A Round of Brews: Virginia vs Washington - IL Championship Round

[Clay]

Bats Suck!

Virginia in 4

[funclown]

Bats Suck!

Virginia in 4

Washington doesnt match up here.
Going to agree on this one.

[Clay]

Mostly that Diesel sucks, right?

[funclown]

Mostly that Diesel sucks, right?

Well yes and that.

[Pat]

CATCHER

VS

VIR: Jonah McCarthy - .250/.340/.344 - 11 HR - 70 RBI -- I'm sure this is a position the Colonials will try and upgrade in the near future. McCarthy hit 3/18 in the ILDS against Batavia, and in the one loss, he had two errors. With a playoff series win under his belt, look for McCarthy to bounce back.

DC: Tyrone Abbott - .268/.332/.407 - 14 HR - 84 RBI -- Abbott was on pace for a typical season until an awful September slump killed his '94 year. He has since turned it around, including a 3-run HR against Los Alamos, and looks to continue with his hot bat.

ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON - Abbott is better with the bat and behind the plate.

FIRST BASE

VS

VIR: Anibal Roman - Anibal Roman - .239/.324/.332 - 0 HR - 45 RBI -- Forced by injury, the Colonials are playing Roman at first base, traditionally a power/RBI spot. Ooops. Roman has zero home runs in 132 games.

DC: Mike Murdock - .309/.376/.524 - 28 HR - 125 RBI -- Currently 4th in the IL Stout Slugger voting, Murdock had another great regular season. However, he has been the worst Bats hitter since the playoffs have started. Look for him to bounce back from his current 2/24 slump.

ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON - Roman does seem to be an upgrade defensively at first over Murdock, but Anibal wishes he could hold Mike's bat. I expect a big series from him.

SECOND BASE

VS

VIR: Antasio Colon - .221/.303/.343 - 7 HR - 43 RBI -- It will be very interesting to see what type of player Colon develops into. Formerly a top prospect, Colon now looks like he might fall short of those lofty expectations.

DC: Robert Abbott - .314/.407/.433 - 4 HR - 82 RBI --
Bob had a career year in '94 and has continued to hit well in the playoffs. If Abbott can get to the Virginia pitching early, watch out.

ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON - Again, this one isn't very close.

SHORTSTOP

VS

VIR: Hector Chavez - .371/.451/.566 - 27 HR - 96 RBI -- He is either going to finish first or second in the IL Stout Slugger voting...and he probably should have been unanimously first.

DC: Clint Johnston - .255/.332/.366 - 8 HR - 53 RBI -- Johnston is an average hitter but makes up for his weaknesses with his elite defense and base running. Last year he won the IL DUI for SS and this year he stole a career high 41 bases.

ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA - Johnston is a nice player to have. Chavez is a player you build a franchise around.

THIRD BASE

VS

VIR: Yoritoki Maeda - .278/.347/.456 - 20 HR - 138 RBI -- Not bad for a glorified singles hitter.

DC: R.A. Grounds - .236/.317/.364 - 11 HR - 57 RBI -- Grounds is still playing baseball?! I know. To his defense, he is a leader and won the IL DUI at 3B last year. His bat...well, that's another story.

ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA - Maeda doesn't get the praise he deserves on a team full of stars.

LEFTFIELD

VS

VIR: Sekien Suitani - .243/.326/.387 - 11 HR - 55 RBI -- This Independence Day, Sekien Suitani gained his freedom from Pawtucket management in an under the radar move to attempt to provide a more consistent contributor to the left side of the Colonial outfield. While his numbers have not been spectacular, an inside source with Virginia told us that management's decision to make the move for Suitani was based on history. While they wouldn't site specifics, it's important to point out that Suitani put up similar season numbers in 1992, but broke out in an epic 7-game playoff series once the post-season began.

DC: Shawn Burton - .290/.364/.501 - 15 HR - 73 RBI -- Burton really busted through in his sophomore season and if not for injury, might have found himself in the IL Stout Slugger voting. In just 127 games, Burton had 30 doubles, 10 triples and 15 homers.

ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON- Suituni is a nice player and a was an underrated pick-up, but Burton is special.

CENTERFIELD

VS

VIR: Jerry Daly - .293/.391/.470 - 20 HR - 78 RBI -- Jerry better slow down if he doesn't want to get thrown out a ton in the ILCS like he has all year. Dude goes way too fast and doesn't know when to call it quits. He's like Linty.

DC: Marv Bowers - .277/.307/.407 - 7 HR - 53 RBI -- Under the radar rookie season for Bowers. Great defender, good on the base paths and a free-swinger. In the post-season he is hitting .300.

ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA- Again, Bowers had a season that normally would probably get you some consideration in the IL Refreshing New Brew, except this year we had a ton of good rookies. Daly's season would probably get you some consideration in the IL Stout Slugger, if he didn't play on Virginia.

RIGHTFIELD

VS

VIR: Mel "Doorbell" Woodbury - .333/.477/.574 - 28 HR - 111 RBI -- Thanks again Brad.

DC: Michio Nago - .271/.358/.355 - 2 HR - 39 RBI -- At least he stays healthy now.

ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA - Nago is an All-Time Bat, won a DUI in RF last year and is severely overpaid. Doorbell is the logo.

ROTATION




VIR: Starters' ERA - 3.32 (3rd in IL) - Top 4 Combined 49-19

DC: Starters' ERA - 3.81 (6th in IL) - Top 4 Combined 38-28

ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA - Tucker and Jenkins are one of the best #1/#2 combos that any team can boast. Ironfirst is one of the best pitchers we will ever see. Maybe, the best.

BULLPEN

VS

VIR: Bullpen ERA - 4.52 (12th in IL)

DC: Bullpen ERA - 3.81 (4th in IL)

ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON - Bats closer Jerry Chase is going to win the IL Last Call over Ivan Olivo, and Washington has much more depth beyond the closer spot.

***

BOTTOMLINE: We have seen this match-up before. Win or lose, it feels good again to have an All-Stout final. If you break down each match-up, on paper, Washington has a shot.

PREDICTION: Colonials in 6

[Clay]

Here's my unofficial breakdown since you already stole my format.

TOP 5 BATTERS IN THIS SERIES

1) Chavez
2) Woodbury
3) Murdock
4) Daly
5) Maeda

TOP 5 PITCHERS IN THIS SERIES

1) Pancho
2) Tucker
3) Morgan
4) Ivan Olivo
5) GUS Jenkins

Washington will be lucky to win a game.

[Pat]

Washington will be lucky to win a game....with me controlling the sticks.

Fixed.

---

I agree with your breakdown, 100%. However. I think the depth is here in Washington. Virginia is four good hitters, four good pitchers, and a bunch of JAGs. I think top to bottom, Washington matches up pretty well against Virginia. 8-10 season series. The rivalry. The history. The momentum of beating the defending champs.

I'll see you at 6:00 AM, Hawaii Standard.

[Clay]

Fixed.

---

I agree with your breakdown, 100%. However. I think the depth is here in Washington. Virginia is four good hitters, four good pitchers, and a bunch of JAGs. I think top to bottom, Washington matches up pretty well against Virginia. 8-10 season series. The rivalry. The history. The momentum of beating the defending champs.

I'll see you at 6:00 AM, Hawaii Standard.

I'll agree on depth....

But look at the last 167 box scores for Virginia.... I don't use depth. I have DH League-esque box scores because my Starters go deep and my position players don't need rest.

If I lose one of my Top 4 (hitters), I'm probably screwed. But, I can only base my prediction on the rosters as they exist today.

[Pat]

I'll agree on depth....

But look at the last 167 box scores for Virginia.... I don't use depth. I have DH League-esque box scores because my Starters go deep and my position players don't need rest.

If I lose one of my Top 4 (hitters), I'm probably screwed. But, I can only base my prediction on the rosters as they exist today.

I agree. Your team is built for post-season success more than regular season, and you still won 100+.

We all know you're the favorite this year, last year, the next five years...

[Clay]

I agree. Your team is built for post-season success more than regular season, and you still won 100+.

We all know you're the favorite this year, last year, the next five years...

No... things are going to get interesting in the next two years. Next year I'll lose one of the Big 4.... and Woodbury will be done by the end of '96. Plus, I think I have to send Olivo somewhere that he can start. I feel like his entire season in the #2-3 spot for Top Pitchers says he should be starting somewhere. I have some replacements in the system, but it will be interesting.

I know people say it all the time, but I'm doing a controlled explosion (vs blowing it up) this off-season. Already have 3 potential offers on the table. I really have to change a little. Stars and scrubs works in fantasy, but it can't last long here.

[Pat]

Whatever you do, send them to the DL.

Oh, and export in.

[Clay]

Whatever you do, send them to the DL.

Oh, and export in.

The IL can't pay my prices. DL Teams get a Groupon.