Wiffle Atlanta Playoffs!, A Preview

An earlier matchup between the Swamp Donkeys and Wiffle House

Come one, come all to the magnificence that is the 7th Wiffle Atlanta Playoffs! We have 6 teams who will fight to the death for the crown this year. The past two weeks have greatly clarified the playoff scenario for the league. Although no team jumped another in the standings, every team got to warm-up for the post-season. It seemed like the frequent rain-outs over the season was going to dampen the arms, allowing for both injury and terribly-played games, but, alas! The rain has held off, for our purposes, and this weekend we start to finish what we started all the way back in May.

Today, I'll break down the first round's matchups and the two teams who get to kick back and vulture the spare bones from whoever advances to the second round.

Match-up 1: #4 Wiffle House vs. #5 Swamp Donkeys

These two teams have some history. Not necessarily with each other, but they definitely have history. In one corner, the Donkeys, though themselves championship-less, have a several of members of the 2010 champion Dodgers, including Blaine Milam and late-comer Ben Warner. Chad Alexander revamped his Donkeys before the season, bringing in Milam and Grant Yarbrough on lucrative contracts with the expectation that their pitching [and Blaine's annoying-as-shit switch-hitting power bat - JNK] would be the solution to their previous pitching woes. Statistically, not much ended up changing, as the Donkeys won just 5 games this season. However, confidence remains key for this matchup, as they believe that they can beat anyone in the league (and they probably can!). All said, Josh Suhl will probably get the starting nod for the swampy squad, seeing as he has had the most success against all teams; he's actually, probably, the team's ace, which makes you wonder why Chad shelled out all the moolah he did for two extra arms, neither of which he has even used as his Numero Uno? I mean, come on, dude.

In the other corner, Wiffle House is a perennial threat, simply by virtue of Brian Donegan's bat. That is not to discount the rest of the team, however. Free agent rookie pick-up Ryan Halverson has impressed with his arm, and, when reigning in his walks, Brian can make the case that he is a very good pitcher. Jeremy Johns is an above-average-overall player, sometimes sneaking up on opposing pitchers.

All in all, this match-up proves to be a pretty even one. The team that moves on will be the one of the two that walks the least. In example, beware of the Grant vs. Brian matchup that could occur- both teams will know that the zone will be a very friendly adversary from the plate, and it could result in, well, a really boring 20-walk matchup.

Projected pitchers

Game 1: Brian Donegan (WH) vs. Josh Suhl (SD)

Game 2: Jeremy Johns (WH) vs.  Blaine Milam (SD)

Match-up 2: #2 TPC vs. #6 Pirosotopes

In a set that could only be described as "David versus Goliath," the Tucker Power Company's bats will be facing off against the Pirosotopes' arms. What makes these games the most interesting is that these two teams are the only remaining from the league's third season in 2007 (cutting some slack for the Pirates' merger with the Isotopes this season), and, as such, have a nice, long, warm history with each other.

The Pirosotopes' only win this season came against TPC. So, to begin with, one imagines that they feel pretty good about their odds. Jordan Kadrie and Patrick McNeil will get the call for the 'topes in their first two games, both coming off of pretty good seasons. If the two righties can keep TPC from blowing up the scoreboard, as they are wont to do, they stand to upturn the #2 team in the league. They'll have their full line-up present, from Captain James McNeil (who has had a pretty good season himself with the bat) to Dylan Kelly, the Pestery Lefty [That's trademarked now, so don't even try. - JNK] to Marc Wolf, the One-Handed Bandit (and perennial .400 hitter).

The reason that it's important that the Pirosotopes will have the full force of their lineup on display is that we know TPC will score runs, but it is up in the air as to whether or not their pitching can hold the runs back. Daniel Foster, staff ace with the apparent semi-retirement of Johnny Smith, will most likely get the call for game 1. His pedigree is there, being the Smoltzy winner for last season and all, but their starter for game 2 is uncertain. Chris and Kevin Smith and Nathan Foster have all pitched for TPC this season, but none have legitimately claimed the number two spot. So, should they make the wrong decision, well, let's just say these teams will have a fireworks display going on field 2.

Likely to happen? Nah, probably not. It will be fascinating to see the outcome of the series, is what I'm saying. While the 'topes finished last, they can take it to TPC, but TPC can just as well blow the 'topes out of the water. We'll have to wait til Sunday to find out what happens, but bring your gloves and your video cameras.

Projected pitchers

Game 1: Daniel Foster (TPC) vs. Jordan Kadrie (PIR)

Game 2: Nathan Foster (TPC) vs. Patrick McNeil (PIR)

The Bye Teams

NBC pitched their butts off this year in order to claim first place in the league. Ken Crochet and Seth Higdon both continued showing their prowess from the mound, routinely shutting teams out. However, their hitting was a little lacking, as they weren't always blowing teams out. Their power is not the issue here, as Sam Crochet and Seth both can crank the ball, but their contact is another issue. Whoever they face in round 2, they will have to make sure they can pad their leads, though the teams coming out the other side to face them will, of course, have some pretty good pitching as it is. That all said, there's a reason that they're the number one team in the league- they'll be very tough to upset.

The Rough Riders actually switched with TPC, as they, being the #3 seed, would have played the Pirosotopes in round one. However, TPC obliged, and now the Riders are the last team I have to write about. Their offense is probably second only to TPC in the league, and, while they have some good pitching, walks are an issue. As well, their ace Stephen Archer is gonna be gone for part of the playoffs (something about marriage or whatever, who cares, right?), so whoever steps in will be putting their feet in to some pretty big shoes (like, shoes belonging to a guy that's 6'4" or something?). Their success in the playoffs will depend totally on how they pitch, seeing as their hitting, again, is almost totally uncontested.

Welp, that does it folks. Come on out and enjoy some sun and hot plastic-on-plastic action Sunday at Kittredge Field! It'll be totally worth getting bit up by mosquitoes all day. Damn things.