Omaha/Baltimore Preview

[aaronweiner]

As opposed to the Cali/ChiSox series, this one could be a pretty nasty blowout. The Baltimore Monarchs might have the #2 offense in the league...but the Omaha Barnstormers' offense is #1. Baltimore's pitching staff barely rates and they've lost SP David Lewis until next year's playoffs. Does Baltimore, always the bridesmaid but never the bride, have another disappointing early exit this year? Let's take a closer look.

Pitching:

The Barnstormers have changed the conversation in every way possible with the addition of one Steve Hoffman, who probably will be the runner-up in the Steve Nebraska race this year after going a ridiculous 7-2, 2.13 for Omaha after being acquired by trade. Omaha also has Antonio Rodriguez and Zach Brown, and all three pitched extremely well against Baltimore this year.

No starter for the Monarchs played especially well this year at all, nor did they against the Barnstormers; they finished with the ninth-best pitching staff in the league and it's possible that they're not even that good. Their one potential saving grace is Martin Huigens, who was acquired from Montreal but didn't pitch especially well for Baltimore. Other than that, Baltimore's pitching is largely there to keep them in ballgames so the offense can win it.

Offense:

Omaha had the #1 offense in the league and Baltimore had the #2 offense in the league. Not a lot more needs be said, right? Well, as it turns out, yes: the Monarchs were much less potent against the Barnstormers' pitchers this year, scoring just 30 runs in seven games (and just 18 in their last five). Omaha put up just 36 runs on the Monarchs, though, so it's not as if the season series was a blowout - but that's five runs a game. That said, the Monarchs didn't face the juggernaut that was Hoffman's second half. Both teams really do have wonderful offenses, but Baltimore is highly dependent on the home run. The Monarchs' one and only chance in this series is lifting a few out of the ballpark.


Overall:

Looking at the numbers, it's hard to believe that Baltimore won three of seven against Omaha this season, but they did. We don't see that happening here; we think Omaha's too much better with the addition of Hoffman and we don't see Baltimore slowing down the Barnstormer juggernaut.

Prediction: Omaha in 5.

[agrudez]

You make me blush, Aaron.

Hopefully we don't lose now after your hype machine!

[Edward Murphy]

Omaha in 5 also..

[nverhoev]

Maybe commish will be kind enough to invoke mercy rule? We'll be lucky to score a run let alone win a game!

[agrudez]

Maybe commish will be kind enough to invoke mercy rule? We'll be lucky to score a run let alone win a game!

Ugh... and there is the anti-jinx!

[nverhoev]

Maybe commish will be kind enough to invoke mercy rule? We'll be lucky to score a run let alone win a game!

Ugh... and there is the anti-jinx!

I don't believe in jinxes or anti-jinxes... Except when they work