Crush ready for championship blind-date

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND:

 

…….VS………..…..or……..

 

The Pittsburgh Orange Crush will be heading to the 2008 NABA Fall Championship Game this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. after a successful 6-2 campaign. Who the join the Orange, however, has yet to be determined. 

It will be decided this Saturday at 9:30a.m when the Ghostbusters and Gray Bats battle for a trip to the Championship round. It will be a close match-up but I have some ideas as to the outcome.

Feel free to voice your opinion……..

Strom’s pick………

First, let me outline the facts.

GHOSTBUSTERS- A 4-4 fall campaign was far below what the Ghostbusters expected and were capable of in my mind. The outstanding recruiting eye of Head Coach Ben Gwin landed a surplus of talent on the team. He may have missed his calling in life as either an army recruiter or a very persuasive religious cult leader.

The Busters definitely have pitching options in relief. Dr. “Venkman” Morgan anchors a staff that proved it could survive with the early-season loss of Bulldogs MVP BJ Rankin. The Kuhn Father/Son combo provides strong middle-inning relief. 

Defense is another area where the Ghostbusters excel, specifically infield. The up-the-middle combo of Tony Casale and Mike Watson proved to be excellent drafts. Also spotlighting the infield is Vinny Gala. Earlier this season Gwin mentioned that Gala, his first-baseman, was the best at his position in the league and I couldn’t agree more. Finally, some credible information on the Busters/Ducks blog. 

Offensively, the Ghostbusters have several big-bats in the arsenal and the ability to drive in runs. The team has plated 52-runs this fall, second-most in the league. Manufacturing multiple runs off the ‘Bats strong starting pitching might be another story. Gwin may have to steal home again. 

GRAY BATS:

As I just said, I’d give the edge in starting pitching to the Gray Bats. Aces BJ Rankin and Alex Warren held strong during the season and new addition Ben Sorosky provides another great option. In terms of depth, I’d say that the Bats are more suited for a two-game day then the Ghostbusters.

The Defensive strength of the Bats is definitely the outfield. Speedy gold-glover Mike Martin solidifies the center-field or left-field spots depending on the day. Scott Kramer, Rich Ament, Alex Warren and Matt Crouch all share spots out there as well.

Offensively the Bats can survive a low-scoring affair if needed because of great starting pitching. Plating runs has been an issue for the team though. The Bats finished at the bottom of the runs-scored category this fall with 27 in eight games. 

 

OVERALL PICK…………………

………….Ghostbusters………….

 

So, with that decision in place, lets take a look at the starting line-up for this weekend’s championship game.

 

1. Graff, Joe- C  Key Stats: .999 OBP with 42 SB, best landscaper award, 144 walks this fall
2. Talotta, Anthony-2B  Key Stats: 14 doubles in 12 at-bats with 7 sacrifice hits
3. Yeakel, Harry-1B  Key Stats: Married, Nicest House on Team with Great Fridge o’ Beer.
4. Minford, Jaron-3B  Key Stats: 3 Balls de-covered, 7 pissed on, 1 donated to John Kruk
5. Strom, Brian-LF  Key Stats:  Best Mullet, US Air “On Time” team award winner
6. Necheff, Christian-P  Key Stats: 7 Complete Games, 82 strikeouts and he’s really left-handed
7. Yokitis, David-CF  Key Stats: Most appearances on a milk carton, 21 doubles, best car on team
8. Logan, Rob-DH  Key Stats: 31 broken bats, 1 broken wrist, countless broken hearts
9. Wittmer, Greg-SS  Key Stats:  11 hits, Underage drinking award (not his), most pussy-whipped
10. Guthrie, Mark-RF  Key Stats: Nice Guys bat last award, 4 ER in 30 IP, best goatee

Bench- Schlegel, Pisciuneri

No more talk, its time to win.