#5 Vancouver vs. #4 Philadelphia

Vancouver is led offensively by young CF richard Truman, who hit over .330 for the year, scored over 100 runs, while clubbing 19 HRs. 3B Joseph Gonzalez is the only real power threat having clubbed 36 HRs and 101 RBI while hitting .275. 2B Rafael Espinosa leads the team in runs scored with 117. The team is not any threat on the basepaths, with 9 SBs from Espinosa accounting for 100 % of the team's SB total! Vancouver's offense is pedestrian at best.

Pitching wise, Cody Young has been the rock of the staff over the past decade, and continues to provide a very reliable pitcher who will have to step up over the next few weeks if Vancouver is going to make a run. Louis Bailey and Billy Sanders are also solid, and Vancouver boasted five double digit winners on their starting staff this year.

The strength of the team is their bullpen, led by Jalel Priest, Jumbo Abercrombie, and Sam Allen. Priest's numbers are worthy of Cy Young consideration this season, with 7 wins and 33 saves to go along with a 1.18 WHIP and an ERA barely over 2. These pitchers will have to step up and perform if Vancouver is going to succeed.

Meanwhile, Philadelpia's offense is very impressive, led by 1B and MVP candidate Omar Alvarez, who hit 55 HRs and 140 RBI and an OPS of 1.102. And he is not alone. 3B Dan Percival contributed 44 HRs and 109 RBI, 2B Vicente Lee hit 34 HRs with 100 RBI, as well as 30 HRs and 84 RBI from Bronson Bell. The Philadelphia offense is extremely strong and will pose a bit challenge for Vancouver.

Bret Dawkins paces the starting staff in Phlly, with 15 wins, a whip of 1.02, and an ERA under 3.00. Geoffery McNamara is also a phenomenal SP who will anchor the playoff staff. Santos and Ma are also solid contributors. The only advantage for Vancouver will be the bullpen, where Philly has a real piecemeal effort.

Prediction: Philadelphia 3-1

Playoff Preview: Chicago v. Salt Lake

#3 Seed Chicago (91-71) vs. #6 Seed Salt Lake City

Chicago has the premier offense in the National League, and led all of Plumpy in HRs this season. The are paced by probable NL MVP Jeff Hackman, who clubbed 70 HRs, knocked in 175, and logged an OPS of 1.225. 2B Mark Spehr added 52 HRs, C Alejandro Romano clubbed over 40, while OFs Richardson & Perez both topped the 30 plateau. For those keeping score at home, the cubs lineup boasts 6 starters out of 8 who hit over 30 HRs, while Neal and O'Malley, the other two starters, each hit over 20, with Neal adding over 100 RBI.

The Cubs pitching is paced by 22 game winner and Cy Young candidate Aaron Hinske. Chipper Anderson and Oscar Christman provide three solid starters who should be very effective in the playoffs. The biggest weakness and probable achilles heal for the Cubbies is their bullpen by committee, which is filled with decent arms, but lacks shut down arms who will slam the door in close games. The Cubs will need their powerful bats and top three starters to give their bullpen large leads which they can hold.

Salt Lake City made a surprise run to the World Series last season. They hit a full 120 HRs less than the Cubs this season, and lack the dominate offense they will face in Chicago. Ewell Coles and Moises Bravo provide the power for Salt Lake, with each hitting over 30 HRs and 100 RBI.

But pitching wise, the top starters for Salt Lake are simply dominate: Tom Booker and Anthony Stanley and Carlos Olivo. All have outstanding ratings, ERAs, and ratios and are a stronger trio than Chicago will be able to bring to the pitching rubber. Salt Lake also has a legitimate front line closer in Doug Caruso, who as a 23 year old posted 40 saves.

In the end, the home field advantage and the superior offense will win this battle for the Cubs, 3-1.