Elmjack Dodgers (1) vs. Queens Mets (8)

The Queens Mets certainly have their work cut out for them in this first-round matchup against the top-seeded Dodgers. The two teams met in an early-season double-header that saw the Dodgers outscore the Amazins 15-0 over the course of the afternoon.

The Dodgers, led by defending Cy Young Danny O’Brien’s .22 ERA, have absolutely shut down opposing hitters, finishing the season on a 9-game tear that saw them allow just 7 runs total.

The Mets possess more than a few capable bats, however, as third baseman Justin Hoyt has enjoyed a solid campaign, hitting .373 on the year. Along with Tony Bulleri, Steve Castro, Christopher West and others, the Mets have shown the ability to put up runs. The question that remains, however, is will they be able to do it against a dominant Dodger staff? The Mets’ pitching staff will have their hands full with a veteran lineup that includes familiar faces like former Cardinal speedster Alex Sheppard (16 SB) so this one will come down to whether or not the Metropolitan’s sticks come alive.

Prospects (2) vs. Titans (7)

After starting the season with two losses, the Prospects have played inspired baseball down the stretch to wrest control of the second seed from Too Hot. A big reason for the Prospects success has been their pitching depth. With Julian Andre Monserrate and Angel Cancel (who both possess sub-1.50 ERA’s on the year) likely serving as the starters for Games 1 – 2, the Titans shouldn’t expect any type of fall-off in the talent they will be facing this series.

That said, the Titans offense certainly isn’t a pushover. Led by two natural catchers, Miguel Ferreras (.625 13 RBI, 1 HR) and Jason Irizarry (.385, 16 RBI, 1 HR), the Titans’ lineup may contain as many as seven hitters who are over the .300 mark.

Although the Prospects seem to be the favorites in this series, there is one wildcard that could come into play. The Prospects have made 45 errors on the year (nearly two a game, and almost twice as many as the Titans).  In the playoffs, one bad hop can decide a series, so if they don’t play tight defense, we could be in for an upset.

Too Hot (3) vs. Nassau Yankees (6)

This is going to be a good one. Too Hot and the Yankees played back-to-back double headers in May, with both teams winning two games that were – for the most part – fairly even. 

Despite coming into the year with AA stalwarts Russ Furey and Greg Daniec signed on to pitch, the Yankees’ strength has been their lineup all year. Ulises Mercado, who played for the Riders last year, has acclimated well to his new surroundings hitting at a .407 clip heading into the playoffs. Freddy Menzel, another former AA player, has been a solid middle infielder and is hitting .368 with 15 steals on the year. In fact, this Yankees team loves to run in general. With 66 total steals, the Yankees sit only behind the Dodgers in terms of success on the base paths.

But getting on base hasn’t been easy against the top two Too Hot pitchers, Mervin Guillermo and Brian Class. Guillermo has an impressive 91 Ks in 66 innings of work, coupled with a low walk rate, something that usually translates to success in the postseason. Class, a big-bodied right-hander, is a prime example of a veteran arm who knows the league – and its hitters - in and out.

Depending on the start the Yankees get from Daniec, this one could be a wild-three game series where anything could happen.

Downtown Bulls (4) vs. LES Knights (5)

This is a case of two teams who finished the regular season in wildly different manners. The Bulls enter the postseason winners of 5 straight, and have won 8 out of their last 10 games. The Knights, meanwhile, have scuffled, winning just 2 out their last 10 (they also had 2 ties in that time). The two teams split their regular season series, with the Bulls outlasting the Knights to win a 2-0 9-inning game, although LES got their revenge a few weeks later, beating the Bulls 8-1.

Over the course of the season, Francisco Pena has emerged as the Knights’ ace, going 6-2, and striking out 84 batters on the year. He has also been a menace at the plate, hitting .407 with 15 RBIs.

The Bulls, on the other hand, lack that true dominant pitcher capable of dialing up a strikeout when needed but have gotten great years from their top two arms. Paul Baumann has pitched the lion’s share of the innings, going 7-4 with a 2.12 ERA, while Ariel Martinez – despite posting a 3-2 record – is sporting a 1.79 ERA.

One wildcard in this series could be the play of Jose Aquino, a former Bulls player who now suits up for the Knights. Aquino might strike out as often as he gets a hit, but he’s been getting those hits in big spots for the Knights. Hitting .278 this year, Aquino leads the team in doubles (7) and RBIs (17). In fact, more than half of his hits on the year have been of the extra base variety.