PLAYOFF PREVIEW - DCS ROUND

SEASON SERIES: NY, 7-3

PAW TEAM RANKINGS: .261 BA (19th-ML); 3.94 ERA (9th-ML)

NY TEAM RANKINGS: .274 BA (T4th-ML); 3.89 ERA (8th-ML)

PAW KEY PLAYERS: Pedro Rodriguez, RF; Rudy Dingman, SP

NY KEY PLAYERS: Jimmie Moreno, 1B; Emilio Mieses, SP

PAW COMMENTS: "I think the key to the series will be my starting pitching. If Dingman, Hall, Blasingame and Ramirez pitch very well, my team may have a chance."

NY COMMENTS: "I think it all depends on our starting pitching, they've knocked us out two seasons in a row and our guys are still bitter about the sweep last season. Jake Brantley will also be critical as he is our only lefty slugger against a righty-heavy pitching staff."

SUMMARY: Meeting #4 between these two powerhouses. New York won the first meeting back in S5 in the Play-In Round. Pawtucket has taken the final two meetings in S6 and S7, including a sweep last season. Will Pawtucket knock New York out of the playoffs for a third straight season? If they are, then Rudy Dingman and Toby Blasingame are going to have to come up huge for the Bombers. New York's offense needs to attack early and often to have any chance at all.

SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games




SEASON SERIES: SAL, 8-2

SAL TEAM RANKINGS: .263 BA (T14th-ML); 3.80 ERA (5th-ML)

TRE TEAM RANKINGS: .272 BA (T5th-ML); 4.45 ERA (21st-ML)

SAL KEY PLAYERS: Denny Gaston, 3B; George Garcia, RP

TRE KEY PLAYERS: Phil Anderson, 2B; David Wang, SP

SAL COMMENTS: "We do not take Trenton lightly. We realize just what a tough division the AL North really is. Trenton has nothing to lose, and they'll come at us with everything they have. It's our job to keep home field and move on."

TRE COMMENTS: "If Trenton can steal a game in Salem, I think they can push it to a fifth game and score a huge upset!"

SUMMARY: Stats are somewhat misleading in this contest. As a team, they're only 14th in the ML. However, they have 3 of the biggest bats you'll ever find in Gaston, Bill Barkley, and Geronimo Elcano. I think they're too tough for Trenton's underrated pitching staff to handle. And if Salem gets the lead, good luck getting back in the game with Garcia and Jaime Jefferies standing in the way.

SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 4 games




SEASON SERIES: ROC, 9-1

ARI TEAM RANKINGS: .268 BA (11th-ML); 4.26 ERA (16th-ML)

ROC TEAM RANKINGS: .270 BA (9th-ML); 3.68 ERA (3rd-ML)

ARI KEY PLAYERS: Nicholas Lanier, LF; Jimmie White, SP

ROC KEY PLAYERS: Casey Combs, 2B; Hick Quinn, RP

ARI COMMENTS: "To make it a series, my line-up needs to produce, because there's no shot we're shutting down Rochester's offense. Any team with Nicholas Lanier always has a chance."

ROC COMMENTS: "Arizona is a tough club and we ill have to pick up where we left off during the regular season. We plan on defending our title and this is the first step to that goal."

SUMMARY: One word: domination. That describes Rochester to a "T". Last season, and this season, Rochester has the makings of something special. Do we dare say the "D" word (dynasty)? Maybe, but they have to get through Arizona first, and Nicholas Lanier.

SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 4 games




SEASON SERIES: TIED, 5-5

PHI TEAM RANKINGS: .272 BA (T6th-ML); 3.50 ERA (1st-ML)

SJ TEAM RANKINGS: .271 BA (T8th-ML); 4.23 ERA (14th-ML)

PHI KEY PLAYERS: Josh Miller, 2B; Terrell McCartin, SP

SJ KEY PLAYERS: Shane Fleming, 1B; Stuart Murphy, SP

PHI COMMENTS: "Comments not available"

SJ COMMENTS: "Offensively, our teams are nearly identical. Where Philly would appear to have the distinct advantage is in pitching. Even with LeCroy hurt, a 1-2-3 of Porter, McCartin, and Small is terrifying. However, Murphy has to be one of the hottest pitchers in the world right now, Huckaby is consistently reliable, and Reese has pitched his best games against the top competition, including only giving up one ER in 17 IP against Philly. Obviously, you would have to give the edge to Philly, but I think that the margain in a short series is close enough that it could go either way."

SUMMARY: Comparing pure talent, this series would have been all Philadelphia. Then the injury bug hit the Cheese Steaks. They've lost the likes of Earl Shaw and Paul LeCroy to devastating injuries. Philadelphia's pitching rotation is still strong, but will it be enough to hold San Juan down? We think it will.

SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games