The playoffs in Germany resume this weekend with the start of the second round. The TORNADOS and the BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE are host to the HEIDEKOEPFE and the ALLIGATORS in the semi-finals. Each best-of-five series begins with a doubleheader at the venue of the lower seed. The outcome of both matchups is not predictable.
Mannheim Tornados – Heidenheim Heidekoepfe
These two teams already met four times this season, with each winning two games. Three of the four duels were nail biters. It is an even matchup with HEIDENHEIM having the better team batting average of .328 (OBP .418/SLG .442) with eleven homeruns and 251 runs scored. MANNHEIM wasn’t far behind, batting .287 (.381/.411) with 17 homeruns and 197 runs scored. The TORNADOS though had the better pitching numbers during the regular season with a team ERA of 2.15 opposed to 3.15 by the HEIDEKOEPFE. But in the end, HEIDENHEIM had won 23 games, MANNHEIM 18.
The TORNADOS had to go the distance the past weekend to defeat PADERBORN in five games. Martin Dewald (0-2, ERA 3.38), Eddie Aucoin (2-0, ERA 1.80) and Rene Franke (0-0, ERA 7.71) got the starts. Shortstop William ‘Billy’ Hess was their main offensive force, hitting .500, including the decisive RBI single last Sunday. They will miss Jens Heymer in game one after his ejection in game five.
HEIDENHEIM had no problems to sweep DORTMUND in three games, outscoring their opponent 34-5. They could rest the injured Peter Dankerl last weekend and he is now healthy to start in the first match. Markus Winkler (2-0, ERA 2.08) is likely moving into the bullpen, as Mike Hartley is expected to start for the first time during the postseason. Offensive wise catcher Simon Guehring dominated with eight hits, six for extra bases, and eight runs scored. Marcel Hering, Ryan Lilly, Keith Maxwell and Sam Whitehead also batted over .400 during the WANDERERS series.
Probable Starters: MANNHEIM: Paul Waterman (1-0, ERA 1.35), Eddie Aucoin (2-0, ERA 1.80); HEIDENHEIM: Peter Dankerl (1-0, ERA 3.60), Mike Hartley (2-0, ERA 1.64 during the regular season)
Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg – Solingen Alligators
The series between REGENSBURG and SOLINGEN is a rematch of the 2006 Baseball-Bundesliga finals, when the ALLIGATORS won the title through three victories in three games. They relatively easy won the title in the northern conference this season, posting a 27-1 record. In the quarterfinals they had to move past the 2007 champion MAINZ ATHLETICS, winning in four games.
The BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE struggled after the European Cup for a couple of weeks and dropped to second place in the standings with a 20-8 record. But they regained their form right in time for the playoffs and crushed the CARDINALS in a three-game sweep. Now they want to advance into the finals for a third year in a row.
The biggest strength for SOLINGEN is their starting pitching with Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez and Andre Hughes. But the offense with Chris Beck at the top is not far behind. After Mike Bolsenbroek jumped ship for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, the pitching in REGENSBURG relies mainly on Martin Almstetter, Benedikt Antwi and super-reliever Philipp Hoffschild. But right in time for the semi-finals, Craig Crow is back in the mix after recovering from an injury. Also back is Daniel Husband, which should help the offense against the two ALLIGATORS aces.
Probable Starters: REGENSBURG: Martin Almstetter (2-0, ERA 2.45), Craig Crow (3-1, ERA 1.98 during the regular season); SOLINGEN: Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (2-0, ERA 0.50), Andre Hughes (1-0, ERA 0.53)
Schedule Playoffs:
August 16:
13:00 Regensburg – Solingen
13:00 Mannheim – Heidenheim
(doubleheaders)
Schedule Playdowns:
August 16:
13:00 Hanover – HSV
13:00 Bonn – Neunkirchen
13:00 Gauting – Haar
13:00 Saarlouis – Neuenburg