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And this is where I admit that we have our work cut out for us here. This Columbus team, well, they aren't half bad. (Huge understatement.) They are the reigning WPK champs after all, and they did win 104 games this season. And they scored the second most runs in the SJL while allowing the fewest. In Jake Harris they have a lights out ace and their second starter, Decheng Lei, isn't too shabby either. In fact, since they picked up Lei in a trade with Washington mid-season, he's put up pretty phenomenal numbers. They have a closer who combines amazing stuff with incredible movement, and just enough control to be mostly unhittable.
And while that lineup might not have a true superstar (though leadoff man Leo Gavila is headed in that direction and is the team captain), it is potent 1-7 and even has a bit of pop at number 8 in catcher Joaquin Mendez, who is solid behind the dish. (Okay, let me give centerfielder Brad Tesh his due. He might not create as much stir as some of the other superstars in the WPK (see Andy Wilson, see Travis Johnson, see Nate Bennett) but he was the 1965 SJL ROY, 1968 MVP, is a 5-time All-Star, 3-time Silver Slugger, and did hit .294/.360/.489 with 21 doubles, 10 triples, 28 HR's, and 32 stolen bases (only caught 8 times), so, you know, that pretty much makes him a superstar.)
The Whalers swept Portland in last year's World Series.
Of course, the Brewers want to think, want to believe, they can win it all this year. But realistically, not getting swept would be some sort of victory.
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