Do Quakes have a chance? It looks like it

I'll admit that prior to the beginning of the playoffs, all signs seemed to point to a short end for the Quakes.

--Quakes had worst record ever to qualify for the playoffs and it tied for the 2nd worst Quakes record all-time. They went 1-6 down the stretch.

--Lake Elsinore won 20 of the 34 regular-season meetings.

--No team that finished 12 games behind another defeated the better regular season team in the playoffs, or even won a game.

--Lake Elsinore had won in the first round 3 straight years.

Of course, none of that mattered and the Quakes won. Looking at the next matchup against formidable High Desert, it looks like the Quakes have a chance.

Consider:

--High Desert only outscored the Quakes by two runs and the Quakes won 7 of the last 12 games between them.

--the Quakes have momentum, but have also had two days off (Tuesday, Friday) since the end of the regular season. They might be able to steal one in Adelanto  from a potentially rusty Mavericks team.

--As long as they can get to them, the Quakes have a solid bullpen. New closer Michael Kohn is unhittable and struck out 12 in six previous innings against the Mavericks.

--The Quakes seem to believe, which is as important as anything else.