BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[EttaFan1]

Midweek Mayhem is upon us!  Only two midweek double headers dot the OAC schedule and this is the first.  Next week is the second.

Most intriguing matchups...

Part 1.  BW (4-2)  at JCU (5-1).  Does this qualify as a cross town rivalry?  Anyhow...JCU sits tied atop the standings with 'Berg.  BW is playing good baseball and is showing they are a quality squad.  Who has pitching depth?  It is likely #1 and #2 won't be available for many innings on short rest, but you never know.  Should we expect anything more than a split?  This is a good matchup.  (My pick:  I like a lot of runs in both games and a split.)

Part 2.  Mar (4-2) @ Mount (1-5).  It is time to push the panic button in alliance.  They are in real danger of missing the tourney all together.  Splits won't help their cause.  Again more mid week pitching fun.  Mount and Marietta both got their double headers in on Saturday, so the #1 and #2 guys could be available for this one on three days rest.  Marietta's pitching strategy could be anyone's guess at this point.  Brewer doesn't save pitchers, but I'm not sure who goes at this point.  Usually mid week games the #1/#2 guys get a few innings followed by Johnny wholestaff.  If mount gets swept, I think they are left out of the OAC tourney.  IF Mount sweeps, there is a chance to get to #4.  IF Marietta is swept, top seed is all but off the table.  A sweep keeps the Pio's in the race for the top spot, and a split hurts that a lot.  Tons riding on this series.  If I knew the pitching scenario for Marietta, I would be better able to make a confident pick.  Not knowing that, I think it is a split.

Factor in the tournement:  ONU (4-2) @ Ott (2-4).  Northern's surprise continues.  Otterbein really needs a split to keep pace.  I'll pick a split.

Yawn:  Berg (5-1) @ Cap (2-4):  Berg big, twice.  Stays in the lead and awaits Marietta On Saturday.

Quaking in your boots because Wilmington comes to town:  Wilm (1-4) vs Musk (2-4). 

[Spence]

The MC-MTU doubleheader is going to be a battle. Mount will be desperate for wins, while Marietta will be looking to build on improved offense the last 3 games. Two losses in the league is not really a panic situation, but they'll be motivated and they'll know they're facing a team that's practically fighting for their lives already.

BW-JCU should be interesting. Will Doring throw for Carroll? We really need some BW and JCU supporters on the board.

[Dr. Acula]

That was brutal to listen to.  There's nothing else to say.  19 runs on 26 hits.  Ouch.

JCU and Berg both won their openers to keep a game up on Etta. 

[Spence]

Race starting to take shape now.

Mount has most of their tougher conference games out of the way but would likely need to go 8-2 or better to have any real shot of 4th. They have to win their next 4 to be able to see a way to it, IMO.

B-W dropped 2 but they have played HEID, MAR, and JCU already. 4-4 doesn't seem like a terrible place with a home series against Wilmington next.

No real logjams in the standings right now. Plenty of time to create some though!

OAC standings (a bit different way)
Team                  OAC       +-   Rd. left   OAC teams played
John Carroll   7-1      +3         6   MTU, WILM, ONU, BW
Heidelberg         7-1      +3       4   BW, MUSK, MTU, CAP
Marietta   6-2      +2      6   OTT, BW, MUSK, MTU
Ohio Northern   5-3      +1        6   WILM, MTU, JCU, OTT
BaldwinWallace   4-4      0        6   HEID, MAR, OTT, JCU
Muskingum         4-4      0        6   CAP, HEID, MAR, WILM
Otterbein         3-5      -1          4   MAR, CAP, BW, ONU
Capital           2-6      -2       6   MUSK, OTT, WILM, HEID
Mount Union     1-7      -3         6   JCU, ONU, HEID, MAR
Wilmington       1-7      -3           4   ONU, JCU, CAP, MUSK

[EttaFan1]

Some interesting things happened yesterday.

1.  JCU sweeping BW was significant.  This was a solid pair of wins for the Streaks, and it was a quality opponent they faced.  The implications of this could be significant down the road in both first tier and second tier tie-breakers.  BW did not help their cause at all.

2.  Mount Union being swept was also significant.  Mount's tournament chances are on life support.  7 losses already with BW and Otterbein on the horizon (along with Wilmington, capital, and Muskingum.  One more loss will probably send them home far earlier than they expected, and with the strength of the league, it may not be enough as it is.  I really thought they were a significant contender. 

3.  Northern is far better than what I thought they would be.  THey are hanging in the race for the playoffs. 

So we are almost to the midway point of league play....

The contenders for the top spot:
1 (tie) Heidelberg (7-1).  Games remaining:  Marietta, JCU, @Wilm, OTT, @ONU.  Likely sweep remaining: @Wilmington.  This is a fairly tough slate of games remaining.  The two toughest series are at home, and are this saturday and tuesday. 
1. (tie) JCU (7-1).  Games remaining: @OTT, @Berg, Cap, @MAR, Musk.  Likely sweep remaining: Cap.  A tough road series at Otterbein, and two big ones at Berg and Marietta. 
3. Marietta (6-2, 1.0 GB).  Games remaining: @Berg, Cap, @ONU, JCU, @WILM.  Likely sweeps remaining: Cap and Wilmington.  Tough games remain with trips to Berg and Northern, and ahome stand with the Streaks. 

IN the hunt to make the field:
4. Ohio Northern (5-3, 2.0 GB of the leaders) Games remaining: @Muskingum, BW, Mar, @Cap, Berg.  Possible sweeps: @Cap.  Muskingum has been tricky, and the Jackets, Marietta, and Berg are strong teams. If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, 10-8 may just be enough. 
5 (tie) Baldwin Wallace (4-4, 3 GB the leaders, 1 GB fourth place).  Games Remaining: Wilm, @ONU, Mount, @Musk, Cap:  Likely sweeps: Cap and Wilmington.  @ONU provides the toughest test, IMO.  Mount Union, if they get going in the right direction can be difficult. They really need to finish the year 6-4 or better.  Of this group, they have the best shot.
5. (tie) Muskingum (4-4), 3GB the leaders, 1GB Fourth place). Games reamaining:  ONU, @Mount, @Ott, BW, @JCU.  Likely sweeps: none.  reasonable potential to be swept: BW & @JCU.  I think playing .500 ball the rest of the way is going to be a tall task for the fish, getting over .500 could be even more difficult. 
7.  Otterbein (3-5, 4GB the leaders, 2GB Fourth). Games remaining:  JCU, @Wilm, Musk, @Berg, Mount.  Likely sweeps: @Wilmington.  Reasonable potential to be swept: JCU & @'Berg.  at 2 games below .500 the cards need to finish their last 10 at at least 7-3, if not 8-2 to assure a spot in the tournament.  They really ned to split with JCU and Berg, and sweep the rest.  Sadly, I think this is going to be difficult. 

On life support...
8.  Cap (2-6, 5 GB the lead, 3 GB fourth).  Games remaining: Mount, @Mar, @JCU, ONU, @BW.  Likely sweeps: none.  reasonable potential to be swept. Yes.  It is really hard to look at this slate and see more than one or two wins.  Mathematically they haven't been eliminated, but realistically they are out. 
9.  Mount Union (1-7, 6 GB the lead, 4gb fourth):  Games remaining: @Cap, Musk, @BW, Wilm, @Ott.  Likely Sweps: Cap and Wilmington.  Reasonable potentail to be swept: Since they haven't shown anyone differently, @BW. Mount Union really needs to go 9-1 in their last 10.  If they do, I don't want to see them in the tourney!  Get a split with BW and sweep everyone else. 
10.  Wilmington (1-7, 6GB the lead, 4 GB fourth): Games remaining. @BW, Ott, Berg, @Mount, Mar.  Likely sweeps: hahahahahahahahahaha. reasonable potential to be swept: All of them.  There isn't a realistic win in the bunch. 

After 5/3, I think you are going to have to be 10-8 or better to make the tournament.  Just don't see how anyone is going to get in with a worse record.

With that, the weekend games look like this.

Top Matchup: Marietta @ Heidelberg--A lot riding on this one.  Marietta's bats have awakened in the last five games.  'Berg is still a rock solid squad.  A sweep either way puts the ones with the broom in the driver's seat and makes it almost impossible for the loser to be the top seed.  These teams really don't like each other and it has become the best rivalry in the league.  My prediciton: a split.

Mount @ Cap: This is interesting becuase we will see if Mount has given up mentally.  Even so, they should still win 2. 
ONU @ Muskingum:  Northern really needs to come out of this with a sweep. I think they have the pitching to do it. 
JCU @ Ott: Tricky but doable for the streaks.  Otterbein can swing it a little.  I like the streaks for 2.

In a hitting slump? dial wilimgton, the have a cure for all of your ills: Wilmington @ BW....this gets really ugly.

[motorman]

A couple of Berg notes I didn't get around to posting on Sunday cause I was too busy wasting my money watching cable TV:

With the sweep of Mt Union, Berg matched it's win total of last season at 20 and exceeded their run total from last year in just 24 games. Little history lesson: After 24 games last year they were just 13-11, but their #1 and #2 pitchers were in the middle of each missing a month of the season.

The sweep of Capital yesterday was big in that they got 2 complete games from #3 Kyle Fluharty and #4 Adam Manner. That keeps the top 2 and the bullpen fully rested for Marietta. Should be a battle Saturday.

[Spence]

"After 24 games last year they were just 13-11, but their #1 and #2 pitchers were in the middle of each missing a month of the season."

Who's making excuses now?

[motorman]

I'll make you a deal jerk, don't comment on anything I post and I won't comment on anything you post.

I am talking about last year. At least I am not saying, "_____ isn't any good cause they aren't facing other teams best pitchers and they have an easy schedule and blah, blah, blah." People are tired of hearing your crap.

And we really don't care about your opinion of cable TV or the Big Ten Network. If anybody did, maybe they'd ask you about how you feel about the amazing internet and smart phones and them darn horseless carriages. Think they have a future?

[Spence]

I honestly don't care if you comment on anything I post. If I cared, I wouldn't post it.

I would think anyone else on a message board would be the same. I'm certainly not going to let someone tell me what I can and can't respond to (unless it's a moderator of course, and then I've no real choice).

Bottom line is earlier in the season you claimed I was making excuses because I was talking about pitching availability in given games. Then you go and do the same thing in reference to last season, because apparently that's OK. I really don't see any issue with pointing that out for everyone.

[motorman]

Give me a break, you sit up at night and think of ways to get a reaction from me. Evidence your hook, line, and sinker comment. Maybe you need to get a life beyond this chat board, maybe find a woman that isn't inflatable.

[Spence]

And we really don't care about your opinion of cable TV or the Big Ten Network. If anybody did, maybe they'd ask you about how you feel about the amazing internet and smart phones and them darn horseless carriages. Think they have a future?

You are saying you don't care about my opinion but then asking me an opinion-based question anyway? I'm not sure if I should answer, not answer, or just laugh.

Heck I'm even getting along with 108 Stitches these days. You are literally the only person on this board that has a significant problem with me. Which is fine, I don't care. I've certainly known people that didn't like me that affected my life a lot more.

[Spence]

Give me a break, you sit up at night and think of ways to get a reaction from me. Evidence your hook, line, and sinker comment. Maybe you need to get a life beyond this chat board, maybe find a woman that isn't inflatable.

I'm not whether to laugh or feel sorry for you.

I started to outline my life and how my time is spent, but then I realized...there's no reason to. I don't owe you that, and you haven't done anything to deserve it.

Not sure someone that actually admits to watch mediocre Big Ten baseball on television has any room to talk about other people having a life. I can barely watch any baseball on TV. Just too slow. Going to the ballpark is different. Hoping to trek the 6 blocks to the nearest MLB stadium soon.

[motorman]

Don't talk to me about being an attention whore, you had to respond to my posts on 3 different threads here last night at 1am. I have talked to another poster on here, and he doesn't know what your problem with me on here is. I don't post anything offensive or controversial, but you attack everything I ever post. And you have made every effort to cheapen what Heidelberg has done this year. Guess you can't stand it if the might Pios have some competition. I have gotten along fine with EttaFan, but you are giving Marietta fans a bad name. Maybe they should have an intervention for you.

[Spence]

Don't talk to me about being an attention whore, you had to respond to my posts on 3 different threads here last night at 1am.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had a curfew.

Also, I was asleep by 1 a.m.

[TaxCollector]

I just signed up to be a part of this message board last week.  After watching this back and forth crap by 2 grown me, I'm out.  I'll find another message board to follow.