[StLee]

First Round Preview

Goodsprings returns to the playoffs to defend its title. Freeside returns to the playoffs for the first time since the debut season of the Mojave Baseball League. Both teams met in the first-ever MBL playoffs series, where the two teams were then known as Lucky 38 and King’s School of Impersonation. Lucky 38 swept the series 3-0.

This season, Freeside enters the playoffs as a major underdog, mostly because the Lucky 38s are seasoned veterans in the post season, having been to the Mojave Series three of the previous four seasons.

Offensively, Goodsprings has a major advantage with a runs per game average of 5.5 (1st in MBL) to the Kings’ 3.6 (9th in MBL). The Lucky 38s led the league in hits (1004), as well. Though they did not lead the league in any of the extra base hits categories, Goodsprings still was among the leaders in all.

For Goodsprings, offense begins with Jimmy LaRue. The outstanding hitter batted a league high .427 to go with six home runs and 61 RBI. First baseman Jesus Martinez cleaned up well, batting .314 with 26 homers (4th in MBL) and 99 RBI (tops in the MBL). Java Stirfry proved to be a good hitter late in the lineup, knocking 16 dingers with 67 RBI.

Jim Seaman was by far the best offensive player for the Kings, winning the club triple crown with a .328 batting average, 17 home runs, and 64 RBI. Catcher Ronald Draper was the next best offensive player with a .291 average, 7 home runs, and 43 RBI.

Freeside has the advantage in pitching, especially with the help of club ace MacTause. The Kings finished second in runs per game (3.3), third in team ERA (3.12), second in hits allowed (759), and second in team WHIP (1.14).

Goodsprings was not far behind in many categories, finishing fifth in runs per game (3.9), fifth in team ERA (3.57), and fourth in team WHIP (1.23).

When talking about Freeside’s pitching, Jeff MacTause is the man. The potential Lead Dealer Pitcher Award candidate finished with a MBL best 1.72 ERA and 151 strikeouts. Despite his superior performances, though, low run support resulted in MacTause only having an 8-5 record on the season. The second pitcher on the team also racked up a great season. Marshall Shaw finished 12-6 with a 2.41 ERA. Doug King led the MBL in saves with 33 and had an impressive 1.93 ERA. Reliever Ron Frazier was money off the bench with a 1.19 ERA.

The Lucky 38s’ ace, Jim Jones, continued to be a leader on the mound. He finished with a 12-5 record and team-leading 2.32 ERA. David Martin, Bob Jackson, and Miguel Santos each added 11 more wins, and Donald Bush was 9-4 with a 3.32 ERA as the #3 pitcher. Willie Miller was not impenetrable as the closer, but he did finish with 31 saves (2nd in MBL) and a 3.61 ERA.

Overall, the key to this series probably comes down to the huge differences in offensive production. Despite Freeside’s MacTause being perhaps the best pitcher in the league, he does not have much going on around him. Should he give up three or more runs, the Kings probably lose. With that said, our prediction is for another sweep between the two teams and an easy 4-0 series win for the Lucky 38s.