Postseason Berths Up For Grabs

The 2013 NWL regular season is nearing its end, but as of August 27th only one team (Eugene) out of eight had mathematically been eliminated. The Everett AquaSox appear to have the North Division second half pennant almost locked up, with a three-game lead with six to play, but Vancouver and Spokane are still vying for the next best overall record in the Division and a spot in the playoffs. In the South, first half champion Salem-Keizer is locked in a three-way tie with the Boise Hawks and the Hillsboro Hops. The last week of the season will clarify the playoff picture and reveal who the Frogs will take on in the Divisional Round. Here is a brief look at the teams still looking to make a postseason push:

First, from the North Division

Vancouver Canadians - 36-34 (14-18 Second Half)

After dropping four in a row, the two-time defending NWL champs managed to take the last two games from Spokane over the weekend and take a one game lead in the overall standings. Vancouver trails Everett by five games in the second half, so the Canadians best hope for a postseason bid is for the 'Sox to take the second half title and to back in with the next best overall record in the North Division. With six games against the Tri-City Dust Devils to close the season, Vancouver could wrap up a spot in the postseason. Vancouver went 4-8 against Everett this season, and just 1-5 at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Offensively, the Canadians rank in the top half of the league with a .257 average as a team. Vancouver is led by NWL MVP candidate L.B. Dantzler. The first baseman is batting .318 with nine homers and 32 RBI. Other key contributors in the Canadians' lineup include leadoff man Chaz Frank, who is batting .287 with 36 hits and a .425 on-base percentage, and fellow outfielders Brenden Kalfus (.280, 1 homer, 18 RBI) and Ian Parmley (league-best 21 stolen bases). Mike Reeves has hit .280 this year, but he has also helped guide the Vancouver staff to a 3.24 team ERA this season from behind the plate. On the mound, the Canadians are anchored by NWL All-Stars Jeremy Gabryszwski and Kyle Anderson, both 5-2 and sporting ERAs of 2.66 and 2.65, respectively. Closer Chuck Ghysels has converted eight of ten save opportunities in 2013.

Spokane Indians - 35-35 (15-17)

Two weeks ago, Spokane looked like they might run away with the Division in the second half, but the Indians dropped seven of ten to fall three games behind Everett in the second half standings and one behind Vancouver in the overall standings. The good news for Spokane is that the Indians still have six games against the Frogs and an outside chance of taking the second half title. Dropping the series to Vancouver hurt, but if Spokane can win five of six, they will win the second half crown. However, anything less than four wins and they are unlikely to make the playoffs with Vancouver taking on Tri-City. The AquaSox are 5-1 against Spokane in 2013.

Spokane is a weak hitting team at just .223 on the year, but they do have some pop with 31 homers. No player is batting better than .263, but Janluis Castro, an All-Star this year, is hitting .251 with four homers and 35 RBI. The Indians' strength is their pitching, with a team ERA of 3.30 and a league-best 620 strikeouts. Starter Kelvin Vasquez is just 1-2, but boasts a 2.04 ERA and 64 punchouts while 2013 NWL All-Star David Ledbetter is 3-3 with a 2.98 ERA this season.

 

Now for the South

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes - 42-28 (19-13)

Salem-Keizer is the favorite to represent the South in the NWL Championship Series. The Volcanoes took seven of ten games from the 'Sox, including a five-game sweep in Keizer after the All-Star break.

The best team in the NWL this season, the Volanoes are strong in multiple facets of the game. They hit for average and power, as indicated by their .264 team average and 38 homers, and lead the league in runs scored. Salem-Keizer also has good speed, ranking second in stolen bases with 88. Shortstop Jeremy Sy is hitting .280 with 8 home runs and 37 RBI and catcher Eugene Escalante is batting .300. Ryan Jones has played in 37 games and hit .355.

The Volcanoes pitching staff is deep and talented, with a 3.36 team ERA and 550 strikeouts. Like many of the teams in the playoff hunt, they have two frontline starters and an excellent closer. Chris Johnson is 5-3 with a 2.31 ERA and an amazing 73-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Lefty Andrew Leenhouts is 8-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 49 punchouts. Raymundo Montero, in his third season with the Volcanoes, is 13-14 in save opporunities and has a 1.69 ERA.

Boise Hawks - 40-30 (19-13)

The Hawks are in an interesting position. They have a ten-game advantage over Hillsboro in the overall standings, but would not go to the playoffs if the Hops win the second half Division title. Boise took the season series from Everett 7-3 and has a loaded offense that sports a league-leading .272 average and 45 home runs. Daniel Lockhart is batting .293 and Shawon Dunston, Jr. .291 to pace the top of the order. Yasiel Balaguert and Jacob Rogers both have seven homers and are first and second, respectively, in the NWL in RBI with 46 and 44.

Boise's pitchers have posted a 3.24 ERA, though the promotion of James Pugliese (4-3, 2.32) leaves Dillon Maples (5-1, 1.95) as the leader of the rotation. Tyler Bremer has been a solid backend presence, as he is 7-7 in save opportunities has a 2.45 ERA.

The Hawks end the season with a big three-game series at home against Hillsboro.

Hillsboro Hops - 30-40 (19-13)

The Hops, a league-worst 11-27 in the first half during their inaguaral year in the NWL, have won eight of ten to jump into the postseason picture. The final series, on the road, with Boise is huge, as the Hops need to win the second half title outright with their poor overall record. If Hillsboro and Boise tie, then the teams' head-to-head record in the second half (Boise: 2-1) will be the first tie-breaker, and overall head-to-head (Boise: 7-2) will be the second. The AquaSox went 7-3 against Hillsboro this season.

The Hops have hit just .233 as a team and have hit only 23 home runs. Yogey Perez-Ramos has been a bright spot offensively, batting .317 and leading the league in hits. Outfielder Zach Esquerra is hitting .276 with five homers and 26 RBI while Jordan Parr is hitting .304 with two big flys.

Hillsboro's staff has been solid, with a 3.33 team ERA. Ben Eckels and Ross Gerdeman headline the rotation. Eckels is 6-5 with a 2.90 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 77.2 innings, but has issued 37 walks. Gerdeman is just 2-6, but has worked 84.0 innings and posted a 3.20 ERA and 55 strikeouts. Will Locante is the Hops' best bullpen arm, with a record of 3-1 and a 2.31 ERA working from the left side of the rubber. He has blown three saves, however.

 

That completes a look-in at the teams Everett might face in the postseason. Be sure to check in for more information on standings and the playoff schedule as it becomes available at www.aquasox.com.