|
|
|
|
2005 PLAYOFF PREVIEW: SPIBL World Seriesby Stan Koczkodaj
#1 Chicago Blue Knights (108-54) vs. #4 Detroit Outlaws (89-73) Probable Starters
Why Chicago could win: The Blue Knights scored 238 more runs than Detroit in the course of the 162-game season – that’s approximately 1.5 runs per ball game. The lineup is loaded with three players that hit 34 or more homeruns (Manny Ramirez with 57, Todd Helton and Casey Blake with 34 each) and five that hit 18 or more (add Frank Thomas with 20 and Lew Ford with 18). David Wells is the “weak spot” in Chicago’s rotation, following Johan “Cy Young?” Santana (23 Wins), Pedro Martinez (20 Wins) and the under-rated, but highly effective, Rodrigo Lopez (14 Wins). Juan Rincon completes the pitching picture, holding an edge over the great Mariano Rivera: Rincon is somewhat of a throwback, routinely having pitched two or more innings at a time out of the bullpen (hence the 11 wins!), while Rivera is, like most closers these days, the go-to guy for the 9th inning exclusively. Chicago X-Factor: A short series, potentially seven games, with Johan Santana starting two out of the first four games and three out of seven (maximum), all against Jon Lieber. Lieber is no slouch for starting big games and could certainly rise to the occasion, but we are talking Johan Santana here, folks! And sorry to report that the dream match-up will not take place: Detroit’s counterpart to Santana, and a darn good one, Ben Sheets, is out of sync with Mr. Santana’s spot in the rotation. He will, in fact, only pitch in two games this series, both against Pedro Martinez, Chicago’s “other” big-game pitcher. Why Detroit could win: Good hitting teams become stymied and frustrated when pitted against a tough defensive team that is strong in what many consider the key fielding area: up the middle. A lot of runs have withered on the bases when facing the Outlaw middle, which consists of C Bengie Molina, sure-handed middle infielders Omar Vizquel (only 6 errors!) and Bret Boone, while “The Walking Highlight Film,” Torii Hunter, patrols center field! The Outlaws are a little bit faster (154 steals, vs. 137 for Chicago), but that was against the whole league. Chicago will have to deal with strong-armed Molina and Henry Blanco while Detroit considers the joys of running on the comparatively weaker arms of Pierzynski and Redmond. Detroit’s lineup, dangerous but with a relatively low team batting average (.263), will need to score timely runs in tandem with strong starts by ace Ben Sheets and teammates Carl Pavano and Jon Lieber (with 16-game winner Kirk Reuter in reserve). Detroit X-Factor: Comerica Park... Detroit hosts four of the potential seven games between the teams, providing a culture shock to Chicago’s right handed batters when they see the increased distance down the left field line, a far cry from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Conversely, Detroit’s righties will absolutely enjoy the cozy distance down the left field power alley when they dig in at the Chicago ballpark! The games at Detroit will have no DH, which will effectively remove The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas and Mike Lamb from the lineup for the first two and last two games. Chicago’s Johan Santana can swing the bat a bit, but so can Carl Pavano and Jon Lieber, which gives Detroit a small edge. Bunting drills, anyone?Marquee Matchup: Power vs. Power! Ben Sheets (NL strikeout leader, tied with Jason Schmidt of PHI) vs. Manny Ramirez (AL RBI leader). Ditto for Mariano Rivera vs. Mr. Ramirez! Head-To-Head: Detroit won season series, 4-2 Prediction: Chicago, 4-3
|
|
Copyright © 2002-2014 Strat Pros Internet Baseball League
|
