Never too early to talk Volcanoes ’19 playoffs
KEIZER – As the 2019 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes continue to battle hard every remaining game of the Northwest League regular season, it’s never too early to talk about how the team is matching up with possible opponents in the NWL South Division Championship Series.
That’s the first round the Volcanoes already have qualified for by virtue of their first-half NWL South Division title: An important bargaining chip in the Northwest League for taking care of business early.
“You see the maturity of this team and the entire Volcanoes franchise in keeping focus and handling a clinched-playoff spot with such poise,” said Mitche Graf, Volcanoes President. “This is why players and coaches continue to count on our great fans to keep Volcanoes Stadium a true home-field advantage. Momentum always helps.”
The NWL South Division Championship is best of three and the Volcanoes elected to host Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary. The thinking is trying to steal Game 1 on the road and close it out at home.
“There is something definitely special about the 2019 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, because the team, the staff, front office, and fans, have kept a focus and sense of healthy urgency,” said Mickey Walker, Special Consultant to Volcanoes Ownership. “The Northwest League is very deep with all eight teams, so even playoff-bound teams like the Volcanoes take nothing for granted.”
Minor League Baseball playoffs are always tricky because the big club could and will move players up the ranks as the summer turns to fall – but that’s true for every MiLB team. So, here’s what we know, at a team-by-team level, at the time of publication:
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What a Volcanoes/Hops NWL South Divisional Series could look like:
This rivalry, and yes, this has unapologetically become a full-fledged Minor League rivalry, pits two teams who battle each other every pitch, every inning, and more times than not, in games that end as one-run victories after last-at-bat heroics.
Both teams are battling for the overall best record of the league, and most likely will continue that fight through the last game of the regular season heading into the playoffs.
The Hops own a better NWL ERA of 3.02 versus the Volcanoes team ERA of 4.38. Not surprisingly as the Volcanoes have won as many games so far, the Volcanoes lead the league with a .267 batting average to the Hops .248. The Volcanoes have scored about 80 more runs than the Hops – which is a lot. Salem-Keizer has large leads over Hillsboro is on-base + slugging percent – a health metric for team scoring. Volcanoes bats bring the fireworks.
Generally, this would mean if the Volcanoes can average scoring 4.7 runs a game in the South Division Series, odds are they are moving on the play for the NWL pennant.
What a Volcanoes/Emeralds NWL South Divisional Series could look like:
Take all the Volcanoes batting dominance we talked about above. Eugene scores about as many runs a game as Hillsboro, which means they also are significantly behind the team batting numbers of the Volcanoes.
The Emeralds do have some pitching levers at their disposal: Em’s pitchers give up about a half-a-run less a game than the Volcanoes – although the Volcanoes lead the Em’s in saves and complete games. Thus, the trends say that if the Volcanoes can put up their 4.7 runs a game, and preferably most before the seventh inning, Salem-Keizer has the inside track to win this divisional series.
What a Volcanoes/Hawks NWL South Divisional Series could look like:
Take all the Volcanoes batting dominance we talked about above. Boise would bring what isn’t always measured in baseball statistics but has made some “legends of the fall” storylines for NWL playoff teams over the years: Playing with nothing to lose.
If the Hawks get into the playoffs it would have been because of an almost unbeatable finish to the regular season. Momentum sometimes is the MVP of any playoff team.
Anything can happen in the playoffs:
The 2019 Northwest League playoffs start in about two weeks. Yes, we have some advanced scouting of how the Volcanoes would match up against the North Divisional Champions in the 2019 Northwest Baseball League Championship Series, but let’s take it one series at a time.
“For all the pennants and all the playoff appearances the Volcanoes have made, it always is a wonderful, exciting and a very unique experience,” said Jerry Walker, Volcanoes Co-Owner. “Lisa and I are very proud of the players, coaches, and staff. We equally are very happy for the fans. Let’s see what September shall bring.”
2019 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Playoff Schedule:
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes,1st Half South Division Champions vs. TBD. South Division Championship Home Playoff Games
- At Volcanoes Stadium, September 5
- At Volcanoes Stadium, September 6* if necessary
2019 NWL Championship Series. South Division Champion vs. North Division Champion
(Depending on stadium availability this schedule may change):
- Game 1: South hosting on Saturday, September 7
- Game 2: South hosting on Sunday, September 8
- Game 3: North hosting on Monday, September 9
- Game 4: North hosting on Tuesday, September 10
- Game 5: North hosting on Wednesday, September 11
Justin Lacche is President (Emeritus) of the Volcanoes. A professional cricket player, Lacche has 3,000+ career runs in 15 seasons, winning two cricket championships.