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The Brewers drop 3 of 4 to visiting Portland but fortunately the Phoenix Speed Devils haven't been on fire recently either and the Brewers maintain a 5 game lead in the MGL.
With 18 games left for Denver (and 20 for Phoenix) the odds-makers have the Brewers as prohibitive favorites to take the pennant. It helps that the Brewers have 6 games left against last place Charlotte, who have already lost 93 games. We also play 6 against the 6th place Baltimore Lords (70-71), 4 against the 4th place L.A. Spinners (75-69), and 2 against the 3rd place Oklahoma City Diamond Kings (74-67.) Ten of the final eighteen Brewers games will be in front of the hometown crowds. Though Phoenix also plays two more home games then road games down the stretch.
The second graphic here really illustrates the essence of what differentiates these two teams. Phoenix is the best run scoring team in all of the WPK, the best HR hitting team (this in spite of playing their home games in the MGL ballpark least conducive to long-ball hitting), and 3rd in the WPK in team batting average. In other words, they are the most potent offense in the WPK. Denver, on the other hand, is the best in the WPK at keeping the other team from scoring, with the best defense, and best starting pitcher ERA.
Now, it should be noted that the Brewers are not a bad offensive team, other than their inability to hit the long-ball. They are 4th in runs scoring in the MGL, 2nd in batting average and OBP, and first in stolen bases. On the other, Phoenix, for all of their offensive firepower, gives up a lot of runs. They are 9th in the MGL in runs allowed, 8th in starting pitcher and bullpen ERA, and 9th in defensive efficiency.
So, assuming the Brewers pitching and defense can continue to shine and the offense can provide just enough run support to get wins, there is reason to be optimistic that they can hold off the Speed Devils to take their first MGL pennant.
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