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 Sioux Falls Canaries and the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Canaries Take on Goldeyes

On Wednesday, the 2024 American Association playoffs get underway with an incredible first round series between the Sioux Falls Canaries and the Winnipeg Goldeyes. This should be a very interesting first round series as the Goldeyes chose to face the team with the second-best record in the division and the third-best record overall in the first round of the playoffs. That should create some interesting billboard material in the Sioux Falls locker room.

Winnipeg went 7-6 against Sioux Falls in the regular season. The Goldeyes had the second-best record in the league while the Canaries were third.

Sioux Falls Canaries Broadcaster Tanner Hoops gives his breakdown of the series.

Winnipeg Goldeyes Broadcaster Trevor Curl 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.

Sioux Falls Canaries

Record: 55-44 (3)
Home Record: 29-21 (T-1)
Away Record: 26-23 (5)
Last 10 Games: 5-5

Hitting
Batting Average: .257 (10)
On-Base Percentage: .351 (T-6)
Slugging Percentage: .425 (5)
Home Runs: 115 (2)
Runs Scored: 509 (10)
Stolen Bases: 126 (7)
Strikeouts: 759 (7)

Pitching
ERA: 4.74 (T-4)
Opponent Batting Average: .269 (10)
Saves: 21 (T-7)
Strikeouts: 657 (12)
Opponent Slugging Percentage: .418 (10)
Opponent WHIP: 1.50 (T-6)
Opponent Home Runs Allowed: 102 (9)

Fielding
Fielding Percentage: .983 (2)
Errors allowed: 58 (2)

Winnipeg Goldeyes

Record: 56-43 (2)
Home Record: 28-11 (4)
Away Record: 28-22 (T-3)
Last 10 Games: 7-3

Hitting
Batting Average: .278 (3)
On-Base Percentage: .358 (5)
Slugging Percentage: .395 (8)
Home Runs: 62 (12)
Runs Scored: 534 (5)
Stolen Bases: 126 (7)
Strikeouts: 621 (1)

Pitching
ERA: 3.71 (1)
Opponent Batting Average: .243 (1)
Saves: 22 (6)
Strikeouts: 785 (5)
Opponent Slugging Percentage: .369 (1)
Opponent WHIP: 1.20 (1)
Opponent Home Runs Allowed: 83 (4)

Fielding
Fielding Percentage: .982 (3)
Errors allowed: 62 (3)

How Sioux Falls Canaries Got Here

Sioux Falls served notice from the start that they intended to be a serious contender. The club went 11-7 in May and 16-9 in June. However, they went 28-28 over the final 56 games of the season, dropping them a game behind the Goldeyes.

It was an incredible starting staff that led this group all season. Five times a member of the staff was named Pitcher of the Week, led by Ty Culbreth, who led the league in victories (12). While the pitching staff dropped to fourth best in ERA, they still were as formidable as it got.

The offense was a bit of a disappointment, as the club finished 10th in runs scored. A .351 on-base percentage, sixth overall, and .425 slugging percentage, fifth in the league, Sioux Falls from being the top team in the division. Josh Rehwaldt was very good, but injuries to Mike Hart and Jabari Henry limited their effectiveness.

Who’s Hot for Canaries

Culbreth finished the season with 10 scoreless innings and Neil Lang (0.75) was dominant over his final two starts as well. Tanner Brown (1.50) also closed out the season in impressive fashion.

Who’s Not?

The outfield trio of Rehwaldt (.154), Wyatt Ulrich (.200), and Hunter Clanin (.182) slumped over the final week of the year. Zach Veen (9.00) and Christian Johnson (36.00) have been very good this year, but were rocked in their final three appearances.

How Winnipeg Goldeyes Got Here

New manager Logan Watkins put together a formidable pitching staff that proved to be the best in the American Association. However, that had the club at just .500 through the first two months. That is when the offense started to kick in, who helped lead the club to a 16-8 July and a 17-10 August. The club hit .290 or better in each of those months, and hit 19 homers in each month as well.

Pitching was the key, as the combination of Travis Seabrooke, Landen Bourassa, Zach Reininger, and Joey Matulovich combined to go 38-18. The team lost their closer early in the year, but Nick Troglic-Iverson and Joey Steele picked up the slack, as each hurler picked up seven saves.

The offense did not look like it would be formidable for Winnipeg, but that proved to be an underestimation of Watkins. Winnipeg finished fifth in runs scored (534) and third in team batting average (.278). They were also third in defense, making this the most well-rounded team in the league.

Who’s Hot for Goldeyes

Infielder Dayson Croes hit .556 down the stretch and Miles Simington (.329, 61 R, 65 RBI) proved to be the best player that no one’s ever heard of. Mitch Lambson was spectacular after rejoining the Goldeyes, allowing four earned runs over his last 20 innings.

Who’s Not?

Reininger gave up seven runs in 3.2 innings in his last outing of the year. Tasker Strobel was also hit hard, giving up four earned runs in three innings in his last two appearances. Nick Anderson (.218) has not found his stroke this year.

Who Advances?

This promises to be an exciting series. These are arguably the two best starting staffs in the league. Both teams have solid bullpens, they finished second and third in fielding percentage, and both have good offenses. This should make for a very entertaining series for sure.

Winnipeg having the additional game at home will be the difference in the series. Take the Goldeyes in three.

All Photos Used Courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi/Field Dreams Photography

By Robert Pannier