2052 Doubleday Preview: Mad Popes vs Bluebirds (Best of 7)

[neugey]

The Mad Popes proved to be too much for Valencia and swept them in three games. DH Unem Ploid was named the series MVP, generating 6 hits and 6 runs and a home run to help propel Sacramento to victory. Even though the final game took 12 innings to complete, a sweep was certainly a good thing for Sacramento, as they will need time to rest, plot and prepare for the Frick's most fearsome squad, the 102-game winning Bluebirds.

The Bluebirds spent their bye round praying for asteroids to pummel opposing Frick league clubs, but as of this writing no such asteroid showers have occurred. But Nashville is a talented team that shouldn't need the interference of cosmic events to advance. Nashville is led by two 15 game winners in Adrian Custello and John Dawson. The bullpen is spearheaded by a trio of good southpaws in Quirke Roddis, Ollie Lowry and Elvin Hilliard who all work heavy innings. And right-handed relievers like Mike Allain are just as formidable. The top-notch bullpen is a big part of Nashville's success, as is their home park. The Bluebirds are an incredible 59-22 at home. Sacramento will need to steal at least one game on the road, and it won't be easy.

Offensively, the Bluebirds have a 24-year old phenom in 1B Wafid Bishr, who was a $5 million international signing back in 2044. Bishr has been worth every penny, winning a Silk award in 2051 and hitting an insane .330/.409/.597 line this year. Teams trying to pitch around Bishr will also have to contend with gutsy hitters like 3B Tony Frost and SS Sammy McNeill, both switch hitters with excellent contact. This will be the Bluebirds fifth straight post-season appearance, and some writers are asserting Nashville is in the middle stages of a pretty strong dynasty. Another Landis title would certainly prove that point.

Final Verdict: The Mad Popes took 4 of 6 from Nashville during the regular season, and their pitching could give Nashville some problems. This could turn into an epic duel, and it's fairly likely this match-up will take seven games to settle. The Mad Popes' best hitter Ploid is on a hot streak, and could overcome the might of Nashville's starters and relievers at key moments. It's a tough one to call, but I'm predicting Sacramento in 7.

[shoeless.db]

Great, now some poor virgin will need to be sacrificed to Camacho to counter the jinx placed on the Popes by this preview. Oh, well.

Fun write-up, @neugey

[Dington]

Well, @bschr682 is off the table now, so find a different virgin. Gonna be a great series, but I also think Popes prevail. I can’t give up a loss in those first two games and give away home field advantage.

[bschr682]

i don't think shoeless has much of chance here. Im actually predicting a nashville sweep.

[Jwalk100]

This series might be influenced by the 'Markus Effect'.

Sacramento in 7.

[Trebro]

I feel like Sacramento has gotten hot at the right time. Popes in 6.

[CTBrewCrew]

Well, @bschr682 is off the table now, so find a different virgin. Gonna be a great series, but I also think Popes prevail. I can’t give up a loss in those first two games and give away home field advantage.

@bschr682 you got some?!!!

[Dington]

Well, @bschr682 is off the table now, so find a different virgin. Gonna be a great series, but I also think Popes prevail. I can’t give up a loss in those first two games and give away home field advantage.

@bschr682 you got some?!!!

Praise Camacho

[Trebro]

I feel like Sacramento has gotten hot at the right time. Popes in 6.

Let's hope I'm better at being a GM than I am at predictions.