Week 8 Final Fast Pitch Predictions

It’s the final week of the regular season and nothing is certain. 

Stampede (6-7, T-3rd) vs Yaks (6-7, T-3rd) 

Probable Starters 
Aidan Palmer (STD) 
Holden Palmer (STD) 
Rudy Lyon (YAK) 
Dalton Lewis (YAK) 
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Despite their absolutely suffocating pitching, the Stampede have some HARD losses as of late. The casual fan may think the Stampede are sinking, but I'm not buying it. Pitching is still going to keep them in games; the offense just needs to return to the force it was earlier this year. A Dowdenless Yaks may be the time for the Pede to right the ship offensively. This isn’t throwing shade at Rudy or Dlewy, depending on how Holden feels (Rumors of injury?!) One of them could easily grind into a win. Consider yourself lucky to get 1 off Aidan, 2 off a healthy Holden; This is the week the Stampede come back to life.... 
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Prediction: Stampede Sweep Doubleheader 

Moonshots (6-7, T-3rd) vs Hounds (6-7, T-3rd) 

Probable Starters 
Jake Sprinkle (HWC) 
Austin Alles (HWC) 
Will Smithey (MID) 
Nolan Karwoski (MID) 

Sprinkle was ruthless in his debut last week, but can he duplicate it against the moonshots? I would assume these teams would choose to throw off each other (Sprinkle vs Nolan instead of Smithey) but I have received no such confirmation. A battle of the S’s would be a high chance for a jackoff. Those have been anybody's games this year. Alles hasn’t thrown for a while so there may be some rust there, but if not, expect dominance. Nolan had a gutsy outing against the shorts in his first ever pitching performance last week. A 4-run first inning followed by 0s is very promising. Regardless of the exact pitching matchups, the offenses of these teams have been similar which should point to close, worth-watching games. 
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Prediction: Split Doubleheader  

Shorts (8-5, 1st) vs 8 Balls (7-6, 2nd) 

Probable Starters 
Dustin Laugel (SS) 
Connor Young (SS) 
Alex Gurtcheff (I8B) 
John Mitchell (I8B) 

The Shorts offense is a unique one, leading the league in hits, but last in home runs. The Shorts put the pressure on you (and themselves) with a lot of traffic on the basepaths, and it’s been getting the job done with Witty and Laugel on the mound. 8-Balls will turn to swamp donkey master Gurtch for a quality start on the mound. Gurtch has battled consistency on the mound this year but has had flashes of brilliance. Big John Mitchell threw wild but hard in his only start this year; expect a better outing in career start #2. The Shorts burnt all those Witty innings already, so the 8 Balls can breathe a little easier. However, Laugel’s been hot on the mound (colder than his own Busch Light at the plate). Connor Young continues to look better with each inning pitched. If he can limit the walks and keep Gurtch’s bat at bay, the shorts have a chance to sweep this week. 
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Prediction: Split Doubleheader