"Growlifornia" versus "Find A Way." Tony Kemp versus Michael Choice. Fresno versus Columbus. After almost six months of energy-draining but exciting professional baseball, the Fresno Grizzlies and the Columbus Clippers will battle for the right to be called Triple-A National Champions. But, there is a huge difference between this matchup and the previous rounds: One game, not a best of five series, will decide who is holding the trophy at the end of the evening. 

84-59 Fresno Grizzlies
(Affiliate of Houston Astros)
***Pacific Coast League Champions
versus 83-61 Columbus Clippers
(Affiliate of Cleveland Indians)
***International League Champions
In El Paso, Texas.

Columbus Clippers Starting Lineup
CF-Tyler Holt
---.256 BA, 6 R, 4 BB, & 2 SB.
SS-Erik Gonzalez
***10th Prospect in Cleveland's Organization
---.333 BA, 8 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, & BB.
1B-Jesus Aguilar
***25th Prospect in Cleveland's Organization
---.278 BA, 5 R, 4 RBI, & 3 BB.
C-Adam Moore
---.471 BA, 6 R, 3 HR, 10 RBI, & BB.
3B-Yandy Diaz
***28th Prospect in Cleveland's Organization
---.243 BA, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI, & 2 BB.
RF-Michael Choice
***Governors' Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player
---.424 BA, 5 R, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 BB, & SB.
2B-Audy Ciriaco
---.216 BA, 3 R, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, & SB.
LF-James Ramsey
***12th Prospect in Cleveland's Organization
---.132 BA, 3 R, & BB.
DH-Anthony Gallas
---.125 BA.
***All stats from Governors' Cup Playoffs

Fresno Grizzlies Starting Lineup
2B-Tony Kemp
***11th Prospect in Houston's Organization
***Pacific Coast League Playoffs Most Valuable Player
---.405 BA, 7 R, 9 RBI, 7 BB, & 2 SB.
RF-Alex Presley
---.390 BA, 6 R, HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, & 3 SB.
3B-Tyler White
***30rd Prospect in Houston's Organization
---.343 BA, 4 R, 3 HR, 10 RBI, & 3 BB.
1B-Jon Singleton
---.306 BA, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, & 6 BB.
DH-L.J. Hoes
---.158 BA, 2 R, & 3 BB.
CF-Andrew Aplin
***23rd Prospect in Houston's Organization
---.241 BA, 6 R, 3 RBI, & 3 BB.
LF-Robbie Grossman
---.281 BA, 5 R, 3 RBI, 5 BB, & SB.
C-Tyler Heineman
---.161 BA, 3 R, 5 RBI, & 3 BB.
SS-Jiovanni Mier
---.258 BA, 53 R, 7 HR, 56 RBI, 51 BB, & 10 SB. (Regular Season Stats from Corpus Christi)
***Stats from Pacific Coast League Playoffs unless marked otherwise

Pitching Matchup
FRE-Chris Devenski
***18th Prospect in Houston's Organization
---0-0 record, 0.00 ERA, and 3 K in 2.0 IP.
Last Appearance: (ND) .2 IP, 2 H, & K. (Game 4 versus Round Rock)
CLB-Ryan Merritt
---1-0 record, 2.77 ERA, and 6 K in 13.0 IP.
Last Start: (ND) 6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, & 4 K. (Game 1 versus Indianapolis)

Prediction

The Columbus Clippers are definitely no newcomer when it comes to playing in winner-take-all games, considering they have participated in a pair of Game 5's to get thus far. In the two crucial matchups, the Clippers' pitching has been incredible, as they allowed no runs in 18 innings (15.1 from Mike Clevinger). But one must note that Chris Tremie's squad has not faced an offensive powerhouse like the Fresno Grizzlies.

While Columbus has limited opponents to an average of 3.6 runs per game in the IL playoffs, the beasts from "Growlifornia"  plated 5.2 per game during the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Yet, the offense has not just came from Tony Kemp and Tyler White. As a matter of fact, all projected starters besides one (L.J. Hoes) have at least three RBIs in the last nine games. Still, the Clippers may be able to "Find A Way" if Michael Choice, Adam Moore, and Jesus Aguilar can exploit Grizzlies' starter Chris Devenski.

Even though tonight will not be the Triple-A debut of Devenski, he is making his first start at the level in the biggest game of his career. As the right-hander will look to  continued his success from Corpus Christi (7-4 record, 3.01 ERA and 104 K in 119.2 IP), a southpaw from the other dugout hopes to replicate his Game 1 semifinals performance.

Despite Ryan Merrit being absolutely dominant versus the Norfolk Tides 13 days ago, he struggled significantly in his last start versus division rival Indianapolis. So with his previous performance being turbulent, this journalist was shocked to find that Merrit will pitch over the "Magnificent Murata" on Tuesday night.

Though Toru Murata has yet to prove himself in the Major Leagues, he was by far the best hurler in the International League this season as he finished with 15 wins and a measly 2.90 ERA. Regardless, it seems -- barring a last-minute switch -- Murata will be entering tonight's ballgame from the bullpen, which has to be a great luxury for the Clippers in case Merrit's troubles continue.

All in all, this writer feels the Grizzlies will tear apart the Clippers board by board in El Paso this evening. Without the powerful bat of Zach Walters in the lineup (dislocated shoulder), Columbus' offense is inferior to Fresno's and will learn it instantly as the latter chases Merrit in the fifth inning. Also, even with Choice and Moore's presence being felt, the affiliate of Cleveland will be unable to plate runs due to their teammates' inability to drive in runs. Look for Chris Devenski to pick up the win and former top-100 prospect Jon Singleton and 2015 All-Star Futures Game selection Tony Kemp to continue hitting the ball very well in a two-run victory.

---Fresno 5, Columbus 3