Friday, October 8, 2088
SCRIBES AND MEDIA MAKE LA CLAIRE PRO CUP CHOICE IN 88TH PRO CUP PLAYOFFS
Last year's IPA Pro Cup champion La Claire is the prime choice to cop its second straight title according to the Island baseball media, scribes and broadcasters. The Lynx are rated the best all-around club that can do it all. Forest City, Hartsdale and LaGrange are given the best chance of derailing La Claire's repeat hopes. Belair Beach with two Pro Cups in their possession in the last four seasons are rated a dark horse in the postseason predictions. The bottom of the barrel teams, Ozarka, Belle Plaine and Summerland did not get a lot of support.
In the opening round of action #1 La Claire will host #8 Summerland, #2 Forest City will welcome tough #5 Belair Beach, #3 Hartsdale at home will take on #6 Ozarka and #4 La Grange will be at their place pitted against #7 Belle Plaine.
If playoff experience means anything, Hartsdale has made 17 appearances and won 2 Pro Cups (2046 and 2063). Ozarka has made the postseason 17 times, but has never won a Pro Cup. However, the Naturals made it to the Pro Cup finals on 5 occasions and lost, but not recently. Belair Beach had made the Pro Cup party 14 times with 3 Pro Cups (2071, 2084, 2086). LaGrange is winless in 13 attempts. Favorite La Claire has been a rare participant with only 7 appearances and one title (2087). Same stats for Forest City. 7 postseason appearances with one Pro Cup trophy (2068). Summerland has been to the playoffs just 6 times and never won the cherished Pro Cup. And finally, poor Belle Plaine has made the cut only 3 times and had never won the Pro Cup.
2088 Islandian Pro Cup Poll by
The Islandian Times
1. LA CLAIRE LYNX (101-53)
Strong in all categories except for defense.
Starters go deep. Bullpen is excellent.
2. Forest City Firebirds (105-49)
On paper may be the top team... excels in everything.
3. Hartsdale Hellcats (96-58)
Good all-around... but starters don't go deep... bullpen questionable... best offensive threat All-Star third baseman Eli Kulacz is out for at least the first round of the playoffs... he will be sorely missed... .305 BA, 28 HRs and 95 RBIs.
4. LaGrange Gators (105-49)
Top attack in the playoffs by far... starters go deep... possess pretty good relief corps... has solid defense.
5. Belair Beach Sunbirds (90-64)
Not a flashy club in any regard, but they win games... do well in the postseason in recent years.
6. Ozarka Naturals (92-62)
May have the best pitching staff by far... led the IPA in complete games by far... however, the offense is just average with little power... to win the Pro Cup, the offense must be productive... pitching alone cannot win it.
7. Belle Plaine Musketeers (90-64)
Might be better than the scribes and broadcasters think... the Muskies can hit the ball with power and score runs... strong defense... starters are pretty good... bullpen is weak.
8. Summerland (88-66)
Had the worst record as far as playoff clubs... the Sunsets might sneak up on someone... they have three fine starters and a fine closer... offense can score with some good pop... excellent defense... may be best defendes in IPA... Summerland may be better than their record... the Sunsets play in a very competitive division with Turon, Ginza, San Alejo and Southport. All-Star catcher Hennie Hendriks will not play in the first round, due to an injury... He plays excellent defense and is a quality bat... Hendriks batted .289 with 13 homers in the regular season in 132 games.
