The games 1, 2 and 5 -- if necessary -- will be home games for the higher seeded team in this best-of-5 series. Injuries are turned off for the playoffs, meaning a player can be injured only for that particular game, but can return for the next game. Pitching rotations are on a four-man skip rotation, meaning the fourth starter will be skipped if the first starter is ready to pitch. Since there are off days off games 2 and 4, some game 1 starters will be available in game 4 on three days' rest.

The No. 3 seeded Las Vegas Rat Pack will take on the No. 6 seeded Hillsborough Hired Hitmen, and the No. 4 seeded Philadelphia Endzone Animals face the No. 5 seeded D.C. Bushslappers. (The two division winners each have byes in this round.)

The top seed to survive this round will take on the No. 2 seed, the Morris Division champion Vancouver Iron Fist; the lower-seeded survivor faces the Hanover Division winner, the top-seeded Newark Sugar Bears.

"Bring It On!"

Las Vegas Rat Pack (#3, 106-56) vs. Hillsborough Hired Hitmen (#6, 87-75)

The Las Vegas Rat Pack and Hillsborough Hired Hitmen have never faced each other in the post-season, are in different divisions and play on opposite sides of the country. But that hasn't stopped the owners from carrying on a well-publicized feud through the media. Hillsborough won the regular season series, 7 games to 5, but the real bragging rights will come after this much anticipated post-season showdown.

The squawking between Hillsborough owner Brent Campbell and Vegas owner Eric Wickstrom started in January, immediately after Campbell pulled off the massive Alex Rodriguez trade with the Arkansas Golden Falcons. (Hillsborough sent A-Rod plus Adam Dunn, Ian Snell, Jeremy Bonderman and Jonathan Broxton to Arkansas in exchange for Nick Markakis, Dan Haren, a 7th round pick in 2008, a 4th and 7th in 2009 and a 5th in 2010.) The next morning, Wickstrom was quoted in the Las Vegas Times-Picayune that it was "hard to believe that one of the greatest players in the history of baseball wasn't worth a bit more than this," and congratulated the Golden Falcons on getting a great deal. "Brent could have gotten a TON more for A-Rod," he added. "I wish someone else would give me one of the greatest hitters in history for dimes on the dollar." Campbell, in response, said he took the best offer on the table after shopping A-Rod for two years. "I need to step to the plate and win a damn championship," he told the Hunterdon Daily Bugle. "I now have one of the best starting rotations in this league. I still have plenty of offense. I am gunning for top, taking no prisoners, no mercy. Stop the jealousy and play the game!" Wickstrom, after being asked about the "best offer" comment, told Reno Sports Talk Radio 840 AM that, after the 2006 season, he'd offered Chris Young, Ryan Zimmerman and a first round pick in 2008 for A-Rod, but was rejected. "A year later you take less for more," he said. That got the two owners sparring through the media over the relative value of the players involved in that and other potential trades.

That led to a memorable exchange at the ESPN Awards, caught on an open mic:

Nine months later, away we go!

Reaching the post-season as the top wild card team is the culmination of a dramatic rebuilding effort that began the moment the Rat Pack were eliminated in the first round of the 2006 playoffs, their first-ever playoff experience. For much of that season, Las Vegas had battled Newark for first place overall. In July, the team made a series of high-profile trades in a bid to push them over the top; instead, the Rats stumbled to a 5th place finish and were eliminated after a tough five-game series with the Mighty Men. Wickstrom didn't waste any time, making five trades before Draft Day to stock up on picks and prospects. More trades followed last season, this off-season and right through this year. The result? An improvement of 54 wins (earning him the Ian Rintel Front Office Executive of the Year Award) and the top wild card spot. Not surprisingly, it is almost an entirely new Rat Pack team taking the field for their second-ever post-season appearance -- including the manager. Morris Buttermaker is gone, replaced by Wickstrom himself, making him the first Manager/GM/Owner in the history of the DMBL. Wix says he's been doing a lot of work in the batting cage and next season wants to be the next Player/Manager/GM/Owner. Wickstrom got as much as he could out of the Rat Pack -- maybe even a little bit more, as they finished with the second-best record despite a fourth-best +182 run differential. Much of the discrepancy can be attributed to their league-best 31-11 record in one-run games, which was just one win shy of tying the league record. The Rats combine the league's second-best offense (976 RF) with the fifth-best pitching staff (794 RA) led by a pair of aces and a deep, talented bullpen.

Manager Mike Greenwell's Hired Hitmen are in the post-season for the first time in their four-year existence, although Campbell reached the playoffs twice in six years with his previous teams, the Louisiana Lightning and Scranton Sparrows. (The Lightning made it in 1997 and 1998, and came up 2 games short in '96; the Sparrows missed by 4 games in '93.) The Hitmen battled for the sixth and final wildcard spot all year long and finally clinched it in the final week; right up until the last day they had a shot at claiming the fifth overall record. But perhaps the No. 6 seed suits them better, as they went 4-9 against Philly, the team they would have faced as the higher seed. They posted an impressive 7-5 record against the Rats, including a 4-2 record in Las Vegas. But one thing to keep in mind -- Hillsborough won the first seven meetings between the two teams, but the Rats won the next five. We'll see if Vegas figured something out. The Hitmen, despite their name, are actually built around their pitching, not their offense. They ranked 9th in runs scored (766), but 2nd in runs allowed (728), for a sixth-best +38 run differential.

The Rats have been the hotter team recently, winning 7 out of their last 10 games, including their last five in a row, while the Hitmen finished the year alternating wins and losses in five straight games. But over the second half, the records were closer -- the Rats had the league's third-best record at 49-28 (.636 W%), while the Hitmen were tied for fourth at 46-33 (.586 W%).

The Rats have a powerful offense anchored around a veteran platoon at designated hitter. Jim Thome (.331/.466/.679 vs RHP) does the damage against righties while Frank Thomas (.361/.453/.667 vs LHP) cleans up against lefties. The pair truly represent a two-headed monster at DH as neither is eligible at any other position this year. The infield features  two first round picks from this year's draft, No. 2 pick Carlos Pena (.272, 1.025 OPS) at first base and No. 9 pick Jeff Keppinger (.316, .814) at shortstop. The second base duties are handled by Placido Polanco (.298, .710) acquired in an off-season trade with Vancouver, and third base is manned by the speedy Chone Figgins (.286, .718, 24 SB). The Rats have perhaps the best catching tandem in baseball with Joe Mauer (.311, .870) backed up by lefty-masher Ronny Paulino. (.378/.411/.628 vs LHP). In center field is another off-season acquisition, Ichiro Suzuki (.317, .731, 28 SB) flanked by a pair of sluggers in Vlad Guerrero (.342, .983 in 237 AB with Las Vegas) and Matt Holliday (.309, .916). Guerrero, picked up in a July blockbuster deal, is a huge improvement over the various players they'd out there earlier this season -- Jeremy Hermida (.734 OPS), Ryan Church (.686), Jonny Gomes (.666) and Hunter Pence (.573), giving the Rat Pack a formidable lineup from top to bottom. Perhaps because they have such a loaded starting lineup, Las Vegas has the shallowest bench in the post-season, carrying just 1B/3B Alex Gordon (.289, .820 in 97 AB) and 1B Lyle Overbay (3-for-17). Neither is likely to see much action in the playoffs. The Rats fared slightly better against lefties (.696 W%, .306 BA, .853 OPS) than against righties (.638 W%, .297 BA, .837 OPS).

The Rats have three players in triple digits when it comes to runs created (Pena at 147.1, Thome at 134.3 and Holliday at 128.8); the Hitmen have just one, center fielder Nick Markakis, and he just barely made it (100.7 RC). Markakis, the batter acquired in the much-debated trade for Alex Rodriguez, put up solid but not A-Rodian numbers (.289/.363/.447, 45 2B, 16 HR, 95 R, 70 RBI), although the bottom line is Markakis is still playing with Rodriguez is at home with Madonna. But even Markakis would likely agree that the team's most fearsome hitter is 1B/DH Ryan Howard (.253, .896 OPS), who smashed 49 HR for 122 RBIs. Howard used to be bothered by southpaws, but those days are behind him (1.029 OPS in 101 AB); in fact, he was more productive against lefties than righties (.863 OPS). At second base, the Hitmen platoon Robinson Cano (.272, .779 vs RHP) and Howie Kendrick (.257, .596 vs LHP), and at short, the duties are split between David Eckstein (.286, .718 vs RHP) and Yunel Escobar (.310, .737 vs LHP). Earlier in the year, the team had played Mark Reynolds at third base, but he just couldn't hit (.216, .644) and eventually lost his job to Aubrey Huff (.267, .725). In the outfield, Markakis is flanked in the outfield by Carlos Lee (.263 BA, .677 OPS) and Brad Hawpe (.248, .828). The 1B/DH spot -- whichever one Howard isn't occupying at the moment -- is another platoon with Dmitri Young (.309, .851 vs RHP) and Billy Butler (.318, .908 vs LHP). Behind the plate is iron man Russell Martin (.259, .746), who is second in the DMBL with 149 games caught this year. When he does need a breather, the backup is veteran Ramon Hernandez (.293, .776 in 58 AB). With all those platoons, there's not much room for a bench other than Reynolds, but Escobar can play second or third as well short, and Huff can play either infield corner. Statistically, the Hitmen put up almost exactly the same numbers against lefties or righties (.264, .755 vs LHP; .263, .753 vs RHP), but the results are a lot different -- they're 21-20 against lefties, but 66-55 against righties.

While the Hitmen have allowed the second-fewest runs this year, their rotation is more about depth. In fact, it's tough to say who will start Game 1. The Opening Day starter was the other guy acquired in the A-Rod trade, Dan Haren -- but he didn't have a great year (12-12, 4.80 ERA, 12.8 R/9, .545 QS%). The best pitcher may have been John Lackey (15-9, 3.71 ERA, 12.0 R/9), although his .469 QS% isn't very impressive. Veteran C.C. Sabathia went 2-0 in three starts against Vegas this year; his overall numbers (13-17, 4.69 ERA, 12.1 R/9) aren't as good as Lackey's but he did lead the team with a .563 QS%. Then there's the young guns, Justin Verlander (16-12, 4.84 ERA, 12.7 R/9, .485 QS%) and Felix Hernandez (7-9, 4.94 ERA, 12.3 R/9, .519 QS%). Each has overwhelming stuff but also the inconsistency usually found in young hurlers. Pitching coach Brien Taylor has yet to tip his hand as to who will be getting the ball in Game 1.

There's a different problem in Sin City, as the Rats have two guys who deserve the ball in the first game -- A.J. Burnett (15-3, 3.47 ERA, 11.8 R/9) and Erik Bedard (16-4, 4.19 ERA, 11.7 R/9). Each was picked up during the off-season trading spree and would love to endear himself to his new fans with a big win in Game 1. But the third starter -- and fourth if necessary -- is a mystery. Will they go with young gun in Chris Young (12-11, 4.95 ERA, 13.5 R/9) or Tim Lincecum (10-6, 5.83 ERA, 14.1 R/9)? Or turn to a veteran in Orlando Hernandez (10-7, 5.44 ERA, 12.1 R/9) or Josh Beckett (5-2, 5.02 ERA, 12.5 R/9 in 10 starts with Las Vegas)? Beckett, acquired at the trade deadline in the hope straightening out the back end of the rotation, struggled at first but has been pitching brilliantly recently, going 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 16 Ks in 14.2 IP over his last two starts. The guy the Rat Pack wants most of all is Rich Harden, but he's sitting out this year as he rehabs for a huge comeback in 2009.

The Rat Pack has a deep and talented bullpen that just kept getting better as the season went on. The closer is Joe Nathan, picked up from the Bushslappers in July. Overall, Nathan has a 3.83 ERA, 11.1 R/9 and 101 K in 87.0 IP, but he hasn't looked quite that dominant in a Rat Pack uniform (0-4, 10 SV, 4 BS, 5.85 ERA). Nathan's arrival bumped Carlos Marmol (8-3, 19 SV, 4.95 ERA, 12.5 R/9) to a setup role, which he shares with lefty Rafael Perez (2.82 ERA, 12.5 R/9 in 22.1 IP with Las Vegas) who came from the Cutters at the deadline. The bullpen's utility man is Rafael Betancourt (11-2, 7 SV, 2.57 ERA, 8.1 R/9, 9 BB, 113 K in 105.0 IP), who has quietly had an awesome year. Fighting for space in the crowded 'pen are righties Brian Wolfe (3-0, 1 SV, 3.16 ERA, 8.8 R/9) and Pat Neshek (5-3, 1 SV, 4.39 ERA, 10.6 R/9) and lefties Joe Beimel (4-1, 6 SV, 4.09 ERA, 16.4 R/9), Damaso Marte (1-3, 2 SV, 5.21 ERA, 14.9 R/9) and Eric O'Flaherty (1-0, 1 SV, 4.91 ERA, 12.3 R/9).

The Rats have one of the league's best bullpens, but Hillsborough's might be as good -- maybe even better. The closer is Japanese League veteran Takashi Saito (3-2, 28 SV, 2.07 ERA, 8.2 R/9, 105 K in 78.1 IP), with set up work from lefty Justin Hampson (3-3, 2 SV, 2.84 ERA, 12.3 R/9) and righty Heath Bell (6-2, 3 SV, 2.91 ERA, 12.2 R/9). The mop-up work is handled by Jeremy Accardo (9-2, 4 SV, 3.26 ERA, 11.3 R/9) and Peter Moylan (2-4, 1 SV, 4.12 ERA, 13.0 R/9). Minor leaguer J.P. Howell got a cup of coffee at the end of the season (6.1 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 K) but isn't likely to be a post-season factor. So who has the better 'pen? Hillsborough ranked 3rd with a .750 save percentage; Las Vegas was 7th at .654.

On defense, the Rats are sure-handed but not particularly flashy. They lead the league in fielding percentage (.988), but they're last in double plays, second to last in total chances per game, and their catchers are 10th in throwing out baserunners. The Hitmen rank right around the middle in terms of defense; their .984 fielding percentage is tied for 6th, they're 9th in double plays, 2nd in total chances and 5th in catching base stealers.

The bottom line: In the 11-year history of the Wild Card Round, the No. 6 has pulled off the upset just three times. But the trash talking between these two teams this off-season makes this no ordinary #3 vs #6. The Hitmen are a dangerous adversary with a lot to prove, and they've shown the ability to win in Las Vegas given their 4-2 record there this regular season. But the Rats were built for the post-season, as evidenced by their one-two punch at the top of the rotation, their deep and flexible lineup and all those power arms in their 'pen. After sacrificing as much as they did to rebuild for 2008, another first-round exit from the post-season would be nothing short of a disaster for Owner/GM/Manager Wickstrom, who might have no choice but to fire himself if he can't get the job done against Hillsborough. Everyone loves the underdog, but we just can't see how the Las Vegas Rat Pack don't come out on top and advance to the second round.

Ho vs. Ho

Philadelphia Endzone Animals (#4, 96-66) vs. D.C. Bushslappers (#5, 88-74)

Owner Anthony "Bocci" Pucci's Endzone Animals made a run at defending their Morris Division title early on, but settled into 4th place after Vancouver ripped off an 11-game winning streak in mid-July. Their high water mark was a 47-29 record at the All-Star Break, when they were just a game behind the Iron Fist; they went a fourth-best 49-37 (.570 W%) the rest of the way, but still finished 8 games back, exactly as far behind Vancouver as they were ahead of D.C. was from Philly. The Animals are the balanced team in the post-season, with the fourth-best offense (971 runs scored) and the fourth-best defense (785 runs allowed). Somehow that works out to the third-best run differential (+186). Oddly enough, they also had the same exact record at home and on the road -- 48-33.

You can't blame D.C. fans if they thought owner Jamie Landsman was giving up on the 2008 season when he traded Joe Nathan and Carl Crawford, two of the team's best players, in deals seemingly aimed at the future. But maybe Landsman knew what he was doing -- before the deals the Bushslappers were 56-52 (.519 W%), and after them they went 32-22 (.592 W%). "Crawf and Nate were jerks," confided one of the D.C. batters. "Once they were out of here everybody could relax and just play ball." The Slappers had the league's sixth-best offense (819 runs scored) and third-best pitching (780 runs allowed), for a fifth-best run differential (+39). They did a lot of that damage against left-handed pitchers -- they were the second-best team against southpaws (.737 W%), behind only the Tampa Bay Plunkers (.742 W%). Against righties, the Bushslappers were an unplayoff-like 60-64 (.484 W%).

The Endzone Animals had one of the strongest offenses in the regular season, ranking right up there with the Iron Fist and Rat Pack in the annual "best lineup other than the Sugar Bears" competition. The Animals were definitely helped by their home park -- which may be even better than Newark's for hitters -- but there's no denying this is a formidable lineup. In fact, when Albert Pujols (.283, .851 OPS, 48 2B, 31 HR, 121 RBI) is your fourth-best hitter, you know opposing pitchers are in trouble. Pujols had, by his lofty standards, a down year, but the first baseman still has the ability to terrify any pitcher -- especially left-handers (.348/.411/.593 vs LHP). With Pujols occupying first base, off-season acquisition Mark Teixeira (.299, 32 HR, 110 RBI) handles the DH duties, quite a pair in the middle of the lineup. But even Pujols and Teixeira have been overshadowed this year by the Kevin Mitchell Award-caliber season being produced by Magglio Ordonez. The 33-year-old outfielder had by far the best season of his seven-year career, hitting .359 (.420 OBP, .565 SLG) with 50 2B, 29 HR, 130 R and 126 RBI. The other outfield spots are platoons, J.D. Drew (.275/.382/.456 vs RHP) splitting center with Chris B. Young (.316/.391/.789 vs LHP) and with Adam Dunn (.242/.333/.573 vs RHP) and Gary Sheffield (.295/.400/.693 vs LHP) sharing a corner. Recently, however, Dunn has piled up so many strikeouts (51 in 133 AB) that even manager Steve Balboni and hitting coach Pete Incaviglia -- who had quite a few whiffs themselves during their playing days -- have become frustrated. Toward the end of the season, Sheffield saw more righties at Dunn's expense, showing a lot more discipline but less power (.264/.351/.461 vs RHP). We'll see how they handle the platoons with D.C.'s all right-handed starting rotation... The catcher is former Mighty Man Jorge Posada, acquired this off-season in a blockbuster move. There were rumors that Posada wanted out of Philly earlier this year, but if he's unhappy with the team, he's not showing it at the plate (.315, .950 OPS, 42 2B, 30 HR, 106 R, 102 RBI). Posada led the DMBL with most games at catcher this year (151!), so it's unlikely you'll see much of his little-used back-up, Dioner Navarro (18-for-36, 1 HR, 9 RBI). The best chance to catch a glimpse of Navarro is to look for Posada -- the kid follows him around like a puppy, soaking up as much information as he can from the veteran catcher. If Posada walks at the end of this season, expect to see the 24-year-old Navarro take on a starting role next year. Remember, you read it here first! While Pujols, Teixeira, Ordonez and Posada do the heavy lifting, the team's sparkplug is SS Jimmy Rollins (.266, .820 OPS, 45 2B, 21 3B, 22 HR, 113 R, 97 RBI, 17 SB). Joining Pujols and Rollins in the infield is 2B Kelly Johnson (.271, .830 OPS, 8 HR, 41 RBI in 292 AB with Philly) and 3B Mike Lamb (.292, .819 OPS, 14 HR, 51 RBI). Johnson, the 10th pick overall by Hoboken, was acquired in June and immediately plugged what had been a revolving door at second base, with Aaron Hill (.223), Mark Loretta (.188) and Luis Castillo (0-for-10) all having previously failed to hold down the job. Lamb had started the year in a reverse platoon with fan favorite Scott Rolen, with the left-handed Lamb facing lefties and the right-handed Rolen facing righties. But Rolen's struggles at the plate (.269, .650 OPS) eventually opened the door for Lamb to play full time, leaving Rolen as a veteran bat on the bench. The other reserves are late call-ups from the minors -- veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera (2-for-4) and rookie outfielder Adam Lind (0-for-3). Philly was one of the few teams to post a better record against righty starters (.600 W%) than lefties (.568 W%)... but the Bushslappers don't have a southpaw starter anyway.

The Bushslappers don't bring as much fire power as the Endzone Animals -- they ranked 9th in home runs -- so they have to find another way to beat you. Earlier this year, that was on the basepaths. The Slappers easily led the league in stolen bases with 118 -- but they traded away 35 of those stolen bases in Carl Crawford. Crawford led the team with 35 SBs in just 93 games, was also their most successful basestealer, with an .833 SB%. Without Crawford, the team's stolen base percentage is an awful 68 percent. But let's remember, with Crawford this team had a .519 W%; after they traded him, they posted a .592 W%, so they figured a way to win without him. We're just not sure how. The team's top hitter is veteran 2B Jeff Kent, who led the regulars in BA (.314), OBP (.379), SLG (.511), OPS (.890) and RC (117.2). Kent gets protection in the lineup from 1B/DH Derrek Lee (.306, 23 HR, 82 RBI), RF Matt Kemp (.289, 18 HR, 94 RBI) and C Brian McCann (.304, 44 2B, 68 RBI). The team rotates Lee between 1B and DH, with Scott Hatteberg (.304/.366/.447 vs RHP) starting at first against righties and Sammy Sosa (.268/.364/.482 vs LHP) the DH against lefties. The third base spot is another platoon, with Adrian Beltre (.274/.308/.468 vs RHP) and Ryan Zimmerman (.434/.508/.802 vs LHP). Three of the team's most exciting hitters have been hit or miss this season and really need to step it up on the post-season. CF Carlos Beltran leads the team in home runs (30) and RBIs (114), but his .257 BA and .772 OPS won't put him in the discussion for the Kevin Mitchell Award. Meanwhile, Crawford's replacement in left, free agent pick-up Ryan Freel, has a respectable .270 BA but his .291 OBP and 5:1 K:BB ratio are just atrocious for a lead-off hitter. He has no power either (.312 SLG). His best asset is his speed -- he has 12 steals in 15 attempts -- but as the old saying goes, you can't steal first base. But the biggest disappointment of all has been SS Jose Reyes, who has been a complete disaster at the plate (.222 BA, .635 OPS). With Crawford gone, Reyes is now the team's leading basestealer with 26 swipes, but he's been caught 16 times (.619 SB%). Reyes spent much of September working on his swing with hitting coach Howard Johnson and finished the year going 8-for-17 in his final five games. If Reyes can get back on track, the Bushslappers become a far more dangerous team. The bench provides a lot of veteran leadership, with backup catcher Paul Lo Duca (.287 in 164 AB), OF Cliff Floyd (.348 in 66 AB), 1B/DH Jason Giambi (3-for-22) and 2B Dan Uggla (2-for-3). Utility infielder Ramon Vazquez is eligible for the post-season but hasn't played a game in the bigs during the regular season. As we noted earlier, the Bushslappers were far more formidable against lefties (.314/.373/.536, .737 W%) than against righties (.272/.322/.422, .484 W%).

Just as the D.C. offense won't provide a candidate for The Mitch, their starting rotation doesn't have anyone in the discussion for the Ben McDonald Award. Their unquestioned ace is Kelvim Escobar, who led the team in wins (16), ERA (4.12), strikeouts (202), innings (222.2) and quality start percentage (.576), and his 12.7 R/9 was second among D.C. starters. He faced the Endzone Animals twice this year and went 1-1, posting a 2.87 ERA and 8.0 R/9 while fanning 11 in 15.2 IP. He certainly will get the ball as many times as he can in the short series. But what happens when he can't pitch? You can rule out Shawn Hill (11-9, 5.12 ERA, 13.3 R/9, .448 QS%) and John Maine (13-11, 6.07 ERA, 15.5 R/9, .333 QS%); that would leave Derek Lowe (12-9, 4.71 ERA, 13.8 R/9, .438 QS%) or Shaun Marcum (11-8, 4.93 ERA, 12.4 R/9, .469 QS%). Marcum would appear to have better numbers, plus Lowe was pounded in three starts against Philly (14.54 ERA, 24.9 R/9 in 8.2 IP). Marcum wasn't overpowering in his three starts, but at least he gave the Bushslappers a chance to win (4.74 ERA, 11.8 R/9 in 19.0 IP). "Escobar and Marcum and pray for rain" doesn't sound snappy but it will likely be the Bushslappers' motto in the first round.

Hmm... no Mitch, no McDonald, what do the Bushslappers have going for them? Oh yeah... The Eck! Closer Jonathan Papelbon won the Dennis Eckersley Rolaids Reliever of the Year Award after leading the league in relief points (as well as saves). Papelbon posted a 1.34 ERA and 7.8 R/9 while striking out an astounding 128 batters in 87.1 innings (and walking just 23). If the Bushslappers have a lead going into the 9th, they can count on the Pap to nail it down -- he blew just 3 saves this year. But while Papelbon may have been the best in the business this year, his supporting cast can be shakey at times, especially after the mid-season trade of Joe Nathan. The setup work is handled by veterans Mike Timlin (6-4, 2 SV, 3.91 ERA, 10.2 R/9) and Darren Oliver (4-8, 2 SV, 4.42 ERA, 13.9 R/9), with help from Ron Mahay (2-2, 1 SV, 3.22, 14.9), Bob Howry (0-2, 3 SV, 3.62, 12.4) and Aaron Heilman (3-2, 2 SV, 4.25, 12.3). Their bend-but-don't-break approach appears to have worked -- the Bushslappers as a team ranked 4th in SV% (.714) and 6th in IR% (.297).

The Animal players are better known for their bats than their gloves, but they rank among the top five teams in fielding percentage (.984), and around the middle of the pack when it comes double plays (153). However, the catchers are second worst at throwing out baserunners (.824 SB%), and opponents run on them more than any other team in the league -- setting up an interesting showdown with the Bushslappers, who run more than any other team (but also are caught more than anyone else either). D.C. is tied with Philly in fielding percentage (.984) and right behind them in double plays (152); they rank dead last in throwing out baserunners (.862 SB%).

The bottom line: It will be interesting to see the battle between Philly's shallow starting rotation and D.C.'s limited lineup. If there's an offense the Endzone Animals can shut down, it's this one; if there's a rotation the Bushslapper batters can light up, it's that one. On the other hand, D.C.'s starters will likely have a tougher time with Philly's potent offense. The two bullpens are fairly evenly matched; D.C. has the better closer, but Philly has a lot more depth. The Bushslappers can be pesky, but these games could quickly turn into slugfests, and the Endzone Animals have the heavier hitters. We think the Philadelphia Endzone Animals will bash their way past the Bushslappers and reach the second round.

Bye Bye

Newark Sugar Bears (#1, 114-48) and Vancouver Iron Fist (#2, 104-58)

Meanwhile, the division champions Newark Sugar Bears and Vancouver Iron Fist get to sit out this round. It's the fifth time in league history these two teams have won their respective divisions in the same season, which ties Newark and the Arkansas Golden Falcons for most division title pairings... The Sugar Bears will face the sixth-seeded Hillsborough Hired Hitmen if they pull off the upset; if not, the Iron Fist face the third-seeded Las Vegas Rat Pack and the Sugar Bears face the winner of the show-down between the fourth-place Philadelphia Endzone Animals and the fifth-place D.C. Bushslappers. During the bye week, the Sugar Bears will stay in shape by playing one of their bitter rivals, the LaCrescent Apple Jacks of the Vintage Base Ball Association. "We shan't allow those Newarkers and their inferior puffed wheat break-fast cereal to intimidate us," said Apple Jack shortstop Mordecai Peckinpaugh. "The boys will all cry Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! for old LaCrescent!" Meanwhile, the Iron Fist face an even bigger challenge as they take Will Power Fitness from the Youth Baseball League of New Haven. "We'll see how good this kid Jericho Scott really is," Iron Fist slugger David Ortiz said.