Preview: Welcome to the top of the mountain, boys. These two teams must have enjoyed the view from the top an awful lot a year ago, because they both overcame another long baseball season to meet here again. It's a classic matchup of American League vs. National League. The offense-loving junior circuit sends the best offense in all of the majors, while the senior circuit offers up the best pitching staff in all of the majors. Though it is said defense wins championships, a year ago it was Hartford hoisting the hardware overhead, as they defeated Montgomery 4-2. Will something change this year and allow the Biscuits their fair share of baseball's greatest prize?
Best Storyline: It's all about the repeat. Can Hartford pull it off? After some early season setbacks, they are knocking on the door of history. Maybe bringing the whole house down is more apt, considering their shocking comeback from 3-0 down in the ALCS to the Tucson Pilots. A lot of things have to go a team's way in order to repeat as world champions, and it just feels like all the breaks have been Hartford's up to this point. If they pull the repeat off, they will set an early gold standard for the Double Mendoza League.
Pay Attention To: Game 1. I apologize if that's an obvious statement, as everyone acknowledges Game 1's importance in a series. But this particular Game 1 will be even more intriguing due to the possible fatigue factor for Hartford, coming off that draining 7-game series with Tucson. Montgomery only had to go 5 against the Fargo Fightin' Sioux, so they have enjoyed a few off days and should have their starting rotation primed and ready. I think the best shot Montgomery has in this series is to jump out to a 2-0 lead before heading home, otherwise they could be toast.
ALCS Aftermath: It's an understatement to say it stings to lose a series when you're up 3-0, but for the Tucson Pilots, the cut might be a little deeper than usual. Owner threester announced prior to this season that this would be his last go at GM of the Pilots. So when new ownership comes in, it may not be a given that this well-constructed team will be able to return to the heights they achieved this season. So even though they had a great run and probably feel like they should still be playing, a lot of turbulent times loom in the distance for the boys from the desert.
Prediction: I buy into the mantra that pitching wins in October, but it's not as though Hartford's pitching is that bad. In fact, it's pretty solid. And while Montgomery's staff might be the best around, I think their offense is that bad. So unless they can win a lot of 3-2 decisions, they're going to struggle to win more than 2 games as they did a year ago. For me, Hartford's offense is just too good to be kept down for long, especially over a full 7-game set, as they demonstrated in the ALCS. With my perfect postseason prediction record on the line, I'm putting my faith in the Hartford Hartattacks to repeat as champs.
Hartford Hartattacks in 6
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