After three weeks of Griffleball, runs have been hard to accumulate. In this week alone there were six shutouts in six games. Actually, there has been only one game this season that both teams scored a run (Week One - Taka and Bird Gang). There are many factors that could play into the slow offensive start for most teams. For starters, the new strike board may have a major impact on the hitters. It is significantly easier for pitchers to paint the corners and the board is at most hitter's shins. The weather as also been suspect (I feel like I say this every week, whether windy, cold, or humid) and this week was no exception. The wind combined with the cold temperature made it difficult to generate offense. My final reason is that many of the pitchers in the league have improved and the strike board may benefit them even more. Needless to say, the teams and players still have to compete no matter the circumstances (weather, bad calls, new elements, etc.) Week three started with the Digger Dudes and Bird Gang splitting their series. Brandon Burnell for the Dudes hit his first career home run in extras to give his squad the win. Then, the Bird Gang answered back by scoring the winning run via a base on balls. This would not be the first time this week that would happen. The Taka Drivers continued their undefeated start (jinxed it) by sweeping the Ducks on the Pond in the evening series. They won the first game by a walk off walk (since my last name is Walk, I think this is awesome) and then took the momentum to the next game to win 6-0. Finally it was time for Sunday Night Griffleball between the Nighttime Ninjas and GasHouse Gorillas (Capitalizing the H just looks stupid but apparently it took 3 years to correct it). To me this was the surprise of the night as the Ninjas swept GasHouse by two walk off home runs from Sammy Krucek (I thought at best a split). The Ninjas sweep has definitely affected this week's Power Rankings. Just keep scrolling down to see where all the Griffleball teams stand.
GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS
1. Taka Drivers (6-0)(--)
No surprise here as the Taka Drivers are clearly out to prove to the league that they are the best in 2017. After watching them for three weeks, they continue to impress by finding ways to win. They have a run differential of plus 24 and only allowed just one run. They have scored the most runs and are tied for allowing the fewest. Which seems to be a good recipe for success. They are going to continue to stay in the top spot unless they falter.
2. Nighttime Ninjas (3-1)(Up 1)
If you sweep the five time defending champs you are always going to move up in the rankings. If you do it without half your team, you deserve it. Without the arms and bats of Arvay, Kuna, and Holden, the Ninjas put the league on notice that they can beat you with anyone. With Krucek's bat and Kubacki's arm the Ninjas have put themselves in a good spot moving forward. If and when their offense heats up, look out.
3. Digger Dudes (2-4) (Up 2)
How many people expected the Digger Dudes to be playing this well this early (show of hands, yeah I thought so). They may have a losing record but they have been in every single game (but one) this season. It seems that they have the pitchers capable of throwing a ton of innings (Bobowski and Sepulveda). I like the way they are playing and if they keep it up they could make push for the playoffs.
4. GasHouse Gorillas (1-2)(Down 2)
We have seen this story before. In 2015, GasHouse struggled in the first half of the season. Then they turned their season around and eventually won another championship. They have all the pieces to be the best team throughout the regular season but they usually do not play their best until needed. Their biggest concern is finding their historically great offense. They have not score a run since the first inning of their first game. That is 18 completed innings without a run (including the postponed game).
5. Bird Gang (1-3)(Up 1)
The Bird Gang finally broke through for their first win after dropping the first three. With a full roster this could be a tough team to play, but they are still looking for Shimala and Baker to make their 2017 debut. It is going to take some effort from those two if the Bird Gang want to make another push to the playoffs. From what I have seen, it could be hard for the Bird Gang to find a rhythm as they rotate their roster each week.
6. Ducks on the Pond (0-3)(--)
The Ducks on the Pond are putting themselves in the same position as last season. This time they have yet to score a single run but their pitching as held up for a few games. They have the potential to be one of the better power teams in the league but that has not come to fruition so far. They need their bats to come around before they face the same hole they were in last year.
GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTER OF THE WEEK
Sammy Krucek
2 Games .417 - 5/12 - 2 HR 3 RBI (Two walk off home runs)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Nick Bobowski
1 Start - 1-0 7 IP 7 Strikeouts 0.00 ERA 1 HA 4 BB (Threw 5 1/2 innings of no hit in first game)
GRIFFLEBALL SCOREBOARD
3 PM - F/6 Digger Dudes 1 Bird Gang 0 - WP - Bobowski LP - Matt Zurawski
4 PM - Bird Gang 1 Digger Dudes 0 - WP - Matt Zurawski LP - Bryan
5 PM - F/7 Taka Drivers 1 Ducks on the Pond 0 - WP - Bartley LP - Blount
6 PM - Taka Drivers 6 Ducks on the Pond 0 - WP - Buzea LP - Diehl
7 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 1 GasHouse Gorillas 0 - WP - Krucek LP - Tucker
8 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 2 GasHouse Gorillas 0 - WP - Krucek - LP - Ratajczyk
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
May 21st
3/4 PM - Taka Drivers (6-0) at Nighttime Ninjas (3-1)
5/6 PM - Digger Dudes (2-4) at GasHouse Gorillas (1-2)
7/8 PM - Ducks on the Pond (0-3) at Bird Gang (1-3)
WIFFLE OUT!
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