The most successful franchise in the Atlantic League’s history is looking to add another championship to their resume as they begin their postseason journey on September 29th.
The Ducks claimed the first postseason berth earlier this year as they were in first place at the halfway point. In the Atlantic League, you automatically qualify for the postseason if you are in first place at the halfway point.
Since the second half, the Ducks have been prepping for their postseason push but they have continued to win and compete in every series.
The roster that has been compiled by the front office has been arguably their most complete they have had in franchise history.
The lineup consists of a slew of ex-MLB talents and seasoned veterans like Reben Tejada, Alejandro De Aza, Boog Powell, Sam Travis, and Alex Dickerson who all have been key pieces to the Ducks offensive attack. And that's without mentioning their most seasoned veteran, Lew Ford.
Ford broke a team and league record when he decided to come back for his 13th season as an active member of the Ducks and his 9th as a player-coach as he also serves as the team’s hitting coach.
The 47-year-old outfielder who last played in the Major Leagues in 2012 has enjoyed over a decade of success with the Ducks that includes the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year award, three All-Star nods, and this season he became the fourth player in league history to record over 1000 hits and currently holds the franchise record in hits.
The lineup may be stacked with MLB talent, but their pitching staff is equally as impressive in terms of ex-MLB talent.
Despite joining the flock later in the season, former second round pick Robert Stock is currently in the top 10 in Wins by an Atlantic League pitcher. This also includes a no hitter he threw in the summer against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on July 18th.
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| Lew Ford @LiDucks | Instagram |
The real big pieces to the Ducks pitching staff are in the bullpen. Jose Jose has been nails in the late relief role this season. He has posted a 6-2 win/loss record with a 3.07 earned run average while also throwing in the second most games out of any pitcher in the league.
The 9th inning saw two ex-MLB studs get the ball in a “closer-by-committee” role but both men were lights out when they heard their name called.
Despite having an inflated ERA, Kevin Quackenbush has proven to be lights out in the ninth inning for Long Island as he is third in the league with 17 saves and 31 games finished. He recently has been the man in the 9th for the Ducks and has been more than reliable when needed.
The biggest name in the Ducks bullpen may be (arguably) the biggest name on the roster. That man is none other than former Detroit Tigers setup man Al Albuquerque.
Albuquerque was untouchable in his prime with the Tigers as he posted an ERA of 1.81 in 2011 and an equally as dominant 2014 where he posted a 2.51 ERA on the pennant winning Tigers that got swept in the World Series by the San Francisco Giants.
This season, the 37-year-old has been brilliant out of the bullpen for the flock. He has posted a 3.65 ERA in a team leading – and fourth most in the Atlantic League – 50 appearances for the flock.
The quest for yet another championship banner will begin on the 22nd of September and if they get past the Lancaster Barnstormers, they will advance to the next round.