#6 New Market vs. #3 Luray

Season series: 4-4

#6 New Market Rebels

Record: 22-22
Last 10: 3-7
Last 5: 1-4

Runs scored-Runs allowed: 240 (5th in league)- 236 (8th)

AVG/OBP/SLG: 256/372/365 (Stats through July 31st)
ERA,WHIP,K/9, BB/9: 4.10, 1.52, 7.6, 4.1

Players to Watch:

Kenny Mickens: 365/484/524, 15 doubles
Richard Gonzalez: 347/442/422, 21/14 BB/K ratio
Garrett Baker: 2-3, 2.17
Eric Alessio: 5-0, 3.02
Brian Burgess: 2-0, 0.00, 9 saves, 31 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings
Steven Thiele: 2-0, 1.78

Fielding percentage: 11th in the league

Other Notes

Rebels are 10th in the league in batting average. Check out that ERA from Brian Burgess...bullpen looks pretty sturdy.

#3: Luray Wranglers

Record: 26-18
Last 10: 7-3
Last 5: 3-2

Runs scored-Runs allowed: 291 (2nd in league)- 251 (10th)

AVG/OBP/SLG: 285/365/419 (Stats through July 31st)
ERA,WHIP,K/9, BB/9: 4.55, 1.38, 8.1, 3.8

Players to Watch:

AJ Wirnsberger: 363/420/541, 13 doubles
Pablo Bermudez: 331/421/494, 11 doubles
Drew Martinez: 292/370/345, 33 stolen bases
Daniel Bowman: 307/365/512, 8 doubles, 8 home runs
Tyler Truxell: 1-2, 2.89
Drew Rucinski: 2-1, 3.03, 2 saves

Fielding percentage: 12th in the league

Other Notes

Second highest scoring team in the league, but also one of the worst at preventing them. Third in batting average, tied for 2nd in slugging. Rucinski will be tough to beat in the playoffs.

The Outlook

What a fun series! Two rivals, tied 4-4 during the season, battling to move on. If the season is any indication, many runs will be scored, while not much leather will be flashed. ATVL can't help but think, however, that the road to the finals still goes through Luray. New Market has been struggling too much lately... Wranglers in two.

Comments

[Melissa Dodge]

If only we had Kenny Mickens---your prediction would be in question. Kenny is out for the season due to the serious concussion he suffered when he was hit in the head by a pitch against Woodstock. He spent 2 nights in Winchester ICU. Losing him at this point has been quite a blow.

[JohnLL]

That's awful, Melissa! I hadn't heard that. Here's to the young man- I hope he's back on the field soon without any lasting effects.

And about my predictions, Melissa- I think ALL of them are in question! JLL