World Series Preview: Montgomery vs. Hartford

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

Year End Awards

While the season is over for all but 4 teams, there are some competitions left unresolved. Several impressive players are hoping to pick up a piece of hardware thanks to the prestigious season-end awards. It's not always obvious who will walk away with these trophies, as the decision rests on the votes of the GMs and not on pure numbers (which are subjective anyway). But, your fearless blog is ready to call each race.

AL Rookie of the Year: This one is really a 2-horse race between the Chicago Gangsta' Chimps' 2B James Martin and the Memphis Blues' CF Pablo Suarez. The case for Martin seems pretty strong until fielding percentage is brought into the equation. While both play premiere defensive spots on the field, Martin's .965 fielding percentage is an unsightly blemish on an otherwise fantastic campaign. But, even so, there's no denying the impact and consistency Martin brought to the Chimps' lineup, and his gaudy numbers, including a 1.032 OPS, should bring in the votes.


NL Rookie of the Year: Unlike the American League, the National League Rookie of the Year race features some pitchers in the conversation. Montgomery Biscuits SP Brian Nickle won 17 games and kept his ERA equally impressive at 3.28. With the exception of wins and ERA, though, Fargo Fightin' Sioux SP Clem Doyle had even better numbers across the board. But it is impossible to pass over Arizona Flip-Floppers' 1B Joe Thompson's thunderous bat. He turned around opposing pitchers 56 times and drove in 143 runs. This 22-year-old will be a menace at the plate for years to come, and will likely earn best rookie distinction in the National League this year.

AL Cy Young: I've never been a fan of giving the Cy Young to a closer, unless they have 50+ saves and never blew a save opportunity. So while CP Albert Benitez, of the Hartford Hartattacks, might draw some votes, I don't think he'll be able to best the impressive class of starters in the running for the AL Cy Young. Huntington Guyandottes SP Coco Casey chewed up more innings per start than any of his fellow nominees, and to make his case stronger he went 23-9 with a 2.96 in an offense-happy American League. At $343K, he's also great bang for the buck, though that obviously doesn't factor into the voting. He is the clear frontrunner and should breeze by his competition to win this award.

NL Cy Young: With only one 20-win pitcher in the field, the competition for the NL Cy Young is a little tighter. But if you're looking for an upset pick, you still won't find it here. Montreal Expos SP Christian Casey won 80% of his decisions, nearly kept his WHIP below 1 at 1.01, and even has the best strikeout ratio of the nominees. There's no doubt in my mind that a Casey is going to win the Cy Young in both leagues this year, making Papa Casey one proud father.




AL Most Valuable Player: With 3 Tucson Pilots in the running, one of them has to win it, right? This is a talented field, but again the clea choice is obvious. It's not Huntington Guyandottes' 1B Ivan DeSoto, who led all of the majors in home runs with 67. It's not Nashville Sounds' 2B Danny Brunette, a "total package" player who hit .328 with 46 home runs and 46 stolen bases. So which Pilot is it? It's RF Felipe Espinoza. He led the majors in batting average by a full 17 points at .360. He was also the majors' leader in OPS at 1.163. He hit 51 home runs and drove in 140 Pilots. He stole 24 bases. He performed CPR on a baby dying of heat exhaustion in the Tucson area. The scary thing for AL pitchers? Only one of those things is false...

NL Most Valuable Player: I really hate giving one player two awards, but how do you not in this case? Previously mentioned 1B Joe Thompson of the Arizona Flip-Floppers is the obvious choice for Most Valuable Player, much as he is for Rookie of the Year. No disrespect to Los Angeles Dodgers' LF Mandy Chace, who resurrected his career this season after being ripped up by Los Angeles media a year ago for a disappointing season, but his numbers weren't good enough. And even though Joe Thompson doesn't play a premiere defensive position, of the nominees, only Louisville Sluggers' CF Daryl Van Hekken does. And with a bat in his hand, he just cannot match worldbeater Thompson. Sure he didn't play on a playoff team, but he had Arizona in contention in a difficult NL West after they were an also-ran a year ago. Joe Thompson, you are our big winner, taking home both National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

NLCS Preview: Montgomery vs. Fargo

National League Rankings:

1st - Offense - 4th
1st - Pitching - 7th
1st - Defense - 2nd

Season Series: Montgomery Biscuits, 8-2

Preview: While the casual fan might be pulling for the "upset" pick here, in order to avoid a repeat World Series, true baseball fans are likely pulling for Montgomery to take care of business in this NLCS.  If Hartford and Montgomery reunite, the two best teams will once again be meeting in the Fall Classic.  Montgomery won the first 8 (!) meetings against Fargo this season before finally dropping 2.

But, don't tell anyone from small market Fargo, North Dakota that.  The city is in a fever pitch after the Fightin' Sioux earned some redemption this season by surging past the inexperienced Kingfishers in the NLDS, a step they were unable to take a year ago.  So, this season, will the National League's final chapter have a different ending?  Or will Goliath squash yet another David en route to a rendezvous with Hartford?

What We Know: Fargo won't be relying on the long ball to move on.  In their NLDS against Oklahoma City, they hit only 2 home runs in 4 games.  Their best run producer was 2B Allen Morton with 7 RBI.  We also know how Montgomery's 4th starter will fare if he has to pitch.  SP Rey Fleming lost Game 4 against the Dodgers and only lasted 4.2 innings.  But their other 3 starters were good as gold, and no one ever lost an NLCS with 3 tough starters.

What We Don't Know: We don't know who Montgomery can rely on in the clutch.  1B Chad Bieser has been the best performer in the playoffs, but none of the regular starters hit consistently.  If ever they find themselves down 3-2 in the 9th, who is going to step up and start a rally?  We also don't know if Montgomery getting pushed to 5 games against Los Angeles will effect the first few games.  If fatigue is an issue, and Fargo is gifted an early game, the Fightin' Sioux Game 2 and 3 starters, SP Billy Tracy and SP Jack Torres, might have what it takes to extend that lead.

Prediction: Los Angeles was a tough team, but Montgomery's shaky performance in the NLDS makes them more of a question mark in this series than they should be.  Still, while Fargo might have the pitching to push this series into its later games, I don't think they have the offense to get the job done.  This will be your typical NL slugfest, with low scores and bullpens being put under the microscope.  Expect a number of 1-run games, but also expect the "Back-to-Back NLCS Champs" t-shirts to be printed for Montgomery.

Montgomery Biscuits in 5

ALCS Preview: Hartford vs. Tucson

American League Rankings:

1st - Offense - 2nd
2nd - Pitching - 4th
15th - Defense - 4th

Season Series: Tied, 5-5

Preview: On the precipice of returning to the promised land one year after they won it all, the Hartford Hartattacks will face a very different opponent this time around in the ALCS. This time, to earn top honors on the junior circuit, the Hartattacks will have to eliminate a team after their own heart. For the second straight year, Hartford and Tucson finished 1 and 2 in American League offense. Both teams play in hitters' parks and are like two powderkegs waiting to go off.

At the risk of inserting my opinion into the column, I love this time of year when the series become best-of-7. There's more strategy involved, especially when it comes to starting rotations and bullpen workload. As the teams dig deeper into their rotation, we could easily see the likes of Hartford SP Wayne Egan (17-6, 4.31) or Tucson SP Rob Spencer (18-6, 4.33). Especially since these pitchers tend to have to throw late in the series, it's not inconceivable that one of them could play a big role in determining the outcome.

What We Know: Tucson DH Felipe Espinoza would do it all for the Pilots if he had to. In the postseason he is hitting for a .433 avg with 6 HRs and 17 RBIs. The supporting cast is doing a good job as well, but Tucson's offensive output dipped a bit in the ALDS as compared to the ALPS. Considering they overcame a double dose of Memphis SP Rico Parra, though, that may not be their primary concern. For Hartford, their bullpen was outstanding against Nashville, but it didn't matter after Game 1. The offense exploded to score 6, 21, and 8 runs in their 3 wins, meaning a tight bullpen wasn't as important. SP/RP Hideo Abe had a save, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. If he steps out of the 'pen in this series, the Pilots hitters might smell blood.

What We Don't Know: We don't know who Tucson's ace is. Sure, SP Oswaldo Mendez will start Game 1, but he has given up 11 runs in 4 starts. If expected to nail down a Game 5-7 win, we don't know if he can do it. We also don't know where Hartford's run production will come from--but that's a good thing. After playing just 4 games this postseason, 8 different hitters have driven in at least 3 runs. 3B Dicky Williams and SS Carmen Jackson lead the way with 6 apiece.

Prediction: Offense reigns in the American League, and exhibits A and B stand before you as ALCS opponents. Tucson may have been bounced from the playoffs early a year ago, but those are distant memories now. With 4 more victories, they can step onto baseball's grandest stage. But, standing in their way is the only team who has never lost in the postseason. Believe it or not, this series comes down to pitching over offense, as they so often do. SP Gerald Suzuki and SP Terrence Walters, who could combine for as many as 4 starts in this series, will be key in this series. If they, and Hartford's bullpen, pitch up to their billing, then this season's AL Champion will feel pretty familiar.

Hartford Hartattacks in 6

ALDS Preview: Memphis vs. Tucson

American League Rankings:

6th - Offense - 2nd
1st - Pitching - 4th
12th - Defense - 4th

Season Series: Tucson Pilots, 7-3

Preview: Both of these teams suffered early exits a year ago, but this year one of them will claim passage to the ALCS. The Tucson Pilots got pushed to the brink by a formidable Huntington Guyandottes team in the ALPS, so how much do they really have left in the tank? I suspect plenty. In fact, now that an interesting Huntington squad is out of the picture, Tucson may be the likeliest team remaining who could potentially beat Hartford.

So how can Memphis tame this beast in a series they are "supposed" to win? The burden lies squarely on the shoulders of their pitching staff, and one man in particular will need to be the Blues' trump card. SP Rico Parra is the best arm available to either team, and is going to have to play the role of difference maker to push Memphis into the ALCS.

Offensive Analysis: The Pilots scored 41 runs in 5 games against the Guyandottes, which made them the top offense during the PS'. We expected them to light up the scoreboard, and that shouldn't change in this round. So, the Blues, who had 5 players drive in more than 90 runs in the regular season, will need contributions up and down their lineup. Anchoring it for them will be 2B Pablo Suarez (.286, 31, 120) and CF Rafael Montanez (.302, 36, 98). They also have a very nice spark plug in LF Bryan Guerrero (.339, 5, 56) whose .424 OBP and 66 stolen bases make him a nice top of the order weapon.

Pitching Analysis: As mentioned earlier, the Blues need SP Rico Parra (21-6, 2.63) to pitch as advertised in this series in order to move on. If they can't rely on him in his starts, it becomes really hard to plan out a way for Memphis to get the necessary 3 wins. If Tucson's offense keeps clicking and they get deep into the Memphis bullpen, only RP Julio Mercado (10-1, 2.62) appears to be much of a threat to keep the big hitters down.

Prediction: Memphis was very impressive this year in gunning down a Nashville team for the AL South, after the Sounds led for the majority of the season. And though they managed to wrestle away the 2-seed from both Nashville and these Tucson Pilots, they look, on paper, like a team built for the regular season instead of the postseason. Despite the impact Parra could have on this series, I think it's too much to ask of one player to carry an entire team. For the second straight year, Blues fans appear to be headed toward DS disappointment.

Tucson Pilots in 4