2053 Geoghegan Preview: Bluebirds vs Stars (Best of 5)

Team, Division, League, Playoff, and all other comprehensive previews go here.
User avatar
neugey
BBA GM
Posts: 495
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:28 pm
Has thanked: 519 times
Been thanked: 401 times

2053 Geoghegan Preview: Bluebirds vs Stars (Best of 5)

Post by neugey » Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:10 pm

In 2053, Nashville did not continue their run of top-dog status in the BBA. Still, the team will be satisfied with their 90-72 record if they can manage another deep playoff run that has become a tradition over the last several seasons. Valencia, on the other hand, would be ecstatic with any kind of playoff run. Their franchise has had a habit of being dispatched quickly in the Geoghegan round, and were swept in their last two playoff appearances.

A key factor in Nashville's disappointing year has been young star 1B Wafid Bishr. The young phenom has been battling a few different injuries this year and will miss at least the Geoghegan round of the playoffs this year. The Nashville offense has sputtered without the two-time Sawyer Silk winner, falling among the lower tier of Frick teams in batting average and on base percentage. The pitching at least has been solid enough to keep the team above .500. Young starter Steven Clayton is starting to come into his own and may be a future ace. For Nashville to advance, 2B Helmut Grun will need to help carry the team, but thus far it appears he's just not the same dominant hitter in the BBA that he was in the GBC. If playoff games get tight though, the Bluebirds have an excellent closer in Quirke Roddis to turn to.

Valencia's primary asset in 2053 is their pitching. The Stars finished 2nd in starter ERA and 3rd in bullpen ERA. They don't strikeout a lot of hitters, but instead focus on accuracy. Only Sacramento allowed fewer walks in 2053 in the Frick. The Stars have a great righty/lefty tandem in starters Eddie Armstrong and Brian King. Both recorded 16 wins in 2053, and King led all Frick pitchers with 24 quality starts. The defense can fly all over the field, recording a Frick-leading +54.0 ZR. Their defense-first philosophy has a downside though - no Valencia hitter recorded more than 90 RBI's, and 2B Prabhu Vogelsong and LF Omer Dijkstra were the only batters to hit over .300 (and not by much). It's also difficult for Valencia to manufacture runs. They are a middling team in on-base percentage, and are last in the league in stolen bases (36). Free agent 3B Daniel Pepper had an abysmal season, hitting .222/.286/.420. Pepper may need to get something going to help the Stars finally solve their longstanding postseason puzzle.

Verdict: Due to Bishr's injury, the door is open for Valencia to finally conquer their Geoghegan demons, and I think they'll finally come through in a low-scoring 3-1 series.
______________________________________

2051 London Monarchs (GBC)
2051-present Edmonton Jackrabbits (BBA)

User avatar
Dington
GB: Recruiting & Development Director
Posts: 4816
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:06 am
Has thanked: 2074 times
Been thanked: 1147 times
Contact:

Re: 2053 Geoghegan Preview: Bluebirds vs Stars (Best of 5)

Post by Dington » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:48 pm

I predict Nashville in 4! Jk. Thanks for the write up. Fortunately the offense sputtered with Bishrnin the lineup, too. So they should be adjusted.
Image
Nashville Bluebirds GM
HOW I BUILD A WINNING TEAM <---Click
Kuwait City GM 2042-43
2043 UMEBA United Cup Champion*

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “Previews”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests