After a 21 week regular season, and two playoff round, we have our Field Series matchup. And no, this is not deja vu. We do indeed have a rematch of the 2018 Field Series Championship, between the Clarksville Crushers and Westport Pilots.
In 2018, the Pilots ran away with the season, finishing 225-95-16 (.693), good for the best record in BFBL history, and 53 games ahead of the second-place team. As a result of the dominating regular season, the Pilots handled the Field Series playoffs with ease, winning the semi-finals 10-6, and topping the Crushers 11-4 in the finals.
Flip the script to the 2019 season, the Crushers have been the more dominant regular season team, entering the playoffs with the number two seed, earning one of the two first-round byes. The Crushers 205-113-18 (.637) record is good for the third-best record in league history, only behind the aforementioned 2018 Pilots, and this season's pennant-winner, Montenegro's Team (220-101-15 (.677)).
Let's take a look at how the two teams stack up against each other this season:
In 2018, the Pilots ran away with the season, finishing 225-95-16 (.693), good for the best record in BFBL history, and 53 games ahead of the second-place team. As a result of the dominating regular season, the Pilots handled the Field Series playoffs with ease, winning the semi-finals 10-6, and topping the Crushers 11-4 in the finals.
Flip the script to the 2019 season, the Crushers have been the more dominant regular season team, entering the playoffs with the number two seed, earning one of the two first-round byes. The Crushers 205-113-18 (.637) record is good for the third-best record in league history, only behind the aforementioned 2018 Pilots, and this season's pennant-winner, Montenegro's Team (220-101-15 (.677)).
Let's take a look at how the two teams stack up against each other this season:
Batting
The Crushers offense was powered most the season by Freddie Freeman, Yuli Gurriel, Eugenio Suarez, George Springer, Nicholas Castellanos, Ketel Marte, and late-season addition Bo Bichette.
The Pilots batted behind Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Javier Baez, and Austin Meadows. Pilots batters, Max Muncy and Marcell Ozuna also had under performing seasons on the roster, besides certain power numbers.
Through the regular season and first two playoff rounds, the Crushers have the upper-hand in five of the eight batting categories. Home runs and RBI are close calls though, with only a difference of one home run, and 12 RBI.
The Pilots batted behind Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Javier Baez, and Austin Meadows. Pilots batters, Max Muncy and Marcell Ozuna also had under performing seasons on the roster, besides certain power numbers.
Through the regular season and first two playoff rounds, the Crushers have the upper-hand in five of the eight batting categories. Home runs and RBI are close calls though, with only a difference of one home run, and 12 RBI.
Pitching
This season, the Crushers had a powerhouse of arms. Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, Seth Lugo, Patrick Corbin, and Kirby Yates (to just name a few), spearheaded the team to the best pitching staff of 2019, in the BFBL. Not only have the Crushers led the Pilots in five of the eight pitching categories, they have led the league in these categories as well.
The Pilots have thrown a decent, yet much smaller four-man starting pitching staff, supported by AL Cy Young front runner, Justin Verlander, Mike Clevinger, James Paxton, and Alex Young. Quality, over quantity, this rotation ranks ahead of the Crushers in wins, strikeouts, and quality starts.
The Pilots have thrown a decent, yet much smaller four-man starting pitching staff, supported by AL Cy Young front runner, Justin Verlander, Mike Clevinger, James Paxton, and Alex Young. Quality, over quantity, this rotation ranks ahead of the Crushers in wins, strikeouts, and quality starts.
Head-to-Head
The Crushers and Pilots split their regular season matchups, with the Crushers winning Week 6 (12-2), and Pilots taking the edge Week 15 (9-7).
This years Field Series is the first time in the 16 year history of the Boston Fantasy Baseball League, in which two teams have faced each other in the finals, in back-to-back seasons.
The Westport Pilots are looking to become the first back-to-back Champion since the Magic Hat franchise in 2009-2010. The Pilots franchise has won two Field Series titles (2015 & 2018). Manager, Jeff P. joined the league mid-season, 2018, and is aiming to win his second title, in as many seasons.
The Clarksville Crushers are looking to finalize unfinished business from the year before, turning in an outstanding 2019 regular season. The Crushers have one franchise Field Series title (2014). Manager, Mitch S. has proven to be a consistent performer since joining the league mid-season, 2017. He is looking to win his first title.
This years Field Series is the first time in the 16 year history of the Boston Fantasy Baseball League, in which two teams have faced each other in the finals, in back-to-back seasons.
The Westport Pilots are looking to become the first back-to-back Champion since the Magic Hat franchise in 2009-2010. The Pilots franchise has won two Field Series titles (2015 & 2018). Manager, Jeff P. joined the league mid-season, 2018, and is aiming to win his second title, in as many seasons.
The Clarksville Crushers are looking to finalize unfinished business from the year before, turning in an outstanding 2019 regular season. The Crushers have one franchise Field Series title (2014). Manager, Mitch S. has proven to be a consistent performer since joining the league mid-season, 2017. He is looking to win his first title.