| < Week 3 | Week 5 > |
| Knockout Park | The Wiffle Iron | ||||||
| 5/20 | 5/20 | 5/20 | 5/20 | ||||
| FS | 1|0 | JM | 0|0 | BW | 4|9 | ||
| MP | 0|5 | MP | 4|3 | KF | 0|2 | ||
| Probable Starters: | |||
| Game 1: | Chris Paquin | vs. | Evan Bortmas |
| Game 2: | Jason Hewlett | vs. | Sam Hatt |
Do yourself a favor, ignore the season records for these two teams. The Mattseals are much better than theirs suggests, and the Punchouts' is still a small sample size against one other great team. In fact, the only common ground to evaluate these teams comes from two sources: 1) They split two games in the first satellite tournament, and 2) both have played two one-run games against Whiteford this season. The Mattseals lost two 1-0 games, while the Punchouts added another 1-0 loss, but also tacked on a 3-2 win. That right there is proof enough why you need to discount records, and just pay attention to the pitch-by-pitch play for this series.
To find the reason for that number-dash-number we are not talking about with the Mattseals you need look no further than two offensive stats: team AVG - .146, and team OBP - .213. If you want to add a third for good bad measure, team SLG% - .154. With that kind of production it is hard to support even great pitching. However, to their credit, the 'Seals have played the DeLoppes (defensive kingpins) and the Wicked Aces (pitching phenoms). You do not put up outstanding numbers against those teams; wins against them are not exactly the pretty type. To further prove that point, the Mattseals have a team ERA of 1.57 (1.40 better than the 5-7 Donkeys, at 2.97, and only 0.25 behind the 3-1 Thunder Ducks) and a team WHIP of 1.23, fourth best in the league.
I wish stats for Manchester had been posted before midnight Tuesday, so I could say more about them. All there is to say without the numbers is essentially what was posted last week: good pitching, good power, good contact. Sam Hatt did hit a home run off the impressive Aces' staff, so the power is definitely showing up in league play.
It is early in the season, but this Ringler Division series is one that will play a big roll later in the season for seeding. Despite current records, both of these teams are expected to win sixteen-plus games and make a run for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. These games can be a statement series for either team; one that could set the tone over the next few weeks. A sweep of this series for either team provides confidence and an upper hand in the tough Ringler Division. Two more losses will be a tougher pill to swallow for the Mattseals, however, as they urgently want to claw their way into the win column. A split is not an unexpected result, but it all comes down to both teams doing what they are capable of doing: pitching, hitting, and just playing smart. The Squirrels will be in attendance, so it is guaranteed that everyone will be kept loose and laughing throughout. With any luck that amorous variable thrown into the equation brings out the best in everyone during the series.
Else-and-Same-Where in WSEM: The Belgian Wiffles are opening up the Wiffle Iron on Sunday with King Fridayand the Commandos. Originally, the (#20) Ducks (3-1) were supposed to reprise the satellite tournament #2 championship, but that is apparently no longer happening. Belgian is riding high on their tournament championship, but they are in for a new style of competition when league play starts (read: "sober"). Friday will be the home team in their series with Belgian, while the Commandos will be the visitors to properly open Belgian's home field, even though opening up Belgian's home field. Who knows how much of a challenge these two this series will be, but Friday has gotten better with each game they have played: base runners against the Squirrels, runs against the Ducks, wins against Belgian?
Back in Manchester, the (#18) Squirrels (9-1) will put their early season reputation on the line against the Punchouts in a two-game series. These teams have played four times: twice in September, and twice in satellite tournament #1. The Punchouts are 3-0-1 in those games, though the first two were both 1-0, and the second of which was won in extra innings after Carl Coffee slipped rounding third on what would have been a game-winning run. All day long the games in Manchester will be close, and for added amusement the 'Seals and Squirrels will play a friendly after the league games conclude, and a couple pick-up games are also likely to spring up.
To find the reason for that number-dash-number we are not talking about with the Mattseals you need look no further than two offensive stats: team AVG - .146, and team OBP - .213. If you want to add a third for I wish stats for Manchester had been posted before midnight Tuesday, so I could say more about them. All there is to say without the numbers is essentially what was posted last week: good pitching, good power, good contact. Sam Hatt did hit a home run off the impressive Aces' staff, so the power is definitely showing up in league play.It is early in the season, but this Ringler Division series is one that will play a big roll later in the season for seeding. Despite current records, both of these teams are expected to win sixteen-plus games and make a run for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. These games can be a statement series for either team; one that could set the tone over the next few weeks. A sweep of this series for either team provides confidence and an upper hand in the tough Ringler Division. Two more losses will be a tougher pill to swallow for the Mattseals, however, as they urgently want to claw their way into the win column. A split is not an unexpected result, but it all comes down to both teams doing what they are capable of doing: pitching, hitting, and just playing smart. The Squirrels will be in attendance, so it is guaranteed that everyone will be kept loose and laughing throughout. With any luck that amorous variable thrown into the equation brings out the best in everyone during the series.
Else-and-Same-Where in WSEM: The Belgian Wiffles are opening up the Wiffle Iron on Sunday with King Friday
Back in Manchester, the (#18) Squirrels (9-1) will put their early season reputation on the line against the Punchouts in a two-game series. These teams have played four times: twice in September, and twice in satellite tournament #1. The Punchouts are 3-0-1 in those games, though the first two were both 1-0, and the second of which was won in extra innings after Carl Coffee slipped rounding third on what would have been a game-winning run. All day long the games in Manchester will be close, and for added amusement the 'Seals and Squirrels will play a friendly after the league games conclude, and a couple pick-up games are also likely to spring up.
Unavailable Pitchers:
One Game: Comstock (WD), Hewlett (JM), Mushinski (KF), Nagorski (TD)*, Linebrink (CC)*, Shore (DK)*, Corbett (FS)
Two Games: Zigila (MP), Crozier (WA)*
* Team not scheduled this week. Will carry over to Week 5.
