Playoff Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Guelph Royals

Here come the Toronto Maple Leafs, rolling into the post season all smiles and styles.

The run for the 2018 IBL championship begins with a quarterfinal series against the Guelph Royals.

The Leafs won the season series three games to two, with Toronto winning early in the season and Guelph taking the last two matchups. The upcoming best-of-five series promises to be a battle.


HITTING

Looking at both clubs' 2018 season stats side-by-side, Toronto leads Guelph in most offensive categories. 

In four of the five games these teams played, the winner scored double-digit runs. Hardly an anomaly in this league, but either club is capable of putting mucho runs on the board. If the series goes long, every run scored could be crucial. The fact that the Leafs have produced more over the course of the season would give them the edge.

KEY STAT:

The Leafs were 4th in stolen bases this season, while Guelph
was bottom of the league.

PITCHING

The age-old saying in baseball is that good pitching beats good hitting. The IBL is a hitter's league, but a best-of-five series could end quickly if one side runs up against some nasty arms.

While neither club had the worst team ERA this season, their numbers weren't something to write home about. Guelph has the advantage in opponent's batting average and strikeouts. A sudden attack of cold bats could put either team in trouble.

KEY STAT:

Guelph starters threw three complete game shutouts this season.

Toronto had none.

So what's going to happen?

I don't know, could this preview be any more vague? Hah! Your guess is as good as mine eh!

Two things are for certain: after grinding through some rough patches, both clubs finished on a positive. The Royals were riding a seven game win streak before dropping their final game of the season to Barrie. The Leafs overcame a July losing streak and entered August with two big wins. Both clubs are on an up trajectory and this series should be great, so slam down a shot or two of Malibu and hang on tight. The series starts tomorrow.


QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

Game 1 - Wed Aug 8 at Christie Pits, Toronto - 7:30 pm
Game 2 - Sat Aug 11 at Hastings Stadium, Guelph - 7:30 pm
Game 3 - Sun Aug 12 at Christie Pits, Toronto - 2:00 pm
Game 4 - Tue Aug 14 at Hastings Stadium, Guelph - 7:30 pm*
Game 5 - Wed Aug 15 at Christie Pits, Toronto - 7:30 pm*

* if necessary