RECAP
Game 1: 516 win 7-5.
Game 2: Outlaws win 12-11.
Game 3: Outlaws win 6-5.
Game 4: Outlaws win 13-2.
Outlaws with a 3-1 regular season lead on 516. Three of the four games came down to 2 runs or less indicating two teams who are very close talent wise. It paints a portrait of two teams with talent looking for that one or two key plays a game that wins or loses the game. Both teams have all stars on their team and both teams are known for some fiery personalities. This game promises to be a close matchup and will come down to which team can stay calm under pressure.
Outlaws are a storied franchise with more than a decade in the league. 516 is a rookie team in the league, but are led by a bunch of SASL veterans. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance coupled with cold streaks that leaves more questions than answers. 516 are definitely the more offensive minded team with a +62 run differential over Outlaws during the season while Outlaws are the more sound defensive minded team with -48 runs less given up than 516. Both teams have had signature wins; 516 against Savages and Outlaws against 516 in a win or go home weekend. We could not think of a closer matchup for our 1 game wild card game. Let’s look at the position by position analysis:
CATCHER:
Jawid Sarwar (Outlaws) vs. Wahid Hooien (516)
Both players are pretty evenly matched when looking at their offensive stats with both players hitting in the .570’s with 3 home runs each. However, if you see them on the field, you would surely pick Wahid as one of the best hitting catchers in the SASL. Jawid has been a SASL veteran and one of the leaders in the Outlaws, but Wahid is a stud.
Advantage: 516.
PITCHER:
Josh Rivera (Outlaws) vs Sanjay Sharma (516)
Both Pitchers have separated themselves in their teams as their aces. Sanjay also happens to be the GM of 516, and leads from the front. Josh has stepped up when asked to pitch and can throw strikes often and keeps walks to a minimum. Sanjay can run into walks sometimes and it costs his team runs often when facing good teams. Josh also is a better hitter while Sanjay may be having his worst season at the dish.
Advantage: Outlaws.
FIRST BASEMEN:
Derrick Ramdeen (Outlaws) vs. Amarnauth Panday (516)
When you think of your traditional first basemen, you think of power hitting boppers. Neither Derrick or Richie has had that kind of season but each one can turn it around in any given game. Derrick may be the slightly better and more consistent hitter. Neither brings much to the defensive side of the game with limited range, but both provide sure hands. Both are solid, but not game changers by any means.
Advantage: Even.
SECOND BASEMEN:
Majid Raufi (Outlaws) vs. Denen Olson (516)
Majid is a very good defender in the infield (while somewhat inconsistent). He is one of the true 5 tool players in SASL but his season leaves a lot to be desired. A toolsy player like Majid hitting only .450 for the season? But that comes with a strong 7 home run and almost 1.000 slugging. He can hit 3 home runs a game, or have 3 easy fly outs. If he can level that swing, and become more consistent, he has the talent to be a true game changer in the mold of someone like Ramy; fast, strong, consistent and playing with flair.
Denen is one of 5 players in the SASL rated a pure 10. The All Star game MVP lives up to that lofty ranking with a jaw dropping 50 rbis for the season along with his 11 home runs. This production also comes with some teams not even pitching to him. Denen may be the best pure hitter in the league and if he isn’t, he is top 3 easily. However, the defensive results are mixed. He will gobble up anything hit his way, but has no lateral ability to cover ground. Outlaws will be smart to hit it to second base and get his feet moving.
Advantage: 516.
SHORTSTOP:
Greg Murello (Outlaws) vs. Kyle Bacchus (516)
Greg who has played in SASL for years, was a 5 tool player in his prime a few years ago. While age has caught up to him somewhat, he is still a difference maker on both sides of the ball. He still hit a very good .600+ along with 32 rbis in the middle of the Outlaws lineup. In the field, we have seen him play in every position in the diamond but we expect him to play short stop in the most important game of the season.
Kyle, who is a rookie to the league, has really stepped up and played great defense and solidified the infield for 516. His potential is limitless once he gets rid of his baseball swing and swings to the slow arc of softball. Very athletic with good range, he hit almost .500 during the season with some pop. His ceiling is high, but for now Greg is on another level.
Advantage: Outlaws.
THIRD BASE:
Waqas Ali (Outlaws) vs. Tyler Bhurasinh (516)
Waqas is known for one thing: grit. A veterans veteran, he brings a certain grit to the Outlaws that can’t be quantified. He has only been able to make half the games so far this season, but we expect him to show up to the biggest game Outlaws has played in years. While he is not a vacuum at 3b, he is solid and has hit .500 during this season. Nothing eye-popping, but every team can use a player like Waqas.
Tyler, like Kyle, is another rookie who left baseball behind to jump into the world of softball. A young rookie, built like a track star, he provides good defense and speed on the base paths. Just like Waqas, Tyler hit an even .500 for the season. With almost no pop, he needs to hit the ball in the ground and run like hell. However, we are giving Tyler the edge with his superior defense.
Advantage: 516.
LEFT FIELD:
Ahmad Halimi (Outlaws) vs. Jason Gregory (516)
Ahmad was born and raised in SASL. While he is one of the more colorful personalities in the league, his play in the AL has been somewhat quiet. With all the tools to be a super player, he has disappointed to a .460 average. However, his defense has been super and his arm is as good as there is in most teams. Can he raise his game and come in the clutch? Outlaws sure need him.
Jason Gregory who may have been one of the biggest All Star snubs in the league, finished his season with a very nice .593 avg and one of the league leaders in runs with 36 runs. One of the best leadoff hitters in the entire league, he works the count in every at bat and is a line drive machine. His defense is also good, but you can run on his arm. As the captain of 516, the team goes as he goes. He needs to get on base for the all important middle of the lineup for 516.
Advantage: 516.
LEFT CENTERFIELD:
Louis Tiglias (Outlaws) vs. Mauris Rodriguez (516)
Louis was bought in to the league by Outlaws and in the beginning of the season, we thought he had the making of a star. Alas, halfway thru the season, he decided to stop showing up. He plays a very good centerfield, and surprises you with some decent pop. Outlaws missed him during the end of the season, but we expect him to show up in this important game. In the 36 at bats he did accrue, he hit close to a 1.2 slugging which puts in him in the elite category.
Mauris can be regarded as one of the X-factors for 516. He is the most important player for 516, when you consider you will get production from Denen, Ralphie and Jason. What will Mauris bring to the table? He shows flashes of gold glove potential with a .530 batting average. He would be better served, to be more of a ground ball hitter as his propensity to hit the ball in the air fails to take advantage of his speed.
Advantage: Outlaws.
RIGHT CENTERFIELD:
Pervez Khan (Outlaws) vs. Rafael Liriano (516)
Pervez is a super utility player who can play every position on the diamond which is a huge relief for Outlaws as he has been needed all over the field. We expect him to play the outfield Saturday with the sluggers 516 have. He is solid with the glove with a very accurate arm. He hit a surprising .641 this season, in what we think is his best season to date.
Rafael who is also another super utility player can play anywhere in the field as well. He has found a home in the OF with 516. His fantastic offensive season was rewarded with a All star berth. A Denen and Rafael middle of the lineup may be the best in the league when it comes to pure power numbers. The key with him: his off the field antics. Can he keep his emotions in check or will he show up his teammates after any error or bad play, which inevitably leads to a bad ending.
Advantage: 516.
RIGHT FIELD:
Saiful Ashraf (Outlaws) vs. Steve Quock (516)
Saiful, the unquestioned leader of the Outlaws, has had a trying season. Instead of focusing on what is going on in the field, he is often seen almost babysitting the different personalities of the team. This can be frustrating at times for sure, but he has handled it capably and led his team to the playoffs in his first year as GM. While this is not his best season by a long shot, he plays hard, and hits line drives after line drives. Oh, and one more thing: DO NOT run on that cannon.
Steve has had his share of controversies in the SASL in his rookie season with some calling him a dirty player. We see a player that can go pound for pound as one of the strongest hitters in the whole league. This is backed up by his 8 home runs and 32 rbis. He protects the Denen and Rafael combo well, and is a very fundamental player. His defense is extremely suspect however, but he should be in the middle of the outcome of this game.
Advantage: 516.
DESIGNATED HITTER:
Ramin Rasuli (Outlaws) vs. Anthony Dindiyal (516)
Ramin is a legend in the South Asian community who has played in the league for over a decade. While most have retired from those days, Ramin is still going strong and shows no signs of slowing down. One of the best teammates you can have, period. This year we have actually seen him play the Outfield which is a sight not many are used to seeing. His hitting has been sporadic this year with under a .500 avg, but he can hit the ball a long way to the right side of the field.
Anthony is another rookie for 516 and is one of the most underrated players in the whole league. He has 6 home runs while playing only half the games. If he played a full season, he would be a MVP candidate while batting close to .600. He is a serious threat at the plate, and is a player to look out for in the years to come.
Advantage: 516.
KEYS FOR OUTLAWS:
1. Lineup: There has been so many varieties of lineup for this team, which lineup are they going with? We have seen Saiful hit first and 8th. We have seen Pervez lead off and hit last. No consistency hurts a team.
2. Big Field: The big field neutralizes the big hitter of 516 but will Outlaws be content to play deep and give up singles to the middle of the lineup?
3. Focus: Can they focus ON THE GAME and not curse each other out?
KEYS FOR 516:
1. Walks: Will Denen be walked every at bat? And if he is, will Rafael and Steve step up.
2. Pitching: Can Sanjay limit his walks? Walks to the bottom of the Outlaws lineup is a death wish as those should be easy outs.
3. Do not test the arms of Outlaws OF and getting out on the base paths.
PREDICTION:
516 offense is too strong and they win 14-9.
