Border Baseball League 2019 Playoff Preview

An editorial preview of the best of 5 Semi-Final series
 

SEMI-FINALS
Best of 5 Series
(1) Pilot Mound Pilots vs (4) Cartwright Twins 

If you think you’re having a flashback, I can assure you you’re not. In 2017 the semi-final matchups were exactly the same as they are in 2019.  The Pilots had won the regular season crown and prepared to take on the Twins in the league semi-finals.  Pilot Mound won that series in a decisive, winner take all third game.  The Twins will be looking to flip that script this time around.  If facing adversity strengthens a team, this series will be a clash of the titans. Both teams were down 2 games to 1 in their Quarter-Final series, both won an elimination game on the road and then a deciding game at home to claim their place in the semi-finals.  The Pilots claimed both games head to head during the regular season, but I think everyone knows by now that playoff victories are the only thing that matters at this point.

Strengths

Pilot Mound - Anthony Friesen was the difference maker on the mound for the Pilots in the opening round series. After winning 11 regular season games, he has now added three more playoff victories.  After a bit of a sleepy start to the series, the offence seemed to come back to their regular season ways as well, batting over .300 as a team in the series by the time it was all said and done. 

Cartwright - The Twins will be riding high coming into game one after coming from behind to dump their arch rival Baldur Regals in the Quarters.  Bryce Enns was key both on the mound and at the plate and with the weapons that are available around him in the lineup, the Twins are capable of putting up big numbers.

Keys to victory

Pilot Mound - 'Go to School' - Learn your lesson from round 1 as you were one Clearwater victory away from an historic loss (no 1 seed has ever lost in the first round of playoffs).  Come out swinging and grab an early series lead.

Cartwright - 'Keep on Rolling' - After a pair of exhilarating victories to punch their semi-final ticket, the Twins need to keep the momentum going.  Game 1 & 2 will be a total of 4 games in 6 days.  With 18 runs scored in the first two, a carryover of momentum from the Quarter-Finals might lead to a big series advantage in the semis. 

(2) Morden Mohawks vs (3) Winkler Whips 

What is quickly developing into a major rivalry, the Whips and Mohawks will meet in the semi-finals for the 2nd time in 3 years as well.  The Mohawks swept the Whips away in 2017 en route to their 4th championship in 5 years, but the Whips are a different team in 2019.  Both these clubs rolled their way through the Quarter Finals.  The Mohawks put up 39 runs in just 3 games while the Whips allowed an average of just 3 runs against per game.  If we look back at the regular season, these two teams split their two games, with each winning on the road.  So where does that leave us?  Anticipating a fantastic series that could either feature explosive offense or nail biting defence.  

Strengths

Morden - The Mohawks featured the best regular season offence and stingiest defence.  In round one, the offence stepped to the forefront averaging 13 runs a game in a series sweep.  Capable of scoring runs en masse, a continuation of their Quarter-Final performance could ease the pressure in other areas.  

Winkler - When you can use 6 pitchers in a 3 game series sweep and never have to call on the league Cy Young Award winner, that means you've got a deep pitching staff.  The Whips have multiple arms and are prepared to use them.

Keys to victory

Morden - 'Finish him' - The Mohawks built big leads in all 3 of their Quarter FInal games, but twice allowed late Altona rallies to make things a little less than comfortable.  Let your offence roll and stay sharp for the full 7 innings (or more) to keep you chances of success as high as possible.

Winkler - 'Steady as she goes' - The Whips held the best offence in the Border League to just 3 runs against in 2 games this regular season.  Still, that only earned them a series split.  A consistent effort earned them three quality wins in the Quarters, more of the same will be required of both the pitching staff and the offence if they are to reach the Border League Finals for a 2nd time in team history.