DCR –ATOM CATS (4-8) AT QUINCY GUNNERS (4-8)
WHAT TO KNOW
Before the season started, P.A.M. predicted the Quincy Gunners to be a playoff-contending team: predicted to finish 34-26 and finish a game behind Goodneighbor and Warwick. Instead, the Gunners are currently tied for dead last in the Minutemen League, along with their opponents for the weekend, the Atom Cats.
The Cats are exactly where they are supposed to be: tied for last place at 26-34 with Jamaica Plain and Univesity Point in a division of the haves and the have nots. The Treasures have maintained their place in the division, tied at 4-8 with the two teams in this matchup, but the Deathclaws have sprung up into 3rd place, two games ahead of these teams.
Before the season was begun, it was pretty much evident that Deke’s approach to drafting was looking for the guys who fit his idea of cool instead of the absolute best ball players in the business. That could also explain why Matt “Ace in the Hole” Hope (1-2, 7.48 ERA) was selected 21st overall instead of a few guys that would be considered more of first-round capable.
So here we are in Week 5, watching two teams in a “Battle for the Bottom” in early-season play. The loser of this series is going to be in last place or at best just a game ahead of it.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ATOM
Based on what we’re seeing in the first 20% of the season, the “Coolest Team in Town” is all about manufacturing runs for their success. They are currently 3rd in runs scored (83) while being atrocious from the mound, giving up a league-worst 105 runs. That number is far worse than every other team in the CBO but the Institute League’s Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (106).
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM QUINCY
The Gunners are the opposite sort of atrocious, scoring a league-worst 62 runs, topping only the Brotherhood League’s Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (52) in the CBO. Thankfully for the team, the pitching has come through, or else this team would be a disaster. Currently, Quincy is 2nd in runs allowed (65) in the ML, with the 2nd best starter ERA (5.35) and best bullpen ERA (3.33).
KEY PLAYERS IN THE SERIES
ATOM: 1-2-3—The Cats top three hitters have been en fuego for the season, and they will need to continue that to break up the Gunners’ pitching. CF Ed Tarberry (.382/2/13), RF Travis Alone (.321/1/6), and LF Jeremy Schoolboy (.314/2/10) have not been Deke’s “Bee’s Knees,” but they have helped the Cats to stay competitive.
QUIN: The Rise of the Pet – The first-round pick for the Gunners, Ben Pettinato started horribly on the season, but he has been on a tear in the last two weeks. After securing Player of the Week in Week 3 and nearly doing the same, Pettinato is now batting a team-leading .383 with 3 home runs and a team-leading 12 RBI. If he continues on the same path, and the Gunners pitching holds, Quincy may come out near .500 after this series.
PREDICTION: Gunners Take Two