#5 Baltimore Revolution (112-50) vs. #1 Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (113-49)
BALTIMORE- As expected, the Revolution made quick work of the AL North champs from Minnesota. They swept in three games, outscoring the Storm 30-10 in the series. As a team, the Revolution hit .354 with an OPS of 1.067 with 7 home runs, 8 doubles and 40 total hits in the three game set. It was quite an offensive display. Leading the way, as he has all season long, was Bruce Donovan. The pitching was almost as impressive. Baltimore's staff had an OBA of .206 and a WHIP of 1.04. Sammy Aquino, who was a bit of a disappointment during the regular season, had the best start of the entire series. He went 7 scoreless innings, only allowing one hit. If he can pitch anywhere close to that well during these playoffs, it'll be a huge bonus for Baltimore and they'll be nearly impossible to beat once again. The sweep meant that 20-game winner Billy Ray Howington didn't even get the chance to pitch in the series. It also means that Baltimore is now on a 17 game playoff winning streak going back to the Season 14 World Series against Chicago. The Revolution just seem to find new ways to make history each season. None of that means much to the players though. As usual, they've got tunnel vision and are only focused on one thing... Three-peat. When asked about their opponents, Alfredo Pimentel summed up his thoughts on the Jacks, "When I came into the league five seasons ago, we always were one of the better teams in the league. And we were always keeping track of St. Louis and Scottsdale... and even Salem and New Orleans. But never Norfolk. We barely paid them any attention. Then I remember two seasons ago, the first time Matos pitched against us. I was sitting on the bench watching him warm up. You just knew he was special. I remember thinking, 'Uh, oh.' And I looked over at Frankie [Edwards], and he was watching him too. Then he turned his head to me and raised an eye brow. Frankie knew too. And we kind of realized as a team during that game that we'd better start paying really close attention to this team. We knew this series was coming. We're not intimidated though. We're ready. We're proud that we've stayed at the top of Satchel Paige for so long and we don't plan on going anywhere."
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Harbor Park: BAL: Tony Espinosa (18-4) vs. NOR: Hipolito Matos (24-5)
Game 2: Harbor Park: BAL: Damaso Solano (16-5) vs. NOR: Phil Leonard (19-5)
Game 3: Camden Yards: NOR: Heath Hewitt (15-9) vs. BAL: Sammy Aquino (12-8)
Editors' Pick:
This might be the most anticpated Satchel Paige playoff series since the Season 11 World Series between the St. Louis Redbirds and the Pittsburgh Pilferers. These two teams are so evenly matched up, it almost looks as if their regular season numbers are mirrored...
Stat- Reg Season AL Rank
Runs- NOR (1st), BAL (2nd)
HR- NOR (6th), BAL (2nd)
SB- NOR (2nd), BAL (1st)
OBP- NOR (1st), BAL (2nd)
SLG- NOR (2nd), BAL (1st)
Fewest Runs Allowed- NOR (2nd), BAL (3rd)
OBA- NOR (2nd), BAL (1st)
Opp OBP- NOR (1st), BAL (2nd)
Team WHIP- NOR (1st, tied), BAL (1st, tied)
Team ERA- NOR (2nd), BAL (3rd)
Fewest Errors- NOR (5th), BAL (4th)
The similarities are eerie. Statistically speaking, these two teams are the best in the AL... by far. This is truly a series that could go either way (cliche, I know). In looking for something that gives one team an advantage over the other, we came up with pretty much nothing. The Jacks did win the season series this season 7-3. But the Revolution are a machine during the playoffs, and we have a hard time picking against them until someone actually knocks them off. It just too bad that this series isn't a best of seven, because this is can't miss baseball. Baltimore (barely) wins in five.
#6 Philadelphia Stomp (86-76) vs. #2 New Orleans Jazz (104-58)
PHILADELPHIA- The Stomp surprised the SP world by the ease in which they seemed to dispatch the perennial playoff contender, the Anaheim Hitmen. They outscored Anaheim 20-8 in the series. Thats because if there is any team in the league that is better built for the playoffs than the regular season, its probably the Stomp. With the addition of super rookie Quilvio Lee (18-5, 2.65 ERA), the Stomp have a trio of starting pitchers that can match up with any other pitching staff in the league. Those three starters showed just how good they could be in the series with the Hitmen. They held one of the AL's most powerful offenses to only 2 runs in their 19 innings of work, an ERA of 0.95. The bullpen was still suspect though, surrendering 6 runs in 9 innings. The addition off Jim Andrews (.306 AVG, 45 HR, 110 RBI) gives the team the fearsome bat it needed so badly in the middle of the order. However, in the Wild Card Round it was Cristobal Johnson (.280 AVG, 17 HR, 77 RBI, 28 SB) who provided the fireworks. He hit 3 home runs and had 6 RBI in the three games. The Stomp now face the biggest surprise of Season 16: the 104-win New Orleans Jazz.
NEW ORLEANS- The Jazz shocked the league by finishing with the 4th best record overall, and 20 more wins than last seasons total. Their 104 wins was good enough to get them the second bye in the AL. They did it with a total team contribution too. This seasons Jazz only had 1 All Star, CF Valerio Soriano (.287 AVG, 40 HR, 124 RBI, 16 SB). No Cy Young candidates. No MVP candidates. No Silver Sluggers. Just a solid team. The roster has 11 players who hit double digit home runs this season. Ten players had 40+ RBI. Five players had 20+ steals. While no single player strikes fear into opposing pitchers, you can't sleep on anyone, even the backups. Former #1 overall pick 3B Yusmerio Martin (.278 AVG, 23 HR, 59 RBI, 23 SB) had the best overall season of his career, while providing his usual stellar defense at 3B. He'd already been given up on by both Chicago and Oakland/Arizona, but maybe he has finally found his home in New Orleans. While the offense was pretty much the definition of league average (8th in runs scored), it was the pitching where the Jazz really made their mark, leading the AL in both team ERA (3.74) and fewest runs allowed. Rolondo Villareal (18-7, 4.12 ERA) took the role of staff ace since coming over from Oakland/Arizona. After some early career struggles, Fernando Dominguez (12-11, 4.16 ERA) seems to have found his comfort zone in the Big Easy, combining with Villareal to form a potent tandem for the Jazz. The back of the Jazz pitching staff has a solid tandem as well. Micah Montague (25 SV, 1.67 ERA) and mid-season acquisition Doug Thompson (21 SV, 0.78 ERA) effectively shorten any game where the Jazz can get the lead. The fielding has also been superb, ranking 3rd in the AL in fewest errors.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Zephyr Field: PHI: Quilvio Lee (18-5) vs. NO: Rolondo Villareal (18-7)
Game 2: Zephyr Field: PHI: Gary Scott (12-9) vs. NO: Fernando Dominguez (12-11)
Game 3: Citizens Bank Park: NO: Jair Segui (16-7) vs. PHI: Randy Meulens (15-8)
Editors' Pick:
New Orleans won the regular season series 6-4 against Philly. But we really like the composition of the Stomp's pitching staff with the addition of Lee. Expect the balanced Stomp roster to advance to the ALCS for the second straight season. Philadelphia wins in five.
National League
#5 Chicago Gray Stockings (90-72) vs. #1 Pittsburgh Polar Bears (109-53)
CHICAGO- The Gray Sox swept the Memphis Belles to advance to the NLDS. After Game 1, the Belles just didn't score enough (only 2 runs) as was their M.O. all season long, and in the end it led to their elimination from the postseason. The quick first round victory gave the Chicago pitching staff some much needed rest to prepare for their showdown against their biggest rival: Pittsburgh. The team offense performed well against a solid pitching/defensive combination, hitting .296 and an OBP of .358; but the team lacked power, SLG only .407. The pitching was good too, with an ERA of 2.89; and if you take out Game 1, an ERA of 1.00. Despite all of those promising signs, the Polar Bears are a totally different animal (pun intended) than the Memphis Belles. These two teams know each other very well and they don't like each other. Its been the Gray Sox who have pulled off the upset against the Polar Bears, in this very round, each of the last two seasons. The series should be emotionally heated, and don't be surprised if there are a few choice words thrown around on the diamond between these two bitter foes.
PITTSBURGH- Once again Pittsburgh is the top team in the NL. They boast the top offense in the NL, ranking 1st in runs scored, OBP and OPS. They ranked 2nd in SB and SLG. The pitching was also tops in the NL (as usual) ranking 1st in the NL in fewest runs allowed, ERA and WHIP. The offense was set up by speedster CF Del Chen (.277 AVG, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 42 SB) who also provided the Bears with Gold Glove caliber defense in the outfield. Driving Chen home to score this season, were two players who got themselves on the MVP ballot: Eugenio Estrella (.344 AVG, 35 HR, 99 RBI, 24 SB) and Rafael Cueto (.311 AVG, 40 HR, 119 RBI, 34 SB). The pitching staff, as always, was led by their stable of future HoFers: Ramon Yamamoto (16-6, 2.43 ERA), Kelvim Whang (14-11, 3.30 ERA), Jimmie Brownson (14-7, 3.04 ERA) and Benji Armas (13-6, 2.66 ERA). Newcomer Evan Bryant (45 SV, 2.28 ERA), signed from Milwaukee, gives the Bears a solid presence to close out the end of games. In Pittsbugh though, just like in St. Louis and Baltimore, all of that regular season success and dominance doesn't mean anything. Its all about the World Series. The last two seasons have been failures in the mind of the players and managment. And this season's squad is determined to avenge their loss and eliminate their upstart division rivals from the Windy City.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: PNC Park: CHI: Carter Maybin (17-6) vs. PIT: Jimmie Brownson (14-7)
Game 2: PNC Park: CHI: Ralph O'Neill (10-6) vs. PIT: Ramon Yamamoto (16-6)
Game 3: US Cellular Field: PIT: Benji Armas (13-6) vs. CHI: Pedro Franco (10-16)
Editors' Pick:
For the third consecutive season, and the fourth in the last five, these two teams will square off in the NLDS. The last two seasons, the Gray Sox pulled off the upset (including a shocking sweep in Season 14) on their way to the NL Pennant. With the uncertain future of Jimmie Brownson in Pittsburgh, these long time team mates feel this could be their last charge together, and their determined to go all the way. With Chicago's pitching decimated by injuries, and Pittsburgh out for blood and vengence, don't expect any miracle upsets this season. Pittsburgh wins in three.
# 3 Vancouver Tragedy Twins (93-69) vs. #2 Milwaukee Titans (95-67)
VANCOUVER- The Tragedy Twins have acsended to the NL West throne, recently vacated by the LA Sharks. For the last two seasons, the Twins have been among the top teams in the senior circuit. Last season they went all the way to the NLCS before bowing out. This season, their hope is to go further as they continue to shake up the power structure of the NL's traditionally dominant teams. They won their division this year by holding off the surprisingly good Sharks and the rising San Diego squad led by super-phenom Pepe Sosa. They just defeated the hottest team in the league, the Cleveland Lake Shores 3 games to 1 to advance to a rematch of last season's NLDS agasint Milwaukee. The team offense was much more dynamic than it usually is, hitting .321 with 18 doubles in the four games. All Star Leon Evans and Richard Granderson paced the way for the offense. They each had at least one hit in every game and combined to go 19/33 (.575 AVG) with 9 doubles and 8 RBI in the series. Johnnie Lucasiewicz continues his emergence as an elite hurler, going 7+ innings in his start, picking up the W while only allowing a single run. Benny Bonilla, who was inconsistent during the regular season, also pitched well. He went 6 scoreless on the way to his W.
MILWAUKEE- While the league continues to search for a solid owner to purchase the Titans, and fans wonder about the future of the team, the players themselves just continued to win. Eventually they did anyway. The team got off to a rocky start, leaving others in the NL North speculating whether they might be able to steal the division. Iowa City in particular, gave it a good run but the Titans still won the division by a comfortable 11 games and captured the 2nd NL bye just ahead of Vancouver. Now they will once again square off against the Twins for the right to go to the NLCS. And, as usual, they were, statistically, one of the very best teams in the NL. The Titans ranked 2nd in runs, 3rd in HR, 2nd in OBP, 1st in SLG, 2nd in OPS and 4th in ERA. The offense boasts a number of ferocious hitters. Ham Frye (.344 AVG, 22 HR, 80 RBI, 28 SB) had the best season of his career. Alberto Lima (.272 AVG, 39 HR, 109 RBI) had his usual great production. Dewayne 'Injury Waiting to Happen' Thompson (.329 AVG, 31 HR, 86 RBI) put up massive numbers even though he only played in 96 games. Fans watch him play and only dream of the numbers he would put up "if he could only stay healthy." Lonny Sanchez (16-6, 2.75 ERA) and Rodney Lambert (15-6, 2.72 ERA) led the pitching staff with two nearly identical All Star seasons. This talented squad is rested and ready. Their desperate to put up one more championship banner for their fans in Milwaukee who have supported them all of these seasons, because it could be their last chance to do so.
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Miller Park: VAN: Howie Mack (15-7) vs. MIL: Lonny Sanchez (16-6)
Game 2: Miller Park: VAN: Johnnie Lucasiewicz (18-7) vs. MIL: Rodney Lambert (15-6)
Game 3: Nat Bailey Stadium: MIL: Dave McInerney (17-9) vs. Benny Bonilla (9-13)
Editors' Pick:
Anytime a team gets to this point in the playoffs, clearly they are a good squad. Milwaukee does have a pitching advantage and their offense is more dynamic and varied. Plus, they're just too good to keep down for very long. Milwaukee wins in four.
