Detroit Motown Stars v Memphis Red Sox
Best of seven, Motown Stars with home-field advantage.
Not sure what it is I like about them but I give this Memphis group a great chance of knocking off their more-fancied opponents.
They really don't have a glaring weakness and can beat you any number of ways, even with excellent OF Harry Simpson unable to partake in the series.
Of course, the MoStars are an out and out beast with inarguably the best player (Cristobal Torriente) and arguably the best pitcher (Gene Collins, no argument this season in particular) in the league at the moment, along with a host of other superstars.
But they've never really got going these past couple seasons and I think they are as vulnerable as they've ever been here.
The longer the series goes, the better I think it'll be for Memphis and I'm tipping them to win a classic encounter in the full seven.
The series kicks off in fine style with Smokey Joe Williams running a no-hitter into the late innings before having to settle for a 2-hit 8-0 win, popping a 3-run homer to boot. Another tight game the next day ends 3-2 for the home side to send them to Memphis just where they wanted to be.
Precisely how daunting a task it is beating this Detroit mob becomes evident when they send Triple Crown winner Gene Collins to the hill for Game 3 but not even he can defend zero runs as Nip Winters outduels him and the Sox get on the board with a 1-0 win.
Game 4 is an entirely different affair as the lead swings back and forth until the Red Sox emerge with a 7-6 win, walking it off on an error by pitcher Leonardo Medina.
Memphis pushes them all the way again in Game 5 but the MoStars prevail 6-4 with Huck Rile mashing two solo taters.
He backs up a couple days later on the mound with the chance to clinch it for Detroit but, while he does well Barney Morris does better, allowing just a run on 2 hits over 7 as the Red Sox force a decisive Game 7 with a 4-1 final.
Winters v Collins II lives up to its billing as the Red Sox get within 12 outs of winning it all but just can't hold on as the MoStars score twice late and nick it from them 2-1 in one of the truly great EL World Series, the club's third title.
Felipe Alou is named MVP.
