Sunday, October 19, 2087
RR SNAPPERS AND LC LYNX VIE FOR 2087 IPA PRO CUP TROPHY
Neither one of the Union title winners was supposed to get this far in the Islandian Pro Alliance postseason playoffs. However Rocky Rapids and La Claire beat the odds. According the the Pro Cup Poll, the Lynx were the 6th-best team in the playoffs, the Snappers were the #7. Lo and behold, here they are playing for the cherished Pro Cup Trophy. Rocky Rapids won it on one occasion, many, many moons ago in 2019. Poor La Claire has yet to win one.
The Pro Cup Series begins tomorrow afternoon at Capitol Park Stadium in La Claire. The Lynx (95-59) have the homefield advantage over the Snappers (91-63). That just might make a difference. Both teams had homefield superiority in both the first and second rounds. In general, La Claire possesses the better pitching staff, both starters (3.27 ERA) and bullpen (3.37 ERA), and the best defense (.983 FA), but Rocky Rapids has the better batting attack (.284 BA/143 HR/760 runs). Pitching has been the prime element in the last three Pro Cup Series, won by Belair Beach in '86 and '84 and Colfax in '85.
Based on that, give La Claire the edge in the Pro Cup Series this year. Since the Lynx won their RU Title Series in 6 games, they got a little more rest to set their rotation for the Pro Cup Finals. Having said that, beware that Rocky Rapids can really rap the ball and just might be able to overcome their mediocre staff and just outscore the Lynx.
La Claire has two solid starters in Shuggie Garsett (22-3/2.17 ERA) and Roger Arenado (14-13/3.84 ERA). They both have done well in this year's postseason. Garsett is 4-0 with a microscopic 0.29 ERA in his 4 starts. Against Garsett teams are batting a lowly .100 in the playoffs. Arenado has done well, too, with 2-1 in 4 starts with a 2.16 ERA. Inconsistent Willem Christman (17-7/3.95 ERA) will be the key. He was 2-2 with a 6.14 ERA. He has to have a good series for the Lynx to beat the Snappers and win the the first-ever Pro Cup. Closer Von Elledge (11-7/2.34 ERA/30 saves/86 games) is a big plus in the bullpen. He has been steady and consistent in the playoffs. La Claire has defeated two very talented teams, #2 Ginza and #3 Tuckanarra. Actually, the offense overperformed. Everybody, top to bottom in the batting order has done exceedingly well, sparked by Lyn Holman (.432 BA/6 RBI/9 R), Sonny Zambello (.375 BA/3 HR/7 RBI/10 R), Devon Daley (.327 BA/5 RBI/10 R), Judah Woods (.326 BA/2 HR/7 RBI/7 R), Johnny Salsbury (.318 BA/1 HR/6 RBI/7 R) and Stosh Rudarski (.304 BA/7 RBI/6 R). Even the 7th and 8th batting have contributed. Don Carlin (.244 BA/1 HR/5 RBI/7 R) and Culver Jensen (.160 BA/2 HR/13 RBI/8 R). Jensen their weakest hitter, leads them in RBIs.
Starter Dobie Mortenson (13-5/2.94 ERA) has been rock-solid, regular season and postseason, but he is the only one. Mortenson has been 4-1 in 5 playoff starts with a 2.61 ERA. Bobby Ray Timberlake (15-10/4.02 ERA) and Sal Brooks (13-13/4.12 ERA) did alright during the season. Nelson Goodlee (3-0/1.77 ERA) missed most of the season with arm trouble, but came back in early September and has done well, but overall he is just a so-so hurler like Timberlake and Brooks. Timberlake and Goodlee have been fairly good in the postseason. Timberlake is 1-1 in 3 starts with a 3.10 ERA and Goodlee is 1-1 in 3 starts with a quality 3.44 ERA. Brooks has been hit-and-miss in the playoffs with 1-1 in 2 starts and a sky-high 7.45 ERA. For Rocky Rapids to beat La Claire, Timberlake, Goodlee and Brooks will all have to perform well.
Rocky Rapids has a very powerful attack. In the regular season everybody in the batting order was a threat, hitting between .271 and .331, led by Don Hackett (.331 BA), Lee Drummond (.303 BA), Lanny Moultrie (.303 BA). Even the lower end of the lineup, Henri Talleyrand (.271 BA) and Julien Duvauchelle (.271 BA) did well. The postseason leaders have been Tony Nobles (.365 BA/5 HR/8 RBI/13 R), Duvauchelle (.314 BA/1 HR/8 RBI/6 R), Drummond (.298 BA/2 HR/11 RBI/6 R), Moultrie (.278 BA/2 HR/10 RBI/6 R) and Starbuck (.264 BA/1 HR/4 RBI/9 R). The Snappers mound corps only has one standout on Dobie Mortenson. The other three starters will be vital for victory. Another detriment is the Rocky Rapids bullpen. They have struggled all season long, regular and postseason.
2087 IPA Pro Cup Prediction:
La Claire will win in 6 games. Their strong pitching and solid pen will hold down Rocky Rapids at the plate and their offense will take advantage of the Snappers' mediocre pitching.
