Hello Red fans! How excited you must be! Harry Musgrave with you with all thing Reds, playoff edition.
Apparently the first playoff appearance in 15 seasons last year wasn’t enough for the Reds so they decided to do it again – this time as division champions. Last season they were one agonizing win away from winning everything despite missing Mr. Red, Golden Reeves. Last season they were ecstatic just to be in the playoffs, this year their expectations are higher. Up first is the same foe from last year, the Pittsburgh Oilers. Pittsburgh went 10-7 against the Reds this year including a 6-2 mark down the stretch. Pittsburgh strength is their pitching, 2nd only to Brooklyn in the LBL. Not only do they have the talent, but they have the depth. Oxendon, Wilford, Kynaston and Whitely are as tough a 4 as it gets. St. Louis had the 5th best offense in the LBL as far as runs scored and they will have to find a way to scratch out some runs.
In the series last year, Herman Robinson pretty much single handedly won it for the Reds and he is definitely rounding in to form as he went 10-2 down the stretch and ended up 17-9 overall. Could it be the summer of Herman part 2? The Reds sure hope so. Robinson has a bit more help this season as Benedict Hatcher is healthy and Roy Cooper has a full year of starting under his belt. Those 3 should form the playoff rotation with Cooper getting the game one start.
In the starting lineup the Reds have some injury issues. Granville Brewis, who started all year at 2nd is out with an abdominal strain. Shortstop Sherwood Matthews is nursing a bad back but it sounds like he we give it a try in game 1. Monroe Dunbar, who was a late season acquisition from Boston will get the start at 2nd base. Two rookies, Green Symes and Joseph Leaper have been called up to help in the middle infield. Both Symes and Leaper are former 2nd round picks and neither have played in the LBL before.
The Reds, as per usual with be heavily reliant on their top 5 batters to score runs. Butler, Reeves and Sibthorp were one, two and three respectively in hits in the Western League this season. George Cook was 8th. Reeves is the frontrunner for his 5th most valuable player award, but Butler is right on his heals. They will need all of these guys to be on top of their games against this vaunted Oiler staff.
It should be a fantastic series.. Oxendon vs Robinson in game 5 again????