Well, it's a good thing the Meteors had built up such a big lead, because they have been absolutely terrible the last few games, going just 3-7 in the last 10 games of the season. A couple of key injuries will also hurt the Meteors in their quest for a repeat. Starting pitcher Yoshida Yamada, who went 11-8 with a 4.61 ERA, will miss the whole playoffs with a torn labrum. Left/center fielder Gong Jiang will miss 1-2 weeks with a sore elbow. This injury is not as bad as it seems, as it could give outfielders Botol Gamarra or Ze-Min Tsao a chance to shine. There have also been rumors that center fielder Percy Oskam will soon be replaced with Stéphane Salomon. Melbourne's real problem in the regular season has been pitching. After the injury to Yami Salehe, Melbourne's pitchers have been lackluster, with only Kvana Datar racking up an ERA of under 4. The injury to Yamada further hurts them in that department. Perhaps a reliever like Irmazighen Kitur or Bob Pérez will have to fill in as that 4th starter, or perhaps it will be SP Guo-Xiu Kang.
Melbourne's playoff opponent is their divisional rivals, the Mumbai Cobras. Led by starting pitcher Andy Stone, the Cobras are a tough first-round opponent. Melbourne has the home field advantage, but they need to win one of the first two games. If the Cobras are up 2-0 heading home, the series might not get back to Melbourne.
The Meteors' last second deals at the trade deadline haven't been working too well so far. Relievers Sergio Castillo, Himayati Ramkumar, and Bereket Ainran have only seen 4.0 innings total. Ainran especially is thought of as a good pickup, but if he doesn't play, they will never know.
-Meteoric Bob
"Meteoric Bob" is a beat writer for the WBA Times, covering the Melbourne Meteors
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