Philadelphia Stomp (99-63)
Pitching: A (2nd)
Offense: A (1st)
Fielding: C (10th)
Speed: C- (12th)
Power: A (1st)
W.G.: B (7th)
vs.
Little Rock Mockingbirds
Pitching: A (2nd)
Offense: A (1st)
Fielding: A (2nd)
Speed: A- (3rd)
Power: A- (3rd)
W.G.: A (1st)
Likely Pitching Matcups
Andres Hernandez (PHI) vs. Julian Belliard (LR)
Jimmie Pulido (PHI) vs. Pedro Castillo (LR)
Quilvio Lee (PHI) vs. Pedro Lecuona (LR)
Keys to the Series:
Two franchises that are no stranger to the World Series, that are no stranger to getting so close but have yet to raise that coveted championship banner. This is Little Rock's 2nd consecutive NL Pennant and the franchise's 4th overall (2 previous having been won during their time in Memphis). Despite the chances, including an especially heart breaking WS defeat last season, there are no WS banners on display at Ray Winder field. Its the Stomp's third AL Pennant in the last five seasons. Their last trip saw fans devastated as their team lost to a much less talented, Cinderella Chicago squad. Season 23 will see one fan base finally able to celebrate, have a parade and hoist their team host a ring ceremony on Opening Day in Season 24. Season 23 will see the other fan base have their hearts broken yet again. It should be a very entertaining series, that will likely go the distance. Philadelphia, despite a weaker record, has home field advantage by virtue of their higher seed. That is no small thing in an AL vs. NL matchup. Philly also has the advantage of a deeper starting rotation, and having the best pitcher available in the series in Quilvio Lee. Unfortunately, Lee had to pitch in yet another win-or-go-home game (in those two series clinchers, Lee has thrown 15 scoreless innings and the Stomp's opponents, Anaheim and St. Louis have yet to score a run) and won't be available until Game 3 in Little Rock. The Stomp also have a small power advantage. Little Rock, has the advantage of having wrapped up the NLCS in six games and their pitching rotation is nearly set up, with staff ace Castillo slotted for Game 2. Little Rock is also a much, much better fielding team, routinely highlighting ESPN's Top Ten and Web Gems. They also have a significant speed advantage. Philly threw out a solid 32% of base stealers during the season and the veteran Rick Jamison (who is considered one of the best catchers in the league) will play a large part in this series as he tries to keep the Mockingbird running game under control. The key to the series though, is Quilvio Lee. He has been untouchable during these playoffs, and is slated to pitch Games 3 and 6. If the Stomp can go into Game 6 with three wins already under their belt, its very likely that Lee will clinch a series once again. Little Rocks best chance is to either shock the baseball world and wrap up the series in four or five games and not give Lee a second start, or to go into game 6 with a 3-2 lead and the luxury of knowing they still have one more game to try and win if Lee continues to dominate.
Prediction... Philadelphia wins in six.
