Brooklyn/Queens Division Chamionship

Braves (1) vs. Riders (2)

            It seems like it has been a while since the top two seeds in Class ‘AA’ have met in a division championship series, but this year, the seedings have played out more-or-less as expected, and the top-seeded braves will be taking on the second-seeded Rough Riders for the chance to represent Brooklyn/Queens in the championships.

            The Braves were able to get past BQE last weekend, despite a minor injury suffered by ace Winfild de la Rosa. The rest of the Braves’ staff however, most notably Scott Barrios and Jonathan Adames, proved game enough to give their squad a chance to win, as they downed the BQE in three games.

            The Riders similarly won a three-game series, beating the Baisley Pirates thanks to a tremendous effort by knuckleballer Juan Ramos. Ramos pitched 6 1/3 innings of 1-hit, shutout ball on Saturday then returned the following day to pick up the win in the rubber game.

            Ramos could be poised for another big series against a good-hitting Braves team. While the Braves have no shortage of sluggers, including 1^st baseman Oscar Virella, they traditionally fare better against harder throwers, struggling, at times, to get in rhythm against off-speed pitchers. For the Braves, much depends on the availability of De La Rosa, and the ability to jump on the defensive-minded Riders early.

Bronx/Manhattan Division Championship

Giants (5) vs. NY Pirates (2)

The Giants took care of business early last week, sweeping a talented A’s team in what might have been the signature ‘AA’ performance of the entire playoffs. A deep, well-rounded squad, the Giants rallied behind another good performance by starter Kevin Oldfield and an also offensive explosion in Game 1 in which they beat the A’s 18-15.

            The Pirates rallied back from the brink of elimination to claim Game 2 against the Cubs, then cruised in Game 3 to advance to their first-ever Bronx/Manhattan Championship series. Though the team is new to the NYCMBL, however, they have been together for quite a while, competing in the RBI League. Their matchup against the Giants, however, could prove their toughest yet.

            The Pirates’ staff, led by Terrence Vogenberger and Jason Valentin (who pitched Sunday’s Game 3 on just two days’ rest) will have their hands full with a tough Giants lineup that saw stars like Eric Leher, Andrew Frederico and Ryan Bohn come alive last week. The Giants, on the other hand, will be battling against league-leading hitter Charlie Stayton and a Pirates team that loves to run, The Pirates stole 90 bases as a team during the regular season, and feature three players in David Colon, Mike Suero, and Steven Martinez who tallied double-digit thefts.