American League
#6 Baltimore Revolution (96-66)
vs.
#1 Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (107-55)
For the second consecutive season, the ALCS will be an all AL East affair. After five seasons of securing one of the top records in the AL, will the Whiskey Jacks finally win their first Pennant? Or will it be a sixth season of disappointment and underachievment under the weight of loft preseason expectations? Will the Revolution make a statement that their team isn't in decline and is still a powerhouse? Will they win their 8th AL Pennant in 13 seasons? Or will a loss force the front office to take a long look at a roster that has 6 of 9 positional starters, and 4 out of 5 starting pitchers, that will be 32 or older on the Opening Day of Season 21? This series, depending on which way it goes, has the potential for far reaching consequences for both squads, and the AL, even beyond who gets the honor of competing in the World Series. The Baltimore Revolution are the most sucessful, most profitable, most valuable franchise in the league. They are the one of a handful of franchises (with St. Louis and Pittsburgh) that boasts a worldwide following. You can see the black 'Join the Revolution' T-shirts and Frank Edwards jerseys the world over. After a grueling series against the young, upstart Charlotte Dukies, they get to face a familair rival. RF Jung Lee Martin has had an interesting postseason. In 9 games, he has struck out 15 times with a pedestrian OBP of .318. They will need him on base more out of the lead off spot. Because when he does get on base, he's can be dynamic. Still, he has been hitting for power with 2 double and 2 home runs, with a SLG of .524. The middle of the lineup has been prolific for Baltimore this postseason. Their number 2,3,4 and 5 hitters (Aurelio Diaz, Alfredo Pimentel, Deivi Borges and Bruce Donovan) are hitting a combined .318 with 14 home runs and 29 RBI in the Rev's nine playoffs games. Their combined OPB of .400, SLG of .681 and OPS of 1.081 make them very difficult to defeat. Its a good thing those guys have been so good too, becuase the Rev's pitching has been pretty medicore, with a team ERA of 4.32 these playoffs. Only Richard Stokes, out of the pen, with an ERA of 0.82 in 11 innings and Randy Muelens, with an ERA of 3.10 in his 3 starts and 20.1 innings of work, have been consistent. Their foes, the Whiskey Jacks, have been among the favorites to win it all for a number of seasons now, but have never seemed to put it all together in the playoffs. This will be the second straight season in the LCS and their staff, which can struggle at times, will have its hands full with Baltimore and their on form hitters. The pitchers will simply need to play better than they did against Philly if the team is to advance. The team ERA in the ALDS was 5.91 and the Rev have a better lineup than Philly. For a team that relies on its offense, the hitters didn't do much to inspire confidence in the ALDS either, with a team OPS of .602 and only 5 extra base hits in 4 games. Much of that can be attributed to the Stomp's dominant pitching rotation, but they will need to do much better to match up with the Rev's offense. MVP favorite Maicer Almanza and former #1 overall pick, All Star 3B Yusmeiro Martin where both terrible in the DCS and will need to hit much better. Alamza on mustered 2 singles in 14 at-bats, with no walks and seven strikeouts. Martin was almost as bad with only 2 singles in 12 at-bats. That won't get it done. This series has the potential to be a classic. But the clearly different forms of the current teams is worriesome. Baltimore is red-hot and peaking at just the right time while the Jacks seem to be going the other direction. On paper, I might favor Norfolk, but not with the way Rev are hitting and the Jacks are pitching.
Baltimore wins in six.
National League
#2 Richmond Rebellion (101-61)
vs.
#1 Vancouver Tragedy Twins (109-53)
The NLCS looks to be a true battle, with two
of the top teams squaring off. The Vancouver Tragedy
Twins and the Richmond Rebellion, went 1-2 in runs scored and ERA, with
Vancouver holding a slight lead over both. Over the past 20 seasons in Satchel Paige, these two teams have squared off a total of
200 times during the regular season. And while they’ve played a
combined 41 playoff series, we have to go all the way back to season 2
to see their last playoff matchup. Not one player from either
team remains from that clash, also in the NLCS, and the teams have changed owners several times since. Don’t think
for one second that Richmond or their fans have forgotten about that Game 4 beat down 18 seasons ago though. Vancouver also knows it won’t be as easy
this go around. Vancouver had a slight edge over Richmond during the
regular season, winning 6 of the 10 matchups. And while Vancouver
will hold home field advantage during this series, Richmond loves
playing on the road. It’s important to note that it looks like Otis
Beimel will get the game 1 start, and Vancouver has their pick of
starting pitching matchups due to a completely rested staff. Will they
start their ace, Harold Paquette, or hold him off for a tougher
pitching matchup? For Richmond to win, and extract revenge for
season 2, they’ll need to keep their winning ways on the road. Ted
Westmoreland will need more offensive help than he received during the
San Diego series. Alexi Andino, who threw out almost 45% of base
thieves during the regular season, will have his hands full slowing
down Vancouver. Game’s 2 and 3 will be crucial starts for Gary Scott
and Brian Sasaki.
The key for Vancouver to win will be not letting
Richmond gain any momentum. Pick their starting pitching matchups well,
take advantage of their rested staff and get to Richmond’s bullpen
early. RBI generators Karim Oliva and J.J. Haley will need to elevate
their game as batting .275 and .257, like they did during the regular
season, won’t get it done. This series goes one of two ways.
Vancouver in 4 OR it goes the distance and a tossup in game 7.
Special thanks to oat for his contribution.
