[gehrig38]

El Paso comes in as a huge favorite, not just in this series, but to win it all. 270 Home Runs to lead the IBL, combined with the #1 Starters ERA in the Frontier league makes them formidable. Led by MVP candidate Gerald Wright who's backed by Caden Haynes in the lineup, they boast the FL strikeout champ in Corey Elkins. They hit, they get on base, the score and they crush the ball. In some instances it's needed as their bullpen, led by closer Paul Woodards 33 Saves is 7th in ERA and their D is 8th. They suffered a huge September injury to SP Josh Wells who went down in the 19th and is lost for the post season.Wells was 14-8 4.83 at the time of his injury. Jason Allen (16-6 4.52) will likely get the game 1 nod.

On the flip side you've got the 2nd most powerful offense in terms of the long ball, Columbus. Their 263 HR's trailed only El Paso in the IBL. Their offense has it's own MVP candidate in Angelo Gomez who hit .324-46-114 this year. They've been hit with the injury bug as starting CF Stanton Hall is out at least 2 more days with a sore shoulder and RF Kurt Peterson (267-33-108) was hurt on the seasons final day! He's out at least 3 weeks, and likely mid World Series at best, if Columbus can survive. They've got 2 bullpen hands out for the playoffs. Perennial MVP candidate Dean Strong leads the staff and the team from behind the plate, and had another outstanding season at .286-27-94 in the cleanup spot. Mike Holmes (13-12 4.56) will likely be the game 1 starter with hot hand Will Cannon (6-2 1.84 in his last 13 starts) following him in game 2 or 3.


Two powerful offenses going toe to toe. The 2-2-1 format this year will allow both teams game 1 starters to come back fully rested in a 5th game should it make it that far.