2024 EAST DIVISION SERIES PREVIEW
WRITTEN BY: MIKE GUISTOLISE
OTTAWA - After handling the Tri-City ValleyCats in the Wild Card Game, the Ottawa Titans will host the first game of a three-game divisional series with the Québec Capitales with the opportunity to advance to the championship hanging in the balance.
The Capitales and Titans have already seen plenty of each other this season, with Québec taking the 12-game season series nine games to three. The most interesting part? Two of the Titans' three wins against their rivals in the North came during the final series of the regular season in Ottawa.
In all likelihood, this series will come down to how the Titans use their pitching staff against a dangerous Capitales lineup. Québec won the Frontier League East Division convincingly during the regular season behind one of the top offenses in the league. The Capitales lead the East in total runs (585) and home runs (95) while ranking second in slugging (.406). Outfielders Justin Gideon, Marc-Antoine Lebreux, Tommy Seidl, and Jonathan Lacroix are an explosive bunch with complementary skill sets. The middle infield duo of Jesmuel Valentin and Kyle Crowl is not something to take lightly either. Add to that a catcher in Anthony Quirion who drove in 52 runs this year and you can see why Québec is a team to be feared.
That is to say nothing of the Capitales' pitching staff sports the division's best ERA. Right-handers Ryan Sandberg and James Bradwell, who will start the first two games for Québec respectively, both have ERA below three. Bradwell was also recently awarded the Brian Tollberg Pitcher of the Year and was named the starting pitcher on the 2024 All-Frontier League Team. Skipper Pat Scalabrini will have plenty of options to choose from the bullpen as well since the bullpen has been resting since Sunday.
The upside for Ottawa is that they will have their pitching staff lined up perfectly to counter Québec's bats. Right-hander Bryan Pena, who received Pitcher of the Week once this season, will start game one. He ranks second on the team in wins (7) and leads the Titans in strikeouts (99).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The playoffs generally come down to pitching. In a close game, managers need arms they can trust, especially in relief. That's why all eyes are on right-hander Frank Moscatiello, the closer for the Capitales. Moscatiello is no stranger to pitching in the postseason, being with Québec for their previous two championships. He had a strong year, finishing with 17 saves trailing only Ottawa closer Erasmo Pinales for the most saves in the East. Moscatiello is not unstoppable, however, suffering six blown saves this year which oftentimes comes from hitters squaring him up.
For Ottawa, they will have to find offense from someone who isn't AJ Wright. Jamey Smart can go on a hot streak at any time and could be a secondary run-producing option for the Titans if the Capitales choose to pitch around Wright. Smart is an adept run producer, leading the Titans in RBIs (59) while hitting .266 with four home runs.
GAME DETAILS
FIRST PITCH: 6:30 PM EDT at Titan Stadium (Ottawa, Ontario)
TV/RADIO: FloSports, CKDJ 107.9 radio in Ontario
PROJECTED SERIES PITCHING MATCHUPS:
Game 1 - RHP Ryan Sandberg (Québec) vs. LHP Bryan Pena (Ottawa)
Game 2 - RHP James Bradwell (Québec) vs. LHP CJ Blowers (Ottawa)
Game 3 (IF NECESSARY) - TBA vs. TBA
