BB: NWC: Northwest Conference

Westside · February 22, 2016, 06:14:44 PM

Quote from: WestisBest on February 22, 2016, 05:43:15 PM
As I mentioned, I'm not about to try and predict things yet. But, what I will say is right now it's not PLU or Linfield who should scare the rest of the league, it's Whitworth. They are a team very few have seen in person, they had a bye this week and play Whitman next weekend. The Pirates won't be on this side of the Cascades until March and by then they could be sitting 11-0.

Whitworth has started out hot, and they are good but I doubt they scare the rest of the league more than PLU or Linfield. Their defense had the most errors in the conference over first two weeks (17 in 8 games). That is huge in this conference where pitching and defense pretty much always wins. Their #1 is pretty good but I don't think he would crack either of PLU's or Linfield's starting three. I admit I don't know much about their bullpen, but it has never been a strong suit. Their offense is good, but it is still a downgrade from last year's team. Meanwhile Linfield and PLU's offenses are better than last year.

With that being said, I think they are one of the three best teams in the conference. And their pitching and defense will likely improve as the season goes along.

To me, PLU is in the driver seat right now. They are the only team in the conference that can trot out a #1 that could shut down any team in the country when he is on, and they follow that up with two above-average lefties.

Like it really matters, Fox will probably just get hot and win the conference this year.

NWBaseballFan10 · February 26, 2016, 10:47:28 AM

Well after my abysmal 1-3 record last weekend in predicting series outcomes, I've decided I need to redeem myself. As those of you who read these posts regularly have already noticed, take my predictions with a grain of salt (or a glass of Jack).

Predictions-

Whitworth over Whitman (3-0) - The split last weekend with Willamette shows that the Missionaries are better than previously expected, but I don't see the Pirates laying an egg this weekend.

Fox over Willamette (2-1) - The Bruins handled Pacific pretty easily last weekend and the Bearcats showed the opposite in a series loss to Whitman. Realistically this series could go either way, but I'll give Fox the slight edge in a weekend battle that will likely feature a fair amount of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.

PLU over Pacific (3-0) - Pacific is more than capable of stealing a game from the Lutes this weekend, but it appears the Lutes are starting to turn the boat in the right direction after a series win against Linfield. Lutes should cruise, but wouldn't be surprised if Pacific snags a game.

Linfield over UPS (3-0) - Sorry WestIsBest, I'm hoping the Cats come out with a vengeance after a tough series loss on the other side of Tacoma. I'd imagine the Loggers are thinking the same thing after a brutal loss to L&C so (yet again) I wouldn't be surprised if the Loggers claim one in this series and if each game was close.

L&C - I'm hoping the Pios continue their winning ways in a trip down south against Bates and Whittier. (That statement isn't something I'm used to hearing and doesn't exactly roll off the tongue

).

WestisBest · February 26, 2016, 01:07:54 PM

You gotta call 'em as you see 'em NWBaseballFan10. But, no offense, I am hoping that your track record for predicting games continues with the Linfield-UPS series!

And speaking of track records, mine is terrible. So, I won't even try to predict this week's games.

I don't expect many surprises between Whitworth and Whitman. The only question is whether the week off has given the Pirates a little rust.

Haven't been impressed with Willamette in the three years I've been watching the NWC and nothing has changed this year to alter my impression of that team. GF didn't look like anything special when I watched them earlier this season, but it appears they have begun to pitch pretty well which should hold them in good stead against the Bearcats.

Don't know what to make of Pacific. They really looked good the first weekend of the season, but since then it looks like the Boxer pitching has failed to match the offensive potential. I do believe the Boxers can make some headway against the PLU pitching. Whether that happens or not . . . . . . . . . .

I agree that PLU seems to be rounding into form. Will that continue? Or will this weekend be a bit of a letdown following the Linfield series?

UPS continues to mystify. Pitching should be better that it's shown. Offense returns too many good bats to sputter as much as it has thus far. UPS cannot wait any longer to find its stride. Dropping 2 to L&C last weekend leaves the team with little margin for error moving forward.

Linfield? They looked good opening weekend, but I'm not sure how good they really are. I'll see for myself this weekend. Should be fun.

Whatagame · February 26, 2016, 05:13:08 PM

I see that Lewis and Clark beat up on Bates today, it's good to see some real progress early this season for the program, I like Coach Flynn. Whitman taking 2/3 from Willamette really turned my earlier thoughts on this year's squad. They won games without big performances from their seniors. (who will get it going)

They look to have some quality Frosh bats and a couple Frosh arms that have delivered results in relief roles. I predict they take a game from Whitworth this weekend in Spokane, which will be big for them to keep momentum rolling.

Jack Parkman · February 29, 2016, 09:31:36 AM

What are we to make of the NWC? PLU sure seems to be struggling to find what kind of team they are after getting swept over the weekend. I'm not entirely sold on the NWC as a whole but plenty of season left.

Westside · February 29, 2016, 12:00:17 PM

Based on what I have seen this first few weeks, I think the NWC, as a whole, is improved. I think that the top end teams may still be very good, but the rest of the pack is improving a lot. I can't remember the last time when I legitimately thought 5 or 6 teams could win this conference. Of course, it remains to be seen how Whitworth is against the higher level teams. But they are obviously in the driver seat after the first two weeks.

I don't really understand PLU. Across the board, they are a better team than last year. Yet their team BA has dropped 50 points at this point. I mean, Pacific has a team ERA of nearly 6.00 and they shut PLU down.

I think, across the board, there are also less dominant pitchers right now in the NWC; so everyone has a chance to compete in any given game.

Purple Heys · March 01, 2016, 04:05:04 PM

My first hand read on Whitworth is that they are very good. Predominantly because the entire lineup can hit and they will score runs. They play smart baseball and (at least against us) seem to have a knack for hitting with 2 strikes and/or 2 outs - getting that extra run. This is important because what I saw of their pitching was not nearly as impressive as their hitting. We did not see the #1 starter, but the remaining staff was basically good enough. They will not be easy to beat. Not that they can't be beat but you better come prepared not to make a mistake because they jump on that and it can get out of hand in a hurry.

WestisBest · March 01, 2016, 05:37:27 PM

I'm not sure the conference "as a whole" is improved. The weaker teams don't appear to be as weak as last year, but the top teams don't seem to be nearly as strong as last year - Whitworth excluded. That suggests a more average, as opposed to a stronger, league. Now, there is certainly plenty of time for a couple of teams to get hot and lift the rest of the conference up, but right now, it looks like a lot of flawed or sputtering teams trying to figure things out.

My take on the UPS-Linfield series? UPS is not as good as expected and neither is Linfield. UPS has been ineffective scoring runs with runners in scoring position. It gets runners on, but then the offense stalls. Naturally that puts a lot of pressure on the pitching staff to be really good and so far, it hasn't been. It sounds like the reverse of the Whitworth team this season.

And if Linfield can't bunt, it drops the series. It too, struggled to come up with key hits and their lineup is solid, but not great. Their pitching was fine, but nothing more. A couple of the relievers were good, but a couple more were so-so. Neely looked very good three weeks ago against the Loggers, but got knocked around pretty good this weekend.

The Wildcats are the sputtering team, while UPS is a flawed team. And UPS had better find some offensive consistency soon or it could be in a hole too deep to climb out of.

(509)Rat · March 05, 2016, 07:37:07 PM

Whitworth bats cooled off and the starting pitching got knocked around. Fitzpatrick only made it 1 inning after giving up 6 in game 1. He only pitched slightly better against Whitman in his previous outing. If that's what you are gonna get out of any of your top 3, Whitworth is gonna have to hit the piss out of the ball every game.

GF 6-3
GF 5-4

Purple Heys · March 08, 2016, 03:50:16 PM

Then L&C takes a bite out of Whitworth...and Linfield?

When I watched Whittier run roughshod over the Pios - and those games were not close, 6 late runs in Game 2 made that "respectable" - both would have been mercy rule wins within SCIAC; there is no way I would have believed that L&C could hold Whitworth to 2 runs, let alone win. Ditto vs. Linfield.

I still maintain Whitworth is one of the better hitting teams you will see. But they seem to have been exposed. I felt they were tough to beat but not unbeatable. The NWC looks to be wide open to whoever can get hot and sustain it...or at least get in and get hot at the right time. Of course that's true most anywhere.

So here you have my bold prediction: One team is gonna win the NWC.

(I'm making that same prediction for the SCIAC)

(509)Rat · March 12, 2016, 11:03:44 PM

Whitworth split with PLU today, 5-6, 3-1

(509)Rat · March 13, 2016, 06:37:14 PM

Whitworth takes the series from PLU with a 7-3 win today.

Without checking, Bucs should stay on top of the conference for another week.

Jack Parkman · March 13, 2016, 06:57:38 PM

Quote from: (509)Rat on March 13, 2016, 06:37:14 PM
Whitworth takes the series from PLU with a 7-3 win today.

Without checking, Bucs should stay on top of the conference for another week.

A lot of high expectations from PLU and Linfield going into the year and both have been very underwhelming.

NWBaseballFan10 · March 13, 2016, 11:18:36 PM

Quote from: Jack Parkman on March 13, 2016, 06:57:38 PM
Expectations from PLU and Linfield going into the year and both have been very underwhelming.

The whole West Coast has been underwhelming this spring

WestisBest · March 14, 2016, 05:07:22 PM

I've now watched, UPS, Lewis & Clark, Linfield, Pacific, George Fox and Willamette and I can say the overall quality of baseball among those teams is lower than it was in each of the last three seasons. If you want to quibble, yes, L&C is better than it has been. But, overall, I have not seen anything that leads me to believe the NWC will get more than its champion into the regional tournament.

And, looking at the standings today, not one team is a lock to make the NWC post-season tournament and not one team is definitely out.

I'll be headed to Tacoma this weekend and I'll get a first-hand look at Whitworth. I'm anxious to see what the Pirates look like. Last year UPS went to Spokane on a roll and got waxed. At the very least, I'm hoping for dry baseball.