge yet.

The team's regular season HR and RBI leader, OF Sebastian Fradesso, was suspiciously quiet in the last series. He will need to generate some offense in this next series to take some pressure off the other hitters and supply additional run support. The 'Dads need to score insurance runs and put the Aztecs in a major hole in multiple games in this series, or there could be trouble afoot. Especially considering their opponent ...

The Aztecs survived their playoff showdown against the Hustlers in last-minute fashion. Down to their final out and needing 2 runs to tie Las Vegas, Mexico City miraculously staved off defeat. The full count walk drawn by BBA legend Steven Collins III brought in a run and kept the inning alive for catcher Quinton Lara, who ended the drama with a jaw-dropping walk-off grand slam, also on a full count.

Will the Aztecs be drained physically and emotionally, after such an unbelievable series and conclusion? Don't count on it. Star CF Felix Romanwas relatively quiet during the Doubleday series, yet still managed 2 doubles and 2 homers. It's likely that Roman will hit for more than .235 in this series. New Orleans hopes he will at least do so with limited runners on base.

New Orleans has a well-rounded lineup that doesn't strikeout often and puts the ball in play. Mexico City's defense is decent, but committed 4 errors in the last series. They'll need to be crisp in this match-up and make sure the 'Dads don't get any extra gifts.

A big part of the Aztecs win over the Hustlers was the number of walks they drew, especially in the clutch. You'd think New Orleans would be in good shape, as they were the Johnson team to surrender the second fewest walks in the regular season. But which was first in this stat? The Hustlers. Ouch. So much for that theory.

Final Verdict: The Crawdads, who last won a championship before most of their roster was born, are certainly capable and hungry for a title. But the Aztecs, with no championship history of their own, seem hungrier. Their juggernaut lineup - led by the trio of Collins III, Roman and Doubleday Series MVP Felipe Vega - will prove to be too much. Righty, lefty, starter, reliever, whomever: the Aztecs will feast. I predict the Aztecs will take the series in 5 games, with Steven Collins III being the most likely recipient of the series MVP. Good luck gentlemen!

[ae37jr]

This might be the two best teams in the BBA this season. Should be a good matchup.

[Jwalk100]

This one comes down to pitching. Mexico's offense is VERY good.

[JimBob2232]

Good preview. My pitching has been superb - but I am nervous. I’m not sure they are as good as their stats indicate. Regardless - too 3 in the Nebraska Voting.

Hope I can pull it off. Going to be tough for sure.

[lordtoffee]

Hard to pick a winner in this one.