Welcome to the first of four playoff previews! Each year, ATVL takes an in-depth look at the teams and matchups. We'll look at team statistics, along with individual players to watch. Please keep in mind, though, that some of these players may have headed home already- it seems to happen every year.
This year, for the first time, ATVL will include predictions for the first round! (First round playoff series are best of three games)
Season Series: Front Royal, 2-0
#8: Covington Lumberjacks
Record: 21-23
Last 10: 5-5
Last 5: 2-3
Runs scored-Runs allowed: 247 (4th in league)- 257 (11th)
AVG/OBP/SLG: 266/366/376
ERA,WHIP,K/9, BB/9: 4.87, 1.62, 7.2, 4.2
Players to Watch:
Lammar Guy 316/412/400; 28 stolen bases
Adam Browett 315/422/389; 28/18 BB/K
Sherman Johnson 299/422/416
Ryan Durrence 271/354/524; 12 home runs
Jon Wilson 2-0, 1.61, 2 saves
Cassidy McDaniel 3-0, 1.80, 1 save
Fielding percentage: 6th in the league
Other Notes
This team has stolen 30 more bases than the second most in the league. They are 117/138 on the year; their opponents are 57/79. They have scored a ton of runs, but their pitching has given up a bunch, too.
#1: Front Royal Cardinals
Record: 29-15
Last 10: 8-2
Last 5: 4-1
Runs scored-Runs allowed: 236 (5th in league)- 191 (3rd)
AVG/OBP/SLG: 273/339/427
ERA,WHIP,K/9, BB/9: 3.34, 1.37, 9.1, 3.6
Players to Watch:
Jared Simon 314/338/574; 16 doubles, 11 home runs
Steve McQuail 311/345/671; 12 doubles, 15 home runs
James Roche 296/373/568; 7 doubles, 9 home runs, 13 stolen bases
Greg VanSickler 4-1, 2.88, 49 K's in 50 innings, also hitting .373 in 59 at-bats
Shane Galloway 3-3, 3.50
Ryan George 1-0, 1.54, 10 saves, 37 K's in 23 1/3 innings
Fielding percentage: 9th in the league
Other Notes
What a difference a year makes! The Cards lead the league in slugging percentage, and are second in team ERA. How much of the slugging comes from the park? Probably quite a bit, but they have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Outlook
This makes me nervous, but here goes. I believe that the home field and tough middle of the Cards' lineup will prove too difficult for the 'Jacks. I think Covington will steal one game, but... Cards in three.
While you did not give an outcome outlook like you did last year when Haymarket took Waynesbobo almost to the brink with pitchers playing position, this year's squad is balanced and committed. I offer this as rebuttal:
You've gotta have....Heart!
Miles and miles and miles of heart!
Oh it's fine to be a genius of coarse,
but keep that old horse before the cart!
You've gotta have hope!
We got it!
Posted by: Haymarket Joe | August 02, 2009 at 09:59 AM
The Cardinals not only hit the most homeruns as a team this season (51), they also gave up the fewest of the league all summer (12). If the Cardinals have such a hitter-friendly park, then following the logic, Front Royal should've also given up the most home runs in the league all year.
Not to mention, nearly half of the Cardinals' home runs (20) came at other ballfields, including a total of seven at Winchester -- three of which came in the same game. The Cardinals also hit homeruns at Woodstock, Staunton, Covington, Rockbridge, Luray, Haymarket and Fauquier ... Every ballpark except New Market's Rebel Park.
Why don't we all just give credit where credit is due: the Front Royal Cardinals are a power-hitting team with a line-up that includes at host of guys who can change the course of a game with just one swing.
Posted by: Heather | August 02, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Excellent point, Heather. I would love to do a ballpark index analysis to see how each park plays in the Valley League, but, alas, there just isn't time for all that. I certainly meant no slight to the Cards- the last couple years, the team played in the same park, with a very different outcome. This team is for real! JLL
Posted by: JohnLL | August 02, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Yeah, Joe, it made me nervous to pick teams this year, but I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'll probably go 0-4, but at least I tried.
I can't wait to see who shows up with heart this year!
(And Haymarket also has this guy that yells really loudly to support the team. What's his name again???) JLL
Posted by: JohnLL | August 02, 2009 at 03:52 PM
No problem John. Just wanted to get our home run stats out there. We hear it all the time (about The Bing). Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: Heather | August 02, 2009 at 05:45 PM
So how do you feel about your team's heart this morning, Joe? :)
Posted by: JohnLL | August 03, 2009 at 08:42 AM