World Series Preview (S9)

#3 (NL) Charleston River Dogs
91-71; Def. New York 3-0; Def. Atlanta 3-2; Def. Ottawa 4-3.

#4 Runs Scored; #4 ERA; #3 Fldg %

Winners of the NL East for the 5^th year in a row, Charleston sends an offense led by 1B Milton Kramer (.333/.467/.541, 24HR, 100 RBI, 107 R), 2B Bruce Casanova (.293/.354/.594, 44 HR, 126 RBI, 109 R, 43/48 SB), C Enrique Canseco (.290/.364/.531, 27 HR, 91 HR, 62 R) and 3B Eddie Black (.263/.366/.341, 40/44 SB, 100 R). This offense is one that is top-heavy, but also built to not strike out much, having the 5^th fewest strikeouts.

                The pitching staff is led by 17-game winner Tyler Betancourt (17-6, 210.1 IP, 163 K, 1.07 WHIP, 2.65 ERA), Willie Oliva (16-9, 215.2 IP, 216 K, 1.10 WHIP, 2.59 ERA), Al Castro (18-10, 214.1 IP, 177 K, 1.25 WHIP, 3.74 ERA) in the rotation and a solid bullpen led by Marcus Burns (105.1 IP, 11/14 SV, 1.25 WHIP, 3.84 ERA) and Dean Matthews (109.2 IP, 11/17 SV, 1.34 WHIP, 4.02 ERA).

#1 (AL) Syracuse Orange
106-56; Def. Richmond 3-1; Def Texas 4-0

#2 Runs Scored; #3 ERA; #4 Fldg %

                Winners of the AL North for the 2^nd time, Syracuse’s offense is led by some big boppers as 3 players eclipsed the 30 home run mark, DH Gill Williams Jr (.295/.368/.608, 40 HR, 126 RBI, 107 R), LF Todd Liefer (.260/.330/.520, 40 HR 98 RBI, 100 R), and C Sam Jordan (.282/.35/.505, 31 HR, 114 RBI, 78 R). 5 players knocked in 98 or more runs, while 8 players scored 78 or more runs.

                A top-notch pitching staff saw 10 players win 6 or more games. Jerome Brocail (18-9, 224.0 IP, 178 K, 1.27 WHIP, 4.30 ERA) and Dave Bellhorn (16-11, 220.2 IP, 146 K, 1.17 WHIP, 3.26 ERA) led the rotation, while the bullpen was anchored by Jim Phillips (118.2 IP, 11/13 SV, 83 K, 1.37 WHIP, 4.17 ERA), Willie Dunston (57.1 IP, 4/12 SV, 51 K, 1.13 WHIP, 4.55 ERA) and Tony Moreno (57.0 IP, 13/14 SV, 46 K, 1.32 WHIP, 1.89 ERA).

Prediction:

                This should be an awesome World Series as 2 of the top teams in the world battle it out. Syracuse has the edge offensively, while Charleston is going to look for their elite pitching staff to play spoiler. I look for Syracuse to take this series in 7 games.