Rome Braves SAL Championship Series preview

After a slow start to the season, the prospect laden Rome Braves made an impressive push down the stretch to secure a South Atlantic League playoff spot as Southern Division Second Half Champions.

Rome then took down the Charleston Riverdogs 2-1 in a best-of-three series to win the Southern Division title outright, and will play the Lakewood BlueClaws in a best-of-five that starts in Rome Monday night.

The Braves and BlueClaws did not face one another during the SAL regular season, so there are no head-to-head numbers to compare.  Rome and Lakewood each won the second-half of their respective divisions, taking momentum into the post season.

The SAL playoff structure consists of a Northern and Southern Division with a first and second half champion from each.  Each division’s two winners face off to decide a champion, then the two division champions play for the SAL title. The BlueClaws finished the season 76-63 overall (29-40, 45-25), while the Rome Braves ended up 70-69 (27-42, 43-27).

Rome’s ace Mike Soroka (9-9, 3.02ERA) takes the mound Monday night vs. Lakewood’s Franklyn Kilome (5-8, 3.85ERA).

Here’s the title series schedule:

Game One – Monday, September 12, 7pm @Rome

Game Two – Tuesday, September 13, 7pm @Rome

Game Three – Thursday, September 15, 7:05pm @Lakewood

Game Four* – Friday, September 16, 7:05pm @Lakewood

Game Five* – Saturday, September 17, 7:05pm @Lakewood

(*if necessary)

Tickets are $7 day of game and $5 in advance for all levels. Get your tickets HERE, or at the State Mutual Stadium box office.