Baseball: City Section previews

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There are two games set for Saturday at Dodger Stadium to decide championships in Division I and II. The games will be streamed live at LA36.org.

Division I: Reseda Cleveland (24-10) vs. San Fernando (32-3), 1 p.m. It’s No. 1 San Fernando vs. No. 2 Cleveland. The advantage, though, is with Cleveland, because Coach Greg Venger gambled and won when he decided not to start ace Jack Hartman in the first game of the playoffs. Hartman (12-1) is ready to pitch the final, a rarity having your ace in the championship game.

If he’s on, San Fernando will have trouble. But the Tigers have some dangerous hitters, including Roberto Ramos, who has hit 11 home runs. Unsung No. 2 pitcher Armando Esparza (7-1), a transfer from Verdugo Hills, will be asked to match Hartman. Cleveland will need to get Reno Rankin and Andrew Devian on base to score some runs. Not making errors and not walking batters will be the key to victory. The pick: Cleveland.

Division II: Chavez (8-14) vs. Van Nuys (16-9), 10 a.m. Chavez, in its second year, has made it to the final and has its ace, junior Eduardo Ayon, ready to go. Van Nuys hasn’t been to a final since 1959. Junior Jaime Alcala will get the call on the mound. Van Nuys defeated Chavez, 11-9, on March 29. The pick: Chavez.

-- Eric Sondheimer