Friday, October 19, 2088
IPA UNION TITLES UP FOR GRABS
The second round of the Islandian Pro Alliance playoffs begins Wednesday afternoon in Forest City and Ozarka. In Ruthlandian Union action the Firebirds will play host to the Belle Plaine Musketeers and in the Tycobbian Union it will be the Naturals entertaining the Summerland Sunsets. Both series are best-of-seven in duration.
The Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup playoffs are now sifted down to just four teams. Belle Plaine (90-64) and Forest City (105-49) will vie for the Ruthlandian Union Title and it will be Summerland (88-66) clashing with Ozarka (92-62) for the Tycobbian Union Title. The winners in the best-of-seven series will move on and battle for the overall IPA crown and the vaunted Pro Cup Trophy.
In the first round Summerland upset the defending Pro Cup champion La Claire in a startling four-game sweep. Ozarka mesmerized the favored Hartsdale Hellcats in a total domination that only went four games as well. Pitching was outstanding in both series. There was a little more competition in the Ruthlandian Union. Forest City singed the Belair Beach Sunbirds in a torrid seven-game set, while Belle Plaine bested the LaGrange Gators in five games.
FC FIREBIRDS FAVORED IN 7 GAMES OVER BP MUSKETEERS IN RU TITLE TEST
It will be a battle of the bats in the Ruthlandian Union. Neither Belle Plaine, nor Forest City are noted for their pitching prowess. Give a slight edge to the Firebirds with their stellar set of starters. The outlook is for a tense and thrilling seven-game affair.
SUMMERLAND SUPER-THIN FAVORITE OVER OZARKA IN SEVEN-GAME TU TITLE SERIES
Super pitching is the dominant factor in the Tycobbian Union Title Series, but it may be the offense that makes the difference. Summerland just might pack a little bit more home-run power and punch than Ozarka. Both the Sunsets and Naturals possess standout mound corps. The scribes and soothsayers are forecasting Summerland to get past Ozarka by the slimmest of margin in a hotly-contested seven-game affair.
This season's playoffs have been dominated by superior pitching. When the IPA Pro Cup Finals come around it will probably come down to the Ruthlandian Union offenses against the Tycobbian Union twirlers. Both Forest City and Belle Plaine depend more on their hitters than their pitchers. Summerland and Ozarka are just the opposite. Will it be the RU's expertise in the batter's box or the TU's talent on the mound that wins out this year for the Pro Cup title?
