FABL 2021 Finals Batting Preview

Sports playoffs sure are wild and unpredictable, ain’t they? I spent multiple posts throughout this Fantasy Astrology Baseball League season hyping Leo and Pisces as their divisional leaders, only for them to each get unceremoniously eliminated in the first round of the postseason. While fans of unlikely underdog stories might have been excited by this development, I’m too much on the “Lawful” side of the alignment chart to support such an outcome. But that’s an issue for a blog about Dungeons & Dragons, not astrology.

While we still have the consolation bracket to see who would win in a matchup between the signs with the two best records, the battle for the true FABL championship is taking place between Taurus and Libra. The Bulls got off to a strong start, but recent outstanding performances by the Scales’ two aces on Saturday (Robbie Ray and Corbin Burnes) put the current sign in the lead. But since we still have the better part of a week left in this matchup, I’ll present you now with a position-by-position breakdown of the Earth Division and Air Division winners. NOTE: fantasy point totals are current as of the start of the finals.

What Salvador Perez has done for the Royals (and by extension, for Taurus) is nothing short of outstanding. His 46 home runs are the most ever in a single season for a catcher, which translates to the only Bulls player to enter into the final two weeks of the season with more than 2,000 fantasy points. A’s backstop Sean Murphy is a promising player, but he’s not even that solid a fantasy option at this point, as he’s lost playing time to trade deadline acquisition Yan Gomes (a Cancer) since August.

C ADVANTAGE: Taurus

Judging by full season statistics, Libra infielder Jonathan Schoop has the edge over any first base eligible player in this matchup. However, his recent slump, coupled with Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s newly-earned eligibility has led me to hand the starting job to the red hot Blue Jays outfielder. But the hottest-hitting first baseman in this matchup is actually Brandon Belt of the Giants, who was averaging more than 20 points-per-game over the 30 days prior to the finals.

1B ADVANTAGE: None

Jose Altuve was struggling in the lead up to the first round of the playoffs, which caused me to bench him in favor of Jonathan Villar for the Taurus second base spot. But the Houston star has picked things back up and regained his starting job – maybe the Astros have improved upon their trash can scheme from 2017. While this would seem like Jonathan Schoop’s time to shine as the Libra second baseman, Ketel Marte’s recent return from the IL (and his holdover eligibility) makes him the best bet here.

2B ADVANTAGE: Taurus

Third base has actually been a trouble spot for both of these signs all year long. Libra projected starter Evan Longoria missed basically all of June through August due to injury, but he’s been hitting well since returning to the Giants lineup. And he actually hasn’t lost any playing time since the Kris Bryant acquisition, since the former Cubs star can play the outfield as well. Matt Chapman hasn’t been injured, but he has struggled to get his bat on the ball most of the year. He’s picked it up recently, which is why he hasn’t lost his starting job to other eligible Tauruses, such as Tommy Edman or Joey Wendle.

3B SLIGHT ADVANTAGE: Libra

Libra (and Red Sox) star Xander Bogaerts has been one of the best shortstops in the league for many years now, and not even a recent stint on the COVID injured list could slow him down. (Although it did keep him out of the first round of the playoffs.) While Tommy Edman is the highest-scoring Taurus shortstop over the full season, there’s no way I’m going to bet against the reigning World Series MVP Corey Seager when the stakes are high.

SS ADVANTAGE: Libra

It was a huge boon for Taurus when Aaron Judge gained center field eligibility during this season, although Alex Verdugo and Tyler Naquin could also serve as the captain of the outfield. Cedric Mullins has had an incredible breakout season, but I have to give the edge to the taller (and also more recently productive) player.

CF ADVANTAGE: Taurus

Libra’s amazing outfield depth causes them to carry the other two outfield spots and designated hitter. Bryce Harper could be a contender for the real-life National League MVP award, helping the Phillies remain on the fringes of contention. Teoscar Hernandez has been a huge force for the Wild Card contending Blue Jays. And Starling Marte has hit (and run the bases) like gangbusters since being acquired by the A’s from the Marlins at the trade deadline.

The aforementioned Alex Verdugo will occupy one of the Taurus corner outfield spots. The OF2 spot could have gone to the versatile Tommy Edman, but I chose Rays slugger Austin Meadows due to his superior performance over the last two weeks before the finals. It also doesn’t help that both Michael Brantley and Tyler Naquin are on the injured list. For the DH spot, I chose Twins first baseman Miguel Sano, who has been hitting well recently, but nothing compared to Libra’s glut of outfielders.

OF1 ADVANTAGE: Libra

OF2 ADVANTAGE: Libra

DH ADVANTAGE: Libra

Stay tuned next time while I continue my analysis with the pitching staff for each of the championship-contending signs!