Season 5 proved to be the year of the strong pitching staff. The top 7 teams in ERA all made the playoffs, including all 4 participants of the League Championship Series. These teams, with one exception, were able to secure their playoff spots quickly and easily. So to were many of the other playoff teams. Six of 8 division winners were at least 8 games better than their closest division mate and the top AL wildcard team had their playoff ticket stamped well before season end. Even so, the end of season 5 was not with its drama. Take the battle for the last AL wildcard spot. Charlotte was able to hold off a hard charging DC team, who overcame an extremely slow start to the season to contend.
In the National League, the East Division title and both wild card spots went down to the wire. Eight teams had a late shot at these spots. Despite losing their last 4 games, the Richmond Knights were able to hold off a surging Syracuse Fade to Black team to take the East division title. Arizona, Montreal and Philadelphia fell out of contention late when they were unable to muster the win streaks they needed. Burlington was able to win 4 games to close the year, but had too much ground to make up. That left Atlanta, who had a small late lead, Syracuse and Salem to challenge for the wildcard. A .500 record in their last 10 games was enough for Atlanta to accumulate 86 wins. This ended up being one better than both Salem and Syracuse, who matched each other game for game down the stretch, both winning 7 of 10 including their last 3 to tie at 85 wins. Salem’s better head to head record against the ‘Cuse gave them wildcard spot number two, as the Syracuse season (wait for it) faded to black.
Round 1 of the playoffs were extremely competitive, as no team was swept in their series. Both three seeds lived up to expectations with 3-1 series wins over their competition. NL South champ Louisville Pack Mules were able to cool off the hot Salem team while Charlotte and Cy Young winner Wayne Stratton were unable to hold off a tough Toledo squad. Both top wildcard teams were able to defeat their fourth seeded competition in the other first round playoff matchups. Although a 4 seed, the Nashville Posse actually won 8 less regular season games than their opponent from Honolulu and lost the series 3 games to 1. The Richmond / Atlanta series was the only one to go the distance with the Atlanta Vipers winning game 5.
The Division Championship series saw the playoffs only sweep, when the Honolulu Monk Seals had a rough time with defending World Series Champion Baltimore, who accumulated the most wins during the regular season. The other AL series went the distance as the Toledo War Kittens, who had been beaten out for the second seed and the first round playoff bye by the Las Vegas Dealers, was able to get revenge and advance. In the NL, the chalk held as top seeded Helena ended the Atlanta Vipers season in 4 games. Buffalo also took care of business in 4 games, defeating the young Louisville Pack Mules, who were in the playoffs for the first time since season 1.
Strong pitching highlighted both League Championship series. Buffalo, lead by 20 game winner Frank Matsui and 17 game winner Ebenezer Miller, outpitched Cy Young winner Danny Cummings and the rest of the Helena Camp Disapointments squad. The 4-1 series upset was a surprise, but Helena’s young team is poised to make many more playoff runs in the near future. A hard fought battle in the AL required all 7 games to decide the pennant winner. The Toledo War Kittens gave Baltimore all they could handle, but it was not enough to unseat the defending champs.
With the Baltimore Orioles dreaming of back to back titles, the Buffalo Nanucrons knew they would have their hand full. Despite winning their division title for each of the past 5 season, this was Buffalo’s first World Series appearance. Buffalo and their pitching staff were not push overs. The series lasted all seven games, with most games dominated by pitching. However game 7 featured some offensive fireworks with Baltimore’s squad ending up on top. Now with back to back titles, the young Orioles look as if they will be a favorite again in season 6.
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