Semifinal Series Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Barrie Baycats

Hang on to your wigs, everybody.  It's the series of the year.

To win the IBL Championship, the Toronto Maple Leafs must end the Barrie Baycats dynasty.

The six-time defending champs stand in the Leafs' path to the finals like a stone monolith.

In the shortened semifinal series that kicks off tomorrow night at Christie Pits, the Leafs will have just three chances to go over, around or through their longtime nemesis.

Both clubs are on a roll.  Each one swept their opening-round series last week.

For the Leafs, everything clicked at the right time.  Success did not require a complicated formula.  Timely hitting and fielding, heads-up baserunning and solid pitching.  Fundamentals and execution equaled wins.

For this semifinal series, the Leafs are looking to do more of the same. 

"We have to play good defense and pitch well," says manager Damon Topolie.  "Like our last series.  If we do that we should get to the finals."

AT THE PLATE

If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em.  

That's what the Leafs did when they brought back IBL MVP Jordan Castaldo.  Back in 2013, the first baseman was traded from Toronto to Barrie.  There, he became a key member of a team that won six straight titles.  The Leafs will be hoping that Castaldo will continue his championship streak in 2021.

Other bats that were added to the Leafs lineup this year were Sean Reilly and Chandler McLaren, who came over when the Guelph Royals shut down for the season.  They joined Justin Marra, Garrett Takamatsu, Johnathan Solazzo and Marcus Knecht to form Damon Topolie's Bomb Squad.  Together the Leafs blasted 59 home runs this summer.  In comparison, Barrie hit 18.

The firepower is there to put runs on the board when the Leafs need them.

KEY STAT: The Baycats did not hit nearly as many home runs, but proved adept at the running game with 58 stolen bases this season.  Get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in is their approach.



ON THE MOUND

Marek Deska and Justin Cicatello proved the value of experience in the first round.  They combined to pitch 13 innings, giving up just three runs off eight hits.  They shut down the Hamilton offence and have been tapped to start Game 1 and 2 in the semifinals.

If Deska and Cicatello can carry the Leafs into the late innings again, closer Dustin Richardson and his rate of 2.3 strikeouts per inning will be there for the 9th.

KEY STAT: 3.05 was Barrie starter Juan Benitez's ERA this season, third-lowest among all starters in the league. 

THE HISTORY

In 2016, the Baycats clinched their third-straight IBL title, sweeping the Leafs in four games.  The championship-winning game was at Christie Pits.

Despite it being a sweep, it was a close series.  There were no blowouts, and with a lucky break here or there the Leafs might have won it.

But they lost it.  At Christie Pits.

Since then, the Baycats have owned the regular season series between these two clubs, winning 18 and losing just four games.  It is fitting that they should meet again this postseason, with the Leafs seeking their first title since 2007 and the Baycats looking to win an unprecedented seventh straight crown.

Can the Leafs find a way over, around or through the Barrie monolith?  We're about to find out.  Let's gooooo!

SEMIFINAL SERIES SCHEDULE (best 2 out of 3)

Game 1

Wednesday, September 15 - Barrie at Toronto - 7:30 pm

Toronto starter: Marek Deska

Game 2

Saturday, September 18 - Toronto at Barrie - 4:00 pm

Toronto starter: Justin Cicatello

Game 3 (if necessary)

Sunday, September 19 - Barrie at Toronto - 7:30 pm 

Toronto starter: Alan Ross