Looking at the SAL Northern Playoffs

The SAL playoffs begin tonight in Charleston as the first half champion Hagerstown Suns travel to West Virginia for Game of the Northern Division variety postseason.
The second half champions are waiting for them in the West Virginia Power and this looms to be an interesting series.

Looking at the pitching matchups,West Virginia holds a huge edge in their home game with Tyler Glasnow on the mound.
Glasnow's season (9-3 2.18 ERA) has zoomed him to the top of the Pirates prospects above all,but maybe Jameson Taillon and one could argue,perhaps past Taillon.
Hagerstown responds with Austin Voth,who was quite impressive in his home debut for the Suns.
Voth,along with Jake Johansen, was part of the Auburn reinforcements brought to town to replace Potomac promotions.
Voth was strong,but one has to give the edge to the Power in this one.

Game two sees the series move to Hagerstown for the middle game,which will see one of the two teams face elimination
The Suns will throw Pedro Encarnacion (10-9 3.58 ERA) against the Power's John Kuchno (9-5 4.01 ERA).
Slight edge for the Suns here with home field,but Encarnacion has been hit hard in his final two starts,so I wouldn't recommend calling your local bookmaker.

If game three is needed to decide the Northern Division title,the Power will send Clay Holmes to the hill (5-6 4.08 ERA) and Hagerstown's Kylin Turnbull (6-5 3.58 ERA).
Holmes entered this season as a touted prospect and has been somewhat disappointing,having walked 69 and striking out 90 in 119 innings.
Holmes has alternated good and bad outings over the last month of this season,so one cannot be sure what Holmes brings to the table.
Turnbull is not a pitcher that I normally would be comfortable with in a game decider,but he has pitched very well over the last six weeks and could continue that run in the postseason.


Offensively,these are the same type of team that does not live by the long ball as only Josh Bell of the Power has double digit homers for either team.
Unless the wind is blowing out,any power numbers that can be provided might decide this series.
Walker Gourley has been a surprise with the bat for the Power after struggles in State College and Jimmy Rider has produced well since his promotion from Jamestown.
The trade of Dilson Herrera to the Mets could hurt West Virginia offensively and an injury to Barrett Barnes was not a favor either.

The Suns have no particular hitting stars,but rely instead on a balanced lineup that will consistently put the ball in play.
Tony Renda is best of the group,but this team will be in big trouble,if they get behind as they simply do not have the type of team that features one swing capability to get back into the game when behind.

This looks to be a close series and likely to go three games.
West Virginia almost has to have game one and with Tyler Glasnow on the hill,this looks to be a very tall task on the road for the Suns.
Assuming that is the case,the Suns will need to sweep at the Muni and considering the pitching matchups look to be even,that will also be a tough a task.
Normally,I would say this is a pickem series,but since I'm paid the big buck (< Get it) to go out on a limb,I'll hesitantly make a pick.
Power in three.....