Canadians (18-6) vs. Dukes (13-11)
Season Head to Head:
Canadians won season series 2-0, Canadians won 3-2 & 3-1
Playoff Leaders
Canadians:
Alex Tello .571 Avg, .714 Slug%. 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB
Ben Franz .571 Avg, 4H, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 SB
Ethan Bromley 1-0, 7.0 IP, 2H, 5 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Dukes:
Evan Gerwing .857 Avg, 2.000 Slug%,2 2B, 2HR, 9 RBI, 5 R
Eric Buckley .714 Avg, .857 Slug%, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB
Cal Tecklenburg 1-0, 6.0 IP, 2H, 5Ks, 0.00 ERA
Preview: This matchup should be a good one. These teams met to open the season, and then played their second a few weeks ago. Both games were tight, low scoring affairs.
The Canadians won a close opening round Game 1 vs the Longhorns, before breezing to an easy Game 2 victory. Their pitchers both threw well, they made more plays on defense, and they put together more hits than their opponent. You won’t lose many games when you can win all three phases of the game.
The Dukes meanwhile looked like they were on another level in round 1 vs the White Sox. Of all the opening round series, there’s was the only one that featured a 10 run mercy game, and the Dukes did it twice, scoring 25 runs in only 11 innings. When the bats are clicking like that, it is not fun to be an opposing pitcher.
This series could really go either way. Both teams are playing good baseball and are both very well rounded squads. We might have our first Game 3 of the playoffs.
Diamondbacks (18-6) vs. Giants (16-8)
Season Head to Head:
Teams split season series, Diamondbacks won 16-3, Giants won 9-7
Playoff Leaders
Diamondbacks:
JP Willner .750 Avg, 1.750 Slug%, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2R
Alex Bishop .667 Avg, 1.500 Slug%, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R
Nolan Handley .375 Avg, .750 Slug%, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R
Giants:
Kyle Cooper .333 Avg, .667 Slug%, 2 2B, 6 RBI
Desmond Sullivan 1-0, 7.0IP, 2H, 6K, 0.00 ERA
Steven Latos 1-0, 7.0IP, 5 H, 14K, 3.00 ERA
Preview: This is a rematch of the 2016 FMBA Championship. When these teams last played in late May, both squads had numerous players doing double duty with the Sunburst League. Things will be different now as the calendar turns to September.
The Diamondbacks played a couple of close games vs a scrappy Twins squad in the quarterfinals, and did just enough to come away with two wins. They have several veterans who just know how to play winning baseball. With three home runs in the quarterfinals, will they be able to rely as much on the longball against Giants pitchers?
The Giants meanwhile made all the right moves in their opening round sweep of the Wolfpack. Their pitchers kept them in the game just long enough for the bats to come alive and score a couple late wins. When their pitchers are healthy, the Giants always have a chance. One question is whether they can keep relying on late game heroics?
This is another good matchup. Two really good teams with numerous players playing high caliber baseball. It might sound like a cliche but this could simply come down to who can cash in on a fortunate bounce or two.