2014 World Series Preview - Cook County vs. Metropolis

The 2014 Brassball World Series is set - the American League champion Cook County Maulers vs. the National League Champion Metropolis Avengers. The Maulers may be the league's most accomplished franchise, with one Championship and three more American League crowns, in addition to a virtual hammerlock on the AL Central crown. The Avengers have been more up-and-down over their history, but have World Series wins in 2006 (over the Maulers) and 2012. They're also making an unprecedented third-straight trip to the World Series.

Let's take a look at how these teams got this far, both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Regular Season Numbers:

• Metropolis won the regular-season series four games to three and outscored the Maulers 32 to 28.
• Cook County had a .781 team OPS during the regular season, but struggled some in the clutch. Their OPS was .663 with the bases loaded and .646 in clutch situations.
• Metropolis had a .841 OPS on the year and did a lot of damage in big situations. Their OPS was .804 in clutch situations and .932 with the bases loaded.
• The Maulers were shut out only four times all season; they scored 10 or more runs 14 times. Cook County pitchers tossed 19 shutouts and allowed 10 or more just twice. (One of those was on April 10, when Metropolis beat the Maulers 12-4.)
• The Avengers were shut out six times and scored 10 or more runs 29 times. Their pitchers combined for 18 shutouts and, like Cook County, allowed 10 or more just two times.
• Cook County has a strong defense and made just 58 errors on the season. Those errors led to 31 unearned runs.
• Metropolis fielders made 77 errors, which contributed to 42 unearned runs.
• Avenger slugger Chris Davis is an MVP candidate (51 HR, 124 RBI, .286/.376/.513), but appears likely to start only half the World Series games, as Cook County has lefties Chris Sale and Cole Hamels in their rotation.
• Metropolis plays in the cavernous Hall of Justice but still led Brassball with 248 homers and 960 runs scored. Cook County was third in both categories (205 homers and 834 runs).
• The Avengers’ 2.89 team ERA led Brassball and the Maulers’ 3.12 was third. But if you look at total runs allowed, gap narrows. Metropolis allowed 3.15 runs per game while Cook County allowed 3.32.
• Cook County hit into more double plays than any other team – 179.
• Metropolis had the second most sacrifice flies during the season – 50. They also had the fewest sacrifice bunts – zero.
• Both teams were active at the trading deadline. Cook County added outfielder Michael Cuddyer and second baseman Ryan Raburn to help their offense. Cuddyer was a bit of a disappointment, going .287/.328/.357 after the trade. Raburn, however, was on fire, going .355/.421/.655. They also added lefty reliever Luis Avilan, who was 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 22 appearances for the Maulers
• Metropolis added starter Justin Masterson, who went 6-3 2.53 ERA for the Avengers. They also added reliever Nick Vincent (1-0 3.38 ERA) and two platoon batters in Josh Satin (.265/.344/.446) and Ramiro Pena (.308/.357/.519).

Postseason Numbers:

• Metropolis is 8-3 in the postseason while Cook County is 8-5. The Avengers have outscored their opponents by 29 runs while the Maulers have been outscored by four.
• The Avengers have slugged 13 homers on the road, but just eight at home. The Maulers are reversed, with seven on the road and 11 at home.
• Cook County committed seven errors, leading to eight unearned rusn. Metropolis committed four errors with just one unearned run.
• New Mauler Michael Cuddyer is hitting .317/.349/.634 in the playoffs.
• New Avenger Justin Masterson won both of his starts, but has a 4.05 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.
• Both teams have been relying on their talented bullpens. Cook County's relievers have a 2.53 ERA in 53 1/3 innings. Metropolis relievers have a 2.05 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. Amazingly, no Metropolis reliever has a decision in their 11 games.
• Both teams are coming through with the bases loaded. Metropolis is 2-5 with a grand slam, eight RBIs and a 1.571 OPS. Cook County is 3-7 with seven RBIs and a 1.000 OPS.
• The Maulers are 0-3 in stolen base attempts - all by Rajai Davis. The Avengers are 4-4 in their steal attempts.
• Metropolis should try to get Yoenis Cespedes more at bats. He's 5-14 with a triple and two homers, for a 1.399 OPS.
• Cook County reliever David Robertson has two wins in his four appearances, but has pitched just 2 2/3 innings total.
• Mauler Jordan Zimmermann has a 6.23 ERA in his three starts.
• Metropolis fireman Craig Kimbrel has pitched in just three games.
• Avenger ace Clay Buchholz is the only pitcher with four postseason wins. He's allowed just five total runs in his four starts and has a 1.90 ERA.
• The Mauler pitching staff has limited their opponents to a .589 OPS. Avenger pitchers have held their opponents to a .634 OPS.
• The Avenger catching platoon of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Matt Wieters has been incredibly productive. Salty has a .946 OPS and Wieters has been even better, with a 1.345 OPS.
• Cook County is 4-1 against left-handed starters but just 4-4 against righties. All of Metropolis's starters are righties.
• Metropolis 3B Jose Bautista is in a two-year playoff slump. He has a .516 OPS this year (in 44 plate appearances) and had a .540 OPS last year (57 plate appearances). 
• Cook County relievers Tyler Clippard and Tony Watson have each pitched 10 innings in the Maulers' 13 games - a 124 inning pace over a full season. Metropolis's Caleb Thielbar has pitched nine innings in his team's 11 games - a 132 inning pace.