SEASON 4 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEWS
Veteran Shanghai Dragons Face Surging Phoenix Forever Living For The NL Pennant
Phoenix brings the regular season best record in the NL to the Championship series, having survived a first round scare by going to a 7th game against Utah. Shanghai, the wildcard entry, is no stranger to the playoffs, having been here in all 4 years of the RTCBL, 2 so far in the World Series. Both team's pitching was effective during the regular season, PFL holding a 3.41 ERA, and SHA at 3.49, but their methodology was a contrast. Phoenix led the league with 52 saves, while Shanghai led the league with 62 Complete Games. At bat they were also similar, Phoenix at 5.4 runs/game and SHA with 5.3, but SHA had the advantage on the bases swiping 188 to PFL's 69.
In their 12 regular season match-ups, Phoenix held a slight edge 7-5, and both teams bats were silent, PFL hitting .228 and SHA .238. Shanghai was led offensively in their games against Phoenix by Willie Mays, who hit .370 and slugged at a .783 clip with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers, 9 runs and 8 RBI. Bob Caruthers hit .429 and Rod Carew .450 in those games to compliment Mays. Eddie Mathews by contrast hit a paltry .162 and struck out 14 times in 37 ABs. On the bases it was the same as against other teams, as SHA swiped 19 out of 23 against Fisk and company. On the hill Joe Wood (2 wins, 3.00 ERA, 19 Ks in 30 IP) and Guy Hecker (2.86 ERA, 22 IP) were the most effective against the Living bats, while Addie Joss was least effective (3 losses, 7.11 ERA in only 6 1/3 IP).
The offensive contributions of Phoenix against Shanghai were more spread out with regulars Vada Pinson (.297, 8 RBI), Frank Robinson (.293, 9 runs), Al Rosen (3 HR, 10 RBI) and Lou Gehrig (2 HR, 9 runs) supported by Todd Hundley (.364, 2 HR) and Reggie Smith (.333). Ray Kremer led the way on the mound with a 2.08 ERA in 26 IP, with bullpen saves from Mariano Rivera (0.00 ERA, 2 IP), Billy Koch (1.29 ERA, 7 IP) and Cy Acosta (1.50 ERA, 6 K in 6 IP). 7 different Phoenix pitchers notched a win against Shanghai.
Key players need to step up for Shanghai to overcome the team balance shown by Phoenix in order for the Dragons to go back to the World Series.
Dominant Blue Wave Welcomes Re-tooled Eclipse to AL Showdown In Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach Blue Wave and Elizabethtown Eclipse meet for the AL championship, having held the best records, Batting Average, Slugging Percentage and ERA in the regular season. Former World Series champion HBB had the toughest time against ELE out of all their opponents in their record-setting year, losing 5 of 12. HBB still hit a respectable .273 against Eclipse pitching, scoring 77 runs in the 12 games. The 1st base platoon of Dan Brouthers and Roger Connor did the most damage, hitting .474 and .421 respectively against them. The power came from Honus Wagner, who slugged .775 with 4 triples and 13 RBI. As usual, the HBB staff is anchored by Hoss Radbourn (32-4 regular season, 2.43 ERA), who went 2-0 with an 0.52 ERA in 17 1/3 IP. Rube Waddell also garnered 2 wins in 3 games with a 1.88 ERA against the Eclipse.
Elizabethtown is no slouch coming in, having just swept the Sunset Rebels and returning to the playoffs after a 1 year hiatus. Frankie Frisch sparked the damage they did to HBB during the regular season, hitting .359 and slugging .590 in the 12 games. Yogi Berra hit .292 at the plate, but was less effective behind the dish by allowing 14 Blue Wave steals. Regular season ace Jack Taylor (21-11, 2.71 ERA) was also effective against HBB, holding a 2.16 ERA in 16 2/3 IP. Bryan Harvey was strong out of the bullpen, going 2-0 with a save, not allowing a run in 5 2/3 IP while striking out 12! On the bases ELE was slowed down, only stealing 6 out of 12 against HBB catchers.
The difference will come down to pitching and defense, where ELE hurlers walked 43 Blue Wave in 107 IP, but HBB's defense was porous having the 2nd worst Team FA in the AL at .969.