#1 Chicago Blue Knights (108-54) vs. #2 Oakland Diamond Kings (104-58)

Probable Starters

• GAME 1:  OAK Odalis Perez (16-11, 4.52) vs. CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58)

• GAME 2:  OAK Glendon Rusch (13-6, 3.36) vs. CHA Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07)

• GAME 3:  CHA David Wells (9-10, 5.53) vs. OAK Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82)

• GAME 4:  CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58) vs. OAK Mike Mussina (12-11, 5.22)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  CHA Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07) vs. OAK Odalis Perez (16-11, 4.52)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  OAK Dewon Brazelton (7-10, 4.08) vs. CHA Rodrigo Lopez (14-4, 3.74)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  OAK Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82) vs. CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58)

Why Chicago could win:  When a team is involved in a seven-game series and a gent named Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58, 303 K) will happen to start three of those games, and is followed by a fellow named Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07, 263 K) starting two of them, followed by a highly under-rated guy named Rodrigo Lopez (14-4, 3.74) next in line... well, it’s looking pretty good for THAT team!  As solid and capable as the Oakland rotation is in producing a high amount of quality starts, the fact remains that the Chicago bunch will be more likely to get a few more above-average outings from their starting rotation, which was a factor in the Blue Knights’ head-to-head winning record (6-3) against the Diamond Kings this past season.  Chicago had some offensive high rollers in the persons of Manny Ramirez, league RBI leader (161) and runner up for the home run title with 57, Todd Helton (.334, 34 HR, 124 RBI) and Casey Blake (34 homers, 125 RBI).  And don’t forget the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, who slugged 20 homers and 62 RBI in only 230 ABs.  And how about the running game:  Chicago stole 137 bases to Oakland’s 95!  Bottom line: Both teams are equally capable of igniting some major offensive carnage, but when the chips are down, pitching is the edge, baby!

Chicago X-Factor:  Chicago’s many left-handed batters should enjoy the added dimension of hitting in Oakland’s Network ASC Coliseum, which will provide them with greater opportunities for hits and homers than Wrigley Field, where right-handed power-hitters rule.  This factor should also provide Chicago pitchers with greater success against right-handed batters.  Speaking of ballparks, it doesn’t hurt Chicago that they start and finish this series at home (66-15 home record in regular season).

Why Oakland could win:  Like Chicago, the Diamond Kings won over 100 games and finished 15 games ahead of their closest competition (San Diego), thanks to the efforts of a deep starting rotation led by Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82), Mike Mussina (9-2, 4.21), Glendon Rusch (13-6, 3.36), and Dewon Brazelton (6-4, 3.79).  This was complemented by an explosive offense led by the “Two Bees”:  Barry Bonds and Adrian Beltre.  Bonds’ stats: League leader in BA: .352, HR: 64, Walks: 185, Slugging 832, On-base: 540.  Beltre was not too far behind and sometimes ahead:  160 RBI: #2 in the league, 52 HR: 3^rd in League.  In order for Oakland to win, both of these players must have a good series.  Oakland seems to be a bit stronger in the bullpen area with closer Shingo Takatsu (41 saves, 1.09) plus Salomon Torres (3.31, 92 IP), Paul Quantrill (3.16, 42 IP) and steady Steve Reed (3.36, 64 IP).  All factors considered, the Diamond Kings have the potential to consistently beat any team in this league, even the Chicago Blue Knights!

Oakland X-Factor:  Ever take a close look at that Oakland infield and think about how strong the defensive skill-sets of Adrian Beltre, Orlando Cabrera, Juan Uribe and Sean Casey really is? A defense like this can choke off a lot of rallies before they get out of hand!  Fact:  Oakland made 19 less errors than Chicago this past season.  An X-factor? You bet!

Marquee Matchup:  Johan Santana vs. Barry Bonds and Adrian Beltre!  Shingo Takatsu vs. Manny Ramirez, Todd Helton and Frank Thomas!

Head-To-Head:  Chicago won season series, 6-3

Prediction:  Chicago, 4-3

 #2 Baltimore Stars (88-74) vs. #4 Detroit Outlaws (89-73)

Probable Starters

• GAME 1:  DET Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57) vs. BAL Randy Johnson (21-5, 2.16)

• GAME 2:  DET Jon Lieber (11-11, 3.92) vs. BAL Tom Glavine (11-10, 3.71)

• GAME 3:  BAL Jaret Wright (12-11, 4.07) vs. DET Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92)

• GAME 4:  BAL Randy Johnson (21-5, 2.16) vs. DET Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  BAL Tom Glavine (11-10, 3.71) vs. DET Zach Day (8-6, 4.67)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  DET Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92) vs. BAL Kerry Wood (11-5, 4.02)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  DET Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57) vs. BAL Randy Johnson (21-5, 2.16)

Why Baltimore could win:  In a series that looks as evenly matched as they come, there are a couple of factors that tip the scale in Baltimore’s direction.  One of them is home-field advantage.  Playing at home certainly had an effect on Baltimore’s division series, where the home team won each game resulting in the most exciting playoff series so far in 2005.  Six of seven games were decided by one run, which leads to Baltimore’s next advantage: their bullpen.  Eric Gagne has been untouchable as a Star (.159 OBA in 32 IP) and has logged three postseason saves already.  John Smoltz is a savvy veteran who can give GM Mike Sorochen a hand in the middle innings or as a closer.  He earned the game seven win in extra innings against Seattle.  Offensively, the Stars have had their work cut out for them this postseason and it won’t get any easier when facing Detroit’s potent pitching staff.  Baltimore’s bats have proven that they can beat the best arms in the business, handing out losses to all three of Seattle’s top starters (Clemens, Garcia, Oswalt) in the NLDS.  If recent history repeats itself, Baltimore will be making their second trip to the SPIBL World Series in three years.

Baltimore X-Factor:  Baltimore’s two veteran southpaws – Glavine and Johnson – hold their team’s destiny in their arms.  In the division series against Seattle, they combined for a 3-0 mark in four starts and are scheduled to possibly get five starts in the NLCS.  Detroit compiled an impressive 30-19 record (.619) versus lefties in the regular season and batted nearly 30 points higher.

Why Detroit could win:  The Detroit Outlaws have defied the odds throughout this postseason.  Picked as underdogs in both of their previous series against the Philadelphia Phanatics and the top-ranked Toronto Sharpshooters, the Outlaws went out and showed their worth.  And in their last series, Detroit was even down 3-2, needing to win their final two games on the road to advance, and they got the job done.  Detroit will enjoy facing two left-handed pitchers in the NLCS, where they have excelled all season.  The Outlaws have lots of character and GM Mike Van Der Goore is maxing out his players potential.  This is a team whose biggest star – and highest paid player – is their closer, Mariano Rivera.  This is a team that has a different hero each night and has no egos in the locker room.  And this is a team that, with another upset over a team picked to beat them yet again, could be making a trip to the SPIBL World Series in 2005.

Detroit X-Factor:  The key to Detroit’s success against the NL East champion Baltimore Stars is Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57, .252 OBA).  He is scheduled to start three pivotal games in the NLCS, including the series opener in Baltimore.  Despite winning 14 games in the regular season, Pavano is 0-3 in his three postseason starts thus far.

Marquee Matchup:  Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine versus the Detroit lineup that has feasted on lefty pitching all season, batting .284 (compared to .255 versus righties).  In Detroit’s division series against Toronto, Detroit batted a paltry .188 versus lefties.

Head-To-Head:  Baltimore won season series, 6-3

Prediction:  Baltimore, 4-3

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Last modified: Sunday, April 10, 2016