Power RAYnkings: Week 4
Hi, I'm Jeremy Ray. And I'm taking over the weekly Power Rankings column. Suck on that. Let's skip the chit chat and do this.
Plain White Tees VS Asthmatics
As a team that was just thrown together PWT is not a team to be over looked. They have scored off of Ray, Kappra, and Fischer and as the season continues I think they will adjust to the game and surprise many. They have someone that has potential to be a great pitcher, in James Albright, who has speed but just needs to find the accuracy behind it. It also bears mentioning that he isn’t too bad of a hitter either and has a pair of homeruns. Team captain Andy Hill leads the team with a .375 batting avg. After last weeks game against Black Sheep Wiffle they look to rebound and put runs on the board. The problem with that is they are playing a good team in Asthmatics. Of course we all know Paul can throw a fast slider, but I’m more impressed with the new pitcher on the team - Josiah Chapman. He has amazing speed to match Paul but he seems to have more control (even if it is only slightly more accuracy). The main problem with this team is they give up a lot of walks. During the first 2 games of the season they gave up 50 walks! It’s a good thing that they are able to hit. They have both males and females that can send the ball over the field and team is batting .446, not too bad. The prediction for this is a sweep for the Asthmatics if they keep the walks down.
Chicken & Wiffles VS Wifflin’ Dixie
The Civil War is renewed with this match up! Josh Smith VS Greg Sowards! This match up should be more exciting than the Mayweather fight. C&W almost pulled off a sweep off SOMB and should not be overlooked. They had a bad week against Black Sheep and every team member just said we couldn’t hit that day. Their pitching has been an issue, Fischer doesn’t look like what he used to last year, Josh seems to be the most consistent person on the mound only giving up one run so far. Their hitting is average with fischer finally posting a batting average. They need to strike early and often if they want to win against Wifflin’ Dixie. They have split series against the Asthmatics, sent balls over the fence against the once invincible McClanahan, and swept the Wifflers. The pitching isn’t anything to go home and tell everyone about but obviously it gets the job done, neither is the uniforms. Big Mike McCoy is sending balls into orbit which has helped in their 500 record. My prediction is a sweep for C&W unless theirs bats freeze.
Black Sheep Wiffle VS The Wifflers
After a controversial game against PWT where it left a sour taste in some peoples mouth. Some thought that a 53-1 score was, I believe, over-the-top especially since it was a new team. However, they did take their foot off the peddle with a second win of 14-4, which seems more reasonable. They are still a very good hitting team. Sending the ball over the fence the last few weeks has been the norm for this team. The batting avg is above .500 and everyone has hit a homerun so power is all through the line up. The thing that has troubled this team is pitching. Steven has been troubled by a shoulder injury all season and there doesn’t seem to be any pitching speed. But when you score 53 runs it shouldn’t matter. The Wifflers are a puzzling team. They have flashes of being a good team, they just don’t stay to find out if they are. They’ve already forfeited twice and can’t seem to find a groove. Zach Sturgil seems to be their power hitter and starting pitcher. My prediction is a sweep for Black Sheep I hope they take it easy on a new team.
SOMB VS Breaking Balls
The battle of the 2 undefeated powers from their divisions! This series has the hype of being a power matchup for all season, that is if everyone was there. This week Andrew Westcott and Jacob Dunkle will both be out of town and Nick Kappra won’t be there until the second game. That leaves Jeremy Ray to start against what I assume to be Drew McClanahan. The reason I say assume is that Drew has an arm injury that may sideline him. So instead of battle of the titans, we will see just a regular wiffle ball match. Ray has been impressive on the mound this year as being one of the pitchers who adjusted to the 48 ft. Kappra has been the other being the only pitcher to throw a no hitter this year. This is an amazing one two punch with Ray having a lot of movement with the ball and Kappra pitching the ball so fast it looks like a blur. The power won’t be there this week so Pat and Kevin are going to have to help save this series. This year has been different for Breaking Balls… they’re mortal! Drew is hittable and they are giving up a lot more runs this year but Ryan Pritt is sending the ball over the fence a lot more. Prediction for this game is a split. Both teams not at full strength leads to a split.
As far as the rankings go, the standings will largely remain unchanged if all goes well with my predictions. The Jewel City Division will stay the same but if Asthmatics sweep Plain White Tees they could reclaim second place in the River City Division. No matter what happens in the game of fire and ice between Breaking Balls at Sit On My Base they will still sit atop their divisions but losses on either record will definitely affect their position in the national rankings.
Until next week!
