PLAYOFF PREVIEW - PLAY IN ROUND

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#4 vs #5

SEASON SERIES: 6-4, ATL

AUS TEAM RANKINGS: .265 BA (12th-ML); 4.27 ERA (15th-ML)

ATL TEAM RANKINGS: .256 BA (22nd-ML); 3.79 ERA (6th-ML)

AUS KEY PLAYERS: Pepe Cortes, LF; Livan Lee, RP

ATL KEY PLAYERS: Bernie Batista, 1B; Pedro Velazquez, SP

SUMMARY: Two Shoeless Joe playoff newbies in this matchup. Austin spent nearly the entire season promoting their stud prospects to the ML club. The moves have paid off, as they are in the postseason. Atlanta virtually came out of nowhere to win a wild card. Pepe Cortes needs to continue his unbelievable season for Austin to advance. For Atlanta, it's simple: Pedro Velazquez. He's their ace, and he needs to step it up here against the Bats.

SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games



#3 vs #6

SEASON SERIES: 7-3, PAW

MIL TEAM RANKINGS: .270 BA (7th-ML); 4.74 ERA (29th-ML)

PAW TEAM RANKINGS: .254 BA (24th-ML); 3.61 ERA (3rd-ML)

MIL KEY PLAYERS: Del Gutierrez, DH; Al Small, SP

PAW KEY PLAYERS: Edgard Tarraga, LF; Al Lopez, SP

SUMMARY: Milwaukee avoided the late season tailspin to win the AL North, and a trip to the postseason. Pawtucket continued their success with another playoff birth, getting the wild card. Del Gutierrez had a monster season for the Naturals, and his production is vital to MIL's playoff push. However, it won't come easy. He'll be facing a pitching staff that ended the season with a 3rd-best 3.61 ERA. Al Lopez could very well get the AL CY award, and Miguel Pena could get the ROY award.


SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games



#4 vs #5

SEASON SERIES: 6-4, SJ

SD TEAM RANKINGS: .246 BA (28th-ML); 3.79 ERA (7th-ML)

SJ TEAM RANKINGS: .285 BA (2nd-ML); 4.66 ERA (27th-ML)

SD KEY PLAYERS: James Katou, RF; Joey Hunter, SP

SJ KEY PLAYERS: Scot Brown, RF; Bobby Reese, SP

SUMMARY: The ultimate offense versus defense series. San Diego has the arms, and San Juan has the bats. It normally isn't that simple, but in this series, it is. As talented as San Diego is, the SJW Blog thinks a superstar will be born in this series. That player is Bobby Reese. Reese has the ability to take a game over, and we think this series will be ripe for the picking. Expect guys like Katou and Tony Padilla to get their hits, but we like San Juan's pitching here. Especially Bobby Reese.


SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games



#3 vs #6

SEASON SERIES: 6-4, KC

MTY TEAM RANKINGS: .276 BA (4th-ML); 4.24 ERA (13th-ML)

KC TEAM RANKINGS: .264 BA (13th-ML); 3.96 ERA (10th-ML)

MTY KEY PLAYERS: Jose Bocachica, 1B; Ken Owens, SP

KC KEY PLAYERS: Red Stein, 2B; Victor Baez, SP

SUMMARY: What a season Montgomery has had here in S9. From 58 wins and laughing stock of the NL, to 85 wins and NL South champs. One major reason of their success was Jose Bocachica, who's .318 BA, 38 HR, and 132 RBI makes him an instant MVP contender. Kansas City has a solid pitching staff with one of league's top closers, Tito Mays. If the game is close, chances are it's KC's to win with Mays on the mound. But to get there, they need the rest of the staff to pitch well. We think they can.


SJW BLOG PREDICTION

in 5 games