2052 Geoghegan Preview: Jimmies vs Hustlers (Best of 5)
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 4:26 pm
The Jimmies and The Hustlers. No kids, it's not a classic Broadway musical, it's a first-round BBA match-up.
This is the seventh consecutive year that the Hustlers have the playoffs and they will try to get back to their Landis-winning ways in 2052. Recte's squad finished with a 94-68 record, second only in the Frontier Division to the dynamo that is Mexico City. Whether at the plate or on the mound, the Hustlers seem to do everything quite well, whether it's generating strikeouts, drawing walks, hitting homers or stealing bases. Their one weak spot may be a middle-of-the-road defense that has had fairly poor efficiency rankings in 2052. Las Vegas features a hitting lineup without weak links - an incredible nine hitters on this team finished the season with more than 60 RBI's. LF Scotty Beemeup recorded 38 homers and is the Hustlers' best power hitter.
On the pitching side, young southpaw Javier De Jesus had a breakout season, tallying 17 wins and a 3.59 ERA. Righty Gerald Sizemore accompanied De Jesus with a 15-10 record. Both pitchers throw high quality changeups that frustrate BBA hitters. Former Bluebirds reliever Mitchell Purssell is a dominant reliever who racks up strikeouts with his 100+ MPH offerings. The Hustlers bullpen is a nice complement of both young and old arms who all combine to get the job done and hold leads.
The Jimmies made the playoffs based on consistent pitching and terrific defense. They lack a dominant ace but get great starts out of a group of 5-6 starters who seem to overachieve. Lefty Richard Bullock was the most successful of that group in 2052, turning in a 14-6 record and a 3.60 ERA. Closer Manuel Barrera has proven very good at finishing off opponents with pure heat, notching 37 saves and a 2.97 FIP. 2B Dave Ackerman will almost certainly win a Diamond Glove with his standout +25.4 ZR. He has also delivered adequately at the plate, recording 70 RBI's and 29 stolen bases. The Jimmie's outfield in general sports great range and is adept at tracking down balls other teams cannot get to.
The Jimmies offense has been very pedestrian, and they will need to be on the top of their game to advance in the playoffs. RF Al Garrett has been on a tear lately, hitting .514 in his last 13 games. He may not start every game, but the Jimmies hope he will stay hot regardless of where or when he appears. Like the Hustlers, the Jimmies are a well-rounded group with eight of them producing 60 or more RBI's. But this group just doesn't get on base and cross the plate with the same regularity as Las Vegas and other top BBA clubs.
Final Verdict: Las Vegas has the more experienced group, and took 4 of 6 from the Jimmies during the regular season. Las Vegas also knows how to win close games, going 30-20 in 1-run contests in 2052. This looks like a series that will go the distance, with the Hustlers escaping with a win in game 5.
This is the seventh consecutive year that the Hustlers have the playoffs and they will try to get back to their Landis-winning ways in 2052. Recte's squad finished with a 94-68 record, second only in the Frontier Division to the dynamo that is Mexico City. Whether at the plate or on the mound, the Hustlers seem to do everything quite well, whether it's generating strikeouts, drawing walks, hitting homers or stealing bases. Their one weak spot may be a middle-of-the-road defense that has had fairly poor efficiency rankings in 2052. Las Vegas features a hitting lineup without weak links - an incredible nine hitters on this team finished the season with more than 60 RBI's. LF Scotty Beemeup recorded 38 homers and is the Hustlers' best power hitter.
On the pitching side, young southpaw Javier De Jesus had a breakout season, tallying 17 wins and a 3.59 ERA. Righty Gerald Sizemore accompanied De Jesus with a 15-10 record. Both pitchers throw high quality changeups that frustrate BBA hitters. Former Bluebirds reliever Mitchell Purssell is a dominant reliever who racks up strikeouts with his 100+ MPH offerings. The Hustlers bullpen is a nice complement of both young and old arms who all combine to get the job done and hold leads.
The Jimmies made the playoffs based on consistent pitching and terrific defense. They lack a dominant ace but get great starts out of a group of 5-6 starters who seem to overachieve. Lefty Richard Bullock was the most successful of that group in 2052, turning in a 14-6 record and a 3.60 ERA. Closer Manuel Barrera has proven very good at finishing off opponents with pure heat, notching 37 saves and a 2.97 FIP. 2B Dave Ackerman will almost certainly win a Diamond Glove with his standout +25.4 ZR. He has also delivered adequately at the plate, recording 70 RBI's and 29 stolen bases. The Jimmie's outfield in general sports great range and is adept at tracking down balls other teams cannot get to.
The Jimmies offense has been very pedestrian, and they will need to be on the top of their game to advance in the playoffs. RF Al Garrett has been on a tear lately, hitting .514 in his last 13 games. He may not start every game, but the Jimmies hope he will stay hot regardless of where or when he appears. Like the Hustlers, the Jimmies are a well-rounded group with eight of them producing 60 or more RBI's. But this group just doesn't get on base and cross the plate with the same regularity as Las Vegas and other top BBA clubs.
Final Verdict: Las Vegas has the more experienced group, and took 4 of 6 from the Jimmies during the regular season. Las Vegas also knows how to win close games, going 30-20 in 1-run contests in 2052. This looks like a series that will go the distance, with the Hustlers escaping with a win in game 5.