Playoff Start in Bundesliga
The playoffs in the German Baseball-Bundesliga start this Saturday. Eight teams advanced from both conferences into the quarterfinals. The first round starts at the ballparks from the lower seeded clubs, kicking off the best-of-five series with doubleheaders. It is going to be interesting, as we can compare both divisions for the first time this year. The two top teams from the north PADERBORN and SOLINGEN are curious how they will fare against the south. Last year, only the ALLIGATORS won their first round matchup.
The other eight teams are fight against relegation in the play downs.
Playoffs:
All matchups are scheduled for Saturday August 2.
12:00 Mainz Athletics – Solingen Alligators
This is a rematch of last year’s semi-finals and a game between the German champions of 2006 and 2007. The ATHLETICS had a rough start into the season, but got better with each week, finishing with a 18-10 record in fourth place in the south. Especially Nils Hartkopf emerged as a strong starter in the last couple of game days, averaging 13 strikeouts in his last three starts.
He and Manuel Moeller have the tough task to stop the powerful offense of SOLINGEN, led by shortstop Chris Beck. The ALLIGATORS were nearly unbeatable during the regular season, losing just one of 28 games. But is this the result of the strength of the club or due to the weakness of the conference. We will see it tomorrow.
Probable Starters:
Alligators: Andre Hughes (11-1, ERA 1.79), Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (10-0, ERA 1.00)
Athletics: Manuel Moeller (7-5, ERA 2.82), Nils Hartkopf (5-2, ERA 2.44)
12:00 Dortmund Wanderers – Heidenheim Heidekoepfe
The WANDERERS kicked out regular playoff participant CAPITALS and finished in fourth place in the north in their first season in the Bundesliga, getting promoted last winter. They have won eight of the last ten games, but haven’t played a meaningful match since July 12. Their offense woke up during the stretch run, though the layoff could have cooled their bats. Their biggest force in the lineup is Josh Lively with 17 extra base hits, 31 runs scored and 36 RBI, leading the northern league in homeruns and RBI. DORTMUND is facing one of the strongest teams in Germany.
The HEIDEKOEPFE are riding a nine-game winning streak, including an impressive sweep against the BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE at the end of June. Their offense, led by Simon Guehring, Ryan Lilly and Keith Maxwell is leading the league in all meaningful categories and is nearly unstoppable. In addition they can rely on a deep and strong pitching staff.
Probable Starters:
Heidekoepfe: Peter Dankerl (11-1, ERA 2.96), Mike Hartley (2-0, ERA 1.64)
Wanderers: Rene Herlitzius (6-5, ERA 3.32), Matt Kemp (5-3, ERA 3.67)
13:00 Cologne Cardinals – Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg
The CARDINALS reached the postseason in third place with a 14-14 record, needing a 15-1 victory against the REGENTS last weekend to clinch the berth. Four of their last five games were versus the UNTOUCHABLES and the ALLIGATORS, and they lost all four, three through to ten-run rule. This should indicate, what to expect from their matchup with last year’s vice champion. The offense with Taishi Nakamura, Ryo Kagami, Florian Nehring and Anderson Alvarez is the best part of the team. The pitching got better with the return of Moritz Sckaer, though might be overmatched against the LEGIONAERE.
The runner up in the south struggled a bit, following the European Cup, but secured second place with four victories in a row. Although these wins came against NEUENBURG and GAUTING. Still, they are one of the top teams in the playoffs. Offensive wise they are led by Klaus Hopfensperger and Simon Kudernatsch. The pitching department is not far behind, though Mike Bolsenbroek started into his pro career and is going to be missed.
Probable Starters:
Buchbinder Legionaere: Martin Almstetter (4-4, ERA 2.47), Craig Crow (3-1, ERA 1.98)
Cardinals: Pascal Raab (4-4, ERA 4.48), Moritz Sckaer (6-3, ERA 1.86)
13:00 Mannheim Tornados – Paderborn Untouchables
Besides the ALLIGATORS versus ATHLETICS matchup, the duel between the TORNADOS and the UNTOUCHABLES could be the most interesting one in the quarterfinals. MANNHEIM invested during the winter and is hoping to reach the semi-finals, after finishing third in the regular season. They rely on the second-best pitching staff in the league and a solid offense to win their games. The star of the club is Eddie Aucoin, who impressed again with a phenomenal strikeout to walk ratio of 102/4 and an ERA of 0.94 in 86 innings. These are his first playoffs in Germany and he wants to prove that he is one of the best pitchers of the Bundesliga.
Alike the ALLIGATORS, the UNTOUCHABLES dominated the northern conference, finishing with a 25-3 record, losing only to SOLINGEN. They led the league with a team batting average of .348, though they are missing a power threat in their lineup, finishing the regular season with just four homeruns. Gavin Ng and Octavio Medina each are batting better than .390, scoring a combined 68 runs. They also have two strong starters in Eugen Heilmann and Beningo Ozuna.
Probable Starters:
Untouchables: Eugen Heilmann (14-1, ERA 1.88), Beningo Ozuna (6-0, ERA 0.96)
Tornados: Paul Waterman (4-0, ERA 1.91), Eddie Aucoin (8-3, ERA 0.94)
Playdowns:
Standings:
North:
- Bonn 14-14
- HSV 8-20
- Hanover 6-22
- Neunkirchen 4-24
South:
- Saarlouis 11-17
- Haar 10-18
- Gauting 8-20
- Neuenburg 4-24
Schedule August 2, 13:00:
Neunkirchen Nightmares – HSV Stealers
Bonn Capitals – Hanover Regents
Neuenburg Atomics – Haar Disciples
Saarlouis Hornets – Gauting Indians
