Division Championship Series Playoff Predictions

American League

Jacksonville Seminoles vs. Scranton Apollos

Scranton has risen from the dead this year to finish with the best record in the American League (102-60) after 6 straight 4th place finishes followed by a 3rd place finish last season (although 91 wins in season 11 proves they were on the right track). In this Championship Series, however, offensive leaders Pat Masao and Dan King will have their work cut out for them though with the Seminoles pitching staff (previously discussed). While Luther Taylor and Alex Maradona didn't have the offensive numbers they had last season, I still expect piching to trump hitting and believe Jacksonville will advance.

Prediction: Jacksonville wins series, 3-1.


Norfolk Tobacco Farmers vs. Portland Poltergeists

Norfolk has done a great job advancing through the first round of the playoffs after their first ever division title. Nash Phillips went 7 strong innings to shut the door on the Mile High Marines in Game 5 of the opening series. In Portland, the Poltergeists are foaming at the mouth waiting for their first series to get underway. The Poltergeists offense may simply be too much for the Tobacco Farmers to handle. 5-time Most Valuable Player, Kevin Mullins and Felix Ellis are just two names out of an offense that scored the 2nd most runs in the American League this season.


Prediction: Portland wins series, 3-2.

National League

Anaheim angeldynasty vs. Florida Lockdown

Whenever I see that the Florida Lockdown are in the playoffs, I feel like the World Series trophy sort of gravitates toward them. They have the most dominant pitcher in the league this year in Ned McInerney and they had 4 guys drive in over 100 runs with 2 others that missed by just 2 and 3 RBI. The Anaheim angeldynasty rolled through the first round of the playoffs, but I struggle to believe they can take the Lockdown. Harry Holzemer is going to have to have a better showing than he did in round 1 and Emmanuel Montanez is going to need to stay hot in the lineup if they want to have any chance to advance.

Prediction: Florida wins series, 3-0.


Kansas City Monarchs vs. Minnesota Mighty Men

The Mighty Men continue their dominance of the NL North with their 4th straight division title. The Mighties had 7 pitchers win at least 10 games, including Cristian Torres who was just 12-10, but had little run support as his ERA was a solid 3.11. The offense was led by 24 year-old MVP candidate Bill Hewson who drove in 164 runs while clubbing 63 home runs. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Monarchs advanced through the first round on the strength of their pitching which was magnificent in holding the Louisville Beaners to just 6 runs in their 3 1st round wins. We know how good 19-game winner Jim Aurilia is, but if the rest of the pitching staff holds up like they did in the first round, Kansas City will be a tough out.


Prediction: Minnesota wins series, 3-2.