So with seven rounds/series of ABL action in the books, we are starting to see the standings shape up.
Each of the three series that took place over the weekend were of great importance to the overall jostling for position.
Adelaide v Canberra: Someone call the Cavalry, Adelaide have put the Bite on Canberra
In front of some very decent crowds (around 1300 to three of the five games), the Adelaide Bite put the Canberra Cavalry to the sword over the weekend, and surged back into strong contention in the ABL. After losing 7 of their 11 games in December, the Bite brought dominant pitching and strong hitting to the series and claimed the it 4-1 (they played one catch-up game).
The highlights for the Bite were solid hitting from imports James McOwen (.412 AVG, 4 RBIs, one double) and Quincy Latimore (.375 AVG, 6 RBIs, one double, one triple), which was backed up by Adelaide local Scott Gladstone (0.385 AVG, 1 RBI, one double). In addition to some strong offence, the Bite were impressive on the mound. Over the five games, their team ERA was 1.23. They struck out 48 Canberra hitters and walked only ten. Excellent outings were turned in by Mildren (nine strikeouts, no walks, in an eight-inning shutout), Maurer (seven strikeouts, one walk, in a six-inning shutout). Fidge and Ruzic also chipped in with solid outings.
On the other side of the ledger, there weren't too many highlights. The Cavalry managed to scrape together just 20 hits for the series (eight of which were in the first game, which they won), with a team average of .137. From a defensive perspective, they gave up five home runs, while walking 37. One bright spot was Korean import Jun Hyeok Heo, who pitched six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits.
Following the demolition, Adelaide moves to second behind the Blue Sox by 1.5 games. They now hit the road to play series against the Aces and the Blue Sox, before returning home to close out the season against the Bandits - with whom they are due to play two washed out games. How will they fare in these games?
Well, they smashed the Aces in the opening series of the ABL. But things have changed since then. Firstly, the Aces have come a long way with their offence. Secondly, this series is at Melbourne, and the Aces have learned how to hit homeruns down there. My tip: Drawn Series (2-2).
Then on the road to Sydney, against whom they split their series last time round. Given that the Blue Sox have been particularly strong at home, one would think that the best the Bite could hope for would be a split series. This could change if for instance Chris Oxspring sits out a game. All things being equal, my tip is this would be two games to Adelaide, two games to Sydney.
Then, the return to Norwood for a (potentially six game) series against the Bandits. The Bite would have to be confident of taking the at least 4 out of 6 against against Brisbane.
This would see the Bite go to 23-17.
The mauling by the Bite pretty much spells the end of any chance the Cavalry have of making the playoffs. They face eight games against the Bandits, four in Canberra, and then four in Brisbane, before returning home again to close out the season against the Blue Sox. A few things could go in their favour - they have a pretty good home record, and they have eight games against the Bandits, who have also struggled. It is entirely possible that they clean up the home series against Brisbane 4-0, and then take another couple of games in Brisbane, and even a couple off Sydney. If they did manage those results their record would end up 18-22.
Brisbane v Melbourne: Melbourne hold all the Aces, but the Bandits hold their own.
The Aces and Bandits have faced off for the last eight games, but it was the Melbourne side who came out on top - winning six of the eight games. However, in the series just passed, Brisbane picked up two vital wins. It was a pretty level series, with no real standout performances.
Melbourne's record now stands at 15-12. They now host Adelaide for a four game series - in which they should take at least two games, before facing the Heat for eight games - four home and then four away. It is really anyone's guess as to how the series against Perth will go. You would expect the Aces to take all four games at home, but who knows what will happen in Perth. If the Aces come away with two games there, their record would end up 23-16.
For the Bandits, they have eight games against Canberra, and then four (plus two catchups) at Adelaide. It looks likely that the Bandits will take somewhere between two and five games against Canberra, and probably no more than 2 against the Bite. This would take their record to 17-21.
Perth v Sydney: Heat can't take the Blue Sox hot hitting and pitching
There were some remarkable statistics coming out of the Heat vs BlueSox series.
Coming in to the weekend, the standings looked were headed up by Sydney and Perth in equal first with a record of 14-10, Melbourne was in third with 13-10 and Adelaide fourth with 11-11. Then came Canberra with 10-14, and Brisbane brought up the rear with 8-14.
Following the games on the weekend, there has been a lot of change. Sydney and Adelaide have surged, both going 4-0 in the series, Melbourne and Brisbane shared their series 2-2 and both consolidated the ladder positions.
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