37.17 Jackrabbits are in the playoffs

[crobillard]

It took nine seasons, but the Jackrabbits are going to the playoffs. They have never won more than 70 games in their previous eight seasons, they have never had a team ERA better than 4.43 and the only major award winner they've ever had was Bobby Lynch (16 - 4, 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 179 K) winning Newcomer of the Year in 2033. Edmonton is resilient. They're a young team speckled with some veterans. That is about to end their season with more than 90 wins.

The teams in the postseason are incredibly difficult. The Frick league is represented by last year's Landis contender, the San Fernando Bears, who won the Landis in 2034 (as the Louisville Sluggers) and for the previous four seasons have been in the playoffs. They are having arguably the greatest season of those previous four seasons and are closing out the season hot winning their last eleven games as of the time of this writing. The California Crusaders are joining them and they will give bats a difficult time with their MBBA leading 3.30 ERA. The Heartland is still up for grabs and I am not making any predictions there. Suffice it to say, it will be a challenging road for the Jackrabbits.

With Chet Parrish (7 - 4, 3.10 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 96 K) set to make his return this sim, the only notable missing piece is Mitch Dalrymple (.286/.324/.448, 17 HR, 65 RBI) who went down in August with a fractured ankle. The Jackrabbits don't have a well performing replacement, but others have been stepping up in Dalrymple's absence.

Steven Collins III (.303/.341/.430, 7 HR, 56 RBI) has been a huge contributor since he was called up in May. He leads the time in runs with 101 despite spending the first month of the season in AAA. Dusty Rhodes (.329/.372/.464, 21 HR, 89 RBI) is getting older, but he's been hitting well this season. I'm excited to see more out of him in the playoffs. He's hit the most homeruns in his career this season since his second season in 2027 when he hit 22 dingers. Luis Costello (.309/.355/.509, 27 HR, 113 RBI) has been great this season. Great bat, good defense in left field and he's been versatile moving to second base against lefties sometimes.

The pitching has been the hero throughout this season. Players playing well past what I thought was their ceiling when this season started. I definitely though pitching was our weakest spot. Lo and behold we are second in the league in ERA. Uh...what? We didn't have any starters so when Jesus Ramos didn't opt out of his contract in the offseason I thought maybe I would have him start. Then, Hiroyuki Rin (9 - 8, 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 128 K) was available late into the offseason and I thought I would try the same with him. I mean I really didn't have any better options. I could throw the same old guys out there from last year and watch mediocrity or try something crazy and see if it works. Ramos and Rin would be my best relievers so I thought I might as well have them start and soak up as many innings as they can. I actually didn't have them on pitch counts at the start of the season. I probably added those for everyone 4-6 weeks into the season and I would put a sixth pitcher into the rotation once in a while to add some depth. I would also move some of my starters in and out of the rotation. Play the hot hand. I am shocked it's worked out this well. I was trying to save their arms. It didn't work with Chet Parrish (7 - 4, 3.10 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 96 K) because I would frequently use him as an innings eater. I'm using the far less capable, Johnny Morin (8 - 9, 4.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 109 K) that way right now, but he has an 11 stamina. Chet's is only an 8. I have a lot more flexibility with Morin to leave him in for far more than 100 pitches. Morin isn't very good, but if the bullpen needs a break, I can put him in as a sixth starter and let everyone recover.

[handaspencer]

Congratulations and good luck

[usnspecialist]

One minor tweak, I won as the Havana sugar kings, not Louisville. Great to see Edmonton living up to potential.

[crobillard]

One minor tweak, I won as the Havana sugar kings, not Louisville. Great to see Edmonton living up to potential.

Thanks, I'm still trying to navigate the history that I missed. Feels good to be in the playoffs.

[handaspencer]

I think making the playoffs after a long hard dry spell is extremely rewarding. Once you get in anything can happen.