Slayers set for first postseason; Team Awards given
via Alynda Silvane, Dryad Reporter
MINAS MORGUL - After coming close in year one of the league, the Slayers took care of a postseason berth this year. The team load may have shifted from the pitching to the offense as the year went on, but the result was still 93 wins and the Mordor Wild Card. Minas Morgul's rearranged pitching strategy might be working to solidify the staff again. The starters are going pretty deep into games and being effective and the offense is still going strong even without pinch hitters taking ABs.
The team is pretty much set as far as roster and lineups that will participate in the playoffs. The only large difference will be the return to Belil-Gariand to the rotation after the team placed him in the bullpen to help rest his tender ACL. Doctors have noted a full recovery for Beama, and he will take his normal spot among the starting rotation. The only other decision will be to go with either a 3-man or 4-man rotation. Deathskull will likely head to the bullpen. He finished up at 9-7 on the season, but seemed inconsistent in September after rebounding in August. Arbornia could be a dark horse contributor as 4th starter, which is what is tempting the decision to go 4-man. Arbornia got lost in the hoopla around Deathskull's early performance but she ended up 9-2 with a 4.29 ERA in her rookie campaign.
The decision of "ace" could be interesting as well. Elensar won 18, but lost 14 while Elvawen (Galealbo) won 15 after a slow start. Both pitchers have around 3.50 ERAs. Beama ended at 16-8 with the best ERA among starters at 3.08. He could be named game 1 starter as well. His arm is perhaps the freshest.
The offense is set in batting order and strategy. Lumtina is the one who will try to get things going while the middle of the order attempts to string damaging hits together. The back 2 hitters will just try to top things off, however, judging by Lumtina's 90 RBI season as leadoff hitter, the bottom of the order can get things started as well.
The Slayers will have to face Numenor, best team in the Mordor Conference, in the first round. Numenor is ranked 9th in runs scored and 1st in runs allowed. Minas Morgul is ranked 5th in runs scored and 9th in runs allowed. Minas Morgul took the season series against Numenor 8-7.
In other news, the team handed our their awards to the best pitchers, hitter, and fielder of the season.
Best Starting Pitcher: Beama Belil-Gariand. (16-8, 3.09, 9th in wins, 4th in ERA)
"A warrior all season, he came in and immediately got the team believing in themselves and leading the way by example. He kept us in almost every game he started and our season success is due in no small part to Beama." K.L. spoke.
Best Relief Pitcher: Niara Smoothflower. (4-6, 25 saves, 3.46, 6th in Saves)
K.L. commented, "Our quiet young closer who came in as a rookie and helped secure the end of the rotation. Unfortunately, injury cut short her rookie campaign, but we never found a replacement for what she did."
Best Hitter: Isilborn Imrilron. (.342, 53 HR, 149 RBI, 129 R, 1.074 OPS, 1st in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, RC, RC/27, H, RBI, TB, 2nd in R, HR, EBH)
K.L. spoke, "This one is a no-brainer. There's no doubt he's the most influential reason why we are in the postseason. Last year we pitched, but couldn't hit. Imrilron did the most to change the hitting part of the equation single-handedly and plays nice defense was well. He helped in almost every way possible."
Best Fielder: 2B Tina Legàl (.986 FPct, 4.99 Range, 5 E, 51 DP)
"Scouts didn't think she'd be able to do what Chubb does at the position defensively, but the little ball of energy that is Tina proved them wrong this year. I brought her in for her bat to relieve the struggling Tanta Chubb, and Tina comes with her glove as well." K.L. spoke.