S2 League Championship Series Previews

This year's World Series will make history: no number 2 seeds. However, it could end up being a repeat of last year's Hokies/Gothams matchup. After going 100% in the NL and not-so-great in the AL, it's time to look at the League Championship Series Previews.

American League
#3 Madison Mud Holes v. #5 New York Hokies
Regular Season Series: New York 6-4
Post-season BA: Madison - .311 New York - .274
Post-season ERA: Madison - 2.85 New York - 5.40

If I choose against the Hokies a third time, will they win again? New York has been the underdog of this year's postseason yet they are in prime position to repeat as American League Champions. Albert Sardinha (17.0 IP, 1-1, 3.18-1.24) will attempt to create a few wins from the mound against a Madison team that has been pitching lights out. The Mud Holes' rotation is led by Geraldo Johnson (15.2 IP, 1-0, 1.72-0.83) but there's a pretty big drop-off after that for the starters to the 4.5+ ERA range. The strength for the Mud Holes lies in their hitting with great numbers by Andre Kydd (.348) and Hanley Hudek (29 AB, .379). Van Hatten still hasn't shown up yet after two series with a .115 average but has that mattered yet? In a best-of-seven, it might. For the Hokies, Scooter Coleman has been the man with a .333 average, 4 HR and 12 RBI in just 24 at-bats.

Prediction: Madison and New York have both made statements. It's time to make the biggest yet. The Hokies are behind in a majority of statistical categories but that hasn't stopped them before. However, the Mud Holes have way too much momentum and firepower. Madison in 6.

National League
#1 San Francisco Gothams v. #3 Little Rock Snappers
Regular Season Series: San Francisco 7-3
Post-season BA: San Francisco - .254 Little Rock - .308
Post-season ERA: San Francisco - 2.75 Little Rock - 4.39

The Gothams' repeat run is in serious jeopardy after losing Donaldo Lunar for more than half of the NLCS. However, GM drjwhiteside is confident that Jamie Itou(6.0 IP, 1-0, 1.50-0.83) along with ROY candidate Joey Wright will make up for this great loss. Little Rock has their own injury problem by losing Bucky Whitehead for the entire NLCS. They'll look to Corey Mantei(20.1 IP, 2-1, 3.10-1.18) to continue his dominant and Cy Young worthy performance. On the offensive side, the Gothams need to put in a few extra practices because the only one who's doing anything is Albert Chavez who has 10 hits in 20 AB. On the flip side, the Snappers' MVP-worthy Marino James has been posting amazing numbers - .424 avg in 33 AB with 7 HR and 16 RBI. Not even the pitching-heavy Buffalo could stop him.

Prediction: An MVP and Cy Young v. the defending World Champs. During the regular season, the only major difference between these two teams was San Francisco's pitching. In the post-season, the Gothams' and Snappers' lineups have gone opposite ways. If this continues, Little Rock could take the series before Lunar gets back. The problem for the Snappers is that Lunar isn't the only great pitcher on the Gothams' staff. The problem for the Gothams is learning how to stop Marino James. This series will go 3-2 LR, resulting in a timely arrival by Lunar, forcing a Game Seven and another World Series berth for San Francisco.