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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 21, 2033
Fairfax And Elnora Forecast For Pro Cup, Frogs Favored
The winningest teams in the IPA were chosen by the baseball scribes around the Islands to meet for the Pro Cup championship this season. In the annual poll conducted by THE ISLANDIAN TIMES, the Fairfax Frogs were picked to win the Tycobbian playoffs and meet the Ruthlandian winner, the Elnora All-Stars, in the Pro Cup Finals. The baseball experts put the Frogs in the favorite's role because they posted the best overall record in the IPA with a 102-52 record. Elnora topped the RU with a 93-61 mark. Both of the teams are talented and experienced and feature well-balanced hitting and pitching. The LaGrange Sports and La Claire Lynx were ranked third and fourth in the voting. Only three of last year's postseason clubs return this year. Fairfax, Elnora and LaGrange will give it another shot at the Islands' Holy Grail.
Last year Elnora was the Pro Cup choice with Fairfax the third choice after Colfax. The eventual Pro Cup champ San Alejo was ranked fourth in the poll, but won with great pitching over Colfax's high-powered offense. Colfax swept Elnora in the RU Elite 8 and San Alejo surprised Fairfax in the first round, too. The Montaneros knocked off the Frogs in a hard-fought six-game series. LaGrange played well last year. The Sports were picked seventh in the poll, and were eliminated in the RU Finals by Colfax in five games.
2033 IPA Pro Cup Poll
1. Fairfax Frogs (102-52)... rock-solid hitting, pitching, bullpen and defense
2. Elnora All-Stars (93-61)... facsimile of Frogs... no weaknesses
3. LaGrange Sports (91-63)... notch below Frogs and All-Stars, but more power... lack bullpen
4. La Claire Lynx (86-68)... similar to Sports, but not as much power
5. East Point Panthers (88-66)... could be a sleeper... have excellent starters and power-hitting... but weak bullpen
6. Summerland Sunsets (83-71)...good all-around club... might surprise in playoffs
7. St. John Crusaders (87-67)... great defense... lack homer power... good relievers
8. Sligo Rovers (79-76)... just barely .500 team... little chance in playoffs
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