Playoff Preview?

Published on May 28, 2009 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


(Viera, FL) This weekend's four-game series at Space Coast Stadium between the Brevard County Manatees and Fort Myers Miracle will showcase the two best teams in the Florida State League at this point in the season. Entering Thursday's games, each team leads its respective division by a wide margin. Brevard County (28-12) holds a 7.5 game lead over Clearwater in the FSL North, and Fort Myers (29-15) leads the FSL South by 5.5 games over Charlotte. With less than a month remaining in the first half, both teams appear to be on track to clinch a spot in the FSL playoffs.

Could this be a preview of the FSL Championship Series in September? Logic would seem to be working against the two teams. Since the FSL playoffs feature each division's champions of the first and second half facing each other in the first round, the second half winners would seem to be at an advantage, since they are riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs. History shows that this has not always been the case in the FSL, however. Since the league went to its current two-division format in 1993, first half champions are a very respectable 15-17 in the first round. Of those 15 teams that won their first round matchup, six went on to win the FSL championship. Both the Manatees and Miracle have recent experience in this department. In 2007, the Manatees won the first half in the FSL East, then defeated second half champion St. Lucie in the playoffs. Fort Myers duplicated the feat in 2008, winning the FSL West first half title, then cooling off the red-hot Dunedin Blue Jays in the first round. Neither team was able to parlay their first round victory into a title, however.

Both the Manatees and the Miracle have been strong on both sides of the ball in 2009. Brevard County currently has the second highest batting average and most stolen bases in the FSL. They also lead the league in team ERA, shutouts, and are second in strikeouts. Fort Myers leads the league in batting average and runs scored. Their pitching ranks fourth in the league in ERA.

The outfield trio of Caleb Gindl, Logan Schafer, and Lee Haydel powers the Brevard County offense. All three are currently hitting over .290, and Gindl leads the team with 4 home runs and 29 RBI. Haydel is second on the team with 16 stolen bases. Third baseman Zelous Wheeler has added power to the Manatee lineup, with 3 home runs and 26 RBI. First baseman Steffan Wilson has also been a strong contributor, with a .302 average, 4 home runs, and 15 RBI.

The first base tandem of Rene Leveret and Chris Parmelee leads the Fort Myers offense. The two split time at first base, but both are usually in the lineup, with Leveret spending time at DH, while Parmelee often trades in his first baseman's glove for right field. Leveret is hitting .392 with 2 home runs and 15 RBI, while Parmelee leads the team with five homers and 26 RBI. Center fielder Ben Revere has helped ignite the Miracle offense from the leadoff position, with a .337 average and 19 stolen bases.

The series will feature five of the top starting pitchers in the Florida State League. For Brevard County, Josh Butler has rebounded from a tough 2008 campaign to win his first six decisions in 2009. His 6-0 record is the best in the FSL, and his ERA is down to 2.47 after not allowing a run in his last two starts. Evan Anundsen pitched the only no-hitter in the FSL so far this year in a dominant performance at Daytona on April 28. He is 5-3, and his 2.15 ERA ranks seventh in the FSL.

Fort Myers' Michael McCardell is tied with Butler for the FSL lead with six wins. He rebounded from two early losses, and is now 6-2 with a 3.63 ERA. Carlos Gutierrez (2-1) leads the FSL with a 0.98 ERA. He has not allowed an earned run in his last three starts, and has held opponents to a microscopic .159 batting average for the season. David Bromberg sports a perfect 4-0 record, and ranks third in the FSL with a 2.00 ERA.

The series begins Saturday night at 7:05pm. Saturday is Bright House Night at Space Coast Stadium, meaning all Bright House customers will receive two free tickets by presenting their bill at the ticket window. The series continues Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm, followed by 7:05pm games on Monday and Tuesday.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Florida State League Stories from May 28, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central