Published: Sunday, September 5, 2010
AquaSox-Canadians playoff breakdown
Here's a breakdown of rhe first-round best-of-three divisional playoff series between the Everett Aquasox, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, and Vancouver Canadians, an affiliate af the Oakland Athletics.
Hitting
Everett and Vancouver have similar offenses. Neither team hits for a high average, but both teams have a patient approach at the plate.
The difference comes in the power department. Going into Sunday's game the Sox had pounded out 70 more extra-base hits than the Canadians, including almost twice as many homers. Some of that can be attributed to the home parks, as Everett Memorial Stadium is a good hitter's park and Nat Bailey Stadium is not.
Both teams have a potent slugging duo, with Everett's Kevin Rivers (right) and Kevin Mailloux matched by Vancouver's A.J. Kirby-Jones and first-round draft pick Michael Choice. But after that Vancouver doesn't have any other deep threats, while the Sox have several others who can clear the fences. Everett also has a better table-setting pair at the top of the lineup as Robbie Anston and Terry Serrano are constantly on base.
Advantage: Everett
Pitching
Everett and Vancouver put up similar numbers pitching-wise. The Canadians had a slightly better ERA, but that again may be due to park effects. Everett's pitchers were slightly better at preventing hits, Vancouver's pitchers were slightly better at preventing walks.
Everett lost a number of key pitchers during the season to promotion. However, the Sox still have a dependable trio to start during the playoffs in left-handers Edlando Seco and Anthony Fernandez and righty Chris Sorce. All three finished in the top 12 in the league in both ERA and innings pitched. Vancouver counters with right-handers Matthew Thomson and Nathan Long in Games 1 and 2, with the potential Game 3 starter to be determined. Both had quality seasons.
Vancouver's bullpen has been lights out, with the likes of Daniel Tenholder, Jacob Brown and Zachary Thornton setting up league saves leader A.J. Griffin. Everett's bullpen is thin because of promotions, with only Willy Kesler remaining who's proven himself over the course of the season. Tyler Burgoon and Eric Valdez have come on late, while Austin Hudson will be available after spending the past month starting.
Advantage: even
Defense
Everett's been a solid defensive team all seasonlong, being charged with just 82 errors going into Sunday's game. It all starts at shortstop for the Sox as Anthony Phillips is as good as it gets defensively at this level. He made just five miscues in 53 games going into Sunday. The Sox also have a solid defensive presence behind the plate in Steven Baron.
Vancouver has been far more error prone, particularly shortstop Wade Kirkland (24 errors) and third baseman Tony Thompson (20 errors). The Canadians infielders haven't received much help from their first basemen, who in games against Everett have had difficulty digging throws out of the dirt.
Advantage: Everett
Overview
Vancouver has the momentum, having won the West Division's second half. The Sox also have the disadvantage of having lost so much of their pitching staff to promotion.
However, a three-game playoff series allows the Sox to shorten their rotation and bullpen, compensating for the lack of pitching depth. And Everett has the home-field advantage, meaning a decisive Game 3 would be played in a stadium where the Sox were 30-8 this season.
Everett and Vancouver have similar offenses. Neither team hits for a high average, but both teams have a patient approach at the plate.
The difference comes in the power department. Going into Sunday's game the Sox had pounded out 70 more extra-base hits than the Canadians, including almost twice as many homers. Some of that can be attributed to the home parks, as Everett Memorial Stadium is a good hitter's park and Nat Bailey Stadium is not.
Both teams have a potent slugging duo, with Everett's Kevin Rivers (right) and Kevin Mailloux matched by Vancouver's A.J. Kirby-Jones and first-round draft pick Michael Choice. But after that Vancouver doesn't have any other deep threats, while the Sox have several others who can clear the fences. Everett also has a better table-setting pair at the top of the lineup as Robbie Anston and Terry Serrano are constantly on base.
Advantage: Everett
Pitching
Everett and Vancouver put up similar numbers pitching-wise. The Canadians had a slightly better ERA, but that again may be due to park effects. Everett's pitchers were slightly better at preventing hits, Vancouver's pitchers were slightly better at preventing walks.
Everett lost a number of key pitchers during the season to promotion. However, the Sox still have a dependable trio to start during the playoffs in left-handers Edlando Seco and Anthony Fernandez and righty Chris Sorce. All three finished in the top 12 in the league in both ERA and innings pitched. Vancouver counters with right-handers Matthew Thomson and Nathan Long in Games 1 and 2, with the potential Game 3 starter to be determined. Both had quality seasons.
Vancouver's bullpen has been lights out, with the likes of Daniel Tenholder, Jacob Brown and Zachary Thornton setting up league saves leader A.J. Griffin. Everett's bullpen is thin because of promotions, with only Willy Kesler remaining who's proven himself over the course of the season. Tyler Burgoon and Eric Valdez have come on late, while Austin Hudson will be available after spending the past month starting.
Advantage: even
Defense
Everett's been a solid defensive team all seasonlong, being charged with just 82 errors going into Sunday's game. It all starts at shortstop for the Sox as Anthony Phillips is as good as it gets defensively at this level. He made just five miscues in 53 games going into Sunday. The Sox also have a solid defensive presence behind the plate in Steven Baron.
Vancouver has been far more error prone, particularly shortstop Wade Kirkland (24 errors) and third baseman Tony Thompson (20 errors). The Canadians infielders haven't received much help from their first basemen, who in games against Everett have had difficulty digging throws out of the dirt.
Advantage: Everett
Overview
Vancouver has the momentum, having won the West Division's second half. The Sox also have the disadvantage of having lost so much of their pitching staff to promotion.
However, a three-game playoff series allows the Sox to shorten their rotation and bullpen, compensating for the lack of pitching depth. And Everett has the home-field advantage, meaning a decisive Game 3 would be played in a stadium where the Sox were 30-8 this season.
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