The 2020 Playoffs will get under way with the matchup between Troopers (8) vs. TSFE (9) this Saturday at Wantagh B @6pm. This is a one game elimination with the winner advancing to face the #1 seeded Dothrakis. Certainly not the position either team wanted to be in heading into playoffs, but wilder things have happened.
Troopers have been destined to be in the SNL by the experts since the season began but TSFE had a hugely disappointing season. They were expected to be one of the top seeds, but the season has been totally different than what we expected before season began. In a one game elimination game, anything can happen and both teams are more than capable of running the table with some momentum.
How They Got Here:
Troopers:
Back to back years of missing playoffs for Troopers in 2018 and 2019 had us expecting the worst coming into 2020 season. However Captain Sunil was able t merge with Captain Wahid and his gang of young and exciting players. Wahid was able to bring over Anthony, Kyle, Dylan, Nick, Justus and Mauris. All these additions by Wahid was made even better by adding SASL veterans like Majid, Atif, Adeel, Burhan etc.
Troopers started their season off with a bang with an unexpected sweep of Hit Squad. They also had a great win against Dothrakis on their way to a 4-6 record at the halfway mark of the season. They finished their season with a 10-12 record and the 8th seed overall. During the season they flashed immense defensive potential but a lack of power has hurt them all season.
TSFE:
In a season where every week felt like any team can win, we expected TSFE to be one of the top teams. Last year they only lost twice on their way to the number 1 seed and a Finals appearance. Then they went ahead and got some All-stars to an existing great team. They were able to add Jason, Chris, Jason Gregory, Faizal, Dheeraj. That is 4-5 starters and All-star caliber players.
However, TSFE started the season at 1-5 and there were rumors of clubhouse drama swirling. Captains Prince and Scooby decided to add Saad Yousuf once former MVP Frank Perez left the team. Since then they have gone a respectable 9-7 and finished with the 9th seed. TSFE has a -42 run differential and has looked overmatched at times. No player had a career season, so we know they still haven’t played their A games yet.
On-Field Matchups:
Pitcher/Catcher
Advantage: Troopers.
Troopers will probably start Atif at pitcher and he has been really good since the middle of the season. Rakesh aka Scooby is a very good pitcher but Atif has the better bat. At Catcher Wahid Hoosein carries a pretty good stick while Shaz of TSFE has taken a huge step back this season.
Infield
Advantage: Troopers.
Troopers have a lot of athletes in the infield with Mauris at 3B, Kyle at SS, Anthony DePalma at 2B and Anthony Dindiyal at 1B. Kyle is one of the better defensive SS in SASL while Mauris and Anthony DePalma provide a lot of speed on the base paths. Anthony Dindiyal has power from the 1B position but has had a down season.
TSFE has Chris Mui, Jason Gregory, Jason Reis and Prince Panicker in the infield. All 4 have had down seasons by their standards and doesn’t have the range like Troopers does. Chris Mui may be the only true power hitter in the TSFE lineup. Jason and Jason up the middle are serviceable enough but they have had mediocre years with the bat.
Outfield
Advantage: TSFE
TSFE at least on paper should dominate the Outfield matchups. All 4 outfielders have above average glove. Saad Yusuf, Dheeraj Ramchandani, Travis Mahadeo, Harvey Harding can cover the outfield as good as any other tandems in the league. While their bats also have been sort of quiet, they are due for a big game.
Troopers outfield has been surprising experts all season. New players Dylan, Justus and Nick has played above expectations all season. Add in Majid who may feast in a fenced field like Wantagh B, you have a very good outfield as well.
Keys To Winning:
1. Small Ball: Neither team features any above average power hitters. The small things like moving runners over, 2 out rallies, etc will make a huge difference.
2. Holding Forces: In close games, it is essential you don’t throw ball around and give up extra free bases.
3. Composure: One game elimination games can be very stressful. Who will stay loose and have fun?
Predictions:
TSFE should be the convention favorites with all the talent they have. But they haven’t played like a team all year. We are going with Troopers who seems like they are playing looser and are having more fun!
