Monday, September 20, 2060
PRO CUP POLL PICKS MACS OVER RED CAPS
The IPA Pro Cup Playoffs are filled with eight fine and evenly-matched ballclubs... even the lower-rated clubs are deemed worthy and capable of winning the Island championship... looking at the postseason pairings at a glance, on the surface here's how it will go down as per the Islandian baseball experts:
In the Ruthlandian Union first round, high-scoring Ranford (99-55) will slip past well-balanced St. John (94-60) in a tight series... and powerhouse Wynnamac (104-50), the team with everything, will have an easier time with steady and consistent Sligo (90-64) in the other series.
In first-round action in the Tycobbian Union South Fork (95-59), a good, all-around team, will edge out rock-solid Rolling Hills (93-61) in a tense duel... and high-explosive Oxford (97-57) will dispose of the current IPA Pro Cup champion Ginza (89-65) in a tough tussle.
Round two in the Ruthlandian Union will be something to behold, two juggernauts going for the jugular in a titanic shootout... Wynnamac will outsmack the Ranford Bulls and win a spot in the Pro Cup Finals... and the Oxford Red Caps will outgun the South Fork Stallions with their high-octane attack to garner the other spot in the coveted Pro Cup Finals.
And then... and then... after six magnificent series... the Macs will be triumphant and victorious over the Red Caps in a battle for the ages... the Sundowners will garner their third Pro Cup trophy in a big bang bash.
2060 Pro Cup Poll conducted by The Islandian Times
1. WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS... Macs may have it all this year... scoring... good power... strong arms... trouble spot could be defense... won Pro Cups in 2008 and 2055.
2. Oxford Red Caps... mighty monsters at the plate... solid group of starters... good defense... lacks bullpen... won Pro Cup in 2007.
3. South Fork Stallions... best pitching... fine defense... more than adequate offense... sleeper... could surprise and win it all... won Pro Cups in 2025 and 2042.
4. Ranford Bulls... bats solid top to bottom of lineup... lots of firepower... fairly good pitching... solid defenders... decent bullpen... won Pro Cup in 2040.
5. Rolling Hills Racers... just about as good as the top four... strong attack... fairly good power... quality vet starters... fairly good bullpen... fine defense... won Pro Cups in 2029, 2031 and 2048.
6. St. John Crusaders... can play with the best... batting order deep with good hitters... can score runs... only fair power... defense a little suspect... never won Pro Cup.
7. Ginza Ninjas... not picked high last year and still won Pro Cup... playing well going into the postseason... excellent defense... great closer... good offense... lacks power... starters are not as strong this year... only Pro Cup was in 2059.
8. Sligo Rovers... may be better than people think... fine starting four... offense better than people think... can score runs... fair HR power... so-so bullpen... but questionable defense... only Pro Cup was in 2021.