Tropical Tidbits 32.09 - Canes Advance to DoubleDay

[udlb58]

Despite only trailing one-and-a-half innings during the entire series, the Hurricanes sweep of San Antonio was closer than it looked. The Canes scored multiple runs in just one inning all series, putting up just 8 more hits than the Outlaws and heavily relying on manufactured runs and dominant starting pitching (two things this team struggled with during the regular season). The Canes have now reached the Doubleday Series for the 3rd time in 4 seasons. The Hurricanes lost to Vegas in 7 back in 2029, didn't reach the 2nd round in 2030, and swept Montreal last year on their way to the club's first Landis Championship. The Hurricanes are now 23-12 in the playoffs under Lothar Platzdasch.

Next up, the Canes will face off against the Atlantic Division champion Charm City Jimmies. The Jimmies are a blueprint for all future expansion teams, earning their first playoff appearance in just their 3rd year in existence and then picking up their first division crown in year 4. Next they will be looking knock off Jacksonville to add their first playoff series win to their resume. The Jimmies sport the 3rd best Run Differential in the JL with the league's 4th best offense and 2nd best pitching staff (carried heavily by their rotation). Players of note for Charm City include Nebraska finalist Egbert Behner, 2-time Silk winner Alfredo Salazar, slugger Aubrey Anderson, all-stars Maximo Quezada, Arturo Reyes and Desiderius Kirshbaum, and veteran hurler Chester Kipling.

"This time of year, everyone has good pitching and dangerous lineups," said team captain Sergio Ramos. "It all comes down to individual match-ups and the ability to keep the pressure at bay to make the play needed," said Ramos. "Charm City is talented, but we will lean on our experience [23 of the 27 players have won at least one Landis] in these types of situations," added Tully Crow. Free agent acquisition Mario Mendez elaborated on the Hurricanes' ability to battle through difficult situations, "This clubhouse is unbelievably even-keel. We know that one at-bat, one inning, or even one game will win or lose the series. When we are up, we have the same approach as when things aren't going our way. I believe that is what has set us apart and is the reason this club won last year, and the reason we are still alive." I guess battling from 10 games below .500 in 2031 and fighting through 3-straight losing months to start this year will help to steel your will and prepare you for the tough times all teams face in the playoffs.

Charm City comes in as the favorite, having won the division and the season series with Jacksonville, but the series should be a close one and it looks like it will really come down to pitching and which team will be able to limit the other's high-flying offense.

[bcslouck]

I think it's going at least 6 games either way.

[udlb58]

I think it's going at least 6 games either way.

Wouldn't surprise me considering how close the season series was.