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VS.
Rotation:
Robby Duffy, Robby Aten, Tyler Salzman and Ian Fain (Ranks 5th in IL)
Vs.
Jamie Herberholz, Javier Gonzalez, Edgar Meija and Tom Oshman (Ranks 4th in IL)
If you were comparing just statistics from this post-season, Washington would be winning this category by a landslide. The four Bats pitched gems in the sweep over Batavia while the Playboys gave up almost a run per inning! The veterans in Windy City are very familiar with each other and have been the key to their seven straight Bock Division titles. The Bats rotation includes a rookie, a FA signed in mid-August, a played the team traded for last season and a FA signee that makes more in salary ($21M) than Playboy SPs Travis Neal, Edgar Meija, Tom Oshman and Javier Gonzalez do combined! The Bat’s rotation has momentum and has played above their collective talents all year but the edge still has to go Windy City.
Bullpen:
David Rodriguez, David Saucedo, Dusty Casserino, Ismael Ramirez, Armando Fuentes, Joey Anderson (Ranks 2nd in IL)
Vs.
Reynaldo Jimenez, Steven Kreighbaum, Nesty Jimenez, Maurel Espadanal, Tom Kelly, Victor Contreras (Ranks 1st in IL)
The Washington Bats bullpen is arguably the biggest strength on their team. Armed heavily with veteran RHs, the Bats bullpen routinely bailed out their “smoke and mirrors” rotation throughout the entire season. Some would argue the Bats had the 2nd best bullpen in the IL but the separation them and #1 Windy City is drastic. The Playboys boast the most dominant closer in baseball in Reynaldo, while his two set-up men both could close for contending teams. In the seven game series against Death Valley, seven Playboy relievers pitched. On the Bats, just three. The Playboys not only have the advantage in pure talent but also group momentum.
Catcher and 1B:
Wayne Nelson, Diego Flores, Victor Sandoval
Vs.
Dave Fogelsong, Roger Ramirez, Kent Yamada
This matchup is full of intriguing story lines: It has rookie youngster Nelson squaring off against the 2nd oldest starting catcher in Fogelsong. It also has Flores, a Free-Agent import from Windy City, against the younger player given his ABs in Ramirez. Sandoval and Yamada are both 1B/3B types who spot start vs. LHP, and pinch hitters/defense replacements otherwise. The experience and defensive abilities of the veteran Fogelsong gives Windy City the slight edge.
2B, 3B and SS:
Danny Romero, Alex Otero, Antonio Cardenas, Shawn Nolan and Joel Montezuma
Vs.
Dave Farmer, Fernando Lauriano, Dave Allen, Tom Arrington and Kent Yamada
This is an area where the Bats normally dominate over opponents, infield. Romero, Otero and Cardenas rank 1st, 4th and 1st at their respective positions on pos. strength. The highest in Windy City is Farmer at 10th for third base. The Bats boast better hitters, defenders and base runners than the opposition for a huge advantage in the infield.
OF:
Manny Reyes, Pat Ladd, Tommy Phillips, Gabrielle Clareno, Pat Forester, Jamie Urmson and Al Anguiano
Vs.
Victor Robles, JJ Caplan, Napoleon Mendoza, Gertudes Gambino, Marco Volquez
The Bats outfield has been Manny Reyes, Pat Ladd and a revolving door at the 3rd OF spot. IL Refreshing New Brew Favorite (until injury) DJ Nelson held the duty until about mid-season. Then Pat Forester took over. Then they gave rookies Urmson and Anguiano a shot. Now more recently it has been Phillips and Clareno. Whomever it is during this series it won’t make much of a difference in the matchup however. The two of the games best outfielders play for Windy City in Robles and Caplan, while the CF trio of Mendoza, Gambino and Volquez provide versatile options with HR power, speed and defense, as well as LH and RH hitters, giving the Playboys a slight edge.
Prediction:
As the season was coming to a close, Washington wanted Batavia for their first round opponent. They weren’t any less talented than Windy City but the Bats matched up a lot better against the Muckdogs and they knew it. Some have pegged this DC squad as a “team of destiny” by their unlikely showing as a contender, even more surprising division title and astonishing sweep of favored Batavia. This Windy City team we have seen before. Very similar rotation, bullpen and lineup during this seven year resurgence. So who will it be? I think the magic runs out on the Washington miracle season. Besides 2B-3B-SS, you could argue the Playboys have an advantage every where else on the field, including the entire rotation and bullpen. I think it will be a battle but talent wins out. Playboys in six.
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