DYNASTY (8-0) vs. HIT SQUAD (5-3)
The Venue: Gabriel Vitale Memorial Field (Carman Ave)
Time: 8:30am
SASL Game of the Week, once again features a matchup of an undefeated team Dynasty (8-0) vs. the ever surging Hit Squad (5-3) who took down the previously undefeated team The North once this past Sunday. Dynasty remains number one on our Power Rankings and Hit Squad has moved up two spots to number four.
There is a lot of history between these two teams. There are many players here that started their careers well before 2010’s so they have faced each other many times over the last 15 years. Ammad, Sajid, Sonu, Solyman, Ali, Hakim, Amit, etc. have been thru it all. But the fire burns bright for all the veterans and it always feels good to beat the other team.
How They Got Here
Dynasty:
Sajid kept the core the same and added an important piece (more on that later). As a team Dynasty is batting 638; yes, that’s as a team, as a team! But that is not the whole reason they are an undefeated 8-0. Solid defense across the OF makes anything in the air an out, unless they bring the OF in on players showing disrespect (Z has told that story for 10 days now). The lowest BA on the team is David with a cold .313, but with everyone hitting it does not matter.
In the recent MVP Awards Watch, Omar is one of the top contenders with his excellent play, but they also have Yamin in there and Kunal Oak as one of the most improved players in there. This has been a collective effort and they have by far the best defense in the League with only 38 runs allowed in 8 games.
Hit Squad:
Champs x2. We know the story of this team, starting at 0-2 and then running to 5-1 in the next 3 weeks for a record of 5-3, and by the way, the split with The North last week who were undefeated up till that point was a very good game. This team is here with a chip on their shoulder (pun intended). Pre-season Rankings put them as too old, too uninterested, too AARP. Week 1 rankings had them way down at the bottom. Hit Squad is back and running on all cylinders.
The outfield defense has been very good and often spectacular up the middle with Ahmad Halim and Yaqub Najimi. The renewed energy comes from new additions Vivek, Ishaq, Bilal and Ramy. The team is so deep that even good players like Solyman, Ali, etc have to watch from the bench a lot.
On Field Matchups
Pitching:
This is that 5% time that Hit Squad does not have a clear advantage. Dynasty has brought in arguably the leagues best pitcher in Ali Ghumman. Ali usually plays in the upper division but one division this year is music to Saj’s ears. With an ERA of just under 6.2 he is a nightmare. Not to overlook Wahid, WAhid, WAHID!!! dropping his ERA just over 10.5 while pitching against the power house that is/was The North. This is the only team that will stop Hit Squad from that 3peat.
Advantage: Dynasty
Infield:
In week three Black Mambas were picking on the left side of the infield which had a ton of defensive errors (cough Amit, Milan) which led to runs. If this happens this week they are losing as Hit Squads infield is as solid as they come. Picking up Billal for defense is huge, his complaint is that he doesnt get the ball hit to him enough.
Bilal has the advantage over Milan at Third. Amit and Ankit defensively are similar but Amit is lethal with the bat. At 2B, we have Adrian who’s started the season on fire vs Ishaq who has made his comeback memorable as well. That’s a push. First base is a clear advantage for Hit Squad with the ever solid Binu edging out Sonu by a wide margin.
Advantage: Hit Squad
Outfield:
Speed, speed, and more speed. Hit Squad has one of the best outfields this year. Ramy, Halimi, and with Yaqub really coming in to his own, Putting papa dukes (Ali) on notice, the future looks scary. Right field is usual some kind of rotation with Yamin, Solyman, etc rotating out there. Let us not forget uncle Sol’s scouting reports. Change up how you hit or your BA will drop.
Dynasty follows suit with THE top outfield defense. Mike Liang is as good as it gets in LCF. Omar, Kunal, and David really makes this a solid OF. Stay away from the OF unless you are clearing a fence. In an open field, they have the ability to track down a lot of balls hit in the air.
Advantage: Push
Keys To Winning:
Dynasty:
1. Defense, which is an easy answer, but the left side of that infield needs to tighten it up. Until they do, it will be the achilles heel.
2. Carmen Ave Park (vomit) has deep fences, so no limit HR’s, hit the gaps and run.
3. Last but certainly not least: Ali pitches the way he does and its game over for Hit Squad.
Hit Squad:
1. The old reliable scouting report. Use it, abuse it, but dont lose it.
2. Wahid keeps the ball in the air and or on the ground, its easy pickings. If there are line drives, its gonna b a long day.
3. Do what you do best. HIT! Dynasty has invoked the mercy rule a lot this year. push them to seven innings and things will look in your favor.
Our Prediction:
With Hit Squad finding their adult bats and solid defense always partnered with the “Sol Report” makes this the biggest test for Dynasty to date. But, Ali has the pitching in hand. Keep your eyes open as Ali never pitches you the same way twice. Dynasty Mercies Hit Squad game 1, Hit squad walks off in game 2. SPLIT!
