All eyes will be squarely focused on TD Waterhouse West Field at 8:30pm this Sunday, as the powerhouse Warriors host the suddenly surging Wildcards in a key matchup of undefeated teams.
That the Wildcards are even mentioned in the same sentence as “key matchup” and “Warriors” speaks volumes of their progress. Last season, this game would’ve been billed as nothing but a tune-up for the Warriors. For the Wildcards, a chance at another “moral victory”, code for “a loss with our heads held high”.
But in their third season, the Wildcards are winning. And they’re winning convincingly. Based on run differentials, the Wildcards are second in the league, a +30 to the Warriors’ +40.
“We have an incredible lineup this year.” noted team captain Voodoo Redoblado. “Our off-season acquisitions have added much needed speed, strength and determination, rounding out an already solid core.”
Captain "Voodoo" Redoblado and co-captain "El Saviour" Bulos lead a spirited practice at the Wildcards training facility in preparation for Sunday.
Infielder Bryan “Blue” San Luis could be credited with balancing the batting order. Though it sounds like a difficult process, he asserts that the players’ abilities wrote the lineup themselves.
“Creating a balanced line up is a challenge for every team. Fortunately, this year's team is loaded with offensive weapons. The key has been identifying the various types of hitters on the team and their respective style. Once you determine what they bring to the plate, the lineup pretty much makes itself.”
Ice ?ueen Reyes was enthusiastic in discussing this Sunday’s game. She also ended weeks of injury speculation by revealing the mysterious ailment to be a sore back. It kept her out of last week's game against Dem Bums.
“I’m pretty stoked about our upcoming game against the Warriors. My back has been bothering me a bit lately. It won’t be 100% for Sunday, but I’m confident enough to go back on the mound."
The ‘Cards acknowledge that the Warriors top the league in offensive production with 58 runs scored, but appear unfazed.
“There’s no denying their ability: they’re a force to be reckoned with on offence. But that’s where it ends. Our defence is the best in the league, bar none.”
Outfielder Brian “Sixty” Chan agrees. “The Warriors have been piling in the runs, but that’s because they haven’t faced a defence like ours yet.”
The Franchise may be looking to incorporate his TKD skills to bolster an already solid infield core.
In addition to the off-season acquisitions who have solidified the field, the Ice ?ueen credits communication between teammates. “I try to communicate with the rest of the team, especially the outfielders when I notice the stance of the batter. I honestly don't worry as much when we're defending because we have such a great defensive team. We just really need to focus on our hitting, aiming for those holes and communicating with each other.”
While many believe that this Sunday’s game will be a high-octane shoot-out, “Sixty” Chan believes that it will come down to defence.
“I predict that both teams will buck the (offensive) trend, and it’ll be a low scoring affair.”
Given the statistics, Chan may have a point. The Warriors top the league in defence, having only surrendered 18 runs this season. In second place – the Wildcards with 19.
Whether you think offence or defence will dominate, this is the most talked about matchup heading into Week 4. Forget the MLB All-Star Game folks; THIS, is the summer classic.
NOTES: The Wildcards are 1-1 lifetime at TD Waterhouse West Field, a game they won 9-7 in their inaugural season. The ‘Cards turned three double-plays in that game, including an inning-ending DP with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the 8th. These teams won’t meet again until the end of the regular season.
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