Phoenix Hopes Regular Season Success Continues in Playoffs
September 30, 2001
Phoenix(AP) - Back in town waiting for the start of the PVBL playoffs,
the Phoenix Gila Monsters simply hope to continue their
regular season winning ways. The Monsters, who finished the regular
season with a stunning 115-47 record have made a habit of demolishing
teams throughout the regular season. The Monsters batted .307
over the course of the regular season, slugged .516, and averaged 5.8
earned runs per game, more than 2 runs per game more than their
opponents.
Phoenix, however, is now focused on the postseason. "We've never
actually been to the World Series. Our goal continues to be to win
the PVBL crown", said Phoenix GM Patrick Bridges. Phoenix faces
their arch-rival Washington in the first round of the playoffs.
"We're trying a different strategy this year. In the past, we've rested
people a lot before the playoffs, and they've come out rusty in the first
few games. This year we had enough travel days and off days before the
playoffs, that I decided not do do that", said Bridges. Indeed, Phoenix
has lost in the first round 4 of the last five years.
In the end, Phoenix just hopes to pick up where they left off in the
regular season, with a powerful offense that sports one 30-30 player
and 3 20-20 players, and excellent pitching. Greg Maddux will start game 1
because Shane Reynolds was mysteriously called in for emergency relief
on the next-to-last day of the season. Reynolds is expected to start
game 2, and Pedro Astacio game 3. Once the team doctor gives the okay,
Steve Avery may be available to start, or may be held back for long
relief, so as to work off the rust. Avery is expected back any
day now. Robb Nen will continue his job as Phoenix closer, and Phoenix
will sport it's normal lineup for game 1 against Washington ace Joey
Hamilton:
CF Hunter, B. (.301-21HRs-49SBs-119RS)
LF Finley, S. (.342-24HRs-31SBs-104RBIs)
SS Jeter, D. (.367-29HRs-36SBs-107RBIs)
RF Mondesi, R. (.313-34HRs-34SBs-124RBIs)
3B Justice, D. (.318-26HRs-93RBIs)
C Rodriguez, I. (.310-40HRs-133RBIs)
1B Palmeiro, R. (.500SLG-34HRs-78RBIs)
DH Sorrento, P. (23HRs-92RBIs)
2B Gonzalez, A. (.296-.486SLG-19HRs)
written by Patrick Bridges
