[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

NORTHERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Wichita Brigade (91-71) vs New York Heroes (96-66)


WICHITA LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG B. Kerr .332 F. Chance .301 M. Moynahan .298 G. Davis .271 F. Isbell .262	Team Leaders HR J. Gibbons 18 F. Chance 14 F. Isbell 12 G. Davis 10 2 tied with 8	Team Leaders RBI F. Chance 101 M. Moynahan 86 B. Kerr 82 G. Davis 75 2 tied with 66
Team Leaders W A. Orth 19 R. Waddell 18 J. Whitney 14 J. Gaines 10 J. Schmitz 10	Team Leaders ERA A. Orth 3.51 R. Waddell 3.98 J. Whitney 4.71	Team Leaders K R. Waddell 275 J. Whitney 143 J. Schmitz 121 J. Gaines 116 A. Orth 101

NEW YORK LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG D. Higham .350 R. Connor .335 J. Burkett .322 J. Viox .289 I. Meusel .288	Team Leaders HR R. Connor 25 J. Burkett 17 D. Wright 17 I. Meusel 14 2 tied with 11	Team Leaders RBI R. Connor 117 J. Burkett 103 D. Higham 86 J. Viox 82 D. Wright 80
Team Leaders W F. Killen 22 B. Byrd 19 J. McCormick 19 B. Drake 11 H. Howell 11	Team Leaders ERA F. Killen 3.04 B. Byrd 3.56 J. McCormick 3.73 H. Howell 4.02 B. Drake 4.99	Team Leaders K B. Byrd 211 J. McCormick 183 B. Drake 164 F. Killen 122 H. Howell 120

SEASON SERIES: New York won 7 of 12

The similarities are striking here, as Wichita and New York represent the best balanced teams in baseball. Wichita scored the most runs in the Northern League, while allowing the third fewest. New York scored the second most while allowing the fewest. Their offenses are built on getting on base rather than the long ball. New York was 6th in homers, Wichita last.

The biggest difference from an offensive perspective is Wichita's speed, where Wichita led the league with 122. Again, balance is the key, as they had nobody in the top five in steals (Hub Collins led with 20) but had six players steal 14 or more.

There's some resentment from the staff in New York, which feels lots of people are talking about Wichita's rotation despite the fact that New York is the staff that allowed the fewest runs and that has a 20-game winner (Frank Killen) and two 19-game winners (Jim McCormick and Bill Byrd). Much has been made of Johnny Schmitz' amazing entry into Wichita's rotation in early August (10-2, 2.09) and the resurgence of Rube Waddell (18-9, 3.98 and 14-5, 3.22 since June 1).

As for injuries, the biggest is New York's loss of closer Jonathan Papelbon, whose 27 saves are sidelined for the remainder of the season. That's a tall order for Sam Weaver and his 5.02 ERA to replace.

This has the makings of a great series. Other than Papelbon, both teams are healthy. Wichita won the first NLCS and went on the win the PBL Championship Series. New York returned the NLCS favor last year, but fell short of the ultimate goal in losing to New Orleans. They look to finish the deal this time around, and the pick here is New York in seven. Roger Connor and Dick Higham are rolling on offense, and the test of the pennant race figures to have New York already in postseason shape...they've done it for a month.