Finals set
The East Division champion Kalamazoo Kings will face the West Division champion Windy City ThunderBolts in the Frontier League championship series beginning Saturday night. The Kings beat the Gateway Grizzlies 6-4 Tuesday night to win that series 3-1. The defending champion ThunderBolts outslugged the Southern Illinois 10-6 in Game 4 to win the series 3-1.
Kalamazoo and Windy City split their six meetings during regular season and have not faced each other since June 12.
I give Kalamazoo the edge in power, pitching and infield defense. Windy City has the edge in outfield defense and playoff experience. My head tells me never to count out a team managed by Fran Riordan (three league titles) but I'm giving the nod to Windy City based on having players who have won a championship. The ThunderBolts know what it takes to win a tough series. Look for this one to go five games.
Kalamazoo and Windy City split their six meetings during regular season and have not faced each other since June 12.
I give Kalamazoo the edge in power, pitching and infield defense. Windy City has the edge in outfield defense and playoff experience. My head tells me never to count out a team managed by Fran Riordan (three league titles) but I'm giving the nod to Windy City based on having players who have won a championship. The ThunderBolts know what it takes to win a tough series. Look for this one to go five games.
posted by Chris Dugan at
8:32 PM
4 Comments:
The Championship series should be a good one. In my opinion, Windy City and Kalamazoo were hands down the two best teams in the Frontier League this season. Both teams can pitch, both teams can hit, and both teams play good outfield defense. I think Windy City's lack of infield defense could hurt them in the series, especially with Kalamazoo's speedy Joe Ramos and Brandon Anderson. Several of their grounders could rush throws from Wes Long and Josh Horn and cause errors. I would maybe give the edge in outfield defense to Kalamazoo. Jeff Grose and Anderson made some outstanding plays against Washington on the road. Anderson has a very strong arm from right field.
But as Chris said, Windy City has playoff experience. That can make up for almost anything. Phil Hawke has been a clutch player in this year's playoffs, just as he was a year ago. He certainly deserves the league's MVP.
Kudos to the job Mike Kashirksy has done as "interim" manager of the Thunderbolts. His team got hot at the right time. However, I'm going to pick Kalamazoo in five. If John Brownell can pitch like he did in game two of the Divisional series, he and the Kings bullpen might have just enough to edge out the series and the championship.
Randy,
Good job on announcing the Wild Thing games. I would rather listen to you on the radio than go to the games as you may not see the play, but you know more than being at the game. About taking my radio to the game, the noise is too loud to hear good at the game. More the PA system than crown noise when in person. You deserve radio announcer of the year. I doubt if the PA announcer in Washington will ever be named PA announcer of the year.
I still envey your press pass with free parking.
Good observation Thriftyone. That DiFabio is one VERY irritating guy.
That ego driven dude can just drive drive you nuts with his constant chatter. However, now that he has his 'foot in the door' I don't think we will ever be rid of him now. He yells so loud that I can't even carry on a onversation with people that I am standing right to. If I hear that crap about some auto glass company again next year I'll just...... flip out. You would think they could think of something new after all these years!
Ron Wilson
All games of the Championship Series will be played at Windy City.
Ike brought plenty of rain and flooding to the Kalamazoo area, forcing the relocation.
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