American League
#1 Houston Buushwackerz (98-64)
Lineup: 2nd
Pitching: 1st
Fielding: 11th
vs.
#4 Scottsdale Camels (83-79)
Lineup: 8th
Pitching: 12th
Fielding: 8th
Keys to the Series:
Clash of opposites. The young up and coming Houston Buushwackerz, average age 27 years, versus the 'lets get one more crack at it,' aging Scottsdale Camels, average age 32 years. Houston has the best record in the AL, while the Camels have the worst record of all of the league's playoff teams. On papaer, the Buushwackerz are the best team in the league, while the Camels look very middle of the pack. On top of that, middle-of-the-order slugger Maicer Almanza is still unable to play, and the Camels' medical staff hope he'll be ready for Game 4 or Game 5. Anyway you look at it, the deck just appears to be stacked against Scottsdale. Their only advantage is experience. If the Camels stay cool and collected and play like the vets they are, and if the Buushwackerz crack under the expectation of being the league's top seed. With a number of young players that the team relies so heavily on, that is certainly possible.
SPN Prediction: Houston wins in three.
#2 St. Louis Redbirds (96-66)
Lineup: 6th
Pitching: 5th
Fielding: 5th
vs.
#6 Charlotte Dukies (89-73)
Lineup: 5th
Pitching: 2nd
Fielding: 4th
Keys to the Series:
These two teams are much closer that their records would indicate. Both have very balanced teams and this series should be the best of the DCS. The resurgent Redbirds have now been in the playoffs for 3 straight seasons, and this squad appears to be championship caliber. The pitching is on the wrong side of 30 though, and they will want to get it done sooner, rather than later. The team was so close last season, losing in 7 games to Philadelphia in a very tight ALCS. The players have had that defeat burning in their gut all season long, and motivating them to finish the job this season. The Dukies on the other hand, have been a perennial playoff team in recent history, making it into the postseason for five of the last six seasons. They have't been able to make the next step though, advancing to the ALCS but once. Expect a very tight, down to the wire series, with plenty of drama.
SPN Prediction: St. Louis wins in five.
National League
#1 Washington Generals (97-65)
Lineup: 1st
Pitching: 10th
Fielding: 11th
vs.
#5 Richmond Rebellion (90-72)
Lineup: 11th
Pitching: 4th
Fielding: 2nd
Keys to the Series:
After such a disappointing season last year, the Generals have risen to the top of the NL. They are a one dimensional team. But that one dimension is dominant. Leading the NL in runs scored by over 100 over the second highest scoring team. The pitching and fielding is pretty pedestrian. Richmond, on the other hand, is a mirror of Washington. The offense is pretty mediocre, but their pitching and fielding is dynamic, ranked right at the top of the NL. Rest won't be an issue either, because they made short work of the A's. This series will really come down to which teams strength emerges. The Generals lead the NL is OBP and SLG while the Rebellion pitching staff ranks 4th and 3rd in opposing those categories. In a close game, the Rebellion, with their superior pitching and defense should have an advantage, but they certainly don't want to get into a slugfest with Washington.
SPN Prediction: Washington wins in four.
#2 Iowa City Badgers (94-68)
Lineup: 5th
Pitching: 3rd
Fielding: 6th
vs.
#6 Atlanta Soda Poppers (86-76)
Lineup: 2nd
Pitching: 7th
Fielding: 3rd
Keys to the Series:
The Badgers are another team that are desperate to get to the next level. With no San Diego and no Pepe Sosa, Hipolito Matos is the best pitcher left in the NL Playoffs. Winning that elusive championship ring is the only thing left for him to check of on his HoF resume. He picked up career win #200 this season, and has made it clear to the media that he is a man on a mission. The Badgers also appear to be the best all around team in the NL Playoffs, with the best rotation. Many pundits put them as the team to beat. For the 2nd straight season, the Poppers are breaking hearts. Last season they ended what appeared to be a season of destiny for San Diego. This season, they put the cherry on top of what has to be considered a failure of a season for the 2-time NL Champion Mockingbirds. Can they rip the heart out of yet another WS contender? We'll know soon enough, but they'll likely have to beat Matos at least once to pull off the upset, which is no small feat.
SPN Prediction: Iowa City wins in four.
