Keys set their playoff rotation

Despite losing 10 of their last 12 games, the Frederick Keys are playoff bound. In fact, it looks like it will be Orioles vs. Nationals in the playoffs. That's the Carolina League playoffs. After going 41-29, Frederick won its division in the first half. The Nats team in that league, Potomac, is leading in the second half. The best-of-five Carolina League semi-finals will begin next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Frederick's Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys will start Oliver Drake in game one, with Ryan O'Shea set for game two and Zach Clark game three. In game four, if necessary, Luis Noel would start. Should there be a game five, Frederick's starter would likely be either Kenny Moreland or Cole McCurry. Should Frederick advance, the Keys would play on the road in the first two games of the championship series on Monday and Tuesday, September 13 and 14. They would be home for the rest of that best-of-five series. Frederick is in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Unless Bowie makes it, Frederick will be the only O's farm team in the playoffs this season. The Keys have been hurt in the second half as some players were called up to Bowie like Joe Mahoney, Greg Miclat and Brandon Cooney. Losing Xavier Avery seems to have hurt the most if you consider the fact the Keys are 7-16 since Avery moved to Double-A. But Drake and O'Shea have thrown well recently so one or two well-pitched games could put Frederick in the drivers seat in a short, playoff series. The Keys host Kinston tonight in their last regular-season home game, before playing three at Wilmington. The Delmarva Shorebirds have released their 2011 season schedule. The Shorebirds will once again play 70 regular season home games at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium and they will host the 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 21 and a special exhibition game against Salisbury University on April 5. The Shorebirds will begin the new season at home for the first time since 2008. The Shorebirds open the South Atlantic League portion of their schedule on April 7th with a four-game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. For a fifth consecutive season, the Shorebirds will close the curtain on the 2011 season at Perdue Stadium. The 'Birds will entertain the West Virginia Power from September 1 through September 5.