Great Americans steal series

Only one 1st round series went the distance. The Cincinnati Great Americans and the Scranton Nittany Lions met in game 5 today with veteran Max Molina squaring off with fellow veteran Alex Martin. Martin lasted just 4 and 2/3 after his 8 inning, 118 pitch performance in game 1. Molina went just 3 innings after pitching on short rest to end the season and in game one.

But the real story was the base burglers. Down a run in the 7th, Manny Corey singled and stole both second and third before a Mota ground out scored him to even the score. Then, in the 8th with 2 outs and 1 on, Kevin Chang, a 23-year old, was called upon to close the door. He wasn't up to the challenge and a walk and a line shot double later, and the Great Americans were marching off to the Divisional Series.

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?

Mid-Season Outlook

As we approach the All-Star break we take a look at the scene and identify the current playoff contenders.

If the season ended today, the playoffs would look like this:
NL
#1 Mexico City Bandejos 57-29
#2 Las Vegas Double Downs 56-30
#3 Sioux Falls Dakota 56-30 (lose tie breaker)
#4 Burlington Bulldogs 48-38
#5 Cheyenne Seminoles 53-33
#6 Nashville Harmonies 51-35

Outside looking in: San Juan (49-37), Helena (45-41), Toledo (43-43), Pawtuckett (42-44), Los Angeles (42-44)

The lead story here is the very real possibility that the San Juan Crownrificos could miss the playoffs. The 'Rifs have failed to win the division only once (last year) when they took the top wild-card spot. They've never won fewer than 107 games but are currently on pace to finish 92-70. Team owner and noted Lou Holtz imitator wang35 has already sounded the alarm declaring San Juan's glory days over and actively looking to shake the aging empire up with a big trade.

The other story is the emergence of new contenders. Cheyenne has flirted with the NL West lead all season Helena, Toledo, and Los Angeles all making noise about a playoff run. The 3-way fight for the #1 seed promises to keep even the top teams pushing hard all season and nobody is underestimating Burlington after their stunning elimination of both Evil Empires, San Juan and Mexico City last season.

AL
#1 Salem Grand Salamies 57-29
#2 Monterrey Conquistadors 56-30
#3 Richmond Confederates 55-31
#4 Cincinnati Great Americans 53-33
#5 Rochester Rockets 52-34
#6 Texas Riders 49-37

Outside looking in: Wichita (45-41), Houston (45-41), Colorado (43-43), and Scranton (39-47)

The top story here might be a Houston franchise that's missed the playoffs only once, in season 2. The Heavy Hitters are in a big fight for the wildcard as usual suspects, Monterrey, Salem, Richmond and Rochester continue their impressive runs.

BUT, the Cincinnati Great Americans, under new owner cincredlegs have shocked the Second City world with a 53-33 start that has them poised to make the franchise's first-ever playoff appearance. Nobody plays better on the road where the GA's have gone 30-13 so far.

The AL race is as exciting as ever with 5 teams bunched within 5 games of the #1 seed and 4 others within 6 for the final wild card spot. Pennant-race dealing, rookie call-ups, and injuries figure to play a key roll in a league that appears up-for-grabs as we approach mid-season.

Harmonies break the bank

B.J. Greene Nashville Harmonies Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Terre Hill, PA Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Nashville Harmonies broke the bank in signing first-round draft pick B.J. Greene. Greene, a pitcher out of Rutgers selected with the 15th overall pick, inked a deal with a $10,075,000 signing bonus. Only one draftee has signed for more money in the history of Second City. In season 4, Cincinnati signed #5 overall pick, 2B Manny Corey, to a $16M deal. Corey debuted last season, winning the AL 2B Silver Slugger after hitting .276 with 26 HRs and 109 RBIs. He also stole 66 bases.

Greene, 6'2 right-hander features a heavy slider and solid curveball which he used to go 13-2 for Rutgers in the Big East. Harmonie scouting director Lil E' said, "we know $10M is a lot of dough, but this is a polished college pitcher. We see him moving quickly, possibly contributing to the Harmonie rotation in the next 2 years."

Greene, who represented himself in negotiations, said a childhood spent playing cards with his older brother helped his poker face. "Would I have signed for less? Who's to say? All I know is that I didn't. Ray Rice only wishes he could ink this kind of deal."