Cougars Prepare for Midwest League Playoffs
September 7, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars will open the Midwest League Playoffs tomorrow night at home in a best-of-three series against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at www.kccougars.com or by calling (630) 232-8811. Any unused tickets from the regular season can be exchanged for comparable seating for tomorrow's game. This marks the Cougars' 12th postseason appearance in the franchise's 20-year history and sixth trip to the playoffs in the franchise's eight seasons as an A's affiliate.
Thanks to their strong second half push, the Cougars secured a postseason berth over the weekend and will oppose the River Bandits in the opening round, a team the Cougars went 11-9 against during the regular season. Manager Aaron Nieckula will give the ball to pitcher Murphy Smith to open Game 1. Smith (8-2, 3.64), despite joining the Cougars on May 29 from Class-A Advanced Stockton, leads the staff in wins and won his most recent start on September 1, pitching seven innings without allowing a run against Peoria.
The River Bandits will open with right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller, a first round pick of the Cardinals last year who is listed as the top prospect in the St. Louis organization, according to Baseball America. Miller faced the Cougars in five of his 24 starts this season and allowed four earned runs in 18 innings.
Scouting the Cougars:
Pitcher Jonathan Joseph (2-5, 3.33) will be the Cougars' Game 2 starter at Quad Cities while Chris Mederos (7-5, 3.01) is scheduled to pitch Game 3, if necessary...the Cougars finished with three players among the top 10 in minor league baseball in walks: Conner Crumbliss (1st, 126), Tyreace House (4th, 96) and Anthony Aliotti (7th, 92)...Rashun Dixon is batting .366 in his last 10 games. Other hot hitters through the last 10 include Mitch LeVier (.333), Aliotti (.324) and Crumbliss (.323)...closer Jose Guzman finished with 18 saves, four of which came against Quad Cities...the Cougars were swept in the playoff's opening round in both 2008 and '09 against the Burlington Bees. With the team not qualifying for the playoffs in 2007, the Cougars' last postseason win was on a walk-off base hit by Steve Kleen on September 12, 2006 in Game 1 of the Midwest League Championship Series against West Michigan. The Cougars went on to drop the next three games of the series to the Whitecaps.
Scouting the River Bandits:
Quad Cities, which clinched a first half playoff berth as the wild card, will be making its first playoff appearance since 2007...scheduled starters for Game 2 and a possible Game 3 are expected to be RHP Michael Blazek (8-4, 2.71) and LHP Daniel Bibona (4-0, 1.91), respectively...the River Bandits went 45-27 on the road this season, easily the top mark among Western Division teams...outfielder Rainel Rosario was named by the St. Louis organization as its minor league player of the month in August. Rosario hit .300 with seven home runs and 20 RBI that month...a fractured elbow will keep River Bandits infielder Matt Adams away from the field in the playoffs. Arguably the MVP of the league, Adams batted .310 with 22 home runs and 88 RBI during the regular season before suffering a season-ending injury in late August.
Western Division Quarterfinals (Best of Three)
Wednesday, September 8, 6:30 p.m. - Quad Cities @ Kane County
Thursday, September 9, 7 p.m. - Kane County @ Quad Cities
Friday, September 10, 7 p.m. - Kane County @ Quad Cities (if necessary)
If the Cougars advance:
Western Division Championship (Best of Three)
Saturday, September 11, 6 p.m. - Cedar Rapids/Clinton @ Kane County
Sunday, September 12, TBD - Kane County @ Cedar Rapids/Clinton
Monday, September 13, TBD - Kane County @ Cedar Rapids/Clinton (if necessary)
Midwest League Championship (Best of Five)
Wednesday, September 15, 6:30 p.m. - Eastern Champion @ Kane County
Thursday, September 16, 6:30 p.m. - Eastern Champion @ Kane County
Saturday, September 18, TBD - Kane County @ Eastern Champion
Sunday, September 19, TBD - Kane County @ Eastern Champion (if necessary)
Monday, September 20, TBD - Kane County @ Eastern Champion (if necessary)
Midwest League Stories from September 7, 2010
- Kernels Gear up for MWL Playoffs This Wednesday - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Calhoun Named Midwest League Pitcher Of The Week - Quad Cities River Bandits
- LumberKings, Mariners Extend PDC Through 2012 - Clinton LumberKings
- Wise Named Player of the Week - Great Lakes Loons
- LumberKings Open Playoffs Wednesday Night - Clinton LumberKings
- Playoff Baseball Returns to Northeast Ohio This Thursday - Lake County Captains
- Cougars Prepare for Midwest League Playoffs - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons Break Single-A, Franchise Attendance Records; Sell-Out Streak Record Within Reach - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts Announce Two-Year Extension with Blue Jays - Lansing Lugnuts
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