Mister Baseball

The playoff race in the south got a little tighter over the weekend, while the team on the edge in the north got some breathing room. This weekend will see the HSV Stealers host leader Paderborn, which has yet to lose a game after sweeping second place Solingen. In the south, Heidenheim will try to knock off Mannheim and take over their current spot among the top four.

North:

HSV Stealers vs. Paderborn Untouchables

Last weekend both teams were able to distance themselves from the teams a spot behind them in the standings. Paderborn turned away Solingen to reach 11-0 and sits two games above Bonn. Hamburg went into Pulheim and grabbed two wins, pushing into a tie for 3^rd place with Solingen, well clear of 5^th place Pulheim by 4 games. Now the story is whether the Stealers can extend their winning streak past 4 games, and be the first team to dent Paderborn’s perfect record. While Hamburg has shown their best effort in Game 1 each week, Paderborn has been blasting opponents with a combination of offense and pitching. The trip to Hamburg probably won’t be enough to cool them off, however, as Paderborn should roll on to another sweep.

Dohren Wild Farmers vs. Berlin Sluggers

Dohren saved a split last week in exciting fashion, using a complete game shutout and walk off HR by starting pitcher Garrett Rogers to win Game 2. Berlin sits one game behind them in the standings with a lone mark in the win column. As the last matchup of the first half, the game will set the tone for both clubs for the remainder of the season, wanting to stay out of the dreaded relegation spot at the bottom of the standings. Since neither team has shown any marked consistency, its hard to say how the matchup benefits either club, but with Berlin taking a long drive, and Dohren coming off a much needed win, the hometown Wild Farmers are favored in both games.

Solingen Alligators vs. Dortmund Wanderers

The Alligators played the Untouchables close over the weekend, but it wasn’t enough to keep them from sliding into a tie for 3^rd. Dortmund is slowly fading from the playoff chase at four games back after the last few weeks have seen them manage at best a split against direct competition. Their anchor Matt Kemp continues to be stellar, but without any leads to work with, he’s been unable to gather any wins. Now, with a Solingen team rejuvenated by the return of Chris Beck and their eyes on getting back to second place, the Wanderers have an unenviable uphill battle back into playoff contention. The Alligators may not be overwhelming any mid-level opponents this year, but Dortmund’s lack of offense means Solingen takes the sweep.

Bonn Capitals vs. Pulheim Gophers

The Capitals moved into second in the standings over the weekend, while the Gophers fell further behind the playoff cut after being swept. Bonn is arguably the hottest team in the Bundesliga after picking apart Berlin at home last weekend. Their staff has combined for four straight shutouts, and on offense will be ready to repeat the last performance against Pulheim in which they scored 30 runs just three weeks ago. As Pulheim stands four games back in the standings from HSV, they need to manage a win to close the gap or at least hold the status quo. Although Bonn is a near clinch for the playoffs, they are steamrolling their way to the top of the standings with their eyes on next weekend’s matchup against Paderborn. What better way to prepare than a top-notch performance against the Gophers? Bonn continues their winning streak with a sweep.

South:

Heidenheim Heidekoepfe vs. Mannheim Tornados

It was a hard weekend for both teams, with Mannheim losing a stunner (nearly two) to Gauting, and will also be without their centerfielder Dominik Hoepfner for a while after an unfortunate accident; while Heidenheim again fell out of the Top-4 while being swept in Regensburg.  There has been a curious case of missing offense for last year’s runners up, as they’ve been unable to get the bats going against the top arms in the south. Mannheim is also starting to sweat, as they fell into a three-way tie with Mainz and Haar for the second spot, and the Heidekoepfe are still just arms length away at one game back. It will be key for the Mannheim pitching staff to keep their opponents off the bases. Since they’ve shown an ability to do that so far, look for them to take a split.

Bad Homburg Hornets vs. Regensburg Legionaere

Regensburg picked up two important games in their sweep of Heidenheim, and now ends the first half of the season on the road against the Hornets. Bad Homburg travelled to Haar dry and came home wet and empty handed after a rainy series against the Disciples. In their attempt to stay ahead of Gauting, they’ll have to take on the standings leader, who although seems more vulnerable than years past, showed they can buckle down when needed. That won’t be needed though, as even their second team crushed the Hornets in the second league last year. Regensburg wins two,; the Hornets win none.

Gauting Indians vs. Mainz Athletics

Gauting was the team of the week for their impressive effort in nearly sweeping Mannheim on the road. In taking one from the Tornados, and with the chance to upset Mainz at home, they are keeping themselves relevant in the playoff race even if only by making sure no team gets too far away from the main pack. Mainz ends their half-season long road trip, and will have a chance to start a half-season long home stand alone in second place. They’ve relied on their pitching heavily so far, but will have to be without Game 1 starter and a top MVP candidate Jan-Niclas Stoecklin, who was lost for the season with a knee injury. Given the Indians newfound spark, they’ll put up a fight at home and earn 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, May 21 2011
13:00	North	HSV Stealers	Paderborn Untouchables	Langenhorst Ham...
13:00	North	Dohren Wild Farmers	Berlin Sluggers	Sportanlage SV ...
13:00	South	Bad Homburg Hornets	Buchbinder Legionäre	Hornets Ballpark
Sunday, May 22 2011
13:00	North	Bonn Capitals	Pulheim Gophers	Stadion Rheinau...
13:00	North	Solingen Alligators	Dortmund Wanderers	Baseballpark We...
13:00	South	Heidenheim Heideköpfe	Mannheim Tornados	Heideköpfe Bal...
13:00	South	Gauting Indians	Mainz Athletics	Würmtal Baseba...

Standings North

Standings South

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