WRVR – SHAW HS KNUCKLE PUNCHERS (5-7) AT DIAMOND CITY SWATTERS (4-8)
KNOW THE STARS
SHAW: 1B Matt Ratican – If anyone can, Ratican! The Punchers first baseman was the team’s 5th round pick, 111th overall, has been the beast of the beasts on the Shaw HS offense. In 51 plate appearances, he has 20 hits (2 doubles and 4 home runs), 9 RBI, 5 walks, and 6 strikeouts for a .444 average, a .490 OBP, and a .756 slugging percentage.
DC: SS Wally Warwick – The heir to the Warwick Homestead throne, Wally Warwick has played above his level thus far this season. The 3rd-round pick and starting shortstop of the Swatters (65 overall), Warwick is batting .413/.509/.652, putting him in early contention for the top player award, called the Alpha Award in the Railroad League. In other stats, Warwick has produced 19 hits (2 doubles and 3 home runs), 14 runs, and 13 RBI. He has walked 7 times and only struck out 3 times.
PLAYER VS PLAYER – GAME ONE LINEUPS AND STARTING PITCHERS
TEAM ANALYSIS
These teams met two weeks ago, where the visiting Knuckle Punchers were able to take two of three in three low-scoring games (5-2, 3-1, 3-6).
Arlen Glass is the oldest owner in the CBO, and his team is a reflection of that, with the highest average age in the league. While we will not use the term geriatric here, the Knuckle Punchers may want to put on the armor and avoid future geriatric-like performances if they want to contend for a playoff spot. Luckily for them, this week they visit a team struggling more.
Outside of the steady production of Ratican, the offense has been poor, scoring a tie for the Railroad League-low 64 runs. We will mention that team they are tied with below. Luckily for the Punchers, the defense has been the best in reducing runs with only 67 allowed, pretty good for a high-scoring league.
While we bring up Warwick’s production, it is important to note that the Swatters are tied with the Knuckle Punchers for lowest run production in the RL (64 runs). Other than home runs (tied for 4th with 11), the Swatters are dead last across the board in all other offensive categories. While the pitching is not much better, it is better than the terrible amount of offensive production.
In all, this is a de facto battle for last place. We had hoped our trip to the Great Green Jewel would produce better baseball, especially since Moe Cronin was all about the Swatters returning glory to Boston. Perhaps he has a lot more to learn about baseball before he is capable of producing a winner. I mean, the man thought the pre-War game of baseball was about people bashing each other with baseball bats and knocking away grenades. Get with the times, Moe! And get your head out of your team’s asses! We predict the Swatters will respond to the Charles River Trio’s presence for the next two weeks. They have the advantage at home this weekend.
PREDICTIONS
Swatters 12, Punchers 6
Punchers 8, Swatters 7
Swatters 6, Punchers 5
CBO FULL SCHEDULE
