Cardinals and Barracudas battle for Second Place in NLA

by John Baum

CARDS AND BARRACUDAS BATTLE FOR PLAYOFF SEEDING
Saturday in Bern, the Cardinals (12-4) host the Zurich Barracudas (11-7) in what should decide who will finish the regular season in second place, and hold home field advantage in the semi-finals. The Cards defeated the ‘Cudas in last weekend’s Cup semifinals, 9-5, giving the redbirds a 3-0 season lead against the Zurich club. The game likely comes down to which team is able to score early, and hold onto the lead with the strength of both teams, the pitching staff. The Bern boys have struggled mightily at the plate recently. In three of the team’s last five games, the offense was held to a single run, far below their season average of over nine runs per game.

The two clubs, already in the playoffs, will be fighting hard to seize control over the number two spot. Both teams could finish as low as fourth place if things don’t go their way over the season’s final two weekends. That would match them up with the currently first place, and the 15-2 Therwil Flyers. With this in mind, it should add to what has already become a good rivalry, as they have faced each other the last three seasons in the playoffs.

FLYERS LOOK TO SEW UP FIRST PLACE AGAINST CHALLENGERS
In the first game in thirteen years, the Challengers will have nothing to play for besides pride, after having been eliminated from the playoffs two weeks ago. Will this be enough for them to pull a shock upset of the heavily favored Flyers? The Flyers play their first games since splitting in Bern, and will look to begin a run of good play into the playoffs. Stefan Koller and Chris Blackbee combine for what is one of the top one/two pitching combos in the league, combined with their powerful offense, they should coast into the playoffs with the top seed.

FROGS LOOK TO AVOID RELEGATION…TWO MUST WIN GAMES VS. THE EAGLES
In the last matchup of the weekend, the Sissach Frogs (4-14), travel to Reussbuehl (3-15) hoping to avoid the relegation round. The two teams, with recent playoff history, will play their last two games of the 2008 NLA season, ending what has surely been disappointing years. The Eagles could never solve their problem on the mound, along with health problems, spelled disaster for a team that reached the playoffs the three of the last four seasons. The two teams will look to rebuild this offseason and hope to find themselves in better shape for the coming season in 2009.

Time	Div.	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, August 30 2008
11:00	1	Bern Cardinals	Zürich Barracudas	Bern Allmend
Sunday, August 31 2008
11:00	2	Reussbühl Eagles	Sissach Frogs	Reussbühl Hint...
11:00	1	Therwil Flyers	Zürich Challengers	Therwil Känelmatt