Defence Against the Dark Arts

First place? May as well be a bulls-eye.

Being first overall in a competitive league certainly has its perks. For starters, your team gets noticed - see how the second game of Week 7's impromptu double-header, a case of worst vs. first - has been recognized as the game of the week. This despite the fact that the Bears vs. Blues matchup has, arguably, more dire consequences for both teams' playoff aspirations.

But forget about the worst vs. first matchup. That is, if you're even thinking about it. Surely, that isn't the first thing on the collective minds of the Wildcards. Given the difference in scores between their games against the Bums and the Colts, 23-12 and 13-12 respectively, you can't blame the Wildcards if their focus is mainly on game one against the Colts.

The Wildcards travel to Colts 45 Field to make up their earlier rainout this Sunday. The original game was called off in the bottom of the 3rd with the Colts leading the Wildcards 4-2. Now, with an exclusive hold on first place, and the dramatic 13-12 win earlier in the season (following Franchise Fernando's winning RBI double to score r3z Salehoun), the Wildcards surely have a target on their back.

"They're going to be looking to avenge that loss, no question." says captain OF Voodoo Redoblado. "But we're ready."

"Well, we left the last game trailing them, and they only had one out if I remember correctly. So we sure as hell better be." added C Kiddo Wong.

Though many believe the question will be whether or not the Wildcards defence can stop the powerful Colts offence, Franchise has a different view.

"I don't think we need to have to worry about it (defence). That is always there, and it's tops in the league - bar none. Whether we win or not will depend on if our bats show up."

Both offence and defence may be getting an upgrade over the last victory over the Colts. SS Sinbad Sinclair, who missed that game with a sore hamstring, will be in the lineup. His return against the Scorpions showed just what he can contribute: great defence, and hard line-drives that find their holes. The defence may be taking a slight hit, as 2B Geebs Chong, who has been stellar in her own right, will be missing the game.

Despite that, the Wildcards will be surely focused come Sunday. The implications of this matchup are not lost on them, especially 2B Blue San Luis.

"This game is crucial. A win will give us a little more breathing room from the teams behind us. A loss and they're right there with us."

NOTES: 3B Chokolate Saks suffered an unidentified injury in a tuneup game Thursday. He is expected to be in the lineup. Franchise Fernando and El Saviour Bulos participated in the game as a warmup for Sunday.

Double Header weekend

The Wildcards kick off week 6 with a double header, but will their offence show up?

This weekend the Wildcards take on the no-longer-pushovers Scorpions, and play host to the Colts immediately following as part of their first double-header of the season.

What is worrying as of late is the team's offence, which has gone AWOL in the past two games. After scoring 49 runs against Who's Up and Dem Bums, the Wildcards saw just 23 runners cross the plate against the Warriors and Down Home Blues. It can be argued that the latter two are defensively strong teams, but they're making no excuses.

"I'm not quite sure what to make of our recent troubles." says co-captain El Saviour Bulos. "I don't know if it's a slump or the team feeling a sense of complacency, but whatever it is we've got to shake it off. We've got two tough games on Sunday and we'll need everyone to contribute."







Hollywood Fernando will be one of many counted on to bolster the Wildcards offence.






It is a number of Wildcards that are experiencing slumps. El Saviour Bulos has only one hit for his last eight at-bats. Although Blue San Luis has been hitting well, he claims that he is not getting solid contact.

"I don't know, the pop off my bat just doesn't feel right. I'm glad to be contributing, but I've been feeling awkward at the plate lately."

Even the Franchise himself is mired in a small slump, as he has "been playing balls."

"I've been getting hits of course, I'm always going to do that. But I could be doing better. I need to step it up, I don't like that the team is winning with me hitting like this. They had better not be getting the idea that they could win without me."







Franchise Fernando will be looking to end a streak of three games without an extra base hit.






No question the 'Cards are riding their strong defence for wins at the moment. Their trademark triangle and umbrella formations, paired with aggressive shifting continues to successively shut down opposing offenses.


Most are expecting the second game of the double header to decide whether or not the 'Cards are successful on double header weekend, but outfielder r3z Salehoun stresses they cannot take any team lightly.

"I felt like we weren't taking the Blues seriously, and we nearly got burned for it. Right now we're really lucky to be undefeated. Hopefully it stays that way, but that can only happen if we take every team as a legitimate threat."

Despite the offensive woes, the Wildcards continue to win. They can take solace in the fact that their undefeated streak can remain intact by the final out of the Colts game. All they need to do is bring the offence back.

Revisiting a Rivalry

The Wildcards look to get back on a winning note this Sunday when they renew their rivalry with the Down Home Blues.

The Wildcards and Blues have always shared a highly-spirited and competitive rivalry. Games have been, for the most part, highly entertaining and evenly-matched. This week's game is looking to be no different.

"We match up well against them." according to Kiddo Wong. "They don't hit for too much power, but they have the ability to string together hits to produce runs." She asserts that the Wildcards will need to be wary of the Blues philosophy of "swiss cheese", referencing their strategy of hitting towards holes and gaps. "With our defence this year, I definitely think our fielders are up to the task."







Chokolate Saks, Sinbad Sinclair, and Franchise Fernando have been solid, and will be counted on to fill in the gaps against the Blues on Sunday.







This represents a particularly interesting test for the Wildcards. Thanks in large part to aggressive shifts, their defence has been nothing short of spectacular. The Wildcards "triangle" and "umbrella" shifts have shown a willingness to jump on hits that have reached the outfield. Outfielder Sixty Chan credits scouting of opponents.

"There's definitely been some behind the scenes scouting of hitters. It helps us to improve our defence from year to year."








Bubba Nisperos (left), r3z Salehoun (right), and Sixty Chan (not pictured) are three components of the Wildcards aggressive "triangle" outfield.







All-time, the Wildcards are 2-2 against the Blues. Traditionally, the Blues take the opening game and the 'Cards would later respond with a victory of their own.

"That's usually how it goes, but I think this year could be different." according to relief pitcher/outfielder El Saviour Bulos. "In previous seasons, it would take a couple of games for everyone to get their mindsets where they needed to be. But this season, having not lost a game everyone's feeling confident, having fun, and believing in one another."

Will the Wildcards get back on a winning note? Or will swiss cheese have them singing a losing note? Whatever happens, outfielder r3z Salehoun has an "alternative" suggestion.

Battle of the Offensive Juggernauts

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.