- LAST WEEKS PREDICTIONS: Last week we went 3 for 6 in our predictions. Mambas sweeping Dothrakis was a big miss, Dynasty and Troopers were expected to split but got swept by Hit Squad and The Ones respectively.
- YEAR TO DATE TALLY: 18 out of 30 right (60% success rate).
Matchup: Dynasty (8-2) vs. The North (9-1)
Field: Carman Ave @ 8:30am
Dynasty is coming off a disastrous week against Hit Squad. Scoring only 6 runs in 2 games as the top team must feel some sort of way for Dynasty. Most Improved Kunal went hitless and they need him to shake it off and continue his excellent season. Last week should be a one-off thing but we need to see how Dynasty will react to their first loss of the season. The one thing The North have in common with Dynasty is losing to Hit Squad. Although last week they made quick work of Shooters. Offense has been clicking all season long. Scoring at will. Defense their one main weakness has vastly improved over the past few weeks holding Shooters to only 7 runs in 2 games. Expect 2 competitive games where both teams will be competing till the last out.
Predictions: SPLIT! Dynasty has too good of a roster this year to go back to mediocrity. They will pick their season back up and take one from The North. The North wanting to prove to the league they are the #1 team this year, they will do whatever it takes to get one.
Matchup: MonStars (7-3) vs. Hit Squad (7-3)
Field: Cedar Creek A @ 8:30am
MonStars are coming off a sweep against Backdoor Sliders. They took advantage of a weak defense which is not the case with Hit Squad. Having an identical record with Hit Squad, MonStars are surpassing all expectations this season so far. Sporting a great offense with 7 people batting over .600. Along with the offense is a solid defense led by Vincent and Shane. Facing arguably their toughest opponents of the season, this will be a test for them. Hit Squad is coming off of a sweep against Dynasty, giving them their first 2 losses of the season. Sporting 2 out of the top 5 for Home Runs in Ahmad Halimi and Ramy, the offense will always be dangerous. Defensively they are arguably the #1 team, making it very tough to score on them. Holding Dynasty to 6 runs was unthinkable going into the matchup but Hit Squad got it done.
Predictions: SWEEP! Hit Squad has been on fire since week 1 and they are doing it against good teams. Wins over Mambas, North, Dynasty and now MonStars. MonStars will have to keep Hit Squad offense at bay and hope their bats can get it done.
Matchup: The Ones (6-4) vs. Black Mambas (5-5)
Field: Cantiague D @ 8:30am
The Ones are coming off a sweep against Troopers. Sporting a very dangerous offense led by Yoba, tied for #1 in Home Runs and RBI’s and Denen #2 in RBI’s. If your defense isn’t prepared, Good Luck! Defensively they could use some work, but it doesn’t affect them as much as other teams due to the team’s offensive production. Having 5 consistent threats batting over .600 is a dangerous combo as well. They face arguably the hottest team in the league right now. Mamba’s coming off a sweep against Dothraki’s. Nobody took them serious but here they come, led by captains Ayaz and Azhar. Pete Santos went a perfect 8-8 adding 8 RBI’s. If the team is clicking with Dan, they will be a tough team to beat every week. They built this contender right at the deadline and it looks like it’s paying off already. Let’s see if they can build up more momentum after last week.
Predictions: SWEEP! Playing on a short field will hurt The Ones more then Mamba’s. Mamba’s will continue with last weeks success and make it 2 straight sweeps. The Ones defense will need to step up and try to contain them. Similarly, their offense will need to be alive to keep it close.
Matchup: Dad Bods (0-10) vs. Troopers (4-6)
Field: Cantiague D @ 11am
Dad Bods lost both games last week, so far with a winless season. They kept the games competitive last week against a struggling TSFE. The biggest take away from the season for them is that they know how to have fun and don’t let the losses ruin morale. They will eventually put it all together and start competing, maybe not this year though. Troopers lost both last week with their hot start to the season quickly fizzling out. They need both wins this week to get back on track but even then, this team struggles in a 2-game series. Game 1 they give it their all and game 2 they looked gassed. That needs to change ASAP if they look at themselves as serious contenders.
Predictions: SWEEP! Troopers are the better team and they need to play like it. A loss to Dad Bods can jeopardize their season. If Dad Bods can sneak a win, it will be a major upset.
Matchup: Shooter McGavins (2-8) vs. TSFE (5-5)
Field: Wantagh B @ 11am
Shooters went right back into their slump after beating Dad Bods last week. They lost both to The North. This has been the exact opposite of how their season went last year. A team with only 1 guy batting .600 is going to struggle to get runs. They need to do a quick 180 to their season and turn it around. TSFE since adding Saad and losing Frank surprisingly look a little better. They did beat Dad Bods last week so its yet to be seen if the newfound success will continue. They aren’t facing the toughest of opponents this week so it should be 2 must win games. A team that was so dominate last year just like Shooters, they both seem more like NL teams.
Predictions: SWEEP! These are must wins for TSFE to get back into contention. Did Saad bring his duck power back to TSFE and really change their season around? Shooters have struggled all season and don’t see it changing even against a underperforming squad.
Matchup: Dothraki’s (7-3) vs. Backdoor Sliders (0-10)
Field: Eisenhower 2 @ 11am
Dothraki’s lost the #1 spot last week against Mambas. Losing both games was a first for this team, something that shouldn’t carry over this week. Still an elite team both on offense and defense, they need to get that out of their heads. Last week, tensions were high against Mambas, hopefully something they can get over. Led by Hashim, even when he’s hurt, he still controls the game. Expect them to make necessary adjustments against a weaker Backdoor Sliders. Losing both to MonStars last week, Sliders season is falling out of control. Offensively they are not too bad with 5 guys batting over .600. Defense is this teams Achilles heel and without a proper defense most weeks will look like the last. They need the defense to really step it up or they may go winless this season.
Predictions: SWEEP! Dothraki’s will step it up after last weeks blunder and take care of business. Don’t expect these games to be very close as Dothraki’s have vengeance on their minds. Backdoor Sliders defense will be tested on this big field so things could get ugly.
