[tab=30]As Seattle manager Nathan Eagan surveyed the delirious scene, he realized the difficulty of what he had to accomplish with his team.
“It’s great that the monkey is finally off of our collective back, and that we’re going to the playoffs, but at the same time, I don’t want the guys on this team to think that simply making the playoffs is the goal, because it’s not. If we were to get swept by Montreal, I would be bitterly disappointed. I want the team to be happy, but I don’t want the team to be content.”
[tab=30]Eagan’s words were almost certainly lost, at least temporarily, on the delirious throng, but there is no question that once the calendar turns to October, the Storm will be ready for their playoff opponent: the Montreal Blazers. Although the Storm went 4-3 against the Blazers this season, the team knows that those stats need to be thrown out when it comes to playoff baseball. “When it comes to the playoffs, anything can, and usually does, happen” said Austin Gibson, the Storm right fielder whose contributions were so vital to the team’s success. Even more vital to the team’s future success will be the team’s pitching. Although it often seemed as if Seattle’s pitching was merely along for the ride provided by Seattle’s prodigious offense, Seattle’s pitchers now have a chance to correct that perception, and if it’s up to Morgan Ackerman, that’s exactly what will happen. “I know what we are capable of, and even though we didn’t have the greatest year, statistically, I am confident that we can reach a new level in the playoffs.”
[tab=30]Whether or not Seattle’s pitching improves, one thing is certain. Seattle’s home crowd will provide terrific support. Fans in Seattle have been camping out for the past eight hours in the hopes of securing a standing-room-only ticket, and that enthusiasm can be seen throughout the city. For the denizens of Seattle, Game 1 of the Doubleday Series can’t come soon enough!