Week 5 Preview and Predictions

Stampede (5-2) vs Shorts (3-4) 
Probable Starters  
Aidan Palmer (STD) 
Holden Palmer (STD) 
Myc Witty (SS)  
Connor Young (SS) 
Two aces from an absolutely suffocating Stampede pitching staff go up against a Shorts offense that has been absent all but 1 week this year. Having Myc Witty is great and everything, but give the man some breathing room for once! Connor Young makes his season debut on the mound, and the Shorts can only hope he gives some quality innings and the offense catches fire. The Shorts and I (Laugel) had our hearts broken last week, watching what would have been a walk-off home run land into the golden palms of Tyler Gregory - only to follow with a Jack-off loss. Dudas was too busy playing with rocks last week to attend, and now the Shorts are at a season low. They need Boulder Bro to become Dinger Dudas before the Shorts find themselves in a hole bigger than the one in his yard. I predict two hard-fought games, possibly a jack-off, and the other game decided by just a few runs 
Prediction: Stampede take both games 

8 Balls (4-3) Vs Moonshots (4-3) 
Probable Starters  
Reid Werner (I8B) 
Alec Berninger/Alex Gurtcheff (I8B) 
Will Smithey (MID) 
Ian Garavalia (MID) 
 
Last week, Reid looked human for the first time this year on the mound, but by no means would I expect that opportunity again for the Moonshots. The 8-Balls are still soul searching for that solid #2 starter to complement Reid, while the Moonshots no doubt have got their guy with Ian Garavalia. Offensively, I think the 8-Balls have the potential to finish the season strong, but I don't see that streak starting here against the Moonshots' #1 and #2 pitchers. The Moonshots offense is tops in the league, and I expect them to further improve on that this week. 
Prediction: Moonshots take both games 

Yaks (2-5) Vs Hounds (3-4) 
Probable Starters  
Dustin Dowden (YAK) 
Rudy Lyon (YAK) 
Mitch Buis (HWC) 
Austin Alles (HWC) 
 
The Yaks gave the 8-Balls everything they bargained for last week, earning a split and losing a hell of a game 2 by only 1 run. Will this week be the official turning point of the season for the Yaks? Rudy threw decent last week and will only continue to get better as the season goes on. Stealing a game from Buis or Alles is tough, but Dowden is more than capable of doing so against either of them. Offensively, neither of these teams is firing on all cylinders, so don’t expect much scoring here, but expect 2 great games to watch. 
Prediction: Split 1-1 

Dustin Laugel