NLCS Preview: Metropolis vs. Fleetwood

 

The Fleetwood Walkers and Metropolis Avengers have been the class of the National League for several years and they seemed destined to meet in the NLCS again in 2016. Before the fireworks start, let's look at some of the stats and stories that may (or may not) be key to who goes to the World Series and who goes home.

• The teams have met in the playoffs four times and Fleetwood is certainly looking to change the result:

2006 NLCS (Metropolis in seven)
2012 NLDS (Metropolis in seven)
2013 NLCS (Metropolis in seven)
2015 NLCS (Metropolis in five)

• In the last five years, Fleetwood has averaged 111.2 wins per year. Metropolis has averaged 114.2.
• However, this year Fleetwood topped the Avengers 121 wins to 116. 
• Each of the teams has a young superstar who thinks they should be the MVP. Fleetwood's Mike Trout is the defending MVP and hit .276/.362/.499 while playing sterling defense in the outfield. Metropolis's Bryce Harper is looking to take the trophy this year and put up a .304/.425/.655 season.
• Both clubs also have slugging veterans to protect their young stars. Walker Miguel Cabrera and Avenger David Ortiz put up nearly identical OPSs of 1.061 and 1.051 on the season.
• The Walkers clubbed left-handed pitchers during the season. They were 44-9 against LH starting pitchers and had an .894 OPS against them. The Avengers, however, will start only righties in the series and their lefties are far from typical - Aroldis Chapman and Zach Britton combined for a 1.53 and 102 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings.
• Collin McHugh had a great start for Metropolis in the NLDS, but rumor is the team is considering moving Nate Karns into the rotation for the NLCS. Karns has a hard fastball/sinker combination which may be a better matchup against the slugging Walkers.
• Metropolis may have an advantage on defense. The Avengers committed 71 errors which led to 56 unearned runs. The Walkers booted 89 errors, but they actually allowed fewer unearned runs (45).
• One area Fleetwood has the advantage is its bench. The Avengers had just 92 pinch hitting opportunities during the season and they managed just a .174 average. The Walkers hit .291 in their 165 pinch hitting chances.
• You should probably bet the under on the number of intentional walks in the series. Fleetwood gave three free passes during the season. That was three more than Metropolis gave.
• Fleetwood hitter came through in the clutch - with an .843 OPS and three grand slams with the bases loaded. The Avengers, however, were even better. They had a 1.118 OPS and 12 homers in just 131 at bats with the bases loaded. 
• Metropolis better think twice before running on Kevin Kiermaier. The Fleetwood center fielder was among the league leaders with ten outfield assists. 
• The Walkers were also the runners, at least compared with Metropolis. Fleetwood stole 83 bases and was thrown out just 17 times. Metropolis stole on 40 bases with 18 caught stealing.
• The Avengers have used dominant bullpens as key cogs in their four consecutive NL champion clubs. They still have some big names, but this year their relievers had a good, but not great, 3.22 ERA. In fact, the Walker bullpen was much better during the season and compiled a 2.57 ERA.
• Fleetwood won five of the seven matchups between the two teams. They outscored Metropolis 52-30 in the series.
• Andrew McCutchen and Bryce Harper formed Brassball's best 1-2 punch. Harper led the league with 132 runs scored and McCutchen finished just behind with 127.
• Metropolis also had the 1-2-3 sluggers in the National League. Harper led the league with 48 homers, David Ortiz was second with 44 and Chris Davis was third with 43.
• Robinson Cano has been a star for Metropolis for years, but he's been moved way down the order this year. The Avengers had good reason, as their second baseman grounded into 29 double plays on the season.
• Fleetwood's Zack Greinke led all pitchers with 23 wins. He also finished second with an .828 winning percentage. His teammate John Lackey finished first at .833.
• Another Walker starter, Garrett Richards, also led the league in something. His 25 wild pitches were ten more than anyone else in the league.
• Metropolis's Hall of Justice is the most pitcher-friendly park in Brassball, but Avenger batters were second in the league with a .836 OPS. Fleetwood was third at .820.