FRONTIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW
WRITTEN BY: MIKE GUISTOLISE
WASHINGTON, PA - The time has finally come. After a grueling 96-game regular season and the divisional round in the rearview mirror, two teams are left standing: the Washington Wild Things and the Québec Capitales.
It is hardly a surprise that both of these teams find themselves in contention for a championship, combining for over 130 wins in the regular season while claiming the top spot in their respective divisions. Every journey, however, must come to an end.
For the Capitales, the word "dynasty" has been floated around the world of independent baseball as they find themselves in the championship for the third consecutive year. Their 2024 campaign was their most successful yet, winning the most games (64) in their history in the Frontier League while running away with the East Division by 10 games. Québec is incredibly difficult to match up with, averaging over six runs per game offensively. The flip side is that they have allowed five runs per game and have yet to string together consistent domination in the playoffs as they did during the regular season.
The Wild Things are in search of their first championship in their history. Coming off the heels of a historic season, Washington is primed to succeed in the playoffs, boasting the best pitching staff in the Frontier League. They have shown just how dangerous they can be, shutting out Lake Erie in both games of the West Division Series to punch their ticket to the championship. Of course, they have yet to see a team like Québec that can go punch-for-punch with them, so it will be interesting to see how the Wild Things respond to a beast of an opponent.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The Capitales have no shortage of power, especially in their outfield. After going 0-for-5 in his first game of the playoffs, Justin Gideon has crushed opposing pitching with a .750 batting average and five RBIs in his last two games. Another element that makes Gideon an arduous player to pitch to is his limiting of strikeouts. In the first round, Gideon only struck out two times. No doubt his name will be highlighted on the scouting report for the Washington pitching staff.
Depth has proven to be a plus for the Wild Things as the season and postseason have worn on. One player that has been a big boost for the Washington offense has been catcher Ricardo Sanchez. In the brief series against the Crushers, Sanchez compiled five hits and drove in five runs including the only two for Washington in the West Division Series opener. The kicker is that he did all of that from the nine-spot in the lineup. Québec will need to strategize carefully against Sanchez if they hope to be crowned champions once again.
GAME DETAILS
FIRST PITCH: September 10th, 7:05 PM EDT at Wild Things Park (Washington, PA)
TV/RADIO: FloSports
PROJECTED SERIES PITCHING MATCHUPS:
Game 1 - RHP Ryan Sandberg (Québec) vs. LHP Kobe Foster (Washington)
Game 2 - TBA (Québec) vs. RHP Dariel Fregio (Washington)
Game 3 - TBA vs. TBA
