Chasing The Storm 9-30-12

[njherdfan]

Hungry. Determined. Driven. All of these words describe the Seattle Storm as they head to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Unlike last year, however, the Storm are not just happy to be in the playoffs. This time, they expect to win some games. Although the Storm cooled off towards the end of the season as they rested many of their regulars, Seattle still finished with a 103-59 record, which was tied with Montreal for the league's best record. In many ways, this year's playoff lineup is identical as the lineup that was defeated by Montreal last season. The only differences to this year's lineup are that Tipper Kengos is now healthy and will be at the top of the team's lineup, and exciting young second baseman Miguel Garcia has moved Roman Empire to the DH spot. All of the Storm's hitters know that they will be counted on lead the team in their upcoming series, and they welcome the challenge.

Seattle's fans hope that the team's pitching staff will be able to provide the team with quality innings while allowing the team's offense to thrive. Although there has been some debate as to who will be the Storm's Game One starter, local media chatter seems to indicate that Esteban Benitez is likely to get the call. It's also appearing likely that Seattle's fill-in closer Greg Downing will be the focus of a lot of attention. Seattle attempted to address their bullpen's alleged weaknesses by acquiring star closer Paul Hogan. Unfortunately for the Storm, however, Hogan is out for another week with a strained hamstring, and won't be able to go in the upcoming series. As a result, expect Downing to see time in a number of important situations; his performance will likely go a long way towards determining Seattle's success.

Almost all of Seattle's team has spent the past year stewing about the loss to Montreal; now, with Montreal possibly looming on the horizon, the Doubleday Series matchup against New Orleans will provide Seattle with an opportunity to redeem itself, or an opportunity to make last season's playoff defeat even more disappointing.

[7teen]

The one thing I have learned about the MBWBA, it doesn't matter how dominating your team was in the regular season... The playoffs are another animal. It's so frustrating to have a great team, one you think has the ability to win it all, only to be knocked off by an inferior team. Have to tip your hat to New Orleans, but it doesn't make it any easier to take.

[Al-Hoot]

Ouch. I agree that the playoffs are a different beast, that it might require long suffering over a span of playoff appearances before advancing or winning it all. Chicago is also experiencing this now.

But to categorize as "inferior" the team that beats a presumed favorite in a series is not a word *I* would use.

[njherdfan]

The one thing I have learned about the MBWBA, it doesn't matter how dominating your team was in the regular season... The playoffs are another animal. It's so frustrating to have a great team, one you think has the ability to win it all, only to be knocked off by an inferior team. Have to tip your hat to New Orleans, but it doesn't make it any easier to take.

It's frustrating, but not altogether surprising, because so much of my team's success is a function of my offense, which, obviously, leaves me subject to the vagaries of the playoffs. Also, I don't have a true "ace" who I can pitch twice in a series, which would be great to have.