Mister Baseball

Just two weeks remain in the Bundesliga, and more than a few teams are playing for position. In the north, Solingen has crucial games against Paderborn atop the standings, while Dortmund can all but wrap up a birth in the playoffs on the back of Matt Kemp.

In the south, Heidenheim hosts Regensburg with a shot at displacing the defending champs from first. Elsewhere, Mannheim and Haar will keep an eye on each other from a distance, as they each need wins against the teams tied for last place.

North:

Dortmund Wanderers vs. Dohren Wild Farmers

The Wanderers are still hanging on to fourth place in the north, and caught a big break last week when the Stealers were upset by Berlin. Matt Kemp continues his MVP season, and with a sweep this weekend they are on the edge of clinching. Should they falter against the Wild Farmers, who at this point can only play spoiler, then it leaves the door open for HSV to capitalize. Dohren can put themselves in good position before the playdowns with a split, but they’ll need to get it in game one, because facing Kemp has been this season’s hardest task. Wanderers sweep, and start preparations for the playoffs.

HSV Stealers vs. Pulheim Gophers

The Stealers were in good position just a few weeks ago, battling for third place. A few personnel changes and poor performances later and the team is on the doorstep to elimination from the playoff race. Additionally difficult to understand is the loss to Berlin, who has been at the bottom of the barrel all season. Pulheim has been out of the playoff picture for a while, but can end the season with a smile by taking one of two against Hamburg and killing their chances at the playoffs. Spoiling another teams chances is often a teams goal to redeem a poor season, and the Gophers get it done with a split this weekend.

Bonn Capitals vs. Berlin Sluggers

While Bonn had hoped to stay in second place and not have to face Heidenheim in the playoffs, their mid-season run has run out of gas. Since being passed by Solingen, the Capitals last shot at moving back into home field advantage will be the end of the season matchup against the Alligators. As for this weekend, they’ll roll over the Sluggers, who won’t be able to use the success against Hamburg as much as they’d like to. Bonn takes two and keeps second place a possibility.

Solingen Alligators vs. Paderborn Untouchables

The teams sitting atop the standings are looking both pretty strong, but one of them will leave the field with concern. If the Alligators drop one, they will fall into a tie with Bonn. If Paderborn losses two, then Solingen still theoretically has a chance at first place in the north. With the pressure greater on Solingen to stay in the top half of the bracket to avoid playing Heidenheim, they should continue the roll they’ve been on and take at least a split.

South:

Bad Homburg Hornets vs. Haar Disciples

The Hornets put up a good fight against the Heidekoepfe last weekend at home, but they get another couple tough tests the next few weeks against Haar and Regensburg. Hosting the Disciples this weekend will be especially tough, as the guests are fighting for their playoff lives. As expected they came out of the gate slow after the mid-season break, getting clubbed by Heidenheim and run our of Mainz. The latter two losses put Mainz in the playoffs (unless they somehow get swept by Gauting). Haar should rebound against the leagues worst team, however, and take both games in an important sweep.

Heidenheim Heidekoepfe vs. Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg

Although both teams struggled against their last-place opponents last week, they should be in better shape for the coming weekend. Regensburg will be a bit defensive of their hold on first place, hoping to take at least a game and lock up another southern division championship. Heidenheim has been one of the best teams at home, though, and will hope to vault themselves to the top of the standings with a sweep. Regensburg hasn’t lost both games in a weekend since getting upset by Haar at the end of the 2009 season. All bets are on a split.

Gauting Indians vs. Mannheim Tornados

Looking to validate their season with an important victory or two, the Indians will throw everything they have at the Tornados. The guests are in need of two wins to stay in the playoff hunt, and have their work cut out for them. Last time the teams played, the Indians left Mannheim with a win, and were a breath away from a sweep. After nearly making the playoffs last year, this season has been rough, but the Indians make a case to end the season on a positive with a split.

Time	Div.	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, July 23 2011
13:00	North	Dortmund Wanderers	Dohren Wild Farmers	Hoeschpark Dort...
13:00	North	HSV Stealers	Pulheim Gophers	Langenhorst Ham...
13:00	South	Bad Homburg Hornets	Haar Disciples	Hornets Ballpark
19:00	South	Heidenheim Heideköpfe	Buchbinder Legionäre	Heideköpfe Bal...
Sunday, July 24 2011
13:00	North	Bonn Capitals	Berlin Sluggers	Stadion Rheinau...
13:00	South	Gauting Indians	Mannheim Tornados	Würmtal Baseba...
14:00	South	Heidenheim Heideköpfe	Buchbinder Legionäre	Heideköpfe Bal...

Standings North

Standings South

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