NLDS Breakdown

Pawtucket Polythene (105-57)
3.26 ERA (1st in ML)
795 runs (t-17th in ML)
Player to watch: Geoff Hunter Not as high profile as most other hitters, but single-handedly took Pawtucket's O from the basement to respectability in his 100 games with the team. May need to have a huge series to keep up with Texas bats.

Texas Tittyballs (83-79)
5.11 ERA (27th in ML)
993 runs (2nd in ML)
Player to watch: Billy Hernandez Arguably the best young hitter in the world, he had an MVP-like season at only 24 years old, and is already rapidly approaching 200 career Home Runs. Had a quiet (by his standards) opening series with Scranton, collecting only 4 runs, 4 hits & 1 RBI in 10 at bats. May have to lift his entire team on his shoulders in order to get past Pawtucket's pitchers

Series Notes
Regular Season Series: 7-3 Pawtucket
Post-season history: Season 2 NLCS, Texas won 4-0
Most intriguing matchup: Everyone will be watching Pawtucket's pitching take on Texas' bats, but both will have their moments to shine. What will decide this series is Pawtucket's bats vs Texas' pitching - which one will actually have a productive series?

Rochester Raging Rhinos (99-63)
3.83 ERA (4th in ML)
828 runs (t-9th in ML)
Player to watch: Willie Tapies He was acquired midseason to give Rochester a playoff workhorse. After an awful start to the season in Little Rock, he quickly showed his dominance in the NL, propelling Rochester to a first round bye. That earned him a 2 year extension - at age 35. These next few starts will show if it was worth it.

Norfolk Nomads (88-74)
4.33 ERA (6th in ML)
872 runs (6th in ML)
Player to watch: Tony Mesa Had an extremely subpar regular season (.240 average in 600 AB), and then absolutely destroyed Colorado Springs in a 4 game series victory (16 AB, .563 avg, 4 runs, 2 HR, 6 RBI). Which player will show up in the NLDS?

Series Notes
Regular Season Series: 8-2 Norfolk
Postseason History: n/a
Most intriguing matchup: Two teams probably more recognized because of a few key offensive players (Jonathan Cummings, Devon Decker), but more successful because of their pitching staffs (both Top 6 in the majors). Pitching wins championships. It'll be interesting to watch these two completely retooled (in midseason, no less) staffs battle it out over 5 games.


AL Breakdown coming tomorrow...