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(92-70)
DL Ranks
2nd in Runs
7th in ERA
3rd in DEF
(92-70)
5th in Runs
2nd in ERA
1st in DEF
Schedule and Parks:
Game 1 - October 31st – Washington @ Los Angeles
Game 2 – November 1st – Washington @ Los Angeles
Game 3 – November 3rd – Los Angeles @ Washington
Game 4 – November 4th – Los Angeles @ Washington
Game 5 – November 6th – Washington @ Los Angeles
Game 6 - November 7th – Los Angeles @ Washington
Game 7 - November 9th – Washington @ Los Angeles
Both teams finished with identical records but the tie-breaker was given to Los Angeles...and I'm not 100% sure why. These two teams did play during the season with Washington taking two of three @ Los Angeles.
Sonata Stadium in Los Angeles slightly favors left handed batters (1.063 AVG) and gap power (1.040 doubles). The Dinos were slightly better (47-34) at home than on the road (45-36). The Capital in Washington kills power hitters (.960 HR) and helps gap hitters (1.100 2B, 1.070 3B). The Bats were much better at home (52-29) than on the road (40-41). In the Post-Season, the Dinos are 4-2 at home and on the road. Washington is 3-2 at home and 5-2 on the road.
With potentially one more home game than the other, the slight advantage goes to Los Angeles, even if Washington has won in both Baltimore and Carolina.
Starting Rotations:
Bulldogs Projected Brewmaster's Starting Rotation
1. RHP Pat Yahn - 4-0, 1.41 ERA, .62 WHIP
2. RHP David Palomares - 1-1, 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
3. LHP Sachi Ito - 1-1, 1.93 ERA, .93 WHIP
4.* RHP TJ Kline - 2-0, 1.98 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
Bats Projected Brewmaster's Starting Rotation
1. RHP Dave Lippert – 3-0, 1.71 ERA, .99 WHIP
2. LHP Tyler Salzman – 1-0, 2.33 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
3. LHP Robby Duffy – 1-0, 3.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
4.* LHP Jimmy Razza – 2-1, 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
The big question here: Will the teams go with a four-man rotation or a three-man? The Brewmaster's 2-2-1-1-1 scheduling allows for more rest. Something to keep an eye on.
The Dino's playoff rotation has a combined 8-2 with a sub 2.00 ERA. You would expect that from veterans Yahn and Palomares but the surprise has been with Ito and Kline. If they both can keep pitching like this, the Bats will be in trouble.
The Bat's playoff rotation has a combined 7-1 with ~2.50 ERA. The rotation was lefty heavy in the Baltimore and Carolina series, but will that remain the same?
Bullpens:
Dinos Projected Brewmaster's Bullpen
CL – RHP JR Goeman - 1.93 ERA
SU – RHP Manny Rivera - 5.79 ERA
MR - RHP Pat Lykes - 0.00 ERA
MR - RHP Tom Chowning - 4.91 ERA
MR – RHP Wes Porter - 6.23 ERA
Bats Projected Brewmaster's Bullpen
CL? – RHP David Rodriguez – 6.23 ERA
SU? – RHP Israel Rodriguez – 2.70 ERA
SU – RHP Dusty Casserino – 0.00 ERA
MR – RHP Tony Osorio – 2.84 ERA
SPC – RHP Shane Ward – 0.00 ERA
SPC – LHP Armando Fuentes – 9.00 ERA
The Dinos group struggled in the regular season, 10th in RP ERA. In the post-season they have been better and only accounted for one loss. Expect a boost too if the Dinos go with a shorter rotation.
Once considered elite, the Bats bullpen has shown some chinks in the armor. Closer "The Sheriff" Rodriguez was demoted to set-up after blowing a series clinching Game 5 at home in the ILCS. Then, Israel Rodriguez was given the 9th in Game Six, and he blew the game as well. Who will be the closer in the Brewmaster's?
If the games are close late, the advantage clearly goes to the Bats bullpen...but who will get the ball last?
Position Players:
Dinos Lineup - Hot and Cold:
RH 3B CJ Genuario - 1.025 OPS
LH SS Katsushi Matsumoto - .847 OPS
LH 2B Marco Lona - .791 OPS
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RH C Dave Fogelsong - .527 OPS
RH OF Pat St. Thomas - .642 OPS
RH 1B Frank Zamora - .654 OPS
Bats Lineup - Hot and Cold:
SH 1B/C Diego Flores - .991 OPS
RH 3B/SS Antonio Cardenas - .990 OPS
RH 1B Jon Montalbo - .815 OPS
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LH 2B Danny Romero - .513 OPS
LH 3B Alex Otero - .516 OPS
RF CF Jamie Urmson - .669 OPS
The Dinos have been getting unexpected post-season success from unlikely names Genuiario and Matsumoto. While at the same time, multiple veterans are struggling.
The Bats infield duo of Romero and Otero has struggled but the lineup has been lifted by the expected big hitters.
Advantage...Push.
Defense:
Los Angeles finished 6th in the DL in defense. Washington finished 1st in the IL. Advantage Bats.
Verdict:
Washington was the underdog against Baltimore and Carolina with Pat Ladd and Troy Martin out for the playoffs. Now in a matchup where many expect them to win, will the result be different?
Los Angeles in Seven
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