Border Baseball League 2018 Playoff Preview

An editorial preview of the upcoming best of 5 Quarter-Final series

(1) Morden Mohawks vs (8) Killarney Lakers

After finishing above .500 last season, the Lakers took a step back in 2018 producing only 2 victories while the Mohawks finally captured their first regular season title despite a run of post-season success in recent years.  Morden did sweep the season series, but it was not as easy as one may expect.  The Mohawks came out on top in a 9 inning contest in Killarney and produced a big 6 run fifth inning to overcome a deficit and produce a narrow victory in their only other meeting in Morden.

Strengths

Morden– The Mohawks success this year came from contributions throughout the line-up. Not a single player posted a home run this year, but the teams collective .323 batting average produced a potent line-up. 
Killarney – With a pair of potent bats in the lineup (Andrew Lochhead (.459 avg, 15 RBI) and Colton Magwood (.429 avg), the Lakers have the weapons to be dangerous.  Led by Lochhead’s 3.09 ERA in 43 innings pitched, the Lakers team ERA is actually superior to the Mohawks.

Keys to Series Victory

Morden– ‘Pour on the Pressure’.  The Lakers line-up batted .286 as a team.  Make the entire Killarney line-up produce in order to score their runs.
Killarney – ‘Keep it clean’.  Avoid the costly errors that would allow Morden’s lineup extra at-bats in an inning.

(2) Cartwright Twins vs (7) Carman Cardinals

The Twins lost 2 of their first 3 games to begin the season, but were the hottest team in the Border League to finish, losing only once in their final 10 games.  Thanks to that hot streak, the Twins will host Game #1 of a playoff series for the first time in recent memory.  The only problem for the Twins is the Carman Cardinals handed them 2 of their 4 losses this year.  Carman was the only team to beat Cartwright in a season series this year and will be looking to make their inaugural season a memorable one with a playoff series victory.

Cartwright – The Twins led the Border League with an impressive .326 team batting average.  When they are on, they are a formidable group with 4 regulars batting .400 or better.
Carman – The Cardinals are no slouches when it comes to putting up runs and played the top half of the league very tough this year.

Keys to Series Victory

Cartwright – ‘Keep it together’.  When the Twins are hot, they’re hot!  When they’re not, the opposition scores against them in bunches.  Stay even-keeled and let the bats do the talking.
Carman – ‘On the offensive’.  The Cardinals posted a league worst 119 runs against this season.  Score runs in bunches and frustrate the opposition.  More focus on ‘O’, less time on ‘D’.

(3) Baldur Regals vs (6) Clearwater

A couple of speed bumps near the end of the season kept the Regals from playing their final regular season game as a show down for the regular season title.  Nonetheless, the ever consistent Regals have claimed home field advantage in round 1 of the playoffs….again (they have never started the playoffs on the road).  Clearwater on the other hand suffered a slow start, but was able to post some impressive victories to close out the season, including a win over Baldur.  After spending the past couple of seasons in the basement, the Border League’s “team with no name” will be looking to leave their mark in the playoffs.

Baldur – Led by the league’s triple crown winner Darrick Jones, the Regals will swing with anyone.  The silent threat however is that they allowed the second fewest runs against this season.  You’re going to have to figure out how to score runs to beat them.
Clearwater – The blue and yellow squad is opportunistic.  If you leave the game close, they’ll find a way to bite.  In addition to knocking off a pair of top 4 teams in the final days of the regular season, the club also found a way to win their annual July 1^st tourney….for the first time in 75 years* (this stat is from memory only, may need to be verified by the Clearwater ball club…either way, it’s been a while!)

Keys to Series Victory

Baldur – ‘Offence Early’.  Take the lead and don’t look back.  It’s tough to come back on teams that don’t give up many runs.
Clearwater – ‘Keep up with the Jones’.  Don’t let the triple crown winner dictate the series.  Win a game early in the series and keep the late season momentum rolling.

(4) Pilot Mound vs (5) Winkler

A head to head matchup in the final game of the regular season determined Pilot Mound would hold home field advantage in this series.  The Pilots and Whips were separated by one point when the dust settled on the 2018 season.  This series may answer the question of what is better, a great offence or a great defence.  The Whips led the league with 120 runs scored, while the Pilots had the fewest runs allowed out of any of the 8 teams.  A rematch of the 2016 Border West Championship series, both teams have their eyes on the prize and a big hurdle to overcome in the Quarter-Finals.

​Pilot Mound  –Pitching.  Enough said.  Probable Cy Young winner Anthony Friesen gave up 10 earned runs in 37 innings pitched this season.  But that’s not the only weapon the Pilots have.  Brad McLeod and Tyson McConnell can take the mound and shut the opponents down at any time.
Winkler – They swing, they run, they score.  Not only do they get on base, but they take extra bases as well.  The Whip compiled 53 stolen bases this year led by Josh Ginter’s 11, Morden was 2^nd in the league with 29.  By the way, the Pilots stole 11 bases as a team this year.

Keys to Series Victory

Pilot Mound – ‘Clear the bases’.  If you aren’t on the bases, you aren’t scoring runs.  Keep the fleet footed Whips off the base paths and let the offence do the rest.
Winkler – ‘Do what you do’.  You don’t score 120 runs in 14 games by changing what you’re doing.  Put the ball in play, get on base and get those runners around.