SEASON SERIES: PAW, 7-3
PAW TEAM RANKINGS: .261 BA (19th-ML); 3.94 ERA (9th-ML)
SAL TEAM RANKINGS: .263 BA (T14th-ML); 3.80 ERA (5th-ML)
PAW KEY PLAYERS: Cristobal Nieves, 2B; Hank Hall, SP
SAL KEY PLAYERS: Bill Barkley, 1B; George Garcia, RP
PAW COMMENTS: "I think the key is my starting pitching. If Dingman and Hall pitch great and at least 2 of the other 3 SPs (Blasingame, Ramirez and Gold) pitch well, we have a solid chance."
SAL COMMENTS: "This is a perfect opportunity for us to get revenge on Pawtucket. Last season's playoff exit still doesn't sit well with us, and what better way to get revenge than to defeat Pawtucket here, and head to the World Series. Sounds good to us."
SUMMARY: It always seems as though there's this one team that does well against you. No matter how good you are and how bad they are, they seem to have your number. That's Pawtucket, and if you're a Salem fan, this series does not bring good news. Pawtucket owned Salem in the regular season. They just came from dispatching the #1 seed New York Nippers home for the rest of the playoffs. Does Salem have a chance? Of course they do, but they need to be running on all cylinders. Teddy Hubbard had a meltdown in game 4 against Trenton, that can't happen again. Same with George Garcia, who was automatic during the regular season. For Salem to even have a chance, they need to hang onto any lead they get. Pawtucket SPs Toby Blasingame, Pablo Ramirez, and Hank Hall have pitched beautifully so far in the Post-Season. Salem brings some big bats into this series, with the likes of Bill Barkley and Geronimo Elcano, to name a few. If Pawtucket can get 6-7 solid innings each start in this series, then the Bombers will find themselves in the World Series.
SJW BLOG PREDICTION
in 7 games
SEASON SERIES: TIED, 5-5
ROC TEAM RANKINGS: .270 BA (9th-ML); 3.68 ERA (3rd-ML)
PHI TEAM RANKINGS: .272 BA (T5th-ML); 3.50 ERA (1st-ML)
ROC KEY PLAYERS: Hector Rodriguez, SS; Hick Quinn, RP
PHI KEY PLAYERS: Troy Coffman, 1B; Terrell McCartin, SP
ROC COMMENTS: "Philly has a great pitching staff. We have to keep on hitting to advance."
PHI COMMENTS: "I definitely would feel better about my chances with [Paul] Lecroy. However, I think it is going to be a long series. We split the season series and If I can get a lead in the series feel like have a great chance to go to the series."
SUMMARY: Everybody knew about Philadelphia's dominant Starting Pitching. It's no secret that it was widely considered one of the league's best. However, when Paul LeCroy went down with an injury, nobody gave a second thought. As good as LeCroy was, the Philadelphia Starting Rotation without him was still pretty damn good. Ask San Juan how good Philly's pitching is. They held San Juan to 12 runs in 4 games. But now, the Defending Champions come into town, the Rochester Mountain Dwellers. One reason why Rochester is so dominating: they're good at everything, and they're consistent. They don't let up at all, in any area. Philadelphia had early success against Rochester, winning 5 of the first 7 matchups. Rochester went on to win the next 3, tying the season series. For Rochester to win, they need to get the lead early. Let their dominating closer Hick Quinn seal the victory. Philadelphia needs quality starts from their Starting Rotation, which hasn't been a problem all year.
SJW BLOG PREDICTION
in 7 games