2nd Round Premier Playoff Preview

So my predictions on last weeks games were not perfect. But consider that The Bears win prediction hinged strongly on Art Stoner taking the mound. He did not. And Roncesvalles clobbering of The Heights? Well it goes to show that Burby is a funny game sometimes. Let's get to the 2 big games this weekend that will determine who plays for The Burby Cup on October 3rd. 

St.Clair Saints @ Leslieville Brickies

So the 2 teams split the season series with the Saints "handling" The Brickies at The Hood. If there is a pitcher that The Brickies have trouble with, it's Joel Freakin Heard. In 2 games he sports a 0.00 era through 10 innings. Look for a well rested Heard to once again be lights out. Conversely Matt Kowall has compiled a 0.00 era through 15 innings against St.Clair. Can we say this will be a pitchers duel? 
This game will be won at the plate and on the field.Rocky Parejo is Leslievilles top fielder, and RBI leader. He is now gone for the playoffs leaving Snow, Kowall and a Gimpy Golombek on the field. The trio has 1 run all year against the Saints where as The DiRenzo brothers are mashing Brick Town with a combined batting average over .450. 

So the X factors will have to decide this game. Will Kirk Gibson Golombek hobble his team to victory. Or will T-bone Rigatti slug one out of the Hood to claim his franchises first ever Burby Cup birth? One thing is certain. This will be an instant TBL classic! 

Prediction

2-1 Leslieville in Extras.  

Roncesvalles Rockets @ Beach Dusters 

Another split decision in 2015. Ronci won the first match 3-2 sans Kevin leach on the mound and The Dusters took care of business 3-0 in the second match up. Make no mistake, this game will go the Dusters way. Too many holes in the Rockets lineup will be one of many downfalls for Ronci on this day. Also the secondary pitching is suspect. But the key here is Joe Callahan. The grizzled old Burby Wizard got beat up by Jack Cherry and Co in their last meeting. They'll look to tire out Joe before he can even get to 7 innings. Then the floodgates open from there. Chris Toman is on a mission this year. His torrid hitting is a pleasant surprise for Duster land and it shores up the best hitting team in Burby. 

The X factor will be Greg Majster. He is having by far his worst hitting campaign of his career (.182 avg. 1 Hr)  If he can somehow shake off this curse of a season then maybe the Rockets stay close. The X factor on The Beach side is momentum. Can they keep this freight train moving forward? 

No Doubt 

Prediction

5-1 Beach Dusters.