Playoff Perspective – The Night Before

After each Dash playoff game, I will present some of my thoughts here on the blog. With Game 1 looming, there is no better time to debut our “Playoff Perspective” feature. Here goes nothing…

PLAYOFF PERSPECTIVE:

• This blog will be extremely active from now until a few days after the Dash’s postseason run, so be sure to check back multiple times a day. We will have a game preview along with extra features and one of these Playoff Perspective pieces at the end of each day.

• In addition, our broadcast coverage intensifies for the CL playoffs. The Pre-Game Dash begins 20 minutes before first pitch, and it will feature a chat with skipper Tommy Thompson along with a broadcast open. To get a feel for our broadcast opens, check out the one below. You can hear some of the season’s best highlights along with thoughts from Chris Bassitt and Michael Earley.

• Game 1 will not determine the winner in this series, but it is big. Righty Erik Johnson, who will throw the first pitch in 23 hours, agrees. “I think Game 1 is almost more important than the series-winning game,” Johnson said. “It benefits us that we have home field advantage in all three games because we are dangerous at home.”

“We are dangerous at home,” Game 1 starter Erik Johnson said. (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

• Johnson has the statistical advantage on Myrtle Beach starter Luke Jackson, who has a 4.39 earned run average in 13 starts with the Pelicans. The Dash’s ace has twirled a quality start in seven of his eight outings with Winston-Salem, while Jackson has not worked through six innings in a start in more than a month.

• The Dash’s coaching staff is a bit concerned about the club’s first game after an off day during the regular season. Winston-Salem is 4-6 in games following a scheduled off day, and the Dash have scored two or fewer runs in half of those games. Throw out a doubleheader sweep of Frederick May 10 after an off day and two rain outs, and the Dash are 2-6 with just 24 runs (3.0 per game) in the eight contests.

• On the flip side, Winston had a dominant second half against the Pelicans. The Dash went 9-4 against Myrtle Beach in the final 70 games, and the club plated 73 runs (5.6 per game) in those showdowns. Myrtle won five of the two clubs’ seven matchups prior to the All-Star break.

• Even though recent history is not on the Dash’s side, fans should feel good about the men from the Triad in the playoffs. Thompson’s attitude works in the postseason, and the Manager of the Year can help his squad through the peaks and valleys of a playoff.

• All-Star Game, sweeping the division crowns, MiLB’s best record overall and at home and a chance at a record 12th Mills Cup Championship. What an ending this could be to an already-memorable season. Enjoy it.

- Brian