Cecil Cup Preview 2015 - Steamroll or Amigo-rific?

Cleveland, Ohio (AP) - Tonight marks the first game of the 2015 Cecil cup and the people of Cleveland and Central Canadia are excited to get it started. The matchup is about as even as one can get. The regular season Zotti league champions and winners of 100 games, Cleveland Steamers, are hosting game one as they welcome in the Adams League Wild Card and 92 game winner, Saskatoon Amigos.

The big news this year is these two historical cellar dwellers fighting each other to be champions of the SDMB. Saskatoon finished last in the Adams League in 2014 while Cleveland's highest finish was 4th in 2006 before their rise to the playoffs and Cecil Cup Series last season.

The matchup is actually much closer than it seems at first glance. These two teams are evenly matched. Here is the breakdown:

Starting Pitching: This is actually a push. Even though Saskatoon has to push their number one starter Ramirez back until at least Game 3 and possibly game 4, that does not give the advantage to Cleveland.

The matchup in game one will be one for the ages. There is no hotter pitcher than Kendrick 'Boo' Kaler. He is 11-0 in his last 12 starts (including a gem in game one of the LCS). Over this span he has a 2.25ERA with a 0.90 WHIP in 88 IP and has 67 Ks. His opponent will be Thomas Cohen who went 17-10 this season with only 20 BBs the entire season. This should be a pitcher’s duel, but I think Kaler gets the best of this matchup.

Saskatoon has the advantages in games 2 and 3 with Lopez and Ramirez having the advantage over Minton and Turner, and that will leave it up to the decision on who goes in game 4 and beyond. It the number 4 starters go for the two teams the advantage would go to Cleveland as Keopp has had a great season while Orozco was a touch over average. But if either team goes to the game one starters on short rest, it is anyone's guess who would have the advantage there.

Middle Relief: After the starters get replaced the advantage will go to Cleveland. With the best closer in the league Junior Cuomo, Victor Valles and Arnold Pough leading up the charge for the Steamers they should have the advantaged over the Saskatoon relievers led by 19 year old former Steamer Closer Greg Fiala. If they have to head to the relief corps before the 9th inning, it could be trouble for the Amigos.

Catcher: Advantage to Saskatoon. Dash is the better hitter, but Dailey is the better fielder. Still Dash has a better overall potential in this matchup.

First Base: Advantage to Cleveland. Aikin is in a bit of a funk, but he does have the advantage of the platoon of Pla and Doezal who are still developing into their situation.

Second Base: Advantage to Saskatoon. With the injury to Burton for Cleveland it leaves the door open for the platoon of Peavey and Dalamau to take the advantage over fill in Edwards. Peavey has had an excellent season playing second and short this season and Dalamau is a good compliment in this platoon. Edwards has had a solid season, but he is more suited to the bench than an everyday starter.

Third Base: Advantage to Cleveland. Grondin has had a breakout season and has continued that into the playoffs. His LCS performance was good enough to win him the unofficial MVP of the series. If he keeps it up in the Cecil Cup Series he could be the reason why the Steamers win the championship. Burdine has had a solid season for the Amigos, but it would be tough for anyone in the league right now to surpass Grondin at third base.

Shortstop: Push. Both teams have solid defensive and offensive options at SS as Saskatoon runs out Wilson and Peavey while Midkiff gets the nod for Cleveland. Midkiff batted over .310 this season in his first season starting just about every day. His added offense is equaled by Wilson's added defense. Hence the push.

Left Field: Advantage Saskatoon. Rufus Murry is the real deal. He has power and average and speed a real 5-tool player. He will be a force to be reckoned with in this series, and could equal Grondin's productivity if it all falls right. For Cleveland, Christopher Pearsall is a quality OF, but he is not a Rufus by any stretch of the imagination.

Center Field: Advantage Cleveland. Monte Goss can hit. The lifetime .322 batting average is not matched by many in the league. His job is to get on base, and be knocked in by the middle of the lineup, and that is what he does. He scored 116 runs this season and looks to be a key part of the Steamers run to the championship. The Amigos throw Jose Diaz out in CF for his defense not his offense. He did hit 17 HR this season, but only had a career .226 batting average and that does not cut it for a starting player in the ML.

Right Field: Push. This is where the injured Brian Frison would be playing and Saskatoon will be missing him. Santiago Salazar is a decent replacement and has the power numbers with 26 HRs this season, but he is not a Frison. Tyler Thomas was signed to Cleveland to be the anchor in the middle of the lineup, and has done a decent job in the past of doing that, but has not lived up to close to $19M price tag. He has had a solid postseason so far, and will be needed to bring home the gold.

Bench: Push. It will be a crap shoot once we get into the bench area as both teams do not have the strongest benches around. It might be a lucky hit by one of these bench players that swings the series one way or another.

Overall, I would have to call this series a push and could go one way or the other. I would give the slight edge to Cleveland with their bullpen at the end of the game putting them over the top. I think we will see 7 full games with Cleveland winning the deciding game in the bottom of the 9th on a 3 run HR by Grondin. I think everyone is looking forward to the Cecil Cup Series of 2015.