#6 Philadelphia Stomp (95-67) vs. #1 Baltimore Revolution (111-51)
ALDS Recap: The ALDS between Philadelphia and Anaheim was about as close as a series could be. All five games were decided by 3 runs or less. The decisive Game 5 went into extra innings. However, once the dust was settled, the Hitmen faithful had their hearts broken once more and the Stomp found themselves on a collision course with the Revolution in the ALCS for the third consecutive season. In that thrilling Game 5, it was Yannick Broome and Jim Andrews who provided the clutch firepower. The two players combined to hit back-to-back solo home runs in the 11th. Both of those players have been solid throughout the postseason so far. Broome is hitting .341 and is second on the team with 10 RBI. Andrews is hitting .282 while providing nearly all of the Stomp's power, leading his team in HR with 7 and RBI with 14. Quilvio Lee will also need to keep coming up big. He is 2-0 in his 3 starts with a 1.93 ERA.
Season Stats:
Runs Scored: 3rd in AL
Runs Allowed: 6th in AL
Fewest Errors: 11th in AL
* 2nd in AL in home runs
*3rd in AL in AVG, OBP, and SLG
*2nd in AL in quality starts
ALDS Recap: If Baltimore wanted to come out and send a message to the league, they were successful. They showed that despite back-to-back-to-back championships, this teams hasn't lost its hunger and is just as eager to win #4 as it was to win #1. That's a rare commodity on a championship team. They routed the Scraton Wild with a 3-0 series sweep, outscoring them by a combined score of 28 to 8. Games 1 & 2 were blow outs, with only Game 3 staying close. They find themselves well rested, ready for their rematch of last season's ALCS with a Stomp team that just survived a grueling series. Deivi Borges was a one man wrecking crew in the ALDS. In the three games, he hit .500 with 4 HR and 7 RBI.
Season Stats:
Runs Scored: 2nd in AL
Runs Allowed: 3rd in AL
Fewest Errors: 2nd in AL
* Led the AL in stolen bases and home runs
Editors' Pick: The Stomp are one of the few teams that has the starting pitching to go toe-to-toe with Baltimore's starting rotation. In fact, both rotations are so good, you could really call them a wash. Baltimore's lineup is stronger than Philly's though, and the types of games played will really determine the outcome of the series. If the games stay low to mid scoring games that are pretty close, this series is an absolute coin flip and could go either way. If the games become high scoring, offensive games, that's more to Baltimore's liking and they will have the advantage. Even though the Revolution won handily the last two seasons, expect this season's rematch to be closer. The Stomp are more seasoned and less in awe of their divisional rivals. Baltimore wins in six.
National League
#5 Cleveland Lake Shores (94-68) vs. #2 Miwaukee Titans (101-61)
NLDS Recap: While the headline in the National media may center around the Polar Bears not advancing in the playoffs once again, the Lake Shores have quietly, over the last few seasons, inched their way among the elite NL teams. Their victory gives them their 2nd NLCS appearance in the last 4 season, and continues the NL East tradition of NL Postseason dominance. In every season since Season 9, at least one of the teams in the NLCS (and sometimes both!) has been from the NL East. The Lake Shores have a winning formula. They have a team stocked with veteran pitchers, who may not have the name recognition that the staffs of Pittsburgh, Chicago or Milwaukee's staffs have, but they get the job done every season. While their lineup is deep and solid 1-8. That formula worked to perfection against Pittsburgh. Only once did their pitching allow more than 4 runs and their offense averaged 6 runs per game against a very highly rated Pittsburgh pitching staff. Matt Wolf continues to be one of the most difficult players to retire in the history of the league. This postseason his OBP is .459. Fan favorite, Glen 'Super Mario' Dawkins is on fire right now, riding a 7-game hitting streak. He is hitting a team high .344 while also leading the team in RBI with 7.
Season Stats:
Runs Scored: 5th in NL
Runs Allowed: 6th in NL
Fewest Errors: 12th in NL
*2nd in NL in OBP
NLDS Recap: The Gray Stockings gave the Titans all they could handle, and more, in the NLDS. In order for the Titans to advance to their 2nd consecutive NLCS appearance, they had to pull off one of the most dramatic come from behind victories in SP playoff history in Game 4. The Sox struck early, scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning. Going into the eighth, they had a solid 5-2 lead. With two outs, the normally sure-fielding SS Jose Carrara committed the error of his life, leaving men on first and second, still with two outs. Howard Gray and Miguel Cayones would take advantage for the Titans. Gray double in two runs and Cayones tripled in the game tying run. The Gray Sox were stunned, but kept battling. The Sox had their chances too, with bases loaded in the top of the 14th, but failed to cash in. In the bottom of the 14th inning, it was Gray who came up big again, with a bases loaded walk off single to send the Titans into the NLCS. After the grueling 14 inning marathon the Sox were sitting in stunned disbelief while the Titans had to regroup for the waiting Lake Shores. Not only was Gray the hero of Game 5, but he was also the Titan's best hitter in the series, maintaining a .350 AVG.
Season Stats:
Runs Scored: 3rd in NL
Runs Allowed: 1st in NL
Fewest Errors: 3rd in NL
*1st in NL in HR
Editors' Pick: The Titans have a stronger pitching staff, but that will be somewhat offset by the fact that the Lake Shores have been able to rest and reset their rotation while the Titans are coming off of a tough 5 game series and a 14 inning Game 5. It may take a game or two for the Titan's staff to fully recover. On offense, both of these teams are very solid, and the lineups will very likely play each other even. It will, and should, be a very tight series. Its just so hard to go win back-to-back pennants, and the Lake Shores seem about due. Cleveland wins in seven.
