rBBL Season 13 Playoff Preview - Wild Card Round

Another rBBL season has come and gone, and now it's time for the best part: the playoffs! Hey everybody, commissioner crazyei8hts here with an rBBL playoff preview. If you're unfamiliar, the rBBL (reddit Backyard Baseball League) is the oldest and longest running Backyard Baseball League, started in 2017 and currently on our 13th season. Coaches draft a team of 9-players on Backyard Baseball 2001 or 2003 and play against the computer, facing the teams drafted by the other coaches. Whichever coach puts up the higher run differential against the computer version of their opponent wins. 

In Season 10, we expanded to two full 24-team leagues, and for this season, rolling with the momentum created by the biggest BBOL season ever, we expanded to THREE full 24-team leagues. Those leagues were named the 2001 League (played on BB2001 by the most experienced coaches), the 2002 League (played on BB2001 with less experienced coaches), and the 2003 League (played on BB2003, with a mix of old and new coaches). Even better, this was the first season where we were able to customize team names and logos!

**2001 LEAGUE**

*American League*

First Round Byes:
1. Bad Bunnies (Vissery): 13-1
2. Final Boss (Itaniium): 10-4

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. Florida Marlins (Loba): 9-5 vs. 6. Crazy Beers (hciii): 7-6-1
  • Previous Matchups: Beers defeated Marlins, 21-10, Marlins defeated Beers, 14-12
  • Background: The two-time defending champion Florida Marlins return with Loba, ready for another playoff run. And they're just where likes to be: in the wild card round. The Marlins have been known to abuse the grounder swing and the bounciness of Dirt Yards the past two seasons, and that strategy did not change. But due to a shift in league-wide draft tendencies, the Marlins weren't able to get all "their guys". Still, the Marlins have their speedy table setters like Raul Mondesi and custom player Cadeinn to get on base. But for the first time in their reign of terror, the Marlins have a top notch slugger in Zena Fromme, who hit 16 homers and drove in 77 runs for the Marlins. When this offense is cooking, you better watch out. The Beers are coached by rBBL returner hciii, who took a season off but came back for more. The Beers are most notable this season for trading their way around the draft until they had five consecutive picks in the 4th round. The result was a very well balanced team, although their scores were anything but balanced. The Beers scored a season low 3 runs in their first game of the season but later scored 38 runs in a drubbing of the Final Boss. The Beers are at their best when their sluggers Leah Wayne, Joan Mae, and Libby Futterman are all getting good pitches to hit. They also don't allow runs to the computer very often, only 3 on the season.
  • Analysis: Loba has been very vocal about fields with random bounces, as most of his losses this season came on the road. We can see that in the two results between these teams. The Marlins lost the game at Eckman Acres and won the game at Dirt Yards. The Beers defense is solid and is obviously a tough test for the Marlins offense. However, only one game in this series will be played there, and a decisive game 3 would take place at Dirt Yards. I think the Beers' offense is just too slow to generate the merry-go-round offense that the Marlins employ. And the more at bats that are needed to keep up score-wise, the more at bats nerfed Billy Jean has to go up to bat without a power up at hand.
  • Prediction: Marlins in 3. 
• 4. Inky Squids (Yurya): 9-5 vs. 5. San Francisco Giants (cantwait2fly): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Squids defeated Giants, 11-8
  • Background: We have a matchup of the two most opposite tenures in the rBBL, as Yurya is the founder of the league why cantwait2fly is an rBBL rookie. The Squids were Yurya's latest project, and they used a well-balanced roster to hang with some of the best. Pete Wheeler is the engine that makes the Squids go, and power threats Alexis Weis and Angela Delvecchio pick up most of the RBIs. The Squids had a fantastic season but were unfortunately placed in the same division as the #1 seeded Bunnies, thus relegating them to the wild card. One other note about the Squids, three of their five losses were to non-playoff teams. Does this mean the Squids don't take their opponents seriously, or does it mean anybody has a chance to beat them? The Giants and coach CW2F should be happy to be here. At 5-5 with four games to go, the Giants churned out a 3-1 stretch to stake their claim in the playoff race. The Giants don't have any MVP candidates but they are surprisingly consistent. All but one of their games saw them score between 9 and 17 runs (the lone exception being a 2-run output). All of their players have scored at least 13 runs, and eight out of the nine have at least 10 RBIs.
  • Analysis: The Squids have been defeating opponents by using Steele Stadium as a defensive field instead of an offensive one. Center field doesn't exist and Pete Wheeler covers all of left field. The way to beat this team is by hitting home runs. And wouldn't you know it, the Giants are near the bottom of the league in home run hitting, tallying just 18 bombs this season in 14 games. Stringing together line drive hits is not going to work with the way this Squids defense is constructed. Now, the Squids don't have a walk in the park either, as they have seen themselves be stymied by their own field when their grounderball doesn't work out. I think the Squids actually have a better chance at taking a win when they head to the Giants' field of Playground Commons, where Pete and Dawn Cozart will get free singles. For the Giants to win, they'll have to grit and grind and use their power ups at the right time. For the Squids to win, they need to not put up a dud.
  • Prediction: Squids in 2. 

*National League*

First Round Byes:
1. Los Angeles Brats (lillwaws26): 13-1
2. Dark Knights (Heinz): 9-5

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. Green Reds (personizzle): 8-6 vs. 6. Frequent Blimps (crazyei8hts): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Blimps defeated Reds, 31-28
  • Background: The Green Reds are back at it again, coached by personizzle and focused on scoring as many runs as possible. And score they did, tallying 297 runs, the most of any team in all of Season 13. Lindsy Felgate and Fred Benson are dual threat speedsters and power bats and Petra Chekov did a great job at clearing the bases with 19 homers and 78 RBIs. But uh...the Reds still ended up 8-6 because they allowed an average run differential of 18.8 per game. Yikes. Many opponents had their best game of the season against the Reds defense, and the Reds lost FOUR games in which they scored a 20+. The Blimps were the wannabe Reds, as crazyei8hts bought into his reputation as a homer hitter and named his team after the celebratory home run flying apparatus. The Blimps' power comes from the three-headed monster of Chico Pappas, Sophie Meyer, and Jay Green. However, unlike previous crazyei8hts' squads, this team lacks in speedy slap hitters to gets on base and instead tries to squeeze the most out of some somewhat fast batters. The Blimps didn't even hit the most home runs this season, coming in second to their division rival Knights.
  • Analysis: Get ready for a lot of runs and a lot of bombs. The previous meeting between these two teams saw crazyei8hts turn in his highest score of the season with a +31 and the highest losing score we've seen this season with personizzle's +28. This won't really be a contest of skill or a measure of whose roster is better. The winner of this series will be whoever can concentrate and focus on the goal the longest: keep the rallies going. The Reds have the offensive players to get past just about any fielders, while the Blimps will be facing the Reds' gaping holes in the defense. Someone is going to lose a game that they were really proud of. Buckle in!
  • Prediction: Blimps in 3.
• 4. Evil Rays (AnjouPays): 8-6 vs. 5. Kansas Jayhawks (alex7456): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Jayhawks defeated Rays, 10-4
  • Background: The Evil Rays, as coached by AnjouPays, were a bit of a meme team this season, as all their players are left handed. But don't think that Anjou threw in the towel: this Rays defense is fierce. The defense held teams to single-digit run differentials more often than not, especially at the bounce-less home field of Eckman Acres. Susan Gore is the main bat in the lineup, but boosted Maria Luna and Mikey Thomas have the ability to go deep too. The lineup is pretty well balanced and can start a rally no matter which batters are due up. The Jayhawks and coach alex7456 are perhaps the least expected team in this NL field, but don't overlook them. The Jayhawks never put up a 20-run game but they scored double-digits in all but three games. This team has polar opposites of speed, anchored by the two fastest in the game, Henri Deschenes and Stuart Sullivan, but having slow power hitters Mike Piazza, Betty Houstan, and Rose Fluegel near the bottom of the lineup. This lineup works best at their home of Tin Can Alley where they can easily hit the walls and Henri and Stuart are allowed to run free. They're a little less dangerous away from home but not terribly so.
  • Analysis: This series will feature more defense than the other NL matchup. Despite the Jayhawks winning easily in the regular season matchup, I'd say these teams are pretty even. The key difference is that the Rays' defense will be a little more formidable than the Jayhawks'. Of course, for the Jayhawks' home matchup, they'll be able to use the big walls to get past the defense. One other storyline to watch: the Jayhawks have a third baseman who can cover zero ground in Rose Fluegel...but all the Rays' batters are left handed.
  • Prediction: Rays in 3. 

**2002 LEAGUE**

*Skyway League*

First Round Byes:
1. Spiffy Penguins (GeorgeBonouki): 12-2
2. Baltimore Ostriches (navycap115): 11-3

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. Troy Trojans (Disky): 9-5 vs. 6. Grim Reapers (Doodle grim reaper op): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Reapers defeated Trojans, 9-2
  • Background: The Trojans are coached by rBBL rookie Disky, who has gotten more and more comfortable as the season has progressed. The Trojans are on a 5-game winning streak heading into the postseason, which allowed them to climb to the top of the SL East. The Trojans like running, led by speedsters Earl Abbot and custom player Cadeinn, but then they have heavy hitter Zena Fromme to knock em in. Playing at Dirt Yards, the Trojans look to bounce their way past opposing defenses. The Reapers have a different identity, led by rBBL rookie Doodle grim reaper op. Doodle came into the league with little to no expectations but shocked the server by going 8-6 and making the playoffs. The Reapers' success is mostly due to the fact that other people *really* hate playing at Sandy Flats. The Reapers were able to hold each of the SL's top two seeds, the Penguins and Ostriches, to +4 at Sandy Flats. However, the Reapers did not earn home field advantage in this series and will only play 1 game at their Sandy abode. Sluggers Kiesha Phillips and Mike Piazza lead the Reapers' offense.
  • Analysis: The Reapers won their matchup against the Trojans this season thanks to the sand neutralizing the Trojans' speedsters. The Reapers aren't really built on speed, so they perform just about the same at any field. It's all about how well Keisha and Piazza are going to hit. If the Trojans want to steal a win at Sandy Flats, Zena Fromme is gonna have to hit two or three homers, because stringing singles together might not work very well. That being said, even if the Reapers win their home game, they have to win another one at the Trojans' home field of Dirt Yards. The Reapers haven't played at Dirt yet this season, so we'll see if the bouncy terrain gives their offense any kind of boost. This could be an exciting and underrated series.
  • Prediction: Reapers in 3.
• 4. Naptown Nine (jakerthesnak): 11-3 vs. 5. Cleveland Rockers (adamfrombuffalo): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Rockers defeated Nine, 5-3
  • Background: Jakerthesnak is a rare rBBL non-rookie in the '02 League, having not played since Season 10. His second rBBL season was a turnaround from his first, as he flipped a 3-11 record into an 11-3 record. The Nine definitely won games with their defense, as they were only able to put up a double-digit run differential twice this season. Pete Wheeler and Sarah Maxwell are the cornerstones of this team. On offense, they score the most runs and on defense, they cover a lot of ground. That outfield is a big reason why the Nine were among the league's best defenses. The Rockers had a tumultuous start to the season, as the coach that drafted them left before the season could start. rBBL rookie adamfrombuffalo stepped in to take the reigns. He better thank the coach that drafted this team, because it too had a stifling defense. The Rockers put up an 8-6 record despite only scoring double-digits ONCE. Steele Stadium really is a pitcher's park after all. On offense, this team relies on Henri Deschenes to do most of the heavy lifting, with many of his home runs being solo shots. Other bats like Brenda Markart and Juan Gonzalez are only other reliable hitters.
  • Analysis: This series is not for the faint of heart. Runs will be few and far between. The Rockers did give the Nine one of their three losses this season, and the Nine only lost to the #1 seed Penguins and had a forfeit. So that was no easy task the Rockers pulled off. However, they'll have to do it twice more if they want to advance in the playoffs. The Rockers' main hitters are line drivers, but with Pete roaming the outfield, that might not work out. The Rockers will need to rely on their speedsters like Luanne, Sheila, Adam, and Tina to get on base with infield hits, not outfield hits. The Nine might need to use an opposite approach. The Rockers have a really strong infield with weaker arms at the corner outfield positions. However, all the outfielders are fast. So pop flies might not work out but if the Nine can hit the gaps, they can take extra bases. With such low scoring games imminent, the outcome is very undetermined and could go either way. We might see all games decided by the multiplier.
  • Prediction: Nine in 2. 

*Metro League*

First Round Byes:
1. Sin City Dice (whiffspree01): 13-1
2. Atomic Oysters (JR2604): 11-3

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. Humongous Hornets (Wow.i.ex1st): 8-6 vs. 6: Sugar Land Skeeters (cherry): 8-6
  • Previous Matchups: Skeeters defeated Hornets, 19-2, Hornets defeated Skeeters, 8.6-8
  • Background: The Hornets are coached by rBBL rookie Wow.i.ex1st, who showed the world she exists by bringing a division crown to the Hornets. The Hornets had a rocky start, as a four-game losing streak dropped them to 2-4 after six games. But since then, the Hornets have turned on the jets and nabbed a few tiebreaker-induced wins, going 6-2 down the stretch to finish at 8-6. The Hornets like to hit home runs between Jose Canseco, Parker Collum, and boosted Maria Luna, and they take advantage of the small center field at Steele Stadium. The Skeeters are coached by rBBL veteran Cherry, who has started to hone in his strategy. At the small confines of Tin Can Alley, the Skeeters are comfortable with smashing the ball off the walls and running all around. The Skeeters were one of the highest scoring teams this season thanks to that strategy, but they ended up at 8-6 after multiple teams had their best offensive games against the Skeeters. The Skeeters don't have a bona fide superstar, but Rafael Hendrix did lead the way with 6 homers and 36 RBIs. Olga Tollefson also led the 2002 League in batting average at 0.852.
  • Analysis: These two teams with very different styles of play will each be better suited at their home field. That would be some short analysis, so I supposed I'll say that the Skeeters are more likely to hang at Steele Stadium than the Hornets are to hang at Tin Can Alley. That can be evidenced in the scores from these teams' previous matchups, where the Skeeters dominated at home but lost to the multiplier on the road. If the Hornets want to pull the upset (despite being the higher seed), they'll really have to get their non-homer hitters on base reliably so that the power bats can bring in multiple runs instead of 1 or 2 at a time.
  • Prediction: Skeeters in 3. 
• 4. Elwood City Grebes (Ferb Fletcher): 11-3 vs. 5. Aqua Teens (DEPaf679): 8-6
  • Previous Matchup: Teens defeated Grebes, 3-0
  • Background: The Grebes are coached by rBBL returner Ferb Fletcher, who used a season of experience to come into the draft better prepared. The Grebes executed their draft plan by forming a downright nasty defense at Eckman Acres. I've talked about good defenses quite a bit in this 2002 playoff preview, but the Grebes really take the cake. They only allowed one team to score more than a +6 against them (the Oysters, who did so twice). This team can catch just about anything thrown or hit at them. This has juuust enough offense to stay afloat, although they do have Jay Green who could take over a ballgame with a couple homers. The Teens, on the other hand, coached by rookie DEPaf679, are all about offense. They have a home field of Parks Dept. #2. Between Julie Dunkel, Maynard McElroy, and the Webber twins, the Teens are all about racking up the runs. They were able to score 10+ in four of their last six games as they heated up in the playoff hunt. The Teens had quite the roller coaster season, as they were the only team to lose to the Vaqueros, but also one of the only two teams to beat the Grebes.
  • Analysis: Once again, we have a series with two teams that are tailor made for their home ball fields. However, I wouldn't write off this series just yet. The Grebes lost to the Teens earlier this season at home, in a game where they had to go to extras just to get a run across. So the Teens may have the Grebes' number. Similarly, it doesn't matter how good your defense is if the other team can simply hit it over the fence. If the Teens get a good series from Julie Dunkel, she may be able to muscle her way into the next round. It'll be fun to see which strength wins out here as offense battles defense.
  • Prediction: Grebes in 3. 

**2003 LEAGUE**

*Frontyard League*

First Round Byes:
1. Humongous Tigers (Vissery): 14-0
2. Little Wombats (DEPaf679): 10-4

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. Little Angels (AnjouPays): 9-5 vs. 6. San Francisco Giants (cantwait2fly): 7-7
  • Previous Matchup: Giants defeated Angels, 6-4
  • Background: Coach AnjouPays has his Little Angels in the playoffs for the third straight season. The Angels started out slow at 2-3 but having since gone 7-2 to cruise to the division championship. The Angels' offense is directly tied to the success of Chico Pappas and Betty Houston, who combined to drive in exactly 100 of the Angels' 154 runs this season. This team also has a very formidable defense, as their AI team only allowed opponents to put up a double-digit run differential twice in 14 games, and those two to do so were the high-scoring Tigers and Twins. The Giants are coached by rBBL rookie cantwait2fly who has made the most of his first rBBL experience. The Giants had to scramble just to make the playoffs, as they were 3-6 heading into week 10 but went on a four-game winning streak to steal the final spot in the playoff field. On offense, the Giants don't have eye-popping numbers, but they do have Julie Dunkel, who is always a big help. The Giants also have a good defense, as they ALSO only allowed double-digits to the Tigers and Twins.
  • Analysis: This one may be a grinder. In their only previous meeting, the Giants barely made it past the Angels, +6 to +4. This could be a series that goes all three games with neither team putting up a double-digit run differential. Neither team will have a noticeable home field advantage, as the Angels play at Playground Commons while the Giants play at Dirty Playground (Scrapco Field). I think this series comes down to who can get their offense to start clicking. For that, I trust the Angels a little more. They score 50% more than the Giants and have nearly double the home runs. If the Angels can get runners on base for Chico Pappas, it's gonna pay big dividends.
  • Prediction: Angels in 2.
• 4. Texas Twins (personizzle): 10-4 vs. 5. Kansas City Royals (alex7456): 8-6
  • Previous Matchups: Twins defeated Royals, 25-19, Royals defeated Twins, 18-17
  • Background: The Twins continue coach personizzle's "meme team" strategy for the 2003 League. This season, the Twins have the Webber twins and 7 blonde generics girls, making the team have the Backyard Baseball equivalent of the Chameleon defense. These Twins are no joke either, as they were able to put up the second most runs in the league and blow out several opponents, led by Francis Blewer and her 55 RBIs. However, the Twins are on a skid, having lost their last three games and seeing their division lead slip away from them at the last second. The Royals, coached once again by alex7456, are enjoying the ride and playing with house money after a playoff berth. Pablo Sanchez is the heart and soul of the team, leading the way with 16 homers and 48 RBIs. The Royals also like to utilize the long ball between Pablo, Debby Nagasawa, and Libby Futterman. The Royals' defense is not their strong point, as their offense-friendly home field of Parks Dept. #2 often did more harm than good.
  • Analysis: If the playoff series I wrote about right above this one bored you, then you'll want to tune in for this one. Lots of offense will be had, as two of the Royals' three highest run totals were against the Twins, and both of the Twins' two highest run totals were against the Royals. If this series really is going to be about which team's offense doesn't crap out, the Twins have the edge their. Personizzle is no stranger to high-scoring matches, as he's carried out that strategy with his '01 Reds and his '03 Twins. The Royals have too many weak spots in the lineup that are real rally killers, but of course the two times they put together big rallies were against the Twins. One more x-factor to consider, the Royals have Pablo out in center field, which could mean free doubles for the Twins.
  • Prediction: Twins in 2.

*Backyard League*

First Round Byes:
1. Montreal Indians (sky): 13-1
2. Houston Astros (psanchez55): 12-2

• First Round Matchups:
• 3. White Athletics (crazyei8hts): 9-5 vs. 6. Junior Bombers (The CRK): 7-7
  • Previous Matchup: Bombers defeated Athletics, 21-13
  • Background: For his 03 team, crazyei8hts drafted a team with an unusual composition for him. Instead of a steady diet of home runs, this Athletics team likes to keep the baserunners moving with singles and doubles, with only the occasional home runs clearing the bases. It had quite a bit of success, led by Mr. Do-It-All Fred Benson and the league leader in batting average, Wing Kwan (0.877). This team also focuses more on defense than a typical crazyei8hts team, with fielding wizard Maple Leaves (a custom player) out at shortstop and speed all throughout the outfield. The Bombers are also a shift in philosophy for coach CRK, who went with a team that focused more on offense than defense, which is usually the reverse of his usual strategy. This team has speed at the top between Pete Wheeler and Earl Abbot and slugger Petra Chekov to drive them in.
  • Analysis: The Bombers are trying to use their same script from last season in which they snuck into the playoffs as the 6 seed but went all the way and won the World Series. But there's a big difference. Last season, in 12 playoff games, opponents only put up a double digit run differential on the Bombers' defense once. This season, in 7 games against the other BL playoff teams, the Bombers' CPU is allowing an average run differential of 17 per game. The Bombers will have to outscore their opponents instead of relying on their defense. That being said, the Bombers' second highest run output of the season was 21 in their previous meeting with the Athletics. The Bombers' lineup may match up well against the Athletics' defense. The Athletics are looking to make a deep playoff run, but 4 of their 5 losses this season were against other BL playoff teams, including three of their four single-digit run differentials. The Athletics will have to step up in the clutch and not crumble under the bright lights. This playoff series may be higher scoring than coach crazyei8hts would prefer, but he's no stranger to shootouts.
  • Prediction: Athletics in 3. 
• 4. Florida Marlins (GeorgeBonouki): 10-4 vs. 5. Tampa Bay Expos (lillwaws): 10-4
  • Previous Matchup: Marlins defeated Expos, 13-4
  • Background: GeorgeBonouki is an rBBL rookie, but he has burst onto the scene with 10+ wins for both of his teams this season. The Marlins don't have a powerhouse offense, with their highest run output this season being 13, but their defense has had their back. Opponents were only able to put up a double-digit run differential on the Marlins twice in 14 chances. The unusual pitching rotation of Ricky Johnson and custom player Jack Doyle has stymied other coaches this season. In stark contrast, coach lillwaws is an rBBL veteran who has had sustained success in the league but has yet to make a deep playoff run. Furthermore, his Expos are all about scoring runs, as they were the highest scoring team in the 2003 League, racking up 213 runs this season, an average of 15.2 per game. Zenon Estrada is nearly a shoo-in for BL MVP after hitting 22 homers and driving in 73 runs.  
  • Analysis: lillwaws and the Expos have been trying their best to make it to the World Series and this could be a golden opportunity. We've seen teams simply blitz their opponents and outscore them, and there's really nothing the opponent can do. However, it is pretty tough to keep up that momentum through four playoff series. Meanwhile, if the Marlins want to win the championship based on their defense, I find that less likely. If they get past the Expos here, they'll have to face the #1 overall seed Indians at their home field of Dirt Yards, a defense's nightmare. As for this series, the real kicker is that the Expos' worst game this season was a 5-run dud against these Marlins in Week 12, which is why the Marlins have home field advantage here. Is the Marlins defense really that good, or did the Expos just have a game where all the power hits were pop ups and all the line drives went straight at fielders? Based on the Expos' track record, I think that Week 12 matchup was just an off day for lillwaws.
  • Prediction: Expos in 2. 

Good luck to all playoff coaches and to everyone else, it'll be fun to watch!