2022 EASTERN DIVISIONAL SERIES PREVIEW -- GAME TWO
| Final (11) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ottawa Titans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
|
Québec Capitales | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
By Jake Aiello
Game two of the 2022 Eastern Divisional Series moves to Quebec after an Ottawa 3-0 victory at home in game one.
Quebec Capitales
The home team looks to even the playing field at one game a piece or risk being knocked out of the postseason.
Quebec will send Codie Paiva out for the crucial start. The Hawaii native won the Player of the Month for the Capitales in August. The 6'5" right hander will rely, primarily, on his dominant changeup in this start. He finished the regular season with an impressive nine wins and a sub-3.20 ERA.
The Capitales were held to just four hits in the first game of the series despite boasting a powerful lineup. They finished 6th in slugging percentage (.438) and 5th in home runs (116) in the regular season.
Quebec will need more production from their star catcher Jeffy Parra who went 0-for-4 in game one. Parra broke the single-season home run record for the franchise with 32 long balls. Parra also finished top-ten in the entire league in RBI (83), doubles (25), slugging percentage (.705), and on-base percentage (.419) .
Quebec's bullpen held the Titans scoreless in two innings of relief even with the departure of bullpen ace Kyle Horvath, who was signed by the Los Angeles Angels. The Capitales staff should be just fine after posting a league-best 3.50 ERA this season.
Quebec can even the series if their explosive, well-rounded offense can get back on track and provide some support for a strong pitching staff.
Ottawa Titans
Ottawa hopes to carry the momentum from game one to seal this series and move on to the next round.
The Titans put up two runs on the Frontier League's Pitcher of the Year Miguel Cienfuegos. The left-hander was coming off of a seven inning, one-hit shutout performance against the New Jersey Jackals.
Despite the hype, six Ottawa hitters recorded a hit, with Liam McArthur driving in two runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Although McArthur only appeared in 18 games this season, the Titans do have an experienced big three in catcher Tyrus Greene, outfielder Jacob Sanford, and infielder Jason Dicochea, all of whom hit over .300 this season.
Ottawa's starter Tyler Jandron dominated in nine shutout innings, surrendering only four hits to the Capitales in game one.
Jandron finished 7th in ERA in the league at a respectable 4.24 despite a streak of poor performances that saw him allow a combined eight earned runs in his last two starts.
Ottawa's game two pitcher, Jose Tavares, finished the regular season with a 7-2 record despite finishing with a 5.11 ERA. Tavares will have the daunting task of holding the Capitales lineup at bay for the second straight night.
If Ottawa's experienced hitters can get to Paiva and their pitching can continue to dazzle, they could take this series tonight.
