Chicago Fire (6-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) – Game 1
It’s that time of year, where, if you’re here – you’re playing well. Chicago is, arguably, in their best form of the season – dispatching the New York Jets in the Wildcard round followed by a hard-scrabble series against the Seattle Sounders – an absolute juggernaut of a ballclub that went flat at the wrong time. Chicago’s offense is led by 29-year-old Third Baseman, Gavin Nalley, a former 5th overall pick out of Texas A&M. The Coconut Creek, Florida native is among the top defensive 3B’s in the league, with a cannon for an arm and good range at the position – those skills, coupled with his discipline at the plate – he has a knack for making pitchers work – sets the tone for the Fire. He’s not their sparkplug, but he certainly sets the table – work ethic, professionalism, and his low-key attitude set him apart in the clubhouse. He’s the guy you go to with questions, the guy that’ll lend you $5 and forget about it. Their opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are also in fine form – they ran roughshod over the Green Bay Packers – a favorite club of baseball pundits everywhere – and look to do the same here. Killers. Led by one of the top 3 Second Basemen in the League, the Jaguars know a little bit of something about run prevention. 2B Telma Taveras, an International Scouting discovery out of the DR, is filthy on the base paths, is adept at turning seemingly impossible DP’s, and he rarely strikes out. He’s the makeup of his club personified – he makes playing at an elite level look pedestrian, lulls you into thinking that you have a chance, and then finds a way to step on your neck when the game is on the line – the kid is as formidable as his club. We have a great matchup here – you have to give Jacksonville the nod, but Chicago has what it takes to surprise them.
Tom Wallace (0-0, 0.00) @ Luc Felix (2-0, 0.49)
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced, via their
official Twitter account, that their concession stands set the all-time record for Shrimp Po’ Boy sales today – I’ve had one, the remoulade sauce they use is legendary… the sweetness of their pickle relish coupled with the heat from the horseradish & cayenne – I can’t say enough good things about it and I can’t say that I’m surprised (they know how to put a po’ boy together folks). Jacksonville can also put together a fine effort on the Diamond – and today was no different. This was a tightly contested affair, with both clubs performing a defensive high-wire act – no one got anything easy today – but, to the delight of their fans, the Jaguars drew first-blood in this one when Jeremy Glickstein brought one across the plate on a well-hit single that allowed SS Billy Brown to come in from 2nd. It would be all they needed to get the game 1 win – Starter Luc Felix was stellar – attacking hitters early in the count, with pinpoint control & command of all his pitches – he had the ball on a string today. Felix allowed only 3 hits with no runs scored and 10 K’s through 8 before handing the ball over to Closer David Haag who needed only 8 pitches to close it out. A great day at the ballpark for the Jacksonville faithful – the beer was flowing, the shrimp po’ boys were on point, and their club secures a game one victory in less than three hours.
