Week 3 Power Rankings
Matchup: Green Bears @ Team BagTag
Prediction: Sweep for Green Bears
These teams are tied for last in the Jewel City Division with 1-3 records but that doesn't mean that they can be written off. These two teams are evenly matched in some ways but the deciding factor is pitching. Team BagTag has struggled to find a steady and reliable starting pitcher. Gary Ball, Brian Ball, Zach Blatt, & Ryan Blatt have all taken turns trying their luck on the mound and have gotten mixed results. Meanwhile, Josh Smith and Greg Sowards are seasoned veteran pitchers and they have Andrew Hankins, Mike McCoy, and up-and-comer Mike Saxton waiting on turns on the mound. Team BagTag will really have to make something happen to force a split or sweep in this one.
Matchup: Wee Willy Wiffle @ Sit On My Base
Prediction: Split Series
Nick Kappra vs Jeremy Ray. It is most likely that these two pitchers will face each other in both games. Kappra is in the top tier of pitching talent in the league and Ray is making quite a name for himself too. Kappra has a fastball that is nearly impossible to come around on and Ray is working on a great slider and building speed himself. This matchup will put each franchise to the test and should establish a pecking order to the division when all is said and done. The offense will have to do a lot of the heavy lifting (when given the chance). It may come down to taking enough walks or lucking into a home run. Should be a great series to watch.
Matchup: Wiffle Ballers @ Honey Badgers
Prediction: Split Series
There are some great matchups this week but none more titanic than the Wiffle Ballers vs Honey Badgers. Steven Adkins and Josh Berletich will most likely start both games and it will be a battle of fire and ice. Berletich and Adkins are evenly matched in terms of speed and movement. Both teams have offenses that can really do a number on opponents once they get started. Paul Hesson has a .500 avg, 2 HRs, & 8 RBIS (2nd most in league) while Ronnie Canterbury and Steven Adkins both have .333 averages. Anything could happen in this series which is why I think it will be a split. If one team does manage to sweep the other we may finally know who will be the worthy adversary to the Breaking Balls. If last week's games are any indication, I am leaning more towards the Honey Badgers.
Matchup: Breaking Balls @ Poker Night
Prediction: Sweep for Breaking Balls
Instead of a prediction, we could all just share a laugh instead, right? But seriously I am not sure that this could end in anything else but a sweep for the Breaking Balls. Lets look at the facts. Drew McClanahan is a beast but Drew McClanahan will most likely not be at next week's games. That leaves Ryan Pritt to take the mound and while he's no McClanahan he still has the right stuff. But Josh Smith seems to think that this series could be split for that reason alone. But also consider that Poker Night can hit the ball pretty decent with a .283 average but they need to find the longball. They only have 1 home run and 5 RBIs (lowest in the league). With a team like the Breaking Balls, you need to do more than get on base...you need to bring them home. Will this be the week that everything finally clicks for Poker Night. It's doubtful but wouldn't it be something for a team with no wins to get their first W against a team with no losses?
