2053 Geoghegan Preview: Sluggers vs Kernels (Best of 5)

[neugey]

Central Iowa is absolutely going berserk. The last time Des Moines made the playoffs (2008), none of the current players in the BBA or GBC had been born yet. Teams such as the Marquette Suns, Carolina Kraken, California Crusaders and Washington Bobwhites were still active and selling merchandise in a 24-team BBA. The drought is over, and only the oldheads can remember much of the 2007 Kernels BBA championship.

There is some optimism that the Kernels can compete for a title again. The team knows how to crank out homers, led by CF Hector Cano Jr and his Frick-leading 50 dingers. The 26-year old has already won two Sawyer Silk awards, and should also be near the top of the ballot for this years' honor. Des Moines wisely extended Cano Jr for another 3 seasons and he will be the preeminent piece for the Kernels brass to build around. RF Aaron Haney had a career year, hitting .317 with 43 homers and a Frick-leading .994 OPS. These numbers are right in line with what he did way back in 2040, when he won the Sawyer Silk at only 21. I guess there is something about the Sawyer Silk award and hitters in their early-to-mid twenties!

The Kernels pitching is a little spotty, but their future is bright with righty Jon Brown coming into his own. His 3.78 FIP and 5.8 rWAR is proof of real progress. Longtime Kernel and former starter Manuel Camacho continued his successful deployment as the team's closer, recording 39 saves. The team is healthy for the post-season run and hopes to do some damage. They know the BBA playoffs aren't a guarantee following this insane franchise drought.

Unlike the Kernels, Louisville has a lot more postseason experience and last won it all ten years ago in 2043. The Sluggers aren't quite as dynamic as the Kernels offensively, but still hit their fair share of homers, led by 1B Sandro Rodriguez and LF Jeffrey Smith. 3B Luis Mendoza continues to be one of the most patient power hitters in the BBA. He generated a .381 OBP, 106 RBI's and 6.5 WAR. Their defense grades a little higher than Des Moines' and that could also come into play this series. But they need to get something besides defense out of catcher Taylor Michaels though. He hit .207 on the year and is coming into the playoffs on a 1 for 20 hitting slump.

The Sluggers have a 18-win pitcher in Antonio Baldez, yet the staff in general is an area of concern. Yoshii Takuda is the only starter who seems genuinely reliable (3.91 ERA, 15-8 record). The team is 12th in FIP and 10th in strikeouts in the Frick, which doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Closer Manuel Cruz is a beast (2.50, 0.90 WHIP, 41 saves), but the Sluggers' middle relief and setup options are quite suspect. Especially against Des Moines, the Sluggers pitching will have to work hard to escape major damage in most games.

Verdict: The story of the Kernels returning to the playoffs is almost too much to resist, and there is a sufficient argument in picking Des Moines. On the season, they posted a +125 run differential, compared to the Sluggers' meager +58. I don't think the Sluggers will have enough to hang with the exuberant Kernels. It seems like this may be a 3-1 series in favor of Des Moines.