Post by The Jack on Jul 1, 2011 21:10:24 GMT 10
Round 10 provides us with an interesting round. By looking at some websites, it appears that some clubs are losing players with the academy and carnival on. What does it do to most first? Not a lot really, but more a problem for clubs as a whole.
A Grade
The ladder would suggest that once again we have ourselves a very even competition. The top 7 teams are right in it and realistically the bottom three teams are not that far away should they win a few in a row. A couple of interesting ladder positions still, but, that's baseball.
Match of the Round - Croydon vs Research - Yes Croydon is on top of the ladder. yes they have given up amongst the least runs per game (other than the blow out), but no I don't think they win this game. Research are building. They essentially lost a "shootout" last week which shows they can score against pretty much anyone. I say this regularly, but McKay is the key again. Hold Croydon down and the "Beep Beeps" will out score Croydon.
Greensborough vs GMBC - This is a huge game. If Greens lose they are back in the "pack", If Monty lose, they may be done for the year. Two teams that always demand respect, but edge with Greens because they have been playing consistent baseball. They won the "shootout" last week, so they too can score when required. However, beware the wounded champion because they can usually make it to the 12th round and deliver the knock out blow just before the end. Monty simply must win this week.
Heathmont Blackcats vs Ringwood - Ringwood won first up against Heathmont this season, but have not been able to play that consistent brand of baseball they would want. Heathmont have again been powerful and would like to pick off one of the teams that has beaten them. On paper, both teams appear quite strong and although Heathmont have more power, if Ring can get on a run, they may suprise during the second half.
North Balwyn vs Forest Hill - Two years ago they were playing each other in B Grade, move forward and they meet in A Grade. Hard one to pick because NB have great pitching (
) but in my opinion are lacking in the box. Fh have picked up a handy pitcher in Alderhoven and have some guys who can hit. If they can hold on to A Grade this year, they will start to push in the next 2.
Watsonia vs Melbourne University - Watsonia have some very good young arms (does Frosty read this
) so I am a little disappointed with where we find them this year. They are just not scoring enough and to really challenge, they must find a way to score 5 runs a game on average. However, Uni stuggle to core as well, so anything can happen. If Watsonia win, they make the relegation zone extremely interesting over the next few weeks.
B Grade
The ladder has settled somewhat at the half way point, the top four are just that - top four. There is a two game buffer, although that has to change with 3rd vs 4th this week. So far this season it has been Knox by how far, but I have a feeling that they may be challenge more than people think, especially when it comes to finals.
Bundoora vs Mitchell Majors - If MM are to prove they belong in B grade, they simply must win this game. They do have some guys who are more than capable of competing at this level, but they must win games. Bundoora have been towards the bottom of the ladder for a while, but grabbed a huge scalp in Westgarth last week. If last weeks game is a true indication of their ability, they should win this and start to move through the field towards finals. Why have I picked MM then? I think that both Westgarth and Ringwood were flat last week after their previous close game, so Bundoora winning last week may have been a result of Westgarth not playing to their potential rather than outplaying them.
Diamond Creek vs North Coburg Rebels - Picking Rebels this week because DC are just too inconsistent. At times they seems that they will beat anyone, but they have scored the least in the competition. If they can somehow work out how to increase their output in the box, they will win games plain and simple. They need to work on their defense, but they wont be able to win games every week 2 - 0 or 2 - 1, so get in the cage and swing the bat. Rebels have bounced back well after a poor outing against Knox (no shame in being beaten by Knox this season though) winning two straight. Picking up a win here will have them knocking right on the door of the top four. I think they will be in that fight for fourth and to do this they must put a lower placed team away.
Monash University vs Knox - Knox are like Collingwood and Geelong this season, just pick them and when/if they lose, everyone else will miss that week as well. Big challenge for Uni now that they have gone through half the season. They have seen how different teams play and need to take advantage of this. They are scoring at 4 runs per game which is alright, but 4 runs wont be in the Hunt against knox. Ignore how many runs Knox has scored, that is not important for them at the moment. They will make the finals and they will be oushing for A Grade, however they need to stay focused. The finals will not come easily and work still needs to be done. Who are the arms they have to go 9 innings? Can Rice keep up his good form on the hill? Will Taylor have a say at some stage? the bookies have stopped taking money on Knox for the premiership, but there is value for a few other contenders in my opinion.
Ringwood vs La Trobe Uni - Ringwood has 22 unavailable according to their website, this may prove a problem for the B grade team. They show that they are very good against some teams, but don't do it consistently enough. I suppose that if they can make finals, the club would be pretty happy with the development of the few kids they have playing there. Uni has not lost to Ring since they have both been in B Grade (I think from memory) so they have to go in as favourites. Uni do rely on heavily on two guys to do the damage both with the bat and on the hill, problem is that neither of these guys would be a front line pitcher at most other clubs. I just don't see La Trobe winning their way into A Grade at the moment without a few more guys making the trip across to play on probably the best ground in the MWBL.
Match of the Round - Westgarth vs Waverley Blackcats - If Waverley make the grand final they are very dangerous. Potentially it will be a Knox vs Waverley GF and both would have a pretty good claim at being promoted. They put away Ring last week who were equal on points with them, so are travelling well. Can't find their team lists on the web at the moment if Diesel could enlighten me as to where they are it would be much appreciated. Westgarth must win this week as well because a loss will make it extremely difficult for them to play a part in the finals. They have three or four guys who can throw (how is Pawley's arm?) but just can't get on a roll at the moment. Last week hurts them more than most games as they would have probably pencilled that game in when they got their fixture. JP still has some work to do.
Well, definitely some big games there, I know that there is still half a season to go, but it is now do or die for some teams. Wow, I nearly went for all of the away teams in B grade. Melbourne down with a minute to go of first quarter (not watching live).
Good luck
A Grade
The ladder would suggest that once again we have ourselves a very even competition. The top 7 teams are right in it and realistically the bottom three teams are not that far away should they win a few in a row. A couple of interesting ladder positions still, but, that's baseball.
Match of the Round - Croydon vs Research - Yes Croydon is on top of the ladder. yes they have given up amongst the least runs per game (other than the blow out), but no I don't think they win this game. Research are building. They essentially lost a "shootout" last week which shows they can score against pretty much anyone. I say this regularly, but McKay is the key again. Hold Croydon down and the "Beep Beeps" will out score Croydon.
Greensborough vs GMBC - This is a huge game. If Greens lose they are back in the "pack", If Monty lose, they may be done for the year. Two teams that always demand respect, but edge with Greens because they have been playing consistent baseball. They won the "shootout" last week, so they too can score when required. However, beware the wounded champion because they can usually make it to the 12th round and deliver the knock out blow just before the end. Monty simply must win this week.
Heathmont Blackcats vs Ringwood - Ringwood won first up against Heathmont this season, but have not been able to play that consistent brand of baseball they would want. Heathmont have again been powerful and would like to pick off one of the teams that has beaten them. On paper, both teams appear quite strong and although Heathmont have more power, if Ring can get on a run, they may suprise during the second half.
North Balwyn vs Forest Hill - Two years ago they were playing each other in B Grade, move forward and they meet in A Grade. Hard one to pick because NB have great pitching (
) but in my opinion are lacking in the box. Fh have picked up a handy pitcher in Alderhoven and have some guys who can hit. If they can hold on to A Grade this year, they will start to push in the next 2. Watsonia vs Melbourne University - Watsonia have some very good young arms (does Frosty read this
) so I am a little disappointed with where we find them this year. They are just not scoring enough and to really challenge, they must find a way to score 5 runs a game on average. However, Uni stuggle to core as well, so anything can happen. If Watsonia win, they make the relegation zone extremely interesting over the next few weeks.B Grade
The ladder has settled somewhat at the half way point, the top four are just that - top four. There is a two game buffer, although that has to change with 3rd vs 4th this week. So far this season it has been Knox by how far, but I have a feeling that they may be challenge more than people think, especially when it comes to finals.
Bundoora vs Mitchell Majors - If MM are to prove they belong in B grade, they simply must win this game. They do have some guys who are more than capable of competing at this level, but they must win games. Bundoora have been towards the bottom of the ladder for a while, but grabbed a huge scalp in Westgarth last week. If last weeks game is a true indication of their ability, they should win this and start to move through the field towards finals. Why have I picked MM then? I think that both Westgarth and Ringwood were flat last week after their previous close game, so Bundoora winning last week may have been a result of Westgarth not playing to their potential rather than outplaying them.
Diamond Creek vs North Coburg Rebels - Picking Rebels this week because DC are just too inconsistent. At times they seems that they will beat anyone, but they have scored the least in the competition. If they can somehow work out how to increase their output in the box, they will win games plain and simple. They need to work on their defense, but they wont be able to win games every week 2 - 0 or 2 - 1, so get in the cage and swing the bat. Rebels have bounced back well after a poor outing against Knox (no shame in being beaten by Knox this season though) winning two straight. Picking up a win here will have them knocking right on the door of the top four. I think they will be in that fight for fourth and to do this they must put a lower placed team away.
Monash University vs Knox - Knox are like Collingwood and Geelong this season, just pick them and when/if they lose, everyone else will miss that week as well. Big challenge for Uni now that they have gone through half the season. They have seen how different teams play and need to take advantage of this. They are scoring at 4 runs per game which is alright, but 4 runs wont be in the Hunt against knox. Ignore how many runs Knox has scored, that is not important for them at the moment. They will make the finals and they will be oushing for A Grade, however they need to stay focused. The finals will not come easily and work still needs to be done. Who are the arms they have to go 9 innings? Can Rice keep up his good form on the hill? Will Taylor have a say at some stage? the bookies have stopped taking money on Knox for the premiership, but there is value for a few other contenders in my opinion.
Ringwood vs La Trobe Uni - Ringwood has 22 unavailable according to their website, this may prove a problem for the B grade team. They show that they are very good against some teams, but don't do it consistently enough. I suppose that if they can make finals, the club would be pretty happy with the development of the few kids they have playing there. Uni has not lost to Ring since they have both been in B Grade (I think from memory) so they have to go in as favourites. Uni do rely on heavily on two guys to do the damage both with the bat and on the hill, problem is that neither of these guys would be a front line pitcher at most other clubs. I just don't see La Trobe winning their way into A Grade at the moment without a few more guys making the trip across to play on probably the best ground in the MWBL.
Match of the Round - Westgarth vs Waverley Blackcats - If Waverley make the grand final they are very dangerous. Potentially it will be a Knox vs Waverley GF and both would have a pretty good claim at being promoted. They put away Ring last week who were equal on points with them, so are travelling well. Can't find their team lists on the web at the moment if Diesel could enlighten me as to where they are it would be much appreciated. Westgarth must win this week as well because a loss will make it extremely difficult for them to play a part in the finals. They have three or four guys who can throw (how is Pawley's arm?) but just can't get on a roll at the moment. Last week hurts them more than most games as they would have probably pencilled that game in when they got their fixture. JP still has some work to do.
Well, definitely some big games there, I know that there is still half a season to go, but it is now do or die for some teams. Wow, I nearly went for all of the away teams in B grade. Melbourne down with a minute to go of first quarter (not watching live).
Good luck
and another shot that was a jack on most days to dead central.