American Association Insider: Miles Wolff Cup Playoff Preview

 After three and a half months and 100 games, it has come down to this, eight teams battling for one thing, the Miles Wolff Cup. As a player it doesn't matter if you've played in the Major Leagues or if this is your first year of professional baseball, the goal at the end will be holding up the Miles Wolff Cup. Leon Durham said after a very good major league career that winning the 1993 Northern League Championship was like winning the World Series, and that feeling carries on today in the eight teams battling for the Cup.

So let's take a look at the four series beginning on Wednesday night.

Lake Country vs. Chicago

Why Lake Country will win: Lake Country battled through a nine game losing streak to sweep Chicago at Kamp Oconomowoc. They would go on to drop three more games in Milwaukee before winning their final two games. They must have a short memory and focus on their success against Chicago. Although the DockHounds offense isn't as prolific as last year's club, there is potential to put up runs in bunches. Brian Rey, Ryan Hernandez, Daunte Stuart and Brian O'Keefe must make their presence known in the series. They will need strong starting pitching from Luke Hansel, Jacob Nix and Brett Conine. All three have potential to shut down offenses. If they can pass a lead to Robert Gsellman and Eric Torres, count on a positive result.

Why Chicago will win: Although only Chance Sisco and Henry Kusiak garnered post season honors, the Dogs had six players with double digit home run totals, making for a balanced and dangerous lineup. Although they were swept in Lake Country, they had previously swept the DockHounds at Impact Field. The X factor is Jacob Teter. Teter had a down year compared to 2024 but he was starting to hit for the power we know has later in the season. Teter at the top of his game can take a game over. The Dogs do not match up in starting pitching to the DockHounds, so it is imperative for the Dogs offense to take over a game at Impact Field and find a way to take one of the two games in Oconomowoc.

Prediction: DockHounds in three games, but not the least surprised if the playoff tested Dogs find a way to win.

Kane County vs. Milwaukee

Why Kane County will win: The Cougars have a weapon that not many other teams can match and that is ace pitcher Konnor Ash. Ash MIGHT have been the reason the DockHounds didn't want to face the Cougars as they remember being shut down by Greg Mahle at their own ballpark last season. Much like last season, the Cougars will have to be able to out pitch their opponents. That formula worked last year in winning the Miles Wolff Cup and will have to get the job done if they are to repeat. Behind Ash are Chris Mazza and Vin Timpanelli who have both shown the ability to shut down offenses. The bullpen is deep and experienced and able to match up with both lefties and righties. George Tsamis is a genius at finding the best matchups for his pitchers. If the bullpen executes, it's a tough team to score runs against. The offense is capable of putting up runs but has struggled at times. They will need to be at the top of their game.

Why Milwaukee will win: There's a lot that can be said about momentum and no team has more right now than the Milkmen. In the last month, Chase Estep is the only Milkmen batter hitting over .300. But the Milkmen have had clutch hitting that has won games. A different hero every night. Look at the pitching, Matt Walker had a great August with a 2.14 ERA in six starts. Jhordany Mezquita had a 2.51 ERA. If both pitch like they did in August, they will be able to match the Cougars ability to shut down offenses. If the Milkmen haven't crashed from the high they've been on catching Cleburne to gain a playoff spot, a combo of starting pitching and opportunistic offense will get them past Round One. 

Prediction: Kane County in three games. But if Milwaukee solves Konnor Ash, expect them to take the series. 

Sioux City vs. Sioux Falls

Why Sioux City will win: The Explorers go into a matchup with their I-29 rivals with a great deal of confidence. My version of the 1985 Cardinals features a team that can turn a walk into a triple with their legs. If the top of the order featuring Austin Davis, Henry George, Zac Vooletich, and Josh Day can get on base, it creates all kinds of trouble for the Canaries and in particular catcher Scott Combs. Abdiel Layer has been on a roll and leads the Explorers with home runs with 14. If Austin Drury, Kyle Marman and Jake Wetherbee and possibly Angel Macuare can pitch deep into games and not walk batters, Chase Jessee and Miguel Cepeda are two arms you'll be hard pressed to rally against. 

Why Sioux Falls will win: The Canaries feature a dangerous lineup that can put up runs in bunches. Matt Bottcher is a late season arrival that has become a guy that can get on base consistently. After that the Canaries lineup features three batters in Josh Rehwaldt, Jordan Barth and player of the year Calvin Estrada that all made the American Association post season All Star team. Throw in veterans like Mike Hart and Jabari Henry, it is as complete of a lineup as you'll find in the league. Tanner Brown and Thomas Dorminy are a 1-2 punch that Mike Meyer has a ton of confidence in and rightfully so. Cole LaLonde, Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Solter are all reliable arms in the rotation but two of the three may be asked to bolster the bullpen that battled inconsistency late in the season. If Ryan Richardson, Will Levine and Charlie Hasty are on their games, a lead after six innings can be safe. 

                                             Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi

Prediction: Sioux City in three tight games. Game Three will be a walkoff win.

Kansas City vs. Fargo-Moorhead

Why Kansas City will win: Although with signings and injuries, the Monarchs lineup was a bit of a revolving door. The Monarchs lineup is deep and experienced. If Micah Pries and Isiah Gilliam both played full seasons, both will have been on the post season All Star team. If those two bats are going, the Monarchs lineup from top to bottom will feed off of that. John Nogowski and Jorge Bonifacio both hit less than .300 but are dangerous hitters. Robbie Glendinning was the only Monarch to make the post season All Star team but led the Monarchs with 18 home runs. Legends Field can be very friendly to the Monarchs, and they will be very confident about winning two games to advance if needed. Even with Julian Garcia gone, the Monarchs have solid starting pitching with Josh Hendrickson and Blake Goldsberry. Recent pickup Julio Robaina will be an X factor. Steffon Moore and Hunter McMahon have been great at the back of the bullpen. 

Why Fargo-Moorhead will win: The RedHawks were a work in progress and got red hot in the second half feasting off of a schedule that saw them only play ten games versus teams with winning records, going 4-6 against Sioux City and Sioux Falls. Regardless, between acquisitions and talent in house, the RedHawks will be confident going into the series. Veterans Jose Sermo, Juan Fernandez, Eric Filia, Lamar Sparks and Dillon Thomas are capable of matching the Monarchs offense. Jake Dykhoff, Kyle Crigger and Tyler Jandron will be the three arms the RedHawks will be counting on to shut down the Monarchs. If they perform like they have all season, Dykhoff taking home Pitcher of the Year honors, the RedHawks can win this series. Parker Harm, Garrett Alexander, Alex DuBord all have ERA's under two runs a game. Get a lead after six and this bullpen can nail the game down.

Prediction: RedHawks in three games with the third game going into extra innings.