Dash Playoff Rotation Set

Erik Johnson is set to start Game 1 Wednesday (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

Today is the calm before the storm on the baseball field, but coverage for the 2012 Carolina League playoffs begins today. Winston-Salem will square off with Myrtle Beach in the Southern Division Championship Series, and the Dash have announced their starters for the three possible games in the series.

Game 1: RHP Erik Johnson

Johnson thrived with Low-A Kannapolis before earning his first promotion to High-A in mid-July. In his eight starts in a Dash uniform, Johnson is 4-3 with a 2.74 earned run average, and the former California Golden Bear has earned a quality start in seven of his eight efforts. The Los Altos, Calif., native has also worked through six innings in all but one start. Johnson has not pitched against the Pelicans this season.

Game 2: LHP Scott Snodgress

Snodgress, like Johnson, joined the Dash’s rotation in July after beginning the campaign with the Intimidators. The southpaw was 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in eight starts, and he has five quality starts. The Yucaipa, Calif., native has struck out 44 men in 42 innings of work. When Snodgress appears against the Pelicans Thursday night, he will be facing them for the third time. His first two outings against Myrtle Beach were stellar: 12 innings, 1 run, 0 earned runs, 14 strikeouts, 3 walks.

Game 3: RHP Chris Bassitt

If the SDCS goes down to a deciding Game 3, Chris Bassitt will toe the rubber for Winston-Salem. Two months ago, Bassitt had never made a professional start, but he went 4-2 with a 4.25 earned run average in 10 starts over the final seven weeks of the season. Overall, the former Akron Zip is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 38 appearances overall. Against the Pelicans, Bassitt has not allowed a run in nine and a third innings spanning four games (one start).

Where are Justin Collop and Steve McCray?

If needed, both Collop and McCray will be used out of the bullpen during the SDCS this week. Both men worked out of the bullpen during the first half of the season, so this is not a new role for the duo. However, if the Dash can dispose of the Pelicans easily without needing Collop or McCray, both could slot back inside the rotation for the Mills Cup Championship Series.

Myrtle Beach’s rotation

The Pelicans are expected to throw three right-handed pitchers: Luke Jackson (5-2, 4.39 ERA), Nick McBride (2-3, 3.76 ERA) and Joe Van Meter (4-5, 2.06 ERA).

- Brian