OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

Eugene Church · 05-25-2011, 06:45 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 2, 2023

Pro Cup Starts Tomorrow In Tuckanarra
Only 15 teams in the Islandian Pro Alliance have won the much-revered Pro Cup. 49 teams have never had the honor and the pleasure. A Pro Cup is hard to come by. This year two of the non-winners will get a chance to move into elite circles. Will it be favored Tuckanarra or underdog Valmara? Neither have been to the finals lately. Tuckanarra was last there in 2013 and Valmara in 2003. Both came away empty-handed - but not this time. One of them will be victorious.

The two clubs are very similar in style of play. Blue Jays manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens has a strong pitching staff. Vipers skipper Jet Kazmarek also relies on his fine mound corps. Tuckanarra has the decided edge with three standout starters in Dean Peterson (20-11 2.92), Glynn Starr (25-10 3.00) and Quinn Starr (19-17 2.35). Valmara only has two high-quality starters in Billy Ray (20-11 2.21) and Clem Carmouche (18-12 2.87). The only problem is Peterson is out because of blisters and may not be availabe for a week. That's a crucial loss. The key element in the series will be the number three starters. Valmara's Johnny Vasylenko (16-16 3.93) and Tuckanarra's Apari Churchill (16-16 4.58) will be decisive factors. Neither have overly impressive in the playoffs. Vasylenko is 0-1 in 2 starts with a 4.32 ERA, while Churchill (0-1 11.75) flopped in his only start, lasting just 4 innings. Stevens is toying with the idea of using Peterson, despite the injured finger.

Tuckanarra will go with Carmouche (2-1 1.62) in the opening game, opposed by Quinn Starr (3-0 2.86). Game two will feature Glynn Starr (2-0 1.96) for the Blue Jays against the Vipers Billy Ray (4-0 1.36). Game three starters are still up in the air with Johnny Vasylenko likely for Valmara. Stevens is undecided who will go for Tuckanarra.

Both teams have very capable closers. 33-year-old Archie Desmond (8-0 1.11) had a great season for the Blue Jays with 33 saves and has continued it in the postseason with a 1-0 record and 4 saves in 6 appearances with a 1.59 ERA. The V's bullpen ace is a 21-year-old rookie Chris Phillips (2-1), who took over the closer role at mid-season and notched 11 saves with a 1.16 ERA. Phillips has stood out in the playoffs with a 1-0 record, 3 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 5 appearances. Tuckanarra may have a slight edge in middle relievers.

During the regular season Tuckanarra was the better team at the plate, but not in the postseason. If the Blue Jays continue to struggle, Valmara might sneak up and win it. RF Danny Redd (.339 BA/15 HR/79 RBI/107 R), 1B Lynn Starr (.330BA/36 HR/112 RBI/114 R) and 3B Koora Nawajuk (.283 BA/18 HR/68 RBI/92 R) will have to regain season form. They have only one homer between them in the playoffs. The Tucks are just not scoring enough runs. But the Blue Jays have won anyway because of the great pitching. Valmara's line-up was only so-so in the regular campaign: CF Teddy Szymanski (.287 BA/22 HR/88 RBI/80 R), 2B Ron Freiberg (.287 BA/13 HR/56 RBI/94 R), LF Sonny Oliver (.269 BA/18 HR/81RBI/73 R) and C Pete Gibbs (.264 BA/14 HR/79 RBI/50 R). The Vipers have homered 6 times in the playoffs, but also have trouble putting runs on the scoreboard. It looks like the pitchers will dominate in this Pro Cup Finals. Tuckanarra had the better seasonal record 96-58 and will have the home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series that gets underway tomorrow at Central Park Stadium. Valmara was 90-64. In the playoffs this year the Blue Jays are 8-1 and Vipers 8-2.

As far as defense, both Tuckanarra and Valmara are just average with a .972 FA.

Pro Cup Prediction:
Tuckanarra's pitching and experience will prevail in 6 games.

05-25-2011, 06:45 PM	#2538
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 36,116	*The Islandian Times* Monday, October 2, 2023 Pro Cup Starts Tomorrow In Tuckanarra Only 15 teams in the Islandian Pro Alliance have won the much-revered Pro Cup. 49 teams have never had the honor and the pleasure. A Pro Cup is hard to come by. This year two of the non-winners will get a chance to move into elite circles. Will it be favored Tuckanarra or underdog Valmara? Neither have been to the finals lately. Tuckanarra was last there in 2013 and Valmara in 2003. Both came away empty-handed - but not this time. One of them will be victorious. The two clubs are very similar in style of play. Blue Jays manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens has a strong pitching staff. Vipers skipper Jet Kazmarek also relies on his fine mound corps. Tuckanarra has the decided edge with three standout starters in Dean Peterson (20-11 2.92), Glynn Starr (25-10 3.00) and Quinn Starr (19-17 2.35). Valmara only has two high-quality starters in Billy Ray (20-11 2.21) and Clem Carmouche (18-12 2.87). The only problem is Peterson is out because of blisters and may not be availabe for a week. That's a crucial loss. The key element in the series will be the number three starters. Valmara's Johnny Vasylenko (16-16 3.93) and Tuckanarra's Apari Churchill (16-16 4.58) will be decisive factors. Neither have overly impressive in the playoffs. Vasylenko is 0-1 in 2 starts with a 4.32 ERA, while Churchill (0-1 11.75) flopped in his only start, lasting just 4 innings. Stevens is toying with the idea of using Peterson, despite the injured finger. Tuckanarra will go with Carmouche (2-1 1.62) in the opening game, opposed by Quinn Starr (3-0 2.86). Game two will feature Glynn Starr (2-0 1.96) for the Blue Jays against the Vipers Billy Ray (4-0 1.36). Game three starters are still up in the air with Johnny Vasylenko likely for Valmara. Stevens is undecided who will go for Tuckanarra. Both teams have very capable closers. 33-year-old Archie Desmond (8-0 1.11) had a great season for the Blue Jays with 33 saves and has continued it in the postseason with a 1-0 record and 4 saves in 6 appearances with a 1.59 ERA. The V's bullpen ace is a 21-year-old rookie Chris Phillips (2-1), who took over the closer role at mid-season and notched 11 saves with a 1.16 ERA. Phillips has stood out in the playoffs with a 1-0 record, 3 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 5 appearances. Tuckanarra may have a slight edge in middle relievers. During the regular season Tuckanarra was the better team at the plate, but not in the postseason. If the Blue Jays continue to struggle, Valmara might sneak up and win it. RF Danny Redd (.339 BA/15 HR/79 RBI/107 R), 1B Lynn Starr (.330BA/36 HR/112 RBI/114 R) and 3B Koora Nawajuk (.283 BA/18 HR/68 RBI/92 R) will have to regain season form. They have only one homer between them in the playoffs. The Tucks are just not scoring enough runs. But the Blue Jays have won anyway because of the great pitching. Valmara's line-up was only so-so in the regular campaign: CF Teddy Szymanski (.287 BA/22 HR/88 RBI/80 R), 2B Ron Freiberg (.287 BA/13 HR/56 RBI/94 R), LF Sonny Oliver (.269 BA/18 HR/81RBI/73 R) and C Pete Gibbs (.264 BA/14 HR/79 RBI/50 R). The Vipers have homered 6 times in the playoffs, but also have trouble putting runs on the scoreboard. It looks like the pitchers will dominate in this Pro Cup Finals. Tuckanarra had the better seasonal record 96-58 and will have the home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series that gets underway tomorrow at Central Park Stadium. Valmara was 90-64. In the playoffs this year the Blue Jays are 8-1 and Vipers 8-2. As far as defense, both Tuckanarra and Valmara are just average with a .972 FA. Pro Cup Prediction: Tuckanarra's pitching and experience will prevail in 6 games. Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-15-2023 at 06:36 PM.