[CTcard]

 there are a lot of reasons to like last year's squad over this one on paper.

The broadest stats:
2019
Runs scored/game =  6.8
Runs allowed/game = 3.9
OPS = 0.850
ERA = 3.49

2018
Runs scored/game = 6.4
Runs allowed/game = 3.4
OPS = 0.803
ERA = 2.83

2017
Runs score/game = 5.6
Runs allowed/game = 3.8
OPS = 0.767
ERA = 3.35

2019 vs 2018: Pitching is worse largely because there's no starter in the vicinity of Beck-the-elder and Bubic. The bullpen is overall as good, despite Little's problems. Scoring is up purely due to HRs (up 0.5 per game).

Both 2018 and 2019 seem broadly stronger than 2017, which I believe ended up as the #8 national seed.

But the 2018 and 2017 teams both failed in the key moment at the hands of Fullerton. One thing we know for sure about 2019, they won't fall to Fullerton.

[CTcard]

 there are a lot of reasons to like last year's squad over this one on paper.

The broadest stats:
2019
Runs scored/game =  6.8
Runs allowed/game = 3.9
OPS = 0.850
ERA = 3.49

2018
Runs scored/game = 6.4
Runs allowed/game = 3.4
OPS = 0.803
ERA = 2.83

2017
Runs score/game = 5.6
Runs allowed/game = 3.8
OPS = 0.767
ERA = 3.35

2019 vs 2018: Pitching is worse largely because there's no starter in the vicinity of Beck-the-elder and Bubic. The bullpen is overall as good, despite Little's problems. Scoring is up purely due to HRs (up 0.5 per game).

Both 2018 and 2019 seem broadly stronger than 2017, which I believe ended up as the #8 national seed.

But the 2018 and 2017 teams both failed in the key moment at the hands of Fullerton. One thing we know for sure about 2019, they won't fall to Fullerton.