#2 Baltimore Stars (88-74) vs. #3 Seattle Iron Birds (81-81)

Probable Starters:

• GAME 1:  SEA Roger Clemens (17-10, 2.68) vs. Randy Johnson (21-5, 2.16)

• GAME 2:  SEA Roy Oswalt (14-12, 3.53) vs. BAL Tom Glavine (11-10, 3.71)

• GAME 3:  BAL Jaret Wright (12-11, 4.07) vs. SEA Freddy Garcia (12-11, 2.94)

• GAME 4:  BAL Kerry Wood (11-5, 4-02) vs. SEA Dontrelle Willis (8-10, 5.04)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  BAL Randy Johnson (21-5, 2.16) vs. SEA Roger Clemens (17-10, 2.68)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  SEA Roy Oswalt (14-12, 3.53) vs. BAL Tom Glavine (11-10, 3.71)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  SEA Freddy Garcia (12-11, 2.94) vs. BAL Jaret Wright (12-11, 4-07)

Why Baltimore could win:  Besides the fact that the Stars have had a full week to freshen up for postseason play, this team has the most playoff experience in the league.  Baltimore just clinched their third consecutive NL East title, making GM Mike Sorochen the winningest coach in SPIBL history (392-256, 1 championship).  And he has the weapons to make a serious run in 2005, led by the most feared starter in the league, Randy Johnson.  The Big Unit (21-5, 2.16) may give Baltimore three starts in this series, which will more than offset the tough starting pitching of Seattle.  The bullpen is stacked with quality pitchers like John Smoltz (41 saves), Eric Gagne, and Brendan Donnelly.  These guys take all the pressure off the rest of the rotation such as Jaret Wright, Tom Glavine, and Kerry Wood, who can sometimes get in trouble with deep pitch counts.  Baltimore has an awesome group of veteran bats who are hungry for another championship.  If the Killer B’s (Berkman, Biggio, & Bagwell) aren’t enough to put fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers, then Mark Loretta’s phenomenal season (.349, 214 H, 99 R, 71 RBI, 56 DO, 74 BB) certainly will.  All in all, the Baltimore Stars know how to get the job done from the first pitch to the last out.

Baltimore X-Factor:  After Randy Johnson, the Baltimore pitching rotation becomes a little less scary.  Veteran southpaw Tom Glavine has been named the #2 starter and will need to continue to produce like he has since being traded from the Red Birds on July 23^rd (7-1, 3.55, .244 OBA as a Star).

Why Seattle could win:  The Iron Birds were pushed to the limit in their first round matchup with the Anaheim Ants, going the full five games.  This should not affect them much, however, due to the strength ßÌ@èÐÊÒä@èÞàZÜÞèÆÐ@æèÂäèÊäæ\LÜÄæàv@®ÐÊÜ@ÌÂÆÒÜÎ@ÊØÒÚÒÜÂèÒÞÜ@ÂÜÈ@Â@dZb@ÈÊÌÒÆÒè@ÒÜ@äÞêÜÈ@ÞÜÊX@¤ÞÎÊä@†ØÊÚÊÜæ@ÂÜÈ@ŒäÊÈÈò@ŽÂäÆÒÂ@ÈÒÈ@îÐÂè@îÂæ@ÊðàÊÆèÊÈ@ÞÌ@èÐÊÚX@æêääÊÜÈÊäÒÜÎ@Â@ÚÊÂÎÊä@èîÞ@äêÜæ@ÒÜ@èÐÊ@ÌÒÜÂØ@èîÞ@ÎÂÚÊæ@èÞ@ÂÈìÂÜÆÊ.  Add Roy Oswalt to the mix and Seattle has the toughest starting rotation in the playoffs.  This trio won a total of 43 games in the regular season, which was good for 53% of Seattle’s wins!  Just four more quality starts are all that GM Jason Kerns needs to advance to the NLCS in his inaugural season in SPIBL.  Despite giving up more hits than innings pitched this year, veteran closer Jose Mesa has proven himself to be a big-game pitcher all year (42 saves, 2^nd in the league) and always wants the ball.  Chad Bradford and Mike Gonzalez provide stability in the middle innings.  The Seattle offense, one of the weakest in the league, finally broke out with 11 runs in game five of round one.  It may take the full seven games, but if they continue that type of production, another series victory is definitely not out of the question.

Seattle X-Factor:  As in the first round, Carlos Lee (.257, 24 HR, 88 RBI) remains an important player in this series for the Iron Birds.  With Seattle down 2-1 against Anaheim in round one, Lee went 5 for 7 with two doubles in the final two games.  He hit .438 overall and will be counted on to provide the much-needed offensive spark.

Marquee Matchup:  Game one will treat baseball fans to a pitching matchup for the ages: The Big Unit versus The Rocket!  It sounds like a boxing match and, by the time this game is over, the batters may feel like they’ve been bloodied and bruised.  These two pitchers might clash in game five for a second time.

Head-To-Head:  Seattle won season series, 8-4

Prediction:  Baltimore, 4-2

#1 Chicago Blue Knights (108-54) vs. #6 Cleveland Clubbers (87-75)

Probable Starters:

• GAME 1:  CLE Joe Kennedy (16-6, 3.67) vs. CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58)

• GAME 2:  CLE Carlos Silva (16-9, 4.59) vs. CHA Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07)

• GAME 3:  CHA David Wells (9-10, 5.53) vs. John Lackey (10-14, 6.60)

• GAME 4:  CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58) vs. Kenny Rogers (9-14, 6.21)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  CHA Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07) vs. Joe Kennedy (16-6, 3.67)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  CLE Carlos Silva (16-9, 4.59) vs. CHA Rodrigo Lopez (14-4, 3.74)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  CLE John Lackey (10-14, 6.60) vs. CHA Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58)

Why Chicago could win:  Chicago won more games (108), scored more runs (992) and had a 66-15 record at home, leading the league in those categories.  And guess what:  the first two games are at the friendly confines!  With Johan Santana (23-8, 2.58 ERA, .208 OBA) scheduled to pitch games 1, 4, and 7 and Pedro Martinez (20-10, 4.07, .229 OBA) in the mix for two starts, Cleveland certainly will seem challenged as they counter with the likes of Carlos Silva and Joe Kennedy.  Chicago “fills out” its rotation with a couple of guys named Rodrigo Lopez (14-4, 3.74, .245 OBA) and David Wells (9 wins), with Brian Lawrence (10-6, 4.55) also hanging around waiting for the ball!  The Chicago bullpen is anchored capably by closer Juan Rincon (11-6, 2.10, 31 SV) and set-up man Mike Timlin (2-0, 2.74, 61 IP).  The Blue Knights’ offense can be downright scary with AL RBI leader Manny Ramirez (.317, 57 HR, 161 RBI) batting in between Todd Helton (.334, 34 HR, 124 RBI, 138 RS) and Casey Blake (.276, 34 HR, 125 RBI).  Also in the mix is the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, who slugged 20 homers and 62 RBI in only 230 ABs.  Like I said: SCARY!  The series begins and ends at Wrigley, where the Blue Knights excelled.  Chicago’s starters, who pitch in a virtual bandbox at Wrigley Field, may excel even more in the pitcher-friendly dimensions of Jacobs Field.

Chicago X-Factor:  With all of the hitting and starting pitching, people forget about the Blue Knights’ speed.  Five players were in double figures in stolen bases, with the most prolific thief being Endy Chavez (50).  This team can beat you in so many ways!

Why Cleveland could win:  Cleveland’s primary starting pitchers, Carlos Silva (16-9, 4.59, .324 OBA) and Joe Kennedy (16-9, 3.67, .266 OBA), may not have the same marquee glow as Chicago’s starters, but they, along with Kenny Rogers and John Lackey, can certainly put up solid efforts and are not to be taken lightly.  Lackey’s last start was a perfect game against the second-best offense in the league (Pittsburgh)!  Cleveland’s real pitching strength lies in their bullpen, handing a lead in the middle innings to the likes of Mike Koplove (3.05, 62 IP), Kiko Calero (2.68, 53 IP) and then to set-up man Billy Wagner (1.48, 3-1, 8 SV) and closer Brad Lidge  (2.71, 5-4, 28 SV) is like money in the bank!  Cleveland had eight players in double figures in home runs this year, led by “Sir Albert” Pujols with 44 taters (.284, 117 RS, 115 RBI).  Then there’s Alex Rodriguez (.261, 32 HR, 118 RS, 99 RBI) plus Jeremy Burnitz (.307, 32 HR, 106 RS, 133 RBI) and Mike Piazza (.301, 26 HR, 78 RBI in 402 ABs).  Those numbers were put up while playing half their games in Jacobs Field, a relatively spacious pitcher’s park.  The Clubbers have made a habit of beating the odds again and again as they entered the home stretch and the post-season.  They have nothing to lose and have been beating teams with better records than their own since mid-September.

Cleveland X-Factor:  Cleveland’s “Lumber Company” (Pujols, A-Rod, Burnitz) may be able to take advantage of the hitter-friendly confines of Wrigley Field to boost their hitting potential.  This may be enough to get the Clubbers over the top and into the next playoff level.

Marquee Matchup:  Johan Santana vs. Pujols/A-Rod and Lidge/Wagner vs. Ramirez/Helton/Thomas.

Head-To-Head:  Chicago won season series, 7-5

Prediction:  Chicago, 4-2

#1 Toronto Sharpshooters (95-67) vs. #4 Detroit Outlaws (89-73)

Probable Starters:

• GAME 1:  DET Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92) vs. TOR Brad Radke (16-9, 4.24)

• GAME 2:  DET Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57) vs. TOR Jake Peavy (13-11, 3.42)

• GAME 3:  TOR Dustin Hermanson (5-4, 7.92) vs. DET Jon Lieber (11-11, 3.92)

• GAME 4:  TOR Brad Radke (16-9, 4.24) vs. DET Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  TOR Kevin Brown (11-6, 4.20) vs. DET Zach Day (8-6, 4.67)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  DET Carl Pavano (14-17, 3.57) vs. TOR Jake Peavy (13-11, 3.42)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  DET Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92) vs. TOR Brad Radke (16-9, 4.24)

Why Toronto could win:  The Sharpshooters were the toast of the National League with a total of 95 wins and pretty much coasted into the top seed over the past two months.  There is no team with a more balanced attack than the Sharpshooters – they get it done with their batting, pitching, and defense.  Offensively, Toronto led the senior circuit in batting average, runs, hits, doubles, homeruns, on base percentage, and slugging percentage!  Hideki Matsui leads the attack for GM Jim Kies, who is making his first playoff appearance.  Matsui’s MVP-type season (.338, 106 RS, 112, RBI, 41 DO, 42 HR, 77 BB) is complemented by Jack Wilson (.329), Jorge Posada (.286) and Corey Patterson (.272), who also combine to provide tough defense up the middle.  Toronto’s pitching staff is deep.  16-game winner Brad Radke leads a tough rotation that also includes Jake Peavy (13 wins) and Kevin Brown (11 wins).  The bullpen is led by Dan Kolb (23 saves) and will be supplemented by 19-game winner Oliver Perez, who should provide solid relief.  The Sharpshooters are very familiar with their NLDS opponent, division runner-up Detroit.  Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs makes Toronto a favorite to go far this postseason.

Toronto X-Factor:  It will be interesting to see how staff ace Oliver Perez (19-9, 3.88, .216 OBA, 280 K) reacts to working out of the pen for the first time this season.  Perez could prove to be a powerful force in the middle innings and be a bridge between starter and closer.

Why Detroit could win:  If there is one thing that was apparent during the first round of the 2005 playoffs, it’s that good pitching beats good hitting.  Despite some media-types picking Pittsburgh, New York, and Philly to advance in round one, their opponents all displayed better pitching and won.  Detroit showed their arm strength throughout their series with the Phanatics, who finished the season as the second-best offense in the NL.  Now, the Outlaws must do it again, but this time against the best offense in the NL.  Never fear, Outlaws fanatics!  GM Mike Van Der Goore will have his team primed and ready.  His pitching rotation is set up perfectly with his top gun – Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92, .217 OBA, 319 K) - ready to take the mound three times, if needed.  Carl Pavano (14 wins) and Jon Lieber (11 wins) provide depth in the rotation.  The bullpen came up huge in round one, earning all three wins and one save, and will continue to give Detroit flexibility in the late innings.  And if that isn’t enough, the Outlaws have displayed the kind of clutch hitting so far in this postseason that could carry a team all the way to the promised land.  Led by Brad Wilkerson’s two walk-off homeruns, the Detroit Outlaws are clicking on all cylinders and one of the hottest teams around.

Detroit X-Factor:  Look for left fielder Moises Alou to make up for lost time against the Sharpshooters.  Alou underachieved all season (.262, 20 HR, 72 RBI) and, with free agency looming, he will want to use this grand stage to show what he is worth.

Marquee Matchup:  Brad Radke and Ben Sheets have the potential to meet up three times in this series.  The winner of this matchup will move on to the NLCS in 2005!

Head-To-Head:  Detroit won season series, 11-7

Prediction:  Toronto, 4-3

#2 Oakland Diamond Kings (104-58) vs. #4 San Diego Black Sox (89-73)

Probable Starters:

• GAME 1:  SDB Greg Maddux (14-10, 4.48) vs. OAK Odalis Perez (16-11, 4.52)

• GAME 2:  SDB Doug Davis (10-16, 4.24) vs. OAK Glendon Rusch (13-6, 3.36)

• GAME 3:  OAK Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82) vs. SDB Cory Lidle (18-6, 3.32)

• GAME 4:  OAK Mike Mussina (12-11, 5.22) vs. SDB Woody Williams (11-10, 4.04)

• GAME 5 (if nec):  OAK Odalis Perez (16-11, 4.52) vs. SDB Greg Maddux (14-10, 4.48)

• GAME 6 (if nec):  SDB Doug Davis (10-16, 4.24) vs. OAK Dewon Brazelton (7-10, 4.08)

• GAME 7 (if nec):  SDB Cory Lidle (18-6, 3.32) vs. OAK Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82)

Why Oakland could win:  The DKs won 104 games and finished 15 games ahead of the second place team, these very same San Diego Black Sox!  Oakland has a deep starting rotation in Kris Benson (19-5, 4.82, .285 OBA), Mike Mussina (12-11, 5.22), Glendon Rusch (13-6, 3.36, .258 OBA) and Dewon Brazelton (7-10, 4.08) - and you should see the guys they left off the roster!  The bullpen is led by one of the best closers in SPIBL, Shingo Takatsu (1.09, 41 SV) and backed up by Salomon Torres (3.31, 92 IP), Paul Quantrill (3.16, 42 IP) and the ever-steady Steve Reed (3.36, 64 IP).  The Diamond Kings, led by Barry Bonds and Adrian Beltre, also happen to be one of the top power and run-producing teams in this league with 942 runs and 281 home runs.  Compare these numbers to the San Diego offensive production (760 RS, 136 HR) and this is glaring difference to be exploited throughout the series. Oakland also has a slight edge of sorts with a more consistent overall defense.  All of these factors contributed to their undisputable 12-6 record against their Black Sox-wearing division rivals.  PS: Did you know that Mike Mussina was unbeatable (9-2, 4.21, .272 OBA) in 14 starts since joining OAK?  As a Houston Black Dog, he was a paltry 3-9 (6.12) in 13 starts.

Oakland X-Factor:  Bonds and Beltre. Barry Bonds led the league in most of the important ßÌÌÊÜæÒìÊ@ÆÂèÊÎÞäÒÊæ@P\fjdX@lh@�¤X@bpj@„„X@\pfd@¦˜ŽX@\jh`@ž„ X@ÎÊè@èÐÊ@ÒÈÊÂ~RLÜÄæàv@’Ü@ÚÂÜò@ÆÂæÊæX@‚ÈäÒÂÜ@„ÊØèäÊ@îÂæ@ÜÞè@èÞÞ@ÌÂä@ÄÊÐÒÜÈ@ÂÜÈ@æÞÚÊèÒÚÊæ@ÂÐÊÂÈ@Pbl`@¤„’@Z@Fd@ÒÜ@èÐÊ@ØÊÂÎêÊX@jd@�¤@Z@fxæêà|äÈx^æêà|@ÒÜ@ØÊÂÎêÊR\LÜÄæà; If this pair of bombers heats up right from the start, it could be a quick series.

Why San Diego could win:  The best shortstop in the league is named Cesar Izturis and he plays his game for this San Diego ball club.  He also is no slouch at the plate, with 214 hits (7^th best in the league).  The Black Sox starting rotation of Cy Young candidate Cory Lidle (18-6, 3.32, .252 OBA), Doug Davis (10-16, 4.24, .262 OBA), Greg Maddux (14-10, 4.48) and Woody Williams (11-10, 4.04) matches up squarely with Oakland’s starting pitchers.  Like the DKs, San Diego has a deep and talented bullpen Kevin Gryboski (3-2, 2.98), Scott Linebrink (10-5, 2.39), Ron Villone (4-3, 2.10), Antonio Otsuka (8-3, 2.70) and closer extraordinaire LaTroy Hawkins (39 saves, 2.50).  San Diego’s steady offense includes the talents of Ivan Rodriguez, Scott Podsednik, Brian Giles and Jose Guillen, all dangerous hitters who may look forward to swinging their bats at Network ASC Coliseum, a ballpark that may seem like Coors field to them!  If Bonds and Beltre can be neutralized (easier said than done), the Diamond Kings would seem to be a more human team to overcome.

San Diego X-Factor:  The San Diego ballpark is truly a pitcher’s park and a great equalizer – it takes a real power hitter to slam a ball out of this park!  While both teams’ pitchers will benefit from this venue, the SD ball club is built for and conditioned to play an old school offensive-oriented game in this park, while their opponents may get demoralized watching their long fly balls dying on the warning track.

Marquee Matchup:  Cory Lidle vs. Kris Benson twice, at both Oakland and San Diego, is a real possibility.  Lidle has turned into a big-game pitcher during this past season and is a legitimate Cy Young candidate.  Benson was #2 in the league in winning percentage (.792) and has thrown his share of must-win games.

Head-To-Head:  Oakland won season series, 12-6

Prediction:  Oakland, 4-3

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Last modified: Thursday, December 15, 2011