Long gone are the days of the Gabe washing team uniforms and left handed Adam Mortons in the lineup.   The Jays started the year with good pitching, decent team speed, great hitting.  Only thing that may be missing was a bona fide defensive specialist. But this is the SABL, where hitting is KING and walking is frowned up.  Some salary cap issues due to the off-season signing of the diminutive Brandon Marini may have hindered Rob Maatman’s ability to make that last minute acquisition to put the squad over the top, but they are a very dangerous team.

The Giants have been without star outfielder Anthony Warren for the last month as he has been nursing a sore hip.  Without him in the lineup the Giants may has well mail in any chances against either the White Sox or the Jays.

If you would have bet that the White Sox would be second the league in home runs you would have made a lot of money.  Rich Singh has been fine tuning his crop for the playoff run.  I am not saying that they will upset anybody, but they certainly will not roll over and die in a puff of smoke.

Probable outcome is a Giants win followed by either team being swept by the Jays.

White Sox – Singh or Creswell

Giants – Warren or Procopio(not Daniel)

Jays – I am told the Killer B’s so that means Brandon, Bryan, Brad, Barnes, Brent, Boulding or Basquale!!

The Royals will have to do a couple of things to lengthen their playoff run.  1.  Avoid the Jays until a later date, and 2.  Overcome the loss of Gbenga Ajasin due to a season ending injury.  They will surely miss his Gbenga’s slow stroll from the parking lot 5 minutes before the game.  Rumour has it that James (Woody) Wood will wait at Tim Horton’s until 1:00 p.m. to make his entrance as the new centre fielder.  Expect Carriere, and Nyczyk’s wizardry to start on the weekend unless there is a change of heart by Royal management.

After signing a lucrative endorsement contract with Gillette the Pirates have started the slogan of “Fear the Beard” to start their playoff run.  And there is reason to fear their ace lefty, as John Schade is an impressive 19-8 when on the mound.  Without Schade pitching are 16-26 the last 2 years.  The Pirates to upset will have to rely on his arm, as it will not be Mohammed that will take them to Mecca.  The Beard will certainly go game 1.  Lepan game 2, and if a game 3 is needed…it is a given the Beard will grow back!

Probable outcome is a Royals sweep

Royals – Nyczyk and Carriere

Pirates – The Beard and Lepan

Jason Forbes has done an incredible job of managing the volatile Braves since taking over the reins from Dexter Sargeant in April.   This is now easy task, as the Braves are always about one spark away from implosion.  Still talent is abundant, and if the pitching arms are healthy they must be considered strong favorites to make the finals.  Look for Omer and Fensom to go the first 2 games.  But a surprise start may be in order from Eagles or Visconti.  The real drama may be that the Braves have the 8:30 a.m. game, and the chances of Andre Steer being there for that time are slim to none!

The Reds have been devastated by injury this year.   Mike Dymond blew out his knee and Todd Morris has had elbow issues all year.  Yet the veteran Reds lineup may still do some damage.  They have remained under the radar for the full year.  Maybe a surprise or two is in the horizon for them?  Pitching may be an issue for the Reds.  Look for the full staff to be used on the weekend, with Todd Morris making an appearance on the mound after many weeks.

Probable outcome is a Braves sweep.

Braves – Fensom and TBA

Reds – Morris and Pearson

Mets vs Astros 

The Mets have played schizophrenic baseball for the last few years.  In 2015 they played .625 ball, in 2014 - .403, 2013 - .677, and 2012 - .403.  What team shows up in the playoffs is not known.  What is certain is that their young guns are here for the playoffs for the first time, and perhaps that is what is needed to make a big playoff run.  Look for Nasello to start game 1, after that it is a crap shoot.  One thing is for certain….the diamond will be lined regardless of what time Smardenkas gets to the park!  Warmup is overrated when compared to diamond grooming.

The Astros have been a consistent team in the SABL for almost 2 decades.  The veterans(Gemmell, Snow, Schiralli, Andrews) have aged, but they also seem to know how to win.  Each year the Astros bring in a new group of young players to make them competitive, and feared when the playoffs start.  They certainly did not want to be in the 4/5 playoff slot, but now that they are will pull out all the stops to make their run.  Look for Gemmell and Flores to start game 1 and 2 this weekend, and if there is a game three and there is no WWF on….Gemmell again!

Probable outcome is the series goes to 3 games.

Mets – Nasello and TBA

Astros – Gemmell and Flores