After an abbreviated and completely altered 2020 season landscape, the 2021 LOEGM MLB season proved to be a true litmus test of the validity of the powerhouse teams and those who are the verge of upsetting the power structure; and in our first 2021 ALDS Matchup we find an example of both of these franchise storylines at play.
Team Overview: Boston
The LOEGM Boston Red Sox, spearheaded by Bill C. have been dominant in each of the leagues three seasons to date. Bill owns the 2019 LOEGM Commissioner Trophy and came up just shy of LOEGM's first repeat champion, falling to the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 World Series. Through a solid draft and savvy trading, Bill has created a roster filled with proven studs at each position allowing him tremendous flexibility and dominance. The only potential concern he might have is an aging pitching staff with 7 arms age-32 or older. However, in the near term there are likely few teams capable of upsetting this proven winner.
Team Overview: ChiSox
The LOEGM Chicago White Sox got new ownership after an abysmal 5-16 record and 4th place ALC finish in the inaugural season. Since taking over, Leo has completely overhauled the roster, keeping 3 MiLBs (India, Mize, Cease) and 4 MLBs (Abreu, Jimenez, Wheeler, and German), and resulting in back two back ALC Championships and 17-3 record this season. Much like their ALDS opponents this squad has its fair share of aging veterans (Hill @ 41, McGee at 35, Lynn and Abreu @ 34) but the influx of youth and debut of those three MiLB has this squad poised for an extended run with only minor retooling.
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So the question I want to answer is who's the favorite? Which Sox squad will grab a foothold in the 2021 ALCS? To answer this I want to take a Best Ball approach to each teams Offense and Pitching and taking into account PPG, Injuries, and Probable Starts in Week 23. So lets get started...
Best Starting Offense: Chicago
Now just looking at total roster makeup on paper the Red Sox likely take the advantage here under a normal matchup.
Unfortunately for Boston they have a rash of injuries forcing them to sit IL guys on their bench and with Trout out past the ALDS, Bogaerts not available till Friday of the ALDS, and Contreras rehabbing this week (and Knizner not getting playing time), the edge for next week on the offensive side rests squarely in Chicago's corner.
Best Starting Pitching: Boston
This facet of the roster makeup is much more heavily weighted toward the winning team. While Chicago does have the NL Cy Young favorite in Zach Wheeler, their down card rotation is a little less stable and is heavily impacted by the question mark surrounding Lynn's return next weekend.
Meanwhile, Boston has tremendous depth and is on pace for an extra start from the returning Chris Sale and might hit the 8-GS max depending on Giolito and other IL return guys. Ultimately Boston's edge is cemented by the 1-2 punch of Kimbrel and Melancon in their pen compared to McGee and committee on the CHW side.
So long as his starters perform to their norm/capability this category is clear win for Boston.
Prediction: Boston By a Thread
The points system in this league ultimately favors SP depth and while I could easily see Chicago's offense thumping and a clutch performance or two tipping the scale in their favor, I think the schedule and overall structure of the league gives the final edge to Boston, especially with the 'mulligan' of a two start week form one of their staff members.
So look for Boston to eek this one out.
But beware, the CHW squad is the real deal and will likely change the AL balance of power in the very near term.