Tastes Great LCS results

The Tastes Great League Championship Series was a hard fought battle between to very evenly matched teams.  Both teams have similar construction and ballparks.  Both teams featured good bullpens and balanced offenses.  The prize awaiting the winner is the right to face the Troy Haymakers in the NASBL World Series.  Game results are as follows:

Game 1: Price vs. Strasburg
Neither starter figured in the decision, but both pitched well.  Strasburg pitched through the 5th inning and Price went 3 innings.  The bullpens pitched well and the game was decided in the bottom of the 12th inning when Ian Desmond homered on a split roll of HR2DO.  Both managers were frustrated with their teams lack of success with runners in scoring position, but much of that can be attributed to very good bullpen management.  The win went to Uehara (1-0) and the loss went to Casey Janssen (0-1).
IronPigs lead the series 1-0

Game 2: Garza vs. Beachy
After the extended use of the bullpen, the IronPigs were hopeful to give the bullpen a rest with their ace on the mound.  That plan went out the window in the 3rd inning after he gave up his 10th run.  The New Potatoes got to him early and often.  EdCouch won this game in easy fashion by a score of 10-6.  Beachy (0-1) took the loss and Garza (1-0) was credited with the win.
Series tied 1-1

Game 3: Greinke vs. Niemann
The series moved to the BigPotatoDome and the only ballpark modification was slightly more singles.  Again, the New Potatoes jumped out to a quick start, knocking the LVI starter out of the game early.  The New Potatoes breezed to an easy 8-2 win.  Ogondo (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Greinke took the loss (0-1).
New Potatoes lead the series 2-1

Game 4: Anderson vs. Price
Game 4 featured a matchup of two quality lefties.  This time it was the IronPigs that jumped out to a quick lead.  The IronPigs scored 4 runs off Price without him recording an out.  The IronPigs held on for a 4-3 win to tie the series.  Uehara (2-0) picked up the win and Price (0-1) took the loss.  Houston Street picked up his first save of the series.
Series tied 2-2

Game 5: Strasburg vs. Fiers
EdCouch jumped all over Strasburg and knocked him out early and rolled to an easy 11-5 victory to take a commanding 3-2 series lead.  This game featured a parade of singles by the New Potatoes and resulted in the highest scoring game of the series.  Fiers (1-0) pitched well enough to win.  He was not dominant, but he was effective.  Strasburg (0-1) took the loss.
New Potatoes lead the series 3-2

Game 6: Garza vs. Beachy
This was a do or die game for the IronPigs and they showed the resilience that propelled them to 104 wins in the regular season.  The game was decided in the bottom of the 15th inning when Eric Young Jr. lined a pitch over the drawn in outfield with the bases loaded.  Beachy somewhat redeemed himself by pitching 11 innings and gave up 2 runs.  Uehara (3-0) collected the win in relief and Ogondo (1-1) took the loss.
Series tied 3-3

Game 7: Niemann vs. Greinke
This is what playoff series should come down to.  Game 7 where the winner takes all and moves on.  In an epic struggle Greinke (1-1) outlasted Niemann (0-1) and the IronPigs held on to win the game 3-1 and close out the series.  Houston Street picked up his second save of the series.  A crucial part of this game included Yadier (1e1) throwing the ball into left field on a hit and run attempt and four walks to LVI left handed batters by left handed pitchers.
IronPigs take series 4-3

Some interesting stats from the series included:
1) EdCouch scored 35 runs in the series and Lehigh Valley scored 24 runs
2) EdCouch homered 5 times and Lehigh Valley homered 2 times
3) EdCouch X-chart of .833 and Lehigh Valley X-chart of .611
4) Lehigh Valley with 7 stolen bases and EdCouch with 6
5) Lehigh Valley with 0 hit and run hits in 10 tries
6) EdCouch with 17 ballpark single chances and Lehigh Valley with 8
7) Juan Pierre batted .391 for LVI and Melky Cabrera batted .387 for ECN
8) Alex Rios batted .087 for LVI and Ben Zobrist batted .111 for ECN
9) Uehara won three of the games with an ERA of 1.08 for LVI
10) Ogondo went 1-1 with an ERA of 1.13 for ECN
11) ECN starter ERA wsa 6.33 and bullpen ERA was 1.11
12) LVI starter ERA was 5.23 and bullpen ERA was 2.89

As you can see from the statistical breakdown, EdCouch outplayed the IronPigs in most statistical facets of the game, but thankfully, that is why you roll the dice.  Anything can happen in a short series.  Congratulations to Ed for a fantastic run in his inaugural NASBL season and I am sure that he will be in the LCS many more times!

Next up for the IronPigs are the very well rested Troy Haymakers.  The oddsmakers are looking forward to a rematch of the 2011 NASBL World Series.  That should be another great series between two well matched teams.