#5 Anaheim Hitmen (106-56) vs. #1 Baltimore Revolution (114-48)
ANAHEIM- The Anaheim Hitmen were given all they could handle by the AL South Champion New Orleans Jazz. The Jazz were able to take a 2-1 series lead before the Hitmen were able to come back and put them away. And it wasn't the usual suspects for Anaheim that carried them to victory. LF Orber Martin missed three games due to family issues. He had four hits in the two games he played, but didn't drive in any runs. RF Geoffrey Purcell and CF Ryan Bradford, who combined for 68 home runs and 204 RBI during the regular season, combined to hit less than .235 with only 1 HR and 2 RBI. But other role players stepped in to fill the void. 2B Devaris Bowis and 1B Brian Okajima combined to hit .324, 3 home runs and 10 RBI. The bullpen also came up big for the Hitmen. In 15 innings pitched, the pen only allowed 3 runs for an ERA 1.80 ERA. Now the Hitmen will face the Baltimore Revolution in the ALDS. Its the third straight season that these two teams have met in the playoffs. Baltimore defeated Anaheim in the Season 12 ALCS and the Hitmen returned the favor in Season 13 in the ALDS.
BALTIMORE- For the fifth consecutive season, the Revolution were one of the top two seeds in the AL and earned a Wild Card Round bye. For the last three seasons, they have been the top seed and won 114 games. This season, they should be the favorite to earn a trip to the WS for the second time in three seasons. They ranked 3rd in the AL in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed and ranked 4th in fewest errors. The story of the second half of the season was the acquisition of 1B Bruce Donovan from the Iowa City Badgers. The trade to get Donovan broke up the potent 'Tonys' pitching duo, and significantly lessened Baltimore's rotational depth. Many fans questioned the decision to break up the foundation of a team that has had so much success recently, especially to acquire a player who had just recently recovered from a serious knee injury. With the dominating second half that Donovan had, none of those fans are questioning him anymore. In just 65 game for the Revolution, Donovan hit .368 with 28 home runs and 54 RBI. His OPS was 1.145. If he had kept up that pace for a full season, he'd likely have won the Triple Crown and the AL MVP. Baltimore's lineup, now with Donovan, is intimidating. The roster boasts one 40/40 player (RF Aurelio Diaz, .298 AVG, 45 HR, 122 RBI, 44 SB), one 30/30 player (LF Frank Edwards, .344 AVG, 34 HR, 93 RBI, 40 SB) and a 20/20 player (RF Jung-Lee Martin, .319 AVG, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 93 SB). The Revolution are clearly blessed with both speed and power, leading the AL in both home runs and stolen bases. SP Damaso Solano (22-3, 1.88 ERA) possibly had the best season of his HOF career and could win his SP record 6th Cy Young Award. Last season's acquisition of veteran SP Jared White (16-1, 3.62 ERA) worked out well to fill in for the void left by SP Tony Sosa's departure. White seemed to be rejuvenated by his move out of the franchise that now resides in Helena and responded with the best season of his career. He pitched so well, he has probably earned a spot in Baltimore postseason pitching rotation. Even though SP Tony Espinosa (17-4, 3.71 ERA) had a solid season, it was a bit disappointing by his standards. He hopes to pitch a bit better in the playoffs.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Camden Yards, ANA: Sherry Bottenfield (15-14) vs. BAL: Damaso Solano (22-3)
Game 2: Camden Yards, ANA: Julian Belliard (19-5) vs. BAL: Tony Espinosa (17-4)
Game 3: Angel Stadium, BAL: Jared White (16-1) vs. ANA: Tomas Valentin (14-10)
Editor's Pick:
This is developing into one of the fiercest rivalries in the league. The AL Pennant seems to go through one of these teams every season recently. The winner of the series between these two teams has gone to the WS each of the last two seasons. There is no reason to think this season will be any different. The Hitmen have seemed to recover from their late season collapse, and won a tough series versus New Orleans. The Revolution are well rested, and ready to go. Either team could win, especially in an unpredictable five game series. We think the pitching is a wash, but the Revolution have a slight edge with their lineup and defense. Baltimore wins in five.
#6 Honolulu Rainbow Warriors (92-70) vs. #2 Scottsdale Camels (108-54)
HONOLULU- Maybe St. Louis overlooked them. Or maybe they got lucky. Or maybe they were just better than St. Louis for those 5 games. However you explain it, the Rainbow Warriors upset the St. Louis Redbirds, coming back from a 2 games to 1 deficit, including a 12-2 blowout victory in Game 5. The bullpen was the key for Honolulu. They were unhittable. In 12.2 innings, the bullpen didn't allow a single earned run (1 unearned run) while striking out 12 and only walking 2. The starters were also solid, as the team got quality starts in four of the five games. Alfonso Espinosa pitched very well versus the Redbirds. In his two starts, he pitched 13 innings with 2.77 ERA. He will need to continue to pitch at that high level if the Warriors are to advance to their first ALCS since moving to Hawaii.
SCOTTSDALE- After being the team that was always so close, the Camels seem to really have figured it out the last two seasons. After making it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, they followed that up with their second straight division title and a franchise record 108 wins. They finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the league. They won 14 of their last 15 games down the stretch to overtake the Hitmen and win the division in the waning days of the regular season. Unlike recent successful seasons, this year's Camels squad doesn't just score a bunch of runs (although they do still score a bunch of runs, ranking 2nd in the AL in runs scored) they also have figured out how to stop the other team from scoring. They ranked 2nd in the AL in fewest runs allowed. SP Jumbo Rivera's (20-7, 3.81 ERA) emergence as a Cy Young candidate and staff ace was the catalyst for the improved pitching. Camels' fans were devastated to see Rivera blow out his elbow with just 5 games left in the season. Not only will he miss the postseason, but he'll miss parts of next season as well. Some are even questioning how well the 33-year old will recover from major elbow surgery. Scottsdale is now left scrambling to fill the void left by his injury. Also key to the Camels' success was the emergence of Bradshaw and Andrews. All baseball fans are familiar with future HOFer 1B Clay Beirne's (.335 AVG, 37 HR, 114 RBI) prowess at the plate. The future of the Camels was on full display this season with 24-year old DH Jim Andrews (.301 AVG, 55 HR, 150 RBI) having the best season of his young career as did 24-year old LF Pete Bradshaw (.305 AVG, 45 HR, 118 RBI) who was named to his first career All Star squad.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: The David Ballpark, HON: Harry Gray (12-11) vs. SCO: Jimmie Sosa (13-5)
Game 2: The David Ballpark, HON: George Ebert (15-4) vs. SCO: Jose Mondesi (8-9)
Game 3: Aloha Stadium, SCO: Tony Martin (12-3) vs. HON: Alfonso Espinosa (16-10)
Editor's Pick:
For the last few seasons the Camels have taken a step closer to the big prize every season. If it weren't for the terrible injury to Rivera, one could certainly argue that they would be ready to take that next step and make their first WS appearance. Without Rivera, that will be much harder. They'll have to go back to the old Camel recipe for victory.... score runs, score runs, and score more runs. As for Honolulu, their season so far has far surpassed expectations. Their pitching staff will be hard pressed to keep the Camels' lineup in check. Scottsdale wins in four.
National League
#5 Chicago Gray Stockings (97-65) vs. #1 Pittsburgh Polar Bears (104-58)
CHICAGO- The Gray Sox defeated NL rival Los Angeles in the opening round of the playoffs in five games. As usual, the first four games of the series were very close, hard fought games. In Game 5, Cy Young candidate SP Carter Maybin pitched 8 scoreless innings as the Chicago lineup got red hot on their way to a 9-0 rout of the Sharks. The surprise standout at the plate was SS Jose Carrara who hit .500 with 6 RBI in the 5 games. The Gray Stockings are now one of three NL East teams in the NLDS. They have an appointment with divisional rival and defending WS Champion, Pittsburgh. Expect the series to be very close with tensions running high as Chicago tries to make it to its first NLCS. Despite making it to the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, the Gray Sox have been unable to get out of the NLDS. They hope that this season will be different.
PITTSBURGH- The Polar Bears are once again at the top of the NL, and awaiting patiently for their first opponent in the NLDS. This season it will be their divisional foe, the Chicago Gray Stockings. Pittsburgh is set up as the favorite to win the NL Pennant. Despite Chicago's late season surge, the Polar Bears' players are well rested. The team was ranked 1st in the NL in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed. This season's model of the Pittsburgh winning machine features their usual Big 3: SP Ramon Yamamoto (22-5, 1.85 ERA), SP Jimmie Brownson (17-8, 2.12 ERA) and SP Benji Armas (17-6, 2.73 ERA). All three had Cy Young caliber seasons, and Yamamoto is probably the favorite to win the award. LF Rafael Cueto (.301 AVG, 36 HR, 105 RBI) had another All Star season and is one of the top MVP candidates. The Polar Bears definitely missed Pascual at 1B this season, but they managed to use a platoon of 1B Tim McEwing and LF/1B Victor Pineiro, who combined to hit .288 AVG, 26 HR and 111 RBI, to get solid production at the corner. 2B Kiki Alvarez (.292 AVG, 41 HR, 135 RBI) had one of the best seasons of his career as well. The Polar Bears will have to win a tough series against Chicago to become the first team to successfully repeat as WS Champions since Pittsburgh's Three-Peat in Season 6-8.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: PNC Park, CHI: Julio Telemaco (13-7) vs. PIT: Ramon Yamamoto (22-5)
Game 2: PNC Park, CHI: Wayne Spence (11-8) vs. PIT: Jimmie Brownson (17-8)
Game 3: US Cellular Field, PIT: Benji Armas (17-6) vs. CHI: Carter Maybin (20-4)
Editor's Pick:
In a rematch of the Season 12 NLDS, the top of the NL East will once again square off for the right to go to the NLCS. Pittsburgh does have a slightly better team than Chicago with slight edges in both the starting rotation and the lineup. But in a 5-game series with two divisional rivals, anything is possible. It wouldn't be a surprise to see either of these two teams in the LCS. Pittsburgh also has an advantage as they were able to line up their starting pitchers for the series. Pittsburgh wins in five.
#6 Cleveland Lake Shores (90-72) vs. #1 Milwaukee Titans (102-60)
CLEVELAND- The Lakes Shore's first trip to the postseason under the current ownership also has their first series victory. Waiting for them in the NLDS is NL power house Milwaukee. In their opening round victory, they only averaged 3 runs per game. The only player who really stood out offensively was 3B Glen 'Super Mario' Dawkins. He had an OPS of 1.226 for the five games. The starting pitchers were very good, pitching to an ERA of 2.34. The bullpen struggled a bit to the tune of and ERA just above 4.00. The Lake Shores have a nice trio of Dawkins, Wolf and Canseco. If those three players can catch fire in the series then Cleveland may pull of the upset.
MILWAUKEE- The Titans were once again one of the top two teams in the NL this season. RF Alberto Lima (.256 AVG, 36 HR, 100 RBI) has already established himself as one of the top players in the league, despite having a slightly down season. The offense didn't have any single standout, but rather a deep lineup where every player is capable of contributing. The strength of the Titans though, is their four starting pitchers. They have one of the deepest starting rotations in the NL. SP Lonny Sanchez (13-5, 2.52 ERA), SP Dave McInerney (15-6, 3.21 ERA), SP Rodney Lambert (16-9, 2.46 ERA) and SP Mitch Shaw (5-0, 2.84 ERA) all had solid, but not spectacular seasons. With their solid lineup and deep starting rotation, the Titans are certainly capable of winning the WS again this year.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Miller Park, CLE: Sammy Dali (12-9) vs. MIL: Rodney Lambert (16-9)
Game 2: Miller Park, CLE: Clinton Charles (12-5) vs. MIL: Lonny Sanchez (13-5)
Game 3: Jacobs Field, MIL: Dave McInerney (15-6) vs. CLE: Marc Allen (11-4)
Editor's Pick:
The Lake Shores have had a great season and finally were able to break into the playoffs. The lineups are pretty evenly matched but Milwaukee has a distance advantage in starting pitching. It will be hard to overcome that. Milwaukee wins in four.
