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OVERVIEW:
In what will undoubtedly be the most watched BLB Opening Round series in the battle for the Brewmaster’s Cup, the six-time and defending Cup Champion Virginia Colonials (100-62) host the the first Import League team to ever bring home the Brewmaster’s - the Carolina Tobs (95-67). Though both teams boast the coveted ring, it may surprise some fringe BLB fans to know that this is actually the first time these two franchises will meet in the Postseason.
CAROLINA PLAYOFF HISTORY:
* 1 Brewmaster’s Cup (1981)
* 5th Appearance (’81, ’85, ’96-’98)
* Most Recent Appearance - 1997 - Lost to Baltimore in the 1st Round 4-2
VIRGINIA PLAYOFF HISTORY:
* 6 Brewmaster’s Cups (’91/’92/’94/’95/’96/’97)
* 10th Appearance (’89-’98)
* Most Recent Appearance - 1997 - Won Brewmaster’s Cup 4-1 over Hartford
SEASON SERIES:
Virginia Leads 7-5
Top Performers
Batters<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Player</th><th>AVG</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>SB</th><th>OPS</th></tr> <tr><td>Hector Chavez (VIR)</td><td>0.319</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0.790</td></tr> <tr><td>Pat Faulkner (CAR)</td><td>0.282</td><td>6</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0.788</td></tr> <tr><td>Doug Gill (VIR)</td><td>0.231</td><td>3</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>0.741</td></tr> <tr><td>Yoritoki Maeda (VIR)</td><td>0.293</td><td>8</td><td>12</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>1.005</td></tr> <tr><td>Masaoki Matsumoto (CAR)</td><td>0.385</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>1</td><td>8</td><td>0</td><td>0.953</td></tr></table>
Pitchers<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Player</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>SV</th><th>IP</th><th>ERA</th><th>K</th><th>WHIP</th><th>OAVG</th></tr> <tr><td>Val Aparicio (CAR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13.0</td><td>2.77</td><td>7</td><td>1.15</td><td>0.174</td></tr> <tr><td>Ivan Bojorquez (VIR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>12.3</td><td>1.46</td><td>10</td><td>0.89</td><td>0.154</td></tr> <tr><td>Adrian Iturriaga (CAR)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13.7</td><td>2.63</td><td>8</td><td>1.02</td><td>0.208</td></tr> <tr><td>Jerry Morgan (VIR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>14.3</td><td>3.14</td><td>9</td><td>0.98</td><td>0.200</td></tr> <tr><td>Loren Washington (CAR)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>14.0</td><td>1.29</td><td>7</td><td>0.86</td><td>0.170</td></tr></table>
MATCHUPS:
Catcher -- Pirro Hidalgo vs Eron DeLeon
DeLeon is a former 1st Overall pick a legit budding Superstar in the Import League. Though his overall OPS fell in 1998, his Power numbers increased and he still managed to work pitchers for 100 BBs. An average defender, he’s not going to win you any games behind the dish, but he also won’t lose you any. DeLeon started the season slowly having some question if he’d lost a step. In June, he turned it on and turned in another great season.
Hidalgo, another piece of the infamous Ivan Olivo deal with Denver, was supposed to be a stop gap solution in Virginia until their minor leaguers developed. Three Championships later, Hidalgo appears to be getting better as he moves into his prime. A broken finger limited him to just 117 games, but he showed legit power with 51 of his 105 hits going for extra bases. Hidalgo was a hidden gem in last year’s playoff run with a .944 OPS and 18 hits (11 XBH).
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - Though Hidalgo has been hot, DeLeon is a Star.
***
First Base -- Anastasio Colon vs Antonio Romo
Drafted to potentially be the heir to the Maeda at 3B, Anastasio Colon became the everyday 1B for the Colonials last season. He kept the job at the beginning of the season, but was suddenly asked to chip in at SS when Hector Chavez started to show some slowdown in his defense. Colon split his season at 1B and SS and played average at both. His hitting took a step back as well losing ground in nearly every offensive category.
Though Romo didn’t get every start at 1B, he’ll likely be the primary option for the Tobs in this series. Claimed off waiver from Mississippi in April, the 37 year old Romo will likely split time depending on match-ups. He can still hit and has a surprisingly good glove at his age. Ismael Reyes will likely see time at first as well.
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - The word in this match-up is CONSISTENCY. You’ll likely get it from Romo, and you can’t count on it from Colon.
***
Second Base -- Helespontico Jarava vs Kip Higgins
Second Base may be a committee approach for Carolina, but Kip Higgins will likely be their “go to” guy. Higgins made a return to the Tobs after a season in the Domestic League. More a defense guy, if you’re counting on offense from Higgins, you’ll likely be gravely disappointed.
The Colonials has been long grooming Hector “The Other Hector” Baez to play 2B for the next 10 years. A less than stellar opening to the season and some questions about health lead Virginia to come knocking on some doors in upstate New York. Jarava is the perfect #2 hitter in the Colonial lineup. He has an amazing eye (7 K’s in 407 ABs) and will find gaps in Colonial Park. A mid-September foot injury cost him the end of the season, but he’s back and ready to hold down the middle IF.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - This one isn’t close. Higgins is a nice defender, but he simply doesn’t compare to Jarava’s total package.
***
Third Base -- Yoritoki Maeda vs ???
A fixture in the Colonial lineup, Maeda turned in another ironman like season playing in 158 games and compiling a .947 OPS, a personal best 33 HRs, and leading the league in RBI for the third time in his career. A three time DWI Winner (including last season at 3B), Maeda piles up tons of innings and is a rock steady corner infielder.
The biggest question-mark going into the playoffs for the Tobs will be who will play 3B. With the knee injury to Masaoki Matsumoto, will likely rely on some sort of stop gap solution to police the hot corner. Hugh Little and Cale Hill are both potential filler, but neither are great option leaving a big hole in the field and the lineup.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - Maeda is already a regular season Superstar, but he’s a playoff Legend. His post-season numbers are better than some entire organizations.
***
Shortstop -- Hector Chavez vs Hugh Little
With Cale Hill likely being the logical choice to cover 3B, Carolina will most likely continue to start Hugh Little at Shortstop. Hill, who was drafted in the 4th Round of the 1992 Draft played all season with the big club, but managed only 372 ABs. He appeared in 138 games this year starting 105 games at SS where he played serviceable, but not spectacular defense. His bat is pretty unspectacular as well and should be the Tobs’ #8 bat most of this series.
Conversely, the starting Shortstop for the Colonials will be, arguably, the best pure hitter in the league. Hector Chavez, who did end up splitting starts between SS and 1B, won his third batting title in ’98 (.361). He also reached the 200+ hit mark for the 8th consecutive season (228). His career .951 Post-Season OPS is among the best in league history and, as always, as Chavez goes, so go the Colonials.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - Really? Do you have to ask?
***
Outfield
Not to be outdone by Chavez in Virginia, another piece of the “best pure hitter in the BLB” conversation will anchor the Outfield for Carolina. Al Hamilton boasted an amazing 1.043 OPS in a 121 season that was limited by two trips to the DL with oblique issues. He’ll be joined in the Tobs OF by Centerfielder Pat Faulkner and the ageless Jose Guzman. The three form a surprisingly effective defensive outfield considering left is being patrolled by a 41 year old.
The Colonials counter the Carolina OF would perhaps the fastest threesome in the league. Basestealing savant and leadoff man Jerry Daly will move around the OF, but likely settle into CF for the duration of the playoffs. On his flanks you’ll see two young prospects with big bats. Doug Gill turned in a 33 HR campaign while rookie former #1 BA Prospect TJ “Don’t Call Me Speedo” Knudson played half a season in the Pros and hit 12 HRs (27 XBH) in just 281 ABs.
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - A year from now when Guzman is a step slower and Knudson is more polished, you likely go the other way. For now, as long as Hamilton’s oblique cooperates, the Tobs sports the superior threesome.
***
Starting Pitching
It’s a Murderer’s Row in Virginia. Pancho, Jerry Morgan, Gus Jenkins and Gene Legere will comprise the tightened Colonial rotation for Round 1. Though some skeptics will question the choice to go all right-handed Starters, with a quartet like that, you throw out your best and assume talent wins out. Ironfist is likely on his way to another Pale Ale. Morgan is in the PA conversation in a league where Herrera doesn’t exist (18-7 - 3.08 ERA - 1.07 WHIP). Jenkins has posted a sub-2.00 ERA in the last three off-seasons. And Legere has yet to lose a playoff game (5-0 in 6 starts).
The Tobs rotation can not be confirmed, but they have to be scrambling with the loss of Ivan Vazquez - who was 9-13 despite an impressive 1.16 WHIP. Val Aparicio and Adrian Iturriaga will need to pick up some major slack if Carolina wants to compete here. Loren Washington and southpaw Doug Howe - who spent exactly 73 days in the Colonial Organization - are the likely choices to round out the rotation. Sleeper Alert - Could we see a Manny Mendez return to the rotation?
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - It probably wasn’t close anyway, but the Vazquez injury is a killer.
***
Bullpen
Luckily for the Tobs, where they lack in healthy Starters, they make up for in quality Bullpen arms. There’s a lot of talent out there anchored by Pancho Valentin and Raul Reyes - both legit Closers. If Manny Mendez isn’t pressed back into the rotation, he’ll be asked to put in some serious innings out of the ‘pen as well.
The Bullpen has been an uncontrollable rollercoaster for the defending Champions all year. Injuries. Regressions. Blown saves. Drastic times required drastic measures and on May 11th, Colonial Management did something about it. Later quoted as saying “To stay the best... you have to go get the best”, the team brought the best Closer of this generation to Virginia in Ken Bayer. How did he respond? By winning the June, July and August Pitcher of the Month Award. Efrain “Gadget” Gray, once thought to be a potential frontline starter, has settled into his role as the workhorse out of the ‘Pen posting an impressive 1.06 WHIP, 109K and a 2.08 ERA in 86 appearances.
ADVANTAGE - PUSH - Stats would show that Carolina has the superior bullpen, but with Mendez likely moving to the rotation and Virginia boasting the best Closer in the game...this one is just too close to call.
***
BOTTOMLINE:
So many interesting subplots in this series!!! Carolina is widely seen as Virginia 2.0. They built their team through a series of poor seasons resulting in high end talent out of the draft combined with well-timed trades. But the bigger story is clear. With just a week to go in the season, the Tobs cleaned out their front-office over a still unfolding scandal involving an AOL Chatroom and a 6-pack of Zima. New Management are still hanging pictures on the wall, now they’re tasked with taking down the “evil empire.”
Wouldn’t that just be perfect karma to see the Champions go out that way?
Putting the wild dice roll out of the equations and just looking at the facts, the Colonials are the superior team in this series. When we thought about the 50 players in this series and came up with the Top 10, only 2 (borderline 3) were sporting a Tobs’ uni. Betting on superior talent.
VIRGINIA in 5
In what will undoubtedly be the most watched BLB Opening Round series in the battle for the Brewmaster’s Cup, the six-time and defending Cup Champion Virginia Colonials (100-62) host the the first Import League team to ever bring home the Brewmaster’s - the Carolina Tobs (95-67). Though both teams boast the coveted ring, it may surprise some fringe BLB fans to know that this is actually the first time these two franchises will meet in the Postseason.
CAROLINA PLAYOFF HISTORY:
* 1 Brewmaster’s Cup (1981)
* 5th Appearance (’81, ’85, ’96-’98)
* Most Recent Appearance - 1997 - Lost to Baltimore in the 1st Round 4-2
VIRGINIA PLAYOFF HISTORY:
* 6 Brewmaster’s Cups (’91/’92/’94/’95/’96/’97)
* 10th Appearance (’89-’98)
* Most Recent Appearance - 1997 - Won Brewmaster’s Cup 4-1 over Hartford
SEASON SERIES:
Virginia Leads 7-5
Top Performers
Batters<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Player</th><th>AVG</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>SB</th><th>OPS</th></tr> <tr><td>Hector Chavez (VIR)</td><td>0.319</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0.790</td></tr> <tr><td>Pat Faulkner (CAR)</td><td>0.282</td><td>6</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0.788</td></tr> <tr><td>Doug Gill (VIR)</td><td>0.231</td><td>3</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>0.741</td></tr> <tr><td>Yoritoki Maeda (VIR)</td><td>0.293</td><td>8</td><td>12</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>1.005</td></tr> <tr><td>Masaoki Matsumoto (CAR)</td><td>0.385</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>1</td><td>8</td><td>0</td><td>0.953</td></tr></table>
Pitchers<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Player</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>SV</th><th>IP</th><th>ERA</th><th>K</th><th>WHIP</th><th>OAVG</th></tr> <tr><td>Val Aparicio (CAR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13.0</td><td>2.77</td><td>7</td><td>1.15</td><td>0.174</td></tr> <tr><td>Ivan Bojorquez (VIR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>12.3</td><td>1.46</td><td>10</td><td>0.89</td><td>0.154</td></tr> <tr><td>Adrian Iturriaga (CAR)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13.7</td><td>2.63</td><td>8</td><td>1.02</td><td>0.208</td></tr> <tr><td>Jerry Morgan (VIR)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>14.3</td><td>3.14</td><td>9</td><td>0.98</td><td>0.200</td></tr> <tr><td>Loren Washington (CAR)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>14.0</td><td>1.29</td><td>7</td><td>0.86</td><td>0.170</td></tr></table>
MATCHUPS:
Catcher -- Pirro Hidalgo vs Eron DeLeon
DeLeon is a former 1st Overall pick a legit budding Superstar in the Import League. Though his overall OPS fell in 1998, his Power numbers increased and he still managed to work pitchers for 100 BBs. An average defender, he’s not going to win you any games behind the dish, but he also won’t lose you any. DeLeon started the season slowly having some question if he’d lost a step. In June, he turned it on and turned in another great season.
Hidalgo, another piece of the infamous Ivan Olivo deal with Denver, was supposed to be a stop gap solution in Virginia until their minor leaguers developed. Three Championships later, Hidalgo appears to be getting better as he moves into his prime. A broken finger limited him to just 117 games, but he showed legit power with 51 of his 105 hits going for extra bases. Hidalgo was a hidden gem in last year’s playoff run with a .944 OPS and 18 hits (11 XBH).
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - Though Hidalgo has been hot, DeLeon is a Star.
***
First Base -- Anastasio Colon vs Antonio Romo
Drafted to potentially be the heir to the Maeda at 3B, Anastasio Colon became the everyday 1B for the Colonials last season. He kept the job at the beginning of the season, but was suddenly asked to chip in at SS when Hector Chavez started to show some slowdown in his defense. Colon split his season at 1B and SS and played average at both. His hitting took a step back as well losing ground in nearly every offensive category.
Though Romo didn’t get every start at 1B, he’ll likely be the primary option for the Tobs in this series. Claimed off waiver from Mississippi in April, the 37 year old Romo will likely split time depending on match-ups. He can still hit and has a surprisingly good glove at his age. Ismael Reyes will likely see time at first as well.
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - The word in this match-up is CONSISTENCY. You’ll likely get it from Romo, and you can’t count on it from Colon.
***
Second Base -- Helespontico Jarava vs Kip Higgins
Second Base may be a committee approach for Carolina, but Kip Higgins will likely be their “go to” guy. Higgins made a return to the Tobs after a season in the Domestic League. More a defense guy, if you’re counting on offense from Higgins, you’ll likely be gravely disappointed.
The Colonials has been long grooming Hector “The Other Hector” Baez to play 2B for the next 10 years. A less than stellar opening to the season and some questions about health lead Virginia to come knocking on some doors in upstate New York. Jarava is the perfect #2 hitter in the Colonial lineup. He has an amazing eye (7 K’s in 407 ABs) and will find gaps in Colonial Park. A mid-September foot injury cost him the end of the season, but he’s back and ready to hold down the middle IF.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - This one isn’t close. Higgins is a nice defender, but he simply doesn’t compare to Jarava’s total package.
***
Third Base -- Yoritoki Maeda vs ???
A fixture in the Colonial lineup, Maeda turned in another ironman like season playing in 158 games and compiling a .947 OPS, a personal best 33 HRs, and leading the league in RBI for the third time in his career. A three time DWI Winner (including last season at 3B), Maeda piles up tons of innings and is a rock steady corner infielder.
The biggest question-mark going into the playoffs for the Tobs will be who will play 3B. With the knee injury to Masaoki Matsumoto, will likely rely on some sort of stop gap solution to police the hot corner. Hugh Little and Cale Hill are both potential filler, but neither are great option leaving a big hole in the field and the lineup.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - Maeda is already a regular season Superstar, but he’s a playoff Legend. His post-season numbers are better than some entire organizations.
***
Shortstop -- Hector Chavez vs Hugh Little
With Cale Hill likely being the logical choice to cover 3B, Carolina will most likely continue to start Hugh Little at Shortstop. Hill, who was drafted in the 4th Round of the 1992 Draft played all season with the big club, but managed only 372 ABs. He appeared in 138 games this year starting 105 games at SS where he played serviceable, but not spectacular defense. His bat is pretty unspectacular as well and should be the Tobs’ #8 bat most of this series.
Conversely, the starting Shortstop for the Colonials will be, arguably, the best pure hitter in the league. Hector Chavez, who did end up splitting starts between SS and 1B, won his third batting title in ’98 (.361). He also reached the 200+ hit mark for the 8th consecutive season (228). His career .951 Post-Season OPS is among the best in league history and, as always, as Chavez goes, so go the Colonials.
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - Really? Do you have to ask?
***
Outfield
Not to be outdone by Chavez in Virginia, another piece of the “best pure hitter in the BLB” conversation will anchor the Outfield for Carolina. Al Hamilton boasted an amazing 1.043 OPS in a 121 season that was limited by two trips to the DL with oblique issues. He’ll be joined in the Tobs OF by Centerfielder Pat Faulkner and the ageless Jose Guzman. The three form a surprisingly effective defensive outfield considering left is being patrolled by a 41 year old.
The Colonials counter the Carolina OF would perhaps the fastest threesome in the league. Basestealing savant and leadoff man Jerry Daly will move around the OF, but likely settle into CF for the duration of the playoffs. On his flanks you’ll see two young prospects with big bats. Doug Gill turned in a 33 HR campaign while rookie former #1 BA Prospect TJ “Don’t Call Me Speedo” Knudson played half a season in the Pros and hit 12 HRs (27 XBH) in just 281 ABs.
ADVANTAGE - CAROLINA - A year from now when Guzman is a step slower and Knudson is more polished, you likely go the other way. For now, as long as Hamilton’s oblique cooperates, the Tobs sports the superior threesome.
***
Starting Pitching
It’s a Murderer’s Row in Virginia. Pancho, Jerry Morgan, Gus Jenkins and Gene Legere will comprise the tightened Colonial rotation for Round 1. Though some skeptics will question the choice to go all right-handed Starters, with a quartet like that, you throw out your best and assume talent wins out. Ironfist is likely on his way to another Pale Ale. Morgan is in the PA conversation in a league where Herrera doesn’t exist (18-7 - 3.08 ERA - 1.07 WHIP). Jenkins has posted a sub-2.00 ERA in the last three off-seasons. And Legere has yet to lose a playoff game (5-0 in 6 starts).
The Tobs rotation can not be confirmed, but they have to be scrambling with the loss of Ivan Vazquez - who was 9-13 despite an impressive 1.16 WHIP. Val Aparicio and Adrian Iturriaga will need to pick up some major slack if Carolina wants to compete here. Loren Washington and southpaw Doug Howe - who spent exactly 73 days in the Colonial Organization - are the likely choices to round out the rotation. Sleeper Alert - Could we see a Manny Mendez return to the rotation?
ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA - It probably wasn’t close anyway, but the Vazquez injury is a killer.
***
Bullpen
Luckily for the Tobs, where they lack in healthy Starters, they make up for in quality Bullpen arms. There’s a lot of talent out there anchored by Pancho Valentin and Raul Reyes - both legit Closers. If Manny Mendez isn’t pressed back into the rotation, he’ll be asked to put in some serious innings out of the ‘pen as well.
The Bullpen has been an uncontrollable rollercoaster for the defending Champions all year. Injuries. Regressions. Blown saves. Drastic times required drastic measures and on May 11th, Colonial Management did something about it. Later quoted as saying “To stay the best... you have to go get the best”, the team brought the best Closer of this generation to Virginia in Ken Bayer. How did he respond? By winning the June, July and August Pitcher of the Month Award. Efrain “Gadget” Gray, once thought to be a potential frontline starter, has settled into his role as the workhorse out of the ‘Pen posting an impressive 1.06 WHIP, 109K and a 2.08 ERA in 86 appearances.
ADVANTAGE - PUSH - Stats would show that Carolina has the superior bullpen, but with Mendez likely moving to the rotation and Virginia boasting the best Closer in the game...this one is just too close to call.
***
BOTTOMLINE:
So many interesting subplots in this series!!! Carolina is widely seen as Virginia 2.0. They built their team through a series of poor seasons resulting in high end talent out of the draft combined with well-timed trades. But the bigger story is clear. With just a week to go in the season, the Tobs cleaned out their front-office over a still unfolding scandal involving an AOL Chatroom and a 6-pack of Zima. New Management are still hanging pictures on the wall, now they’re tasked with taking down the “evil empire.”
Wouldn’t that just be perfect karma to see the Champions go out that way?
Putting the wild dice roll out of the equations and just looking at the facts, the Colonials are the superior team in this series. When we thought about the 50 players in this series and came up with the Top 10, only 2 (borderline 3) were sporting a Tobs’ uni. Betting on superior talent.
VIRGINIA in 5
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