Week 4 Previews and Predictions

First, let's open in a word of prayer to your deity of preference that we get clear skies and no rain on Wednesday. Amen. 

Week 3 was cut short by the aforementioned conditions, with each team playing just one game apiece. We expect a full slate of games this week, though, as we hit the one-third way mark of the regular season. Here's what to expect this week. 

Stampede vs Hounds
Probable Starters
Aidan Palmer (STD)
Brayden Scott (STD)
Mitch Buis (HWC)
Austin Alles (HWC)

I predict 2 amazing pitching duels in this series. Scott and Alles, two of the largest humans in the league, and Palmer and Buis, tall lanky and nasty. Buis and Alles are stingy to get runs off, but the Stampede's offense is home run happy. Scoring off Aidan looks impossible so far and Brayden’s only surrendered 1 run over 10 innings himself. If either of these games have more than 3 combined runs, I’ll be surprised, and I think those runs happen from dingers not from a string of hits.
Prediction: Stampede win both games


8 Balls Vs Yaks
Probable Starters
Reid Werner (I8B)
Alec Berninger/John Mitchell (I8B)
Dustin Dowden (YAK)
“Arm by committee” (YAK)

The Yaks may look like they’re in a bit of a tail spin but I’m sure Dowden has other plans. Beating Reid is unlikely, and I would guess the Yaks may choose to throw the committee at him. If not, I’d expect a jack-off that 8 Balls look built for. Expect Rudy to put his NHL career aspirations aside and throw some innings for the first time this season. Berny’s stuff has looked good so far this year but has the time off helped or hurt him? I have been informed that John Mitchell, officially the tallest person in the League, may get some innings in if he shows. Whatever the case ends up being I think this series will end up being close, but the games may not necessarily end up being close.
Prediction: Split 1-1




Moonshots Vs Shorts
Probable Starters
Will Smithey (MID)
Ian Garvalia (MID)
Myc Witty (SS)
Dustin Laugel/Connor Young (SS)
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Good news is Witty is back, the Bad news is Dudas is gone. The Shorts can’t afford to lose anymore offense, and this week is looking tough without their leader (despite the rumors of him being washed). This series is hard to predict, Smithey and Witty would be a jackoff most likely, which heavily favors the Moonshots. If those two pitch off from each other they will undoubtedly beat Ian or myself (Laugel).  Speaking of myself, I played in a tournament Sunday where I told myself I wasn’t pitching but emergencies on the mound led me to throw 6 additional innings in between CCW starts. As I write this, I don’t see any possible way my arm can throw much if at all tomorrow. I’m counting on Connor Young to bail me out in this one. Connor showed some promise in his rookie campaign and I hope he can deliver a stellar debut here at a time when the Shorts may need him most. Ian Garvalia has given some quality starts thus far, and winning against him will be by no means be a cake walk.
Prediction: Split 1-1

Dustin Laugel