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Tonights Game @ Merrimack :: National League |
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Merrimack Owls |
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Westport Fleas |
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Merrimack – The curious puzzle that is the HBL National League begins to be solved tonight as the Merrimack Owls host the Westport Fleas at Brisson Field (for the first 2 games) in a best of 5 series to determine who will face the first place McCall Mudhens in the NLCS.
While looking at head to head match-ups during the regular season compared to final standings an interesting oddity appears: Each team was beaten in the season series by the team just below it in the standings. The first place Mudhens were bested in the regular season 4-2 by the Owls, while the Owls were beaten 4-2 by the Fleas. With such parity, the NL looks to be up for grabs.
Players to watch
Mike Sweeney of the Fleas and Hack Wilson of the Owls have been two middle of the order guys that have come through for their teams when the game is on the line. Both were awarded silver slugger awards in last weeks ceremonies and tonight’s games might come down to how these two clutch players hit in big situations.
With a remarkable 32 RBI, Sweeney was leaps and bounds better than anyone else on his team with the next closest total being 13 (Jeff Bagwell) and no one else on the team in double digits.
Rumor has it that Wilson and his .609 OBP will be moved up in the lineup in hopes of producing more runs.
Fleas have been a parasite to Owls
After handing the McCall Mudhens 5 victories in head-to-head action and beating the Owls 4-2 during the regular season, the Fleas look to continue sucking the blood of Merrimack.
“For some reason they have played really good against us in head-to-head action,” Owls manager Ed Bailey said. “A lot of the guys around the clubhouse are calling them ‘Mudhens Junior’ for all of the help that they have given the Hens’ this season… I wouldn’t be surprised if they came out wearing red tonight.”
