When I originally setup this league, the idea of 2-week playoff rounds seemed like a great idea. After all, it would reduce the likelihood of a fluke victory by an inferior team, right? A quality team could afford a week where their scoring was lower than average and still be able to win the match if they performed well in the 2nd week.
And though that theory is probably correct, what I didn't realize back then is how long it would drag on. If you think it's difficult watching you knuckleheads make poor choices over the course of 1 week, you should know it becomes exponentially harder over the course of 2.
Nevertheless, we made it. We're in the final round and I'm hoping for a good one.
Recognizing the fact that I'm probably writing this post for an audience of two, I'll skip the lengthy recap of last week's results. If you're interested in how the Los Perros Locos and Akes and Pain won last week, check out their box scores.
Sagebrush Cactus World Series
Los Perros Locos -vs- Team Akes and Pain
From the early days of the season, it appeared these two have been on a collision course to meet in the Championship round. Both are quality teams that performed well throughout, though I'd suggest Akes and Pain put together the stronger season to this point.
A quick glance at these teams reveals both have made it to this round by balancing quality hitting with quality pitching. Over the course of the season, each received just over 50% of their scoring from hitters creating a symmetry with their pitching staffs that allowed for either to have a down week but still earn the win.
Compare that team scoring equity with other teams that received upwards of 60% of their scoring from their hitters or pitchers and you can see the importance of not putting too many eggs in one basket.
One of the biggest differences between these two has been their approach to pitching. While the Perros have stayed true to a small group of pitchers throughout the entire season, Akes has taken the revolving door approach, looking for those 2-start pitchers each week. Either strategy can work if done correctly.
In this contest, Akes and Pain will bring in a pair of new hurlers in hopes they can replicate the 420 runs they scored against the Tallahassee Tator Tots in the Divisional Championship. And if you consider their hitter's struggles last round, they'll need it. If you're keeping score at home, Akes's hitters scored 261, or 38.3% of their scoring.
In the Perros' dugout, the contest against Smalls was business-as-usual. Perros hitters scored 389 (56.3%) with their pitchers contributing 301 (43.7%).
Taking those points into consideration, it would appear this meeting will come down to quality hitting versus quality pitching - the unstoppable force meets the immovable object, if you will.
But I'll disagree to some extent. If we agree Perros has the better hitters and Akes has the better pitchers, then it seems to me the other half of each team will determine which one takes the crown; Perros pitching or Akes hitting.
You don't have to look to far beyond their week 5 contest to see where the outcome of this game might be determined.
In that game, the Perros hitters scored 168 to Akes pitcher's 160...about what you'd expect after reading the insights above. However, the difference-maker was *drum roll* the Perros pitching staff versus the Akes hitters. Each team's weakness was key.
The Perros pitching staff notched just 80 in that contest - their lowest score of the season - and Akes' hitters scored 159, about average. Akes was able to get more out of the weaker half of their team and that's all it took for them to come away with a 319-248 victory.
If I had to guess, I think we'll see some similarities in this game. Unless the Perros pitchers can collectively exceed expectations, it shouldn't take more than average play from Akes' hitters to come away with the title.
COMMISH'S PICK: Akes and Pain
Thanks again for playing this season and good luck in the final round.
-- Commish
p.s. - I'll be sending out invoices within the next few days so keep your eye out for those...especially if you're out of the running for any prize money.
Comments