Power Rankings: Week #2 – Brew Crew Jumps Four Spots

Baseball has always been a game of prevention: Good pitching always beats good hitting. Defense wins championships. Turning doubleplays are more valuable than hitting homeruns. Hell, even the game is set up to prevent as the defense always has the ball. But what separates wiffleball from baseball is that the difference between good pitching and good hitting is so great that these axioms are flipped on their heads.

Having a consistent lineup that doesn’t just make the pitcher work or draw walks, but hits for power will always be more overwhelming than a pitcher who can strikeout the world in wiffleball.

Or maybe I’m just our of my gourd. Y’know, whichever. Anyway, here are your Week Two Power Rankings.

Jay Paraskevas launched two bombs in Week Two for the first place Brewers.

While the Mets and Rockies may be the teams that other teams fear most, soon enough they’ll also fear the wrath of the Brew Crew.  A quick check list of teams they’ve been so far includes; The Dodgers, Yankees, and Cardinals twice!

Ryan McElrath didn’t look as dynamic as last week, which was to be expected considering he threw 11 innings, but he was certainly dominant. He struck out 10 and drove in all three runs he needed to secure his and the team’s third victory of the season. If you think Big Mac is impressive, then you should’ve seen former MVP Jason Paraskevas back in the day. He was the original dual Ace/Slugger, and let me tell you something, to this day no one understands how he gets his stubby tyrannosaurus-Rex like arms around to high-five teammates, let alone jack two bombs like he did on Sunday. Still, with his two solo shots and an RBI from Big Mac, the Brew Crew were able to put up another W. They’re now 4-0.

Looking ahead to Week Three, the Brewers can easily split with the rookie Mariners. But if they take a victory against lefty Matt Vanagas, a sweep is likely.

Brewers split, 5-1

Mike Molfetas hasn’t allowed a run in 10 innings.

Let’s not get things twisted, the Mets are a very talented team, but they’ve had an easy schedule thus far. While the Dodgers could’ve given them a challenge, the Robles-less Athletics could not, and their Week Two opponents, the Nationals, didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.

The Mets swept the Nationals 11-0 across both games and only allowed two hits total.

Next up for the Mets, their first challenge of the season, the Cardinals. If the Mets can have at least three in attendance for both games, then a sweep isn’t out of the question. We’ll see if that happens.

Mets fall to 5-1.

The Yankees are for real.

If there was a team that was capable of epitomizing my opening statements, it’s the Yankees with easily the deepest lineup in wiffleball. They’ve had three different guys put on a show in their three wins thus far. First it was Nick Gallo, then it was Anthony Bevilacqua, and most recently it was team captain and owner Joey Di Gioia.

With this perennial Murderer’s Row, and outright filthy pitching, it’s likely the Yanks will reach uncharted territory this year.

The Yankees also face a very special opponent in Week Three, castoff-Matt Riegler and the Nationals. Bring your cameras ladies and gents, it’s going to be one hell of a show.

Riegler steals one by himself, Yanks settle at 4-2.

Tim Trenary has K’d 27 of the 39 batters he has faced in 2012.

Week Two epitomized exactly what the Rockies season will be like; dominant pitching and weak hitting.

While Dakota Kenny was able to shutout the Athletics for six full innings, so was Jordan Robles over the Rox in his grand return for the Athletics. The difference? Kenny gave up two hits, Robles didn’t give up any.  The script the flipped in game two, where Zeus no-hit the A’s. However this time Mike Frezza was able to sneak a opposite field solo homer juussstt inside the foul pole for the game’s only run.

The wiffle gods giveth and taketh.

Next up for the Rockies are the 1-3 Dodgers. This one shouldn’t be close, but we all know it will be. If the Rox knock a few in, they’ll sweep. If not…

Splitsville. Rox settle at 4-2.

John Istorico’s 17 K’s in nine innings is a big reason why the Mariners are winning.

In case you haven’t noticed, the Mariners are legit, and it’s time to start taking them seriously.

Their offense may not strike too much fear into any pitcher’s heart, their pitching sure as hell will make your bats feel like Swiss cheese and then their defense will stifle you. I’ve yet to see the M’s make an error in the field and have turned at least half a dozen double plays. If that along with their 26 strikeouts on the season don’t spell “tough to play against,” I’m not sure what does.

The Mariners faceoff against the 4-0 Brewers in Week Three. They’ll pull out a victory against Gallo.

Mariners split to 3-3.

Errors plagued the Cardinals Week Two.

The Cardinals are easily the early season’s most confusing team. Jekyll and Hyde. Helter and Skelter. The Cards will only go as far as Joe Schaefer and Bobby Daly will carry them, but it’s starting to look like they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

A few things are now clear about the Cards; 1- they’re easily rattled. Daly seems to keep a ball of hate stored up for each Sunday and it bursts the moment something goes wrong. 2- Schaefer has lost a notch or two since last year’s near-MVP season. 3- They’re already desperate, which is why they’ve signed free agent Tim McElrath, identical twin brother to the Brewers’ ace Ryan McElrath.

The scouting report on Little Big Mac? He’s the true keeper of the Wonder Twin Power Rings. Therefore his powers are limitless so long as Ryan stays healthy.

The Cards take on the Mets in Week Three, which means if they get a good pitching performance in both games, they’ll have a shot at taking both.

Cards take the one Goo isn’t there for, 3-3.

Bill Murphy has only allowed three runs this season and has no wins to show for it.

If the Cards are the early season’s most confusing team, then the Dodgers are easily the most disappointing. At a miraculous 1-3 despite only scoring one (1!) run thus far this season, one has to imagine it can only go up from here, right? They have Mr. Everything Brett Bevelacqua, Eric “The Man” Lanks and Billy “G.O.A.T” Murphy for crying out loud!

Unfortunately for the Boys In Blue, things are going to get tougher before they get easier as they have a doubledip with the Rockies. Saving grace? The Rockies offense hasn’t been any better. Murphy wins one by himself.

Split City brings the Dodgers to 2-4.

The A’s split against the Rockies may have saved their season.

Truth is, I believe in the Athletics. They’re a balanced team with the ability to both shut you out and bash your brains in. It wouldn’t shock me if they no-hit you in game one, then mercy-ruled you in game two. But that’s only if everyone shows up and is ready to play. Maniscalco needs to get his head in the game. Lando needs to hit the cages, and Robles needs to be reliable to show up. The margin for error in wiffleball is too small for anything less.

The A’s get another chance to show us what they’ve got when they take on the fledgling fish.

Robles throws a perfect game, then Maniscalco holds the Marlins to five. Squitieri hits one just out of Blickley’s reach for the game winner.

A’s sweep, 3-3.

With a reduced pitching role will Montanez make a run at MVP?

You may find it incongruous to place a team I just predicted to be swept in not-last place on the rankings, but I can assure you that there’s a very good reason: Pete Montanez.

The legend that is Pete Montanez spans from coast to coast, from Puerto Rico to the Arctic Circle. He is the the greatest this league has ever seen.

Every single Sunday that we get to be in his awesome presence is another day that we ought to feel blessed and honored to be alive.

Amen.

If Colluzzi doesn’t start hitting the Nationals are going nowhere.

It’s tough to say which is more pathetic, the Nationals pitching, their defense or their hitting. Across four games, they managed to record just three hits and one run (the run came on a walk, mind you). What’s worse is that there doesn’t seem to be a shred of fun being had by any of its members. Not an ounce of positive energy can be seen coming from this team, and if that doesn’t change, they may be the first to go 0-22.

Hopefully free agent signing Bo Muschinsky can help turn things around before it’s too late.

Riegler takes his frustrations out on his old mates, the Yankees. Steals a game to break the schnide.

Nats improve to 1-5.

Zeus Challenge Update: Week 1

Is Tim Trenary the hardest thrower in Wiffeball?

Way back on January 19th 2012, strikeout King and resident Greek god historian Tim “Zeus” Trenary issued the following statement:

I recently read that PWBL has the intention of starting a charitable organization so I would like to do my part. Here is my challenge to the league. For every HR I give up to PWBL hitters this year in the regular season and the playoffs, I will donate $25 to the charity. I challenge the hitters to donate $1 for every K I have against them individually. So that means if I K you 10 times over the course of the year, you owe the charity $10 by the awards ceremony in November.

Who has the balls to step up and accept my challenge!

Are you men or mice!?

Last year,  Zeus set a new Palisades strikeout record with 201. That would’ve been $201, plus add on the $75 for the three homers he surrendered, and you have a generous $282 to benefit the Hudson Valley Humane Society with.

Trenary’s idea galvanized the league in a whirlwind of pledges, none were more inspired than now returning and reigning MVP Anthony Lando of the Athletics to give $2 for every strikeout against the Rockies. But it was Yankees’ ace and charity founder Anthony Bevilacqua who pledged “$1 for every strikeout I get on the mound this year.”

For Lando, that would have been $20. As for Bevilacqua, a $154 bill.

Now you may be asking, who were Zeus’ and Bevilacqua’s first victims of the 2012 season? For Zeus and his Rockies, it was the Nationals with a dozen wiffs. Rookie Sean Ryan lead the way with four, while John Colluzzi and Ralph Filosa had three each. Matt Riegler survived with only pair. Again, that’s $12 you owe, Nationals.

For Bevilacqua and the Yankees, it was the Brewers. Rookie Ryan McElrath also lead the way with four,  captain Jay Paraskevas had three, Keith Wallenstein a pair, and Michael Bennett with just one. That’s $10, A. Bev’.

Bring your wallets, boys. It’s time to pay the piper his combined $22, we have the Hudson Valley Humane Society counting on us.

Next up: For Zeus, the Athletics who struck out 21 times in all on Opening Day to the Yankees and Mets.  For A. Bev’, the Marlins who struck out 23 times in all to the Rockies and Cardinals.

Power Rankings: Week #1 – Rockies Top Rankings

As this is my first writing for the Hot Stove, I ask you all to bear with me. I’m going to say some things you do like, some things you don’t like, and as always throw in some light humor. And if you don’t like that…well too bad and go screw yourself. So without further adieu, here are the Week One Power Rankings.

Dakota Kenny throws League's first perfect game, cries in Pete Montanez's arms for two hours.

Coming into the season, the Rockies topped the list of 2012 championship contenders and only solidified that with their Opening Day performance. Throwing the first ever perfect game in Palisades WBL history, Dakota Kenny looks to have regained the form that he lost late last season. Not to be outdone by his younger, hairier rotation mate, Tim Trenary threw a one-hitter in the next game. Personally, I credit these early season pitching successes to Trenary and Kenny’s pre-game circle jerk routine, although I’m not sure if they’d let the rest of the team join in.

The real story for this team coming out of Week One though is how they hit. We knew they were going to come in chuckin’, but what about the bats? After taking John Oakes in the draft, many expected he’d be the bat to put runs on the board. However, out of the gate it looks as if he may need some more time to acclimate to the league’s pitching. Similarly, Trenary had a bad day at the plate. The two combined for 15 of the team’s 18 strikeouts. However, Mike Frezza and Kenny were both able to have success at the plate opening day, combining for  15 of 18 walks, and six of the team’s 10 runs.

Despite topping the power rankings for Week One, the Rockies are going to be in trouble once their All-Star pitchers start walking in runs and their bats aren’t able to keep up.

Looking ahead to next week, the Rockies are slated to play the Athletics who are having some managerial issues. I still expect them to have a good day at the plate against a good, but still inexperienced Joe Maniscalco. As for who else is to pitch for the Athletics this week, will Jordan Robles finally make his A’s debut, or will Nick Squitieri have cover again? Finally, with reigning MVP and recent waiver pickup Anthony Lando being unavailable this week, I see the Rockies continuing on to a 4-0 record.

Rich Guillod throws no-hitter in spite of wearing Mets hat

With the core of their 2011 Championship team still in tact, the Giants decided to return as the Mets and haven’t missed a beat.

However, while they’ve retained their tools of success, I don’t know if they will be able to keep it together all season. Out of the gate they’re already down last year’s batting champ, Rob Pulsonetti. Combine that with Mike Molfetas’ tenuous weekly attendance, I don’t know if Rich Guillod and Kris Dooly can pull out a two-man win with the depth 0f the league this year.

Just like the Rockies though, big arms and weak bats. The Mets recorded just five total hits in Week One. The only way they’ll be able to keep winning is if they’re able to continue to walk 21 times a week as well. Back this with a top three pitching duo in Molfetas and Guillod, and we may be heading for another repeat.

Ultimately, the story can only be written by those who show up. Set your alarms, boys.

Looking ahead to next week, the Mets clash with the winless Nationals. I can see the Nats stealing one if the Mets aren’t at full power, but the smart money goes to whichever ace shows up.

Expect the Mets to continue to 4-0.

The Cards couldn't get their uniforms on time, but were timely when it came to hitting

Coming into the season, the Cards were in the same discussion as the Rockies and Mets. And after Week One, nothing has changed. However, they perhaps had more questions than any leading into the season. How would Joe Schaefer and Bobby Daly pitch? Is Holbrook going to go through withdrawal from leaving Pete Montanez? And Where does Chris Schneider fit in?

Addressing the last first, Schneider fits in just fine. Even the Commissioner Brett Bevelacqua questioned starting Schneider in the leadoff spot, but with three hits and five walks with a ribbie in his first 16 at-bats, he’s showing that his offseason batting work with Trenary is paying off. Holbrook showed no ill-effects having left his better-half behind for bigger and better things by notching his first homer of the season.

Surprisingly though, it was the pitching that caused the Cards the most agony. Daly was able to pitch well at times, but spent much of the day on the edge. As for Schaefer, he couldn’t get it together on the mound either, but was able to offset his falters at the plate by launching three dingers on the day. The Cards may go down as this year’s bust if they don’t improve.

With a tough series this upcoming week against the Brewers, I still expect the Cardinals to go sweep. All obvious sandbagging controversy comments aside, I don’t believe that the Brewers have the offense to beat the Cards. And although rookie sensation Ryan McElrath was able to pitch a couple of gems, I question if he is ready to do it every game for the Brew Crew.

Cards: 4-0.

Rookie Ryan McElrath hates hats, but loves throwing strikes

Rookie sensation Ryan McElrath paid immediate dividends by sweeping Opening Day, including a dual six-inning no-hitter total-bases victory over Bill Murphy and the Dodgers! Hopefully with a double-header coming up, the Cardinals can provide some insight on how to hit off of him.

As phenomenal as Mac was, was as anemic as the Brewers’ offense on Sunday. All four of their runs came on a Keith Wallenstein grand slam in game one against the Yankees. The pitching staff will lead them to a good record, but McElrath can’t pitch every game, and when Michael Bennett or Jay Paraskevas are on the bump, it becomes a whole different game. A team with only one great pitcher and a sluggish offense will have trouble finding its way through to victory.

In order for this team to make noise this season, Joe Gallo has to show up, Wally needs to return his former homer hitting form, and Paraskevas has to keep the team together.

Looking ahead to next week, I believe that the Brewers will lose two to the Red Birds. This will be determined out of the sandbagging matchups, excuse me, I mean the pitching matchups of the day. McElrath may have the edge for the first game, but seeing any pitcher back to back games is a plus for the batters if they pay attention to tendencies.

Brewers: 2-2.

The Yankees were able to recreate 3/4 of last year’s playoff team. The swap of Nick Gallo for Matt Riegler should solidify their rotation anchored by ace Anthony Bevilacqua. Setting them up for a chance to build on last season.

Speaking of last year, the Yanks split another week while seeing most of their production from their pitchers.  Alas, as one of the two teams sitting at 1-1, the Yankees have a definitive edge over the newly introduced Mariners in familiarity with the baddest Wiff in the nation.

Team Captain Joey Di Gioia and outfielder Nick Anezoulakis will come around with their bats soon enough, and there is no doubt that the Yankees will reassert themselves as one of the toughest teams in the league. The real questions are, how many games will Nick Gallo make? And will the Yankees’ defense once again be their Achilles heal?

Looking ahead to next week’s matchup, I expect them to split with the Marlins. I think the Marlins have more talent than they showed opening day with their two bad losses.

Yankees: 2-2

Any new team coming into this league is subject to skepticism. The Giants went through it last season, and the Mariners will endure it this season. It’s much more difficult to come in with a full new team than to come in as an individual because there’s no veteran to learn from. However as we all know, Giants didn’t disappoint last year, and I don’t expect these guys to either.

Yes in the opening game against the Nationals Matt Vanagas was able to throw a no-hitter and hit a three run home run. I am equally impressed with both, but view them in the following way: No one had seen this guy before, and John Colluzzi, though good, isn’t going to win the Cy Young this year if you catch my drift. As for their #2 John Istorico who faced the Cards and pitched fairly well, he will need to show that he can hit the zone with his breaking pitches with consistency.

I think the Mariners have some of the tools to be successful in this league, but their season will be determined on how fast or slow their learning curve is. Additionally, they better not show up that close to game-time again, people have been killed for less.

Looking ahead, the Mariners will drop both this week because of the experience of Bevelacqua’s pitching and Eric Lanks’ hitting.

Mariners: 1-3.

It’s tough to say which is more surprising, the fact that the Dodgers went hitless to both the Mets and Brewers, or that we may have already seen the season’s best pitching dual in the double extra inning no-hitter between Bill Murphy and Ryan McElrath.

In his Dodgers’ debut, Murphy threw the losing end of a dual six-inning no-hitter against McElrath and the Brewers’. The game was decided on total bases, nine to three.

Despite this, expect the Dodgers to only get more competitive as the season goes on. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, they drew two of the best pitchers in the league at the moment.

Looking ahead, I see the Dodgers taking two over the Mariners. Murphy will pitch well again, and unlike last week, Bevelacqua t will benefit from having not been seen by this team before. If they hit, they get two.

Dodgers: 2-2.

Coming into the season, this team thought they had it all figured out. Taking the legend Pete Montanez first overall and then taking disciple Izzy Retome in the second round must have seemed like a dream to them. No way could they get two quality starting pitchers and get swept, right?

Not so much. First, they were the victims of the first ever Perfecto in league history, and then by getting involved in a late-game shootout that they weren’t able to overcome.

It may surprise you to look at how many walks (10) the Marlins were able to work in the second game after being able to do absolutely nothing against the Rockies. But much like the real Marlins, this team appears to have an identity crisis. They just picked up coveted free agent pitcher Garrett Torres through waivers, which begs the question; Who does this bump out of the rotation? Do you use Montanez as the third guy so he stays fresh after his flirtation with retirement? Or do you move Retome out to the bullpen after a rough opening day?

These are questions only the Fish can answer. Either way though, the bats will have to come alive for the Marlins if they want to stay in contention this season.

On to this upcoming week’s games. I think the Marlins will split their doubleheader with the Yankees.

Marlins: 1-3

So far this season the Athletics have started two pitchers who combined for eight total innings pitched over the last two seasons. They won’t make it through the season successfully if they rely solely on Nick Squitieri and Joey Maniscalco in their rotation. This was supposed to be a rotation of Jordan Robles and Maniscalco, but saw Squitieri step in (admirably so) instead. Which leaves everyone asking:  When are we going to see Robles? He missed Week One and rumors have it he’ll also miss Week Twoplaying in Golden Stick.

After a rocky eight-run debut inning, Maniscalco settled down and didn’t give up any more runs. He will surely acclimate himself to pitching in this league, but it’s going to be interesting to watch the dynamic between his learning curve and his stamina as the season wears on. The weeks when Robles is there, this team could be especially dangerous with the bats of Squitieri and signing of reigning MVP Anthony Lando in the mix.

As with Robles, Lando appears to only be available to play certain weeks. The A’s are a puzzle right now, trying to figure out what pieces fit where.

Looking ahead, it’s tough to see the A’s squeezing out a victory against either Kenny or Trenary.

Athletics: 0-4.

Unfortunately for the Nats, they started against last year’s strikeout King in the first game of the new season. Though they had the bases juiced a couple of times, they were unable to get the necessary hit to bring in the runs. Rookie Sean Ryan seemed nervous and adversely effected by the whipping winds, and  unable to throw strikes consistently.

While they were only able to muster a single hit (a single) the whole day, I do see this as somewhat of a fluke for them. I think that Ryan and Colluzzi will get the runs they need at some points during this season. However, this team will need to prove that they can pitch and hit effectively to be seen as a threat.

Colluzzi only gave up three runs on the day indicating that he is right where expected with his pitching. Matt Riegler also seemed already on par with last year’s plate production despite going hitless. He worked nine walks in 12 at-bats, brought home their only run, and played outstanding defense.

Looking ahead, I expect the Nats to play much better this week but don’t believe that they will be able to take either game against the Mets.

Nationals: 0-4.

2012 Pre-Season Report: Yankees

Di Gioia, Bevilacqua & Anezuolakis are back, but the Yankees go as young righty Nick Gallo goes.

Is 2011 Manager of the Year Joey Di Gioia a genius or has he made one of the biggest draft blunders in Palisades WBL history? Nick Gallo as their first round pick? Gallo is a solid player and has good stuff, there is certainly no reason to think he wouldn’t thrive as the Yankees #2 starter, but the only concern is how many games will he play in 2012? Coming off a 2011 where he only played in 12 games one has to wonder what the Yankees were thinking? There is no way they’ll get 80 plus innings out of Bevilacqua again and unless Chris Vassallo can give some innings the Yankees are pinning all their hopes and dreams on a youngster out of New Canaan.

Prediction: 10-12

2012 Yankees Opening Day Roster

(SP) Bevilacqua, (SP) Gallo, Di Gioia, Anezoulakis, Vassallo

CORE-2: The Yankees

Bevilacqua & DiGioia in pregame warm ups.

YANKEES
The Yankees have been approved by the League for the 2012 season. The Yankees are the first legacy CORE-2 of the 2012 season, meaning these two were Yankees last year, and so far are the only two players that will play on the same team as they did in 2011. Led by owner and 2011 Manager of the Year Joey DiGioia has had a long and storied history with the Palisades WBL. After being brought up to the “bigs” by the 2009 Dodgers, DiGioia quickly made a name for himself as an integral part of the most prolific line up in Palisades WBL history. In 2010 he moved from the Dodgers and had himself an All-Star season on the hard hitting Tigers. By 2011 he was ready to take a leadership role within the League and constructed the Yankees and once again DiGioia was in the middle of an incredibly productive lineup.

Anthony Bevilacqua took the Palisades WBL by storm in 2011.  Getting himself eight wins off the carpet, hit .288 with nine home runes and drove in 28 to win the 2011 Palisades WBL Rookie of the Year. Bevilacqua also threw 79.1 innings in 2011, more than any other pitcher in the modern era (2009-present).

DiGioia has been one of the driving forces behind the Palsiades WBL media machine, though he is best known for his off the field appearance in a 2011 episode of “Special Moments,” and is far and away the best dancer in the League. Bevilacqua was responsible for much of the art work on Scuff Stats and is a founding member of the Palisades Foundation, the charitable arm of the Palsiades WBL.