#4 Scranton Wild (80-82)
vs.
#1 Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (102-60)
THE MATCH-UP- Despite having a sub-.500 record, the Scranton Wild won the AL North, a division that has been down in recent seasons, for the second straight seasons. In the Wild Card, versus the reigning AL Champs, the Wild were able to pull off the astonishing upset despite being outscored in the series. While the team is certainly thrilled to have moved on; when you look closer at the numbers the Wild are probably in trouble versus the Jacks. In their series versus the Revolution, the team only hit .245/.304/.388. The pitching in Norfolk, led by a pair of Cy Young Award winning pitchers in Hipolito Matos (23-8, 2.90 ERA) and Phil Leonard (16-9, 3.71), is probably even a bit better than Baltimore's. The team's ERA was a respectable (though not spectacular) 4.60 in the series. The Jacks on the other hand were the favorite to win the World Series this season, and cruised to the best record in the AL. The team is rested and healthy. With their arch-nemesis Baltimore able to stop them this season, the Jacks believe that nothing can stop them from winning the pennant. Norfolk wins in three.
#6 Scottsdale Camels (96-66)
vs.
#2 Honolulu Rainbow Warriors (97-65)
THE MATCH-UP- The Rainbow Warriors were the surprise team of the AL in Season 18. They were in the driver's seat in the AL West for most of the season, holding off perennial playoff contender Anaheim. Despite being a very solid squad in recent seasons, its only the second time in the last 11 seasons that this team has made it to the playoffs. Needless to say, fans are excited. This teams success has been due to their prolific offense more than anything else. The Warriors rank 2nd in the AL in runs scored. With the savvy veteran Hector Brown (.289 AVG, 17 HR, 70 RBI) setting the table at the top of the order, and Samuel Walker (.333 AVG, 21 HR, 89 RBI) and Bill Howell (.342 AVG, 23 HR, 100 RBI), this squad can score with any in the league. They looked to be running away with the division. Until late in the season, the Camels went on a 10-winning streak while the Warriors went on a 5-game losing streak (including the Camels sweeping the Warriors during the last three games of the season) and the result was a narrow 1 game lead at the regular season's end. While the Warriors owe their success to the sticks, the Camels owe theirs to a dynamic pitching staff. The Camels lead the AL in fewest runs allowed, and lowest team ERA at 3.54. That's even more impressive when you consider that half of their games are played in the batters' paradise otherwise known as the Davis Ballpark. Many of the pitchers in the staff have had career seasons. Tony Sosa (17-5, 2.53 ERA) had the best season of his career, and was one of the top pitchers in the AL all season long. While he didn't pitch versus the Jazz (the manager was playing the match-ups), he will be relied upon heavily if the Camels are to make a deep run. He is a proven post season pitcher with a career record of 8-1 and a 2.21 ERA. This match up will the quintessential clash of offense versus defense. Ultimately, the edge may go do the Camels. This team is red hot, winning 13 straight games including a three game sweep of the Jazz to open the playoffs. Scottsdale wins in four.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
#4 Milwaukee Titans (81-81)
vs.
#1 Vancouver Tragedy Twins (107-55)
THE MATCH-UP- The defending World Series Champions had a terrible season. They were beset by injuries early on, and struggled out of the gate. They were inconsistent most of the season, and limped into the playoffs with an 81-81 record. Though the team was finally largely healthy (other than Toby Barry, who was out for the season), their play on the field had been less than stellar. While the pitching was very good, 3rd in the NL in fewest runs allowed, their offense had been especially bad, ranked well below average in the NL. Still, they were able to defeat the San Diego Wiley Coyotes, and their super-stud Pepe Sosa, winning both games in which Sosa started. Their previously pedestrian offense averaged over 6 runs per game during the series. They were especially tough on the NL's soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner as Sosa had an ERA of over 6.00. Were the Titans finally awake? Were they the mediocre team that seemed to sleep through the regular season? Or the reigning WS Champions that nobody wants to meet in the playoffs? Their series against Vancouver will certainly answer that question. The Twins have had the season in franchise history. They also have the league's best record and have been the best team in the NL for the entire season. They lead the NL in fewest runs allowed and are 3rd in runs scored. Harold Pacquette (15-5, 2.91 ERA) and Benny Bonilla (18-7, 3.38 ERA) have been the best pitching tandem in the NL, and should be very tough during the playoffs. Despite the Titans improved play of late, the tides of the league seem not to be in their favor. Traditional powers throughout both the AL and the NL have bad fortune for all of Season 18. Maybe some new teams are on the rise. Vancouver wins in four.
#6 Pittsburgh Polar Bears (97-65)
vs.
#2 Chicago Gray Stockings (99-63)
THE MATCH-UP- The rivalry between these two teams is one of the most intense and consistent in the league. Both teams are perennially in the playoffs. In the six season since Season 12, Chicago and Pittsburgh have met in the playoffs four times. While Pittsburgh has owned the regular season (winning 12 straight division titles until this season, with Chicago finishing 2nd in 9 of those 12 seasons), the Gray Stockings have the edge in the playoffs, winning three of the four playoff series, two of which led to NL Pennants. Season 18, which was an odd year in SP generally, was also an odd one in the NL East. These two teams seemed to switch roles. The Gray Stockings won their first division title in franchise history, and earned a bye. This time they were waiting for Pittsburgh to defeat an opponent, instead of the other way around. Despite their success, the Gray Stockings are not playing at full strength. They barely won the division and the bye (in the last two days of the season) and will be missing their best pitcher, Esteban Hernandez and their best hitter, Russ Charleston, for the entire playoffs. Still, the Sox have proved to be a gritty team the entire season, and should be a tough out in the playoffs. The Polar Bears also had some major injuries early in the season, though all of their key player are healthy and in the lineup now. The Bears are actually similar to the Sox. Normally, both teams are pitching oriented, this season they are reliant upon their offense. The Bears led the NL in runs scored (the Sox are second) and are 7th in team ERA (the Sox are 8th). This match up should be an emotional one once again, and will probably be the highest rated one in TV rankings. With the history these two teams have, and the top two scoring offenses in the NL, there should be plenty of fireworks. Chicago's injuries to key players will just be too much for them to overcome. Pittsburgh wins in five.
