Season 14 Playoff Preview

American League

1 - Richmond Confederates (105-57)
Richmond makes their 9th straight playoff appearance after winning their 6th division title

Strengths - Their 3.70 ERA led the AL by almost a third of a run. Doc Belle (22-4)and Marty Brantley (18-7) lead the staff.
Power hitting team was 3rd in the AL in HRs.

Weaknesses - .276 team batting average was just 12th in the AL, getting them to just 8th in runs scored. Cody Hall was the only hitter with 100 RBI.

4 - Chicago Bartmans (88-74)
New owner continues the tradition, winning the franchise's 3rd straight and 6th overall division title (7th playoff appearance).

Strengths - 7th ranked pitching staff in AL (4.7 ERA) finished 2nd in league in K's. 5th in runs scored, only Texas hit more HRs. Wesley Fullmer has been solid replacing Carl Brooks as closer.

Weaknesses - 158 Errors led to 2nd worst fielding % in AL. SS Edgar Pascual (65 errors) appears to belive he's entering the World Cup instead of the baseball playoffs.

vs.

5 - Texas Riders (94-68) - 5th consecutive .500+ finish yields just the 3rd playoff appearance in franchise history. Tiny ballparks makes home games explosive.

Strengths - .305 batting average and 1069 runs scored were both 2nd in the league. Antonio Chapman is probably the best hitter in the league. Gookie Worrell anchors the staff. B.C. Juarez has been dominant closing all season.

Weaknesses - The overall pitching numbers are just average, but in this park, that's pretty good.

2 - San Francisco Fightin Friars (104-58)
Duece has the team on the right track, winning the division for the 3rd straight year.

Strengths - No team has walked fewer (434) and their ERA is good for 3rd in the AL. Dude Wheeler has been great. They're also the best fielding team in the AL.

Weaknesses - 9th in AL in HRs.

3 - Monterrey Conquistadors (97-65)
The 'Quistas make their 13th appearance in 14 seasons after winning their 10th division title.

Strengths - 3rd in runs scored and team BA (.300), William Miyakazi stole 73 of 76 bases. Whitey Sweeney (17-2) is the ultimate vulture.

Weaknesses - 13 of 14 pitchers to appear in the big leagues this season started at least 1 game. Which ones are supposed to step up now?

vs.

6 - Baltimore Dead Homies (89-73)
7th wild-card appearance in 8 seasons for squad that hasn't won the division since Season 5.

Strengths - 244 team SB's led league. Pete Richard stole 56, 3 others exceeded 30. Rico Lecuona is the ace. 1147 K's led AL.

Weaknesses - Uncertain bullpen situation only converted about 2/3 of save opps (42 of 62).

National League

1 - Burlington Bulldogs (112-50)
8th straight division title for the top seeded Bulldogs.

Strengths - Only Orlando Guillen knocked in 100 runs, but 8 hit 16 or more HRs. Edgardo Merced would have been Cy Young in any other year leading staff to 2nd best ERA in the league.

Weaknesses - Uh, they won 112 games. Ok, the closer, Clarence Schoendienst, is only 22 years old and has never appeared in the post-season at any level.

4 - Cheyenne Seminoles (80-82)
Rare sub-.500 team wins the putrid NL West for the 6th consecutive year.

Strengths - Pitching staff was 5th in the NL (3.33 ERA) and sports depth if a lack of true superstars.

Weaknesses - Benny Andrews was the only hitter with more than 20 HRs, but his .229 average hurts. Team BA is just .243, worst in the league.

vs.

5 - Sioux Falls Dakota (105-57)
Dakota are the only franchise never to miss the playoffs, but fail to win the division for the 2nd straight season. They come in hot.

Strengths - 4th in team ERA (.3.28), 76 team saves tell you they play a lot of close games. 8 hitters smacked double-digits HRs. Ace Paul Rhodes has 16 career playoff wins.

Weaknesses - .261 team BA is just 10th best in the NL, but .336 OBP is ranks 3rd.

2 - Helena Hound Dogs (107-55)
Making only their 4th ever appearance, they've won the division twice in a row and get the 2 seed on a tie-breaker with Mexico City.

Strengths - Rafael Aguilera is silly (27-2, 1.15 ERA). Matt Martin (17-4) gives them a dangerous 1-2 punch.

Weaknesses - They don't run much, with just 93 SB on the season. Only Richard Hiro drove in 100 runs.

3 - Mexico City Bandejos (107-55)
The all-time winningest team make their 11th straight playoff appearance and 8th straight division title. They do lack their customary bye.

Strengths - 821 runs scored led the NL; Jalal Rivera anchors the offense. 2.84 ERA also led the league. Marino Rodriguez anchors the staff.

Weaknesses - Well, their closer is only 23 years old. Also, they are usually fishing this time of year while awaiting their first playoff series.

vs.

6 - Memphis Drillers (89-73)
Once pathetic franchise makes their first ever playoff appearance.

Strengths - #6 pitching staff in NL features 21-game winner Rudy Robinson. Finished 3rd in Runs scored with 799.

Weaknesses - 108 errors are the most of any NL playoff team. Wily Mo Norman's 30 at 3B lead the team.

Playoff Preview Season 13

Well, an exciting finish to the regular season saw Mexico City sweep San Juan amidst calls for better insurance to secure a bye and the #2 seed in the NL. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, Helena, Sioux Falls, and Cheyenne all won must-win 162nd games. This completed 6 game streaks to finish the season for both Cheyenne and Sioux Falls. The upshot was that Las Vegas was eliminated on a tie-breaker yielding these first round matchups.

Odds are to win league pennant, all rankings are within league unless otherwise noted.

American League
#6 Scranton Nittany Lions 10-1
Record: 95-67 (AL 2nd wild card)
Offense: 8th: 962 R, .265 Ave (2nd fewest SB)
Defense: 8th: 868 R, 4.89 ERA (244 HR allowed worst of AL playoff teams)
History: 5th consecutive and 6th overall appearance, best finish: WS loser in Season 11
vs.
#3 Monterrey Conquistadors 12-1
Record: 97-65 (winner AL South)
Offense: 7th: 963 R, .295 Ave (.364 OBP trails only KC)
Defense: 6th: 841 R, 4.77 ERA (tandem rotation rocks conventional wisdom)
History: 12th appearance, 9th division title, best finish, WS loser in Season 6

Outlook: Monterrey's tandem rotation meets surprising entrant, with 8th ranked O & D. WCM PICK: Monterrey
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bye
#2 Kansas City Blues 5-2
Record: 102-60 (winner AL North)
Offense: 2nd: 1056 R, .305 Ave (207 HR fewest of playoff teams)
Defense: 3rd: 800 R, 4.56 ERA (.422 Slg allowed & 1123 K's best in AL)
History: 2nd consecutive division title (5 overall), 6 total appearances, best finish: lost ALCS season 11
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#5 Baltimore Dead Homies 8-1
Record: 99-63 (AL 1st wild card)
Offense: 6th: 986 R, .282 BA (219 SB 2nd in AL)
Defense: 4th: 820 R, 4.59 ERA (20 Blown Saves worst among AL playoff teams)
History: 5th consecutive wild card, 10th overall appearance, best finish: WS loser, seasons 2 and 12
vs.
#4 San Francisco Fightin Friars 3-1
Record: 94-68 (winner AL West)
Offense: 5th: 991 R, .293 Ave (hardest AL team to K - 904)
Defense: 1st: 771 R, 4.40 ERA (fewest HR all)
History: 2nd consecutive division title, 2nd appearance, best finish, lost in ALCS Season 12

Outlook: San Fran's excellent pitching and defense meet the speed of Baltimore WCM Pick - Baltimore
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bye
#1 Richmond Confederates 3-1
Record: 107-55 (winner AL East)
Offense: 3rd, 1050 R, 2.83 Ave (337 HR lead league)
Defense: 2nd, 774 R, 4.44 ERA (53-64 SV, tops in AL)
History: 5th division title, 8th consecutive appearance (8 overall), best finish: WS Champs season 9
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National League
#6 Sioux Falls Dakota (15-1)
Record: 89-73 NL 2nd wild card by virtue of tie-breaker over Las Vegas
Offense: 3rd: 831 R, .263 Ave (129 SB 2nd among NL playoff teams)
Defense: 11th: 751 R, 4.30 ERA (219 HR allowed 3rd worst in NL)
History: 1st wild card after 12 consecutive division titles, best finish: WS Champs in Season 7 and 10
vs.
#3 Helena Hound Dogs 9-1
Record: 90-72 Winner NL North
Offense: 11th: 735 R, .265 Ave (193 HRs last among playoff teams, and better only than Pittsburgh)
Defense: 5th: 673 R, 3.73 ERA (172 HR allowed, best in NL)
History: 1st division title, 4th playoff appearance, best finish: never won a division series

Outlook: Exhausted Dakota rotation takes on best pitcher in the game in Aguilera. WCM PICK - Helena
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Bye
#2 Mexico City Bandejos 2-1
Record: 95-67 Winner NL South
Offense: 1st: 869 R, .275 Ave (255 HRs 18 better than any other in NL)
Defense: 2nd: 654 R, 3.68 ERA (.240 OAV tops in NL)
History: 7th straight division title, 10th straight appearance, 10 overall appearances, best finish: WS Champs seasons 4, 5, 6, and 11
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#5 San Juan Crownrificos 5-1
Record: 94-68 1st NL Wild Card
Offense: 12th: 714 R, .257 Ave (25 SB half the next worst team in NL)
Defense: 3rd: 657 R, 3.69 ERA (1184 K's led NL)
History: 11th appearance (6 division titles, 5 wild cards), best finish: WS Champs SEason 1, 2, and 8
vs.
#4 Cheyenne Seminoles 5-1
Record: 90-72 Winner NL West
Offense: 10th: 750 R, .259 Ave (202 SB, 2nd in NL and tops in playoffs)
Defense: 1st: 638 R, 3.63 ERA (172 HR, 452 BB, .383 SLG all led NL)
History: 5th consecutive division title, 6th straight appearance (9 overall), best finish: Lost NLCS seasons 1 and 9

outlook: battle of bad hitting/great pitching teams comes down to the little things, injuries undermine experienced Crownrificos WCM PICK - Cheyenne
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Bye
#1 Burlington Bulldogs 3-1
Record: 98-64 Winner NL East (first non-NL South team with #1 seed in NL)
Offense: 8th: 776 R, .250 Ave (only Pawtucket had worse BA)
Defense: 4th: 666 R, 3.73 ERA (56 SV led NL)
History: 7th straight division title, 7 overall appearances, best finish: WS Champs Season 12

Playoff Preview (Mexico City)

Mexico City Bandejos (NL South Champs, NL #1 seed)
The Bandejos staged a late season rally to claim their 4th straight NL South title. Incidentally, their 3 WS titles all came after wild card seasons. The Bandejos won 29 of 39 late season games before resting some starters in a 10 of 18 finish.

Hitting:
2b Jalal Rivera (.301-44-131) and RF Del Gil (.304-50-138) power an explosive offense. Season 8 MVP Alex Shibata remains a dangerous force but hasn't been the same since his break-up with Japanese pop star Jun Shibata. His .258 average and 42 HR's are career lows for the 2nd straight season. This season's 124 K's are 28 more than he's had in any previous season.

Team BA: .283
Team HR: 285
Team SB: 138

Pitching:
Ozzie Myers (18-6, 3.32 ERA) and Brian Jung (20-7, 3.31 ERA) form a dangerous 1-2 punch in the rotation. Willie Velazquez (13-4, 3.06) is likely to get the #3 spot for the playoffs despite where some pretty lame eye black. Rob Shields appears to have lost the closer role to veteran Benjamin Ardoin. The end of the bullpen might be the only vulnerability in this perenial contendor.

Team ERA: 3.65
Team SV: 41-65
Team HR Allow: 181

Playoff Preview (Cheyenne)

Cheyenne Seminoles (NL West Champs)
Cheyenne won it's 2nd straight division crown and takes on Sioux Falls who they swept in the 2nd round last year.

Hitting:
Sherman Prince (69/73) and Ichiro Kuo (36/37) steal bases with lethal efficiency. They have to, as no hitter amassed even 30 HRs for the Seminoles.

Team BA: .281
Team HR: 170
Team SB: 140

Pitching:
Veteran Moose Gates led the staff with 17 wins but 24-year old Al Moreno is fast becoming the staff ace after a bout with elbow tendinitis earlier this season. 36-year old Adam Edwards was 34-35 closing games with a sparkling 1.77 ERA after struggling last season.

Team ERA: 3.46
Team SV: 61-67
Team HR Allow: 171

Playoff Preview (Scranton)

Scranton Nittany Lions (AL East Winner, #1 AL Seed)
Scranton won 108 games and their first ever division title. A win over defending champion Richmond would net them their first trip to the LCS.

Hitting:
At 24 Bret Davis knocked in 160 runs and took 93 walks while playing excellent defense at 3B. 36 year old Tony Matos posted a career-best .456 OBP and stole 29 bases. This team can score in a lot of ways with five 30+ HR hitters, and 4 legitimate base stealing threats.

Team BA: .309
Team HR: 313
Team SB: 133

Pitching:
Neil Henderson leads the team with 19 wins but Alex Martin (14-7, 4.37) will likely get the ball in game 1. Closer Magglio Merced has 171 saves and is just 24 years old.

Team ERA: 4.84
Team SV: 56-74
Team HR Allow: 261

Playoff Preview (Salem)

Salem Grand Salamies (AL West Champs)
Salem won it's 10th consecutive AL WEst title despite a 10 game drop-off from last season's win total.

Hitting:
Salem may be the least HR-defendant AL playoff team. That's not to say they can't hit the big fly, three Salamies had 30+ and 10 finished in double figures. Tony Baez is a 4-tool talent that hit 31 HRs, stole 82 (in 89 attempts) bases and hit .322 while playing a fine 2B. Keeping him off the bases is key to stopping this balanced attack.

Team BA: .316
Team HR: 254
Team SB: 189

Pitching:
Doc Belle posted a 17-7 mark with a 4.99 ERA in the difficult AL. Juan Velazquez and Greg Jameson are next in the rotation line and Carl Brooks is one of 2nd City's all-time great closers.

Team ERA: 5.59
Team SV: 49-68
Team HR Allow: 252

Playoff Preview (Burlington)

Burlington Bulldogs (NL East Champions)
The dogs won the east with an 84-78 mark after spending much of the year below .500.

Hitting:
It's not that hot in Vermont, but the air conditioning is free at Mustain Stadium where 5 Bulldogs fanned over 100 times. Five players also stole 12 or more bases but four regulars hit under .250 including SS Brad Flaherty and his .195 average.

Team BA: .235
Team HR: 214
Team SB: 134

Pitching:
Pedro DeRojas is the staff ace and has won 75 games before his 25th birthday. His 2.52 ERA was a career best. Ivan Saenz performed admirably in the closer role after being claimed from Vancouver on the waiver wire.

Team ERA: 3.65
Team SV: 50-74
Team HR Allow: 183

Playoff Preview (Sioux Falls)

Sioux Falls Dakota (NL North Champions)

Hitting:
Only Joaquin Medrano knocked in 100 runs for the Dakota but #2 hitter Winston Powell makes the offense go with his .440 OBP. Three other hitters finished with 90+ RBIs so the middle of the order is dangerous at times.

Team BA: .266
Team HR: 228
Team SB: 88

Pitching:
Ace Bartolo Gonzalez strained his elbow with about 40 games to go and the Dakota staff hasn't been the same since. Paul Rhodes is still a star and the pen seems improved over past years.

Team ERA: 3.72
Team SV: 46-63
Team HR Allow: 163

Playoff Preview (Nashville Harmonies)

Nashville Harmonies (Wild Card #2)

Hitting:
Nashville won 91 games without a 100 RBI man and with only Manny Hemingway scoring 100 (he knocked himself in 43 times with HRs). They hit with occasional power (4 other hitters over 20 HRs) and run very little.

Team BA: .268
Team HR: 231
Team SB: 67

Pitching:
The Harmonies pitching staff makes the team go. Ace Chad Rollins went 18-8 with a 3.19 ERA. The bottom of the rotation struggled, but the 2nd and 3rd starters both performed well. Alex Cruz is a solid closer, but the rest of the bullpen had its struggles throughout the year.

Team ERA: 4.09
Team SV: 59-71
Team HR Allow: 197

Playoff Preview (Otttawa Automatons)

Otttawa Automatons (AL North Champs)
The franchise makes its 7th straight playoff appearance after a 2nd straight 85 win campaign.

Hitting
Three big sluggers (David Padilla, Rudy Greer, and Mac Ventura) lead the attack with 51, 45, and 45 dingers each. This team will run too, but it's offense may not be up to par with some of its competition.

Team BA: .284
Team HR: 287
Team SB: 168

Pitching
The rotation is something of a mess for a playoff team. No starter finished more than 3 games over .500 and only youngster Jim Howard had an ERA under 5.00. The pen wasn't a ton better.

Team ERA: 5.47
Team SV: 42-63
Team HR Allow: 262

Playoff Profile: Richmond Confederates

Richmond Confederates (AL Wild Card #1)
Last year's WS champs didn't win a tough division, but did win 102 games and will be a tough out in Season 10.

Hitting:
The 'Feds sport a more balanced attack that gets on base with impunity but doesn't rely on any one slugger. Six regulars his 30 or more HRs but only Julio Nunez (43) surpassed 40. They run like crazy though with over 250 swipes as a team.

Team BA: .295
Team HR: 295
Team SB: 254

Pitching
3-time Cy Young Award winner Charles Kubinski was imported from Mexico City and he has not disappointed (20-3, 3.75). The rest of the rotation is solid if unspectacular, but the bullpen could be a questions with Peter Hoiles and his 5.70 ERA in the closer role.

Team ERA: 4.42
Team SV: 52-75
Team HR Allow: 239

Playoff Profile: Texas Riders

Texas Riders (AL South Champions)

Hitting:
This will become a theme with the AL teams, but the Rider O gallops on the power of sluggers. Antonio Chapman (69 HRs, 154 RBI) and Kelvim Roa (59, 139) hit a ton of homers in a park that likes to give them up.

Team BA: .280
Team HR: 366
Team SB: 119

Pitching:
Texas is NOT a fun place to throw the ball for a living. No pitcher won over 14 games, and only 1 starter (Vin Sheets) had an ERA under 5.00. Closer B.C. Juarez was electric though, saving 40 of 47 while posting a 1.91 ERA. If the Riders can get him the ball, he'll be tough to beat.

Team ERA: 4.99
Team SV: 46-61
Team HR allow: 218

Playoff Team Preview

Baltimore Dead Homies (AL #2 Wild Card):
Hitting
Baltimore brings some big sticks to the playoffs with 5 regulars with 30+ HRs including Vin Guapo with a team-leading 56 to go along with his 45 stolen bases in 52 attempts. 8 players hit 20 or more homers for a team that is not afraid to score runs.

Team BA: .292
Team HR: 307
Team SB: 239

Pitching
Rico Lecuona is the staff ace with a 18-4 record and 3.84 ERA. Pablo Saez brings the 2nd big gun 16-7, 3.78. But, the bullpen has had it's issues and probably #3 starter Claude Rakers sports an ERA over 5. Neither closer distinguished himself.

Team ERA: 4.89
Team SV: 45-61
HR allow: 237

Playoff Previews (AL)

As the playoffs approach - a quick preview of each team:

1-Richmond (115-47) - The top team in the AL leads the way with pitching. They allowed the fewest runs in the AL by a wide margin. The solid offense relies on speed, with a league-high 263 SBs and power (324 Hrs).
Key Player: 60-60 man Julio Nunez hit .330 while stealing 67 bags and pounding 62 HRs.
Weakness: Tough to find one on a team that won 115 games, plays good defense, and had their closer go 37-38 in save opportunities. Three starters did strike out 100+ times so we'll go with that.
History: 4th straight year in the playoffs but they've never been to the World Series.

4-Monterrey (89-73) - They rank 8th in the AL in runs scored, 7th in runs allowed, and 9th in fielding. At 211 their HR total was the 3rd lowest in the AL. How is this team the 4 seed? Creative managing and a non-traditional 3-man tandem rotation have meant wins.
Key Player: Catcher Carson Sherman leads the way with .325 average and 49 HRs.
Weakness: Closer Ned Rivera saved just 20 of 34 attempts and threw over 100 innings in 75 appearances
History: One of just a handful of franchises never to miss the playoffs, the the 'Quistas have made just 2 LCS and 1 WS appearances in 8 seasons.

5- Baltimore (99-63) - They're sortof like Richmond-light, with 326 HRs and 231 SBs to go with a staff that allowed the 2nd fewest runs in the AL.
Key Player: A trio of players hit 50+ HRs and drove in over 140 runs but ace hurler Rico Lecuona might be the key to the Homies hopes.
Weakness: Their baserunners have been caught stealing a league-high 142 times.
History: The franchise has missed the playoffs just 3 times in 8 years, but they've made it out of the division series just once, a season 2 trip to the World Series.

2- Salem (103-59) - This team trailed only Colorado in hitting .308 for the season. However, pitching and defense both ranked 8th in the AL. The offense defined balance with 9, count 'em 9 players hitting 20+ HRs.
Key Player: Free agent addition Carl Brooks was brought in to closer the door and he has, 49 of the 55 times he's been asked. Does the 35-year old have enough gas in the tank for the playoffs?
Weakness: Only Memphis had more - plays in the field and only Houston had fewer plus plays in the AL than this defense. They're also one of the worst in the league at throwing out base stealers.
History: Bossmao's boys have never lost the division and have made an AL-high 4 trips to the World Series. They've been there before.

3- Cincinnatti (96-66) - The Great Americans scored fewer runs than any other AL playoff team and only Monterrey slugged for a lower percentage. On the flip side, they finished 4th in the AL in runs allowed and posted a solid 67 quality starts. Seven players stole 20 bags or more.
Key Player: 33-year old Max Molina is the best starter on the staff (13-6 3.10 ERA), but he pitched into the 7th just 4 times on the year and has been battling a tired arm. Will he step up in the playoffs?
Weakness: They lack the offensive firepower of the rest of this bracket and will have to rely on gritty pitching, manufactured runs, and solid bullpen work to succeed.
History: After cincyredlegs took the franchise to its first playoff birth last year, he orchestrated the first division title in franchise history this year. A first playoff series win would be a great achievement.

6- Scranton (97-65) - This team of extremes has the most HR's, fewest SB's, and highest ERA of any team in the AL field. No doubt, the cast of the Office will be in the stands.
Key Player: C.C. Morgan hit .328 as a rookie but his biggest contribution in the playoffs might be made with his arm where he's led the Nittany Lions to the best CS% in the entire AL.
Weakness: The pitching staff has the highest walk rate of any in the AL playoffs and the hitters tied Cincy's for the most strikeouts of the playoffs teams.
History: Scranton set a franchise record for victories but finished just third in their division. This is their second appearance in the playoffs.

Bold Predictions:
Scanton nips Cincy in a series that goes the distance. Monterrey proves scrappy but not enough to take down Baltimore. Powerful Richmond bests a surprising Scranton team to take the pennant.

1st round matchups

Richmond (92-70) vs Cincinnati (94-68, WC) - Richmond makes it's 4th consecutive trip to the playoffs following a division win while Cincy is playing in imaginary October for the 1st time ever. The Confederates really bang the ball, hitting 321 HR's, good for 2nd in the league. The Great Americans made a name on their pitching staff, leading the AL in ERA. They also outscored the 'Feds by 26 runs on the season due to their furious legs, stealing a league-high 309 bases.

Questions to answer: Can jack rabbits Manny Corey, Travis Mota, and crew be held in check by Fed catcher Eric Richardson who napped just over 30% of those attempting to run on him this year?

Can Great Americans starters Grover Little and Max Molina hold the down the Fed bats?
Monterrey (93-69) vs Texas (93-69, WC) - Monterrey won a tie-breaker to gain home field advantage over division rival Texas. The 'Quistas are making their 8th consecutive trip to the post season, still in search of their first world title. They bring a .302 team average and the best defense in the AL to the party. Meanwhile, the Riders are making their post season debut behind a balanced squad that finished above average in most categories.

Questions to answer: Can strong-armed Jaime Anderson slow record-setting running by 'Quista leadoff man Roberto Servet (129 SB)?

Will Monterrey Pitching Coach Rigo Valdez' unortodox e-man rotation excel or fold in the post-season?


Burlington (90-72) vs San Juan (97-65, WC) - Burlington shocked 2nd city powerhouses San Juan and Mexico City in last season's playoffs. They hold the home-field advantage, but San Juan was 7 games better and is out for blood. The Bulldogs hit just .259 as a team and finished 9th in the NL in runs scored while the Crownrificos led the league in runs scored and finished 2nd in HRs. The 'Rificos also have a big advantage in the pen where the Bulldogs converted just 49 or 74 save opportunities.

Questions to answer: Can Burlington repeat last year's exciting run by improving upon their 23-28 record in one-run games?

Is a Crownrifico team made up largely of 30+ year-olds up for a long playoff run?

Sioux Falls (103-59) vs Cheyenne (96-66, WC) - Sioux Falls is the reigning WS champ and they recently added ace pitcher Bartolo Gonzalez to one of the top rotations in the game, but a faltering bullpen caused a late-season skid. Cheyenne makes its 4th career post season trip, but they haven't been past round 1 since Season 1. They're the worst fielding team in the post season, but can score runs in bunches.

Questions to answer: Will Cheyenne be able to hit top starters Bartolo Gonzalez and Paul Rhodes, whom they might face in 4 of the 5 games?

Can a struggling Sioux Falls bullpen close out playoff games after blowing 24 save opportunities?