American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Robert Pannier previews the first round series of the 2024 American Association playoffs between the Lake Country DockHounds and the Kane County Cougars.

DockHounds Take on Cougars

On Wednesday, the 2024 American Association playoffs get underway with an incredible first round series between the Lake Country DockHounds and the Kane County Cougars. This will be the first trip to the postseason for the DockHounds who enter the playoffs with one of the most potent offenses in the league. Kane County also has an exceptional offense and the second-best team ERA in the league.

Lake Country went 7-5 against Kane County during the regular season. This is the third straight postseason appearance for the Cougars.

Lake Country DockHounds Broadcaster Dom Stearn gives his breakdown of the series.

Kane County Cougars Broadcaster Conor Clingen gives his breakdown of the series.

Kevin Luckow and Rob Pannier break down all 4 Round 1 Playoff Series.

Tale of the Tape:

League ranking listed in parentheses.

Lake Country DockHounds

Record: 53-47 (T-6)
Home Record: 28-22 (5)
Away Record: 25-25 (7)
Last 10 Games: 7-3

Hitting
Batting Average:.281 (T-1)
On-Base Percentage: .367 (2)
Slugging Percentage: .445 (2)
Home Runs: 113 (T-3)
Runs Scored: 579 (3)
Stolen Bases: 184 (2)
Strikeouts: 804 (9)

Pitching
ERA: 4.88 (7)
Opponent Batting Average: .249 (2)
Saves: 20 (9)
Strikeouts: 848 (2)
Opponent Slugging Percentage: .405 (7)
Opponent WHIP: 1.47 (4)
Opponent Home Runs Allowed: 103 (10)

Fielding
Fielding Percentage: .984 (1)
Errors allowed: 55 (1)

Kane County Cougars

Record:  55-45 (T-4)
Home Record: 27-23 (6)
Away Record: 28-22 (T-3)
Last 10 Games: 5-5

Hitting
Batting Average: .277 (4)
On-Base Percentage: .366 (T-3)
Slugging Percentage: .428 (3)
Home Runs: 98 (6)
Runs Scored: 582 (2)
Stolen Bases: 127 (6)
Strikeouts: 858 (11)

Pitching
ERA: 4.59 (2)
Opponent Batting Average: .272 (11)
Saves: 25 (T-3)
Strikeouts: 748 (7)
Opponent Slugging Percentage: .402 (T-5)
Opponent WHIP: 1.48 (5)
Opponent Home Runs Allowed: 79 (2)

Fielding
Fielding Percentage: .977 (T-10)
Errors allowed: 85 (10)

How the Lake Country DockHounds Got Here

Lake Country got off to a tough start, going 8-12 and May and 11-15 in June. A 13-11 July gave the team some life, but they trailed the fourth-place team in the East Division by five games at the All-Star break and it looked like the DockHounds would be preparing for 2025. However, a 21-9 record over the final 30 games, the best in the league, propelled this team to the best record in franchise history and a trip to the postseason.

It is not surprising to see this team in the playoffs, as they made the blockbuster move of the off-season when they acquired shortstop Josh Altmann from the Chicago Dogs. Ryan Hernandez was acquired from Cleburne, and he led the league with 29 homers and was second with 92 RBI.

There was no doubt that the offense was going to be good, but the pitching was going to be the question mark. The answer seemed to be abysmal early on, as they posted a 6.11 ERA in May and a 5.44 ERA in June. However, a 4.15 mark in July and a 4.25 ERA in August showed that this DockHounds’ pitching staff had some bite.

Who’s Hot for the DockHounds

Alan Zhang Carter had one of the most amazing seasons in the American Association history, posting a 0.71 ERA in 31 appearances. He allowed just 16 hits in 37.2 innings, striking out 61, and allowed runs in just two appearances this year. He has a string of 14 straight scoreless innings to close out the season.

Matt Mullenbach has been very good in his two starts, posting a 2.00 ERA. Mitchell Mueller has not allowed a run in his last three outings, striking out seven in 3.0 innings pitched.

Who’s Not?

Bryan Bonnell got hit hard in his last outing, allowing five earned runs in five innings. Brett Conine also allowed five runs in five innings in his last start. Hernandez hit .125 in the final week of the season, recording just three hits and 24 trips to the plate. Curtis Terry had four hits in his last 20 at-bats.

How the Kane County Cougars Got Here

The Kane County Cougars were competing for the division title for much of the season, going 40-31 through the first 71 games. However, a 13-14 August relegated this team to second place.

Pitching has been the key for the Cougars, who finished with the second-best team ERA. Westin Muir and Jack Fox, both of home had been spectacular through their first two seasons, struggled out of the gate, but Greg Mahle came on to be one of the best pitchers in the league and Tyler Beardsley stepped in the closer’s role and dominated.

The big story for Kane County was the offense. Cornelius Randolph was one of four players to hit better than .300 and players hit .280 or better. Josh Allen had the best season of his career at 33 years old.

Who’s Hot for the Cougars

Randolph closed out the season with a .500 batting average over his final six games and Armand Upshaw hit .350 with two homers and eight RBI in the same stretch. Logan Nissen has been dominating out of the bullpen and Jordan Martinson is showing the form he displayed early in the season. Fox gave up three runs in his final 10 innings of the season.

Who’s Not?

Todd Lott (.235), Claudio Finol (.133) and Trendon Craig (.174) all struggled down the stretch. Allen had just one hit in his last 20 at-bats.

Who Advances?

There is no love lost between these two teams, as their proximity has helped to build a solid rivalry. Lake Country will be looking to make their first postseason trip an extended one, but there is limited playoff experience here.

Kane County has loads of experience and they have one of the greatest managers in Partner League Baseball history in George Tsamis. The final week woes of Allen, Finol, and Craig will likely not carry into the postseason, so this offense should be fine.

While the Cougars’ pitching staff has been better, Lake Country is getting outstanding performances from their staff, especially of late. Surprisingly, that gives them the bigger edge in this series as the DockHounds win in three.

All Photos Used Courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi/Field Dreams Photography

By Robert Pannier