Baseball Predictions: How it will unfold
John Honell wrote a nice feature on Bonita's Jiovanni Mier, who batted .494 with 42 hits and 13 stolen bases. He's also their closer, and is aware if Bonita faces Northview again in the semifinals, he wants the ball, even though he gave up the three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh of last year's quarterfinals that gave the Vikings a 4-3 victory. Said Mier, "That left a bad taste in our mouth. I love closing. There is nothing better than coming in and closing it out. Now, I'm just looking forward to the third game."
The playoffs are here and with it comes the predictions. Don't take it personal, this is just the truth according to Fred. You might be surprised with how I think it will unfold.
Division IV seeds: 1. Northview, 2. Patriot, 3. St. Bonaventure, 4. Savanna.
Breakdown: First off there are always surprises in baseball. It's not like basketball or football, where you can impose your size or strength or you're just simply too much. In baseball a team can go on a roll, a pitcher can get hot while the bats get cold, but nevertheless, if you're betting against Northview, you're making a bad bet. The Vikes have the pitching, and the will to match the skill. They don't just have one ace, they've got three aces, so unless there bats go dead cold, march them through to the finals. I'm not sure if Bonita will get by Malibu or possibly Torrance in the second round. They have good pitching, but not a dependable No. 1. On the bottom half I'm taking Covina to upset Cathedral City, then beat Charter Oak in the second round with Pill starting both games. And he should start both games. But in the semi's you gotta go with Patriot. Pill will only be available for three innings, and those bats at Patriot are supposedly too much. This leaves us with San Dimas, who I think will beat Diamond Ranch in the second round, and will upset St. Bonaventure to reach the semifinals. Then you've got Drossel or Ponzo to throw against Patriot and whoever it is, I like San Dimas.
Championship:Both teams have enough pitching even after they get here, but I think San Dimas swings the bat a little better and will get it done. Northview's hearts are broken again. San Dimas 3, Northview 1.
Division V seeds: 1. Bishop Amat, 2. Monrovia, 3. St. Paul, 4. Sultana
Breakdown: I know I said anything can happen in baseball, but not when a Division I caliber team, and a good Division I caliber team goes against a very mediocore group of teams. Amat beat Monrovia last year when Monrovia had McKiernan, perhaps the toughest pitcher I've ever covered. The Cats aren't half the team they were last year while the Lancers picked up where they left off. An interesting matchup would be if Gabrielino reached the quarters and could throw ace Angel Cabral, because he's the type who could give the Lancers problems, but not enough to beat them. They could also meet Temple City in the semifinals, but if the Rams couldn't win it for two years when they had Ryan Tucker, who was drafted in the first round by the Marlins in 2006, they're not beating Amat either. Azusa will be the only Montview team to win a first-round game, then they will be out. In the bottom half Monrovia might still be good enough to get to the final. I don't see anyone that scares me. Figure St. Paul and Monrovia meet in the semifinals, and I'm going with St. Paul.
Championship: Bishop Amat wins the All Del Rey league final, 9-2, and with it their second straight championship.
Division III seeds: 1. Crespi, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Cajon, 4. Paramount
Breakdown: South Hills should have no problem getting out of the first round and Nogales could beat Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, but will lose to No. 2 Notre Dame in the second round. Rowland is in the wild card, and that's as far as they go. I can see South Hills reaching the quarters, but that's where it ends against Crespi.
Championship: The Mission league is awfully tough with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, and in the final, I like Notre Dame over Crespi, 4-2.
Division II seeds: 1. Redlands East Valley, 2. West Torrance, 3. Vista Murrieta, 4. Palos Verdes:
Breakdown: I'll make this short and sweet since Damien is the only local in this group. No Glendora. No Diamond Bar, which is too bad. The Spartans will be fortunate to get to get out of the first round against Santa Barbara, then could await a Paso Robles (22-4-1) in the second round. They've got the hitting, but their pitching isn't strong enough to endure a long playoff run. Did you see how many runs they score in the Sierra? That won't get it done in the playoffs:
Championship: Vista Murrieta 4, Crescenta Valley 2
TRIB'S FINAL TOP TEN POLL
1a. Bishop Amat (22-4)
Won't be touched in Div. V
1a. Northview (21-4)
Best pitching staff in SGV
3. San Dimas (18-7)
Hitting and pitching well
4. Damien (17-8)
Great finish in wild Sierra
5. South Hills (19-5)
Can it make noise in Div. III?
6. Bonita (17-7)
Lost two of last three
7. Charter Oak (13-11)
Champs won't go quietly
8. Covina (16-8)
Best is yet to come
9. Glendora (13-11)
Best team not in the playoffs
10. Azusa (13-7)
Montview champs on a roll
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Anyone know how Bonita did?
Wow
Thanks Dad for your input. The jury is not out yet, he isn't quite there yet, too many quality kids in front. Maybe next year...
NO WAY FOR MVP,
Jio is by far one of the best players around. Saying that he is undeserving is just flat out rediculous. The kid is one of the best shortstops I have ever seen and his batting average is higher than many in the league. He is incredible.
Can't wait for our area playoffs to begin. Bonita tomorrow and the rest of the teams Friday. This going to be exciting. Good luck everyone.
Be sure NV is chillin and taking it one game at a time. We all know what can happen in play-offs. Besides that team is not a bunch of egos just a bunch of kids dedicated to the sport and love playing baseball. We look forward to friday and wish the Vikings the best of luck.
NO WAY MIER IS MVP.... NO WAY. COME ON MAN, A TEAM HAS TO DO BETTER THAN BONITA AND FOR SURE HIS STATS NEED TO BE BETTER TO BE WORTHY OF MVP. THERE IS JUST NO WAY HE IS MVP.
NO WAY MIER IS MVP.... NO WAY. COME ON MAN, A TEAM HAS TO DO BETTER THAN BONITA AND FOR SURE HIS STATS NEED TO BE BETTER TO BE WORTHY OF MVP. THERE IS JUST NO WAY HE IS MVP.
Hey Fans,
Is the article on Mier a preview of MVP?????
WOW DUDE - Thats all I have to say. OK, NO WAY
Northview and Bonita Need to take one game at a time. Look Out for Sonora High out of La Habra they have there ace Pitcher back at 100% and are a great Team on the road and have a score to settle with Bonita.
my suggestion to mier -- Quit talking about game 3 against NV...Dude you better play one game at a time before you even start "visualizing" the NV game. That is assuming NV gets there as well. ONE GAME AT A TIME
As usual, there is a kernel of truth to Hilary's points. Mier is not a pitcher, but a thrower, who lives in the mid eighties, (unlike Bill and Hilary, but then, I digress...again). Not much movement, it's true, but he can hit his spots and can reach back for a couple more mph from time to time. All in all, not a bad solution for an inning, especially against teams who haven't seen him before, (unlike Northview, for instance, some of whom have been seeing Jio since they were all playing in tournaments as 12U).
Knott's real problem isn't his reliance on Mier, but on the lack of other solutions.
Around the time of the Glendora tournament, I typed here that the Bearcats would go as far as Calderero and Plowman could take them.
Little has changed since then.
gio is a player but he is no pitcher mid 80's fastball with no movment good hitters can hit it just like last year in northview game gio only has one quilty win as a pitcher in the don lugo tournament but a losing record as a starter and closer bonita has other player as good that just dont get the press knott will live or die with with this kid in a close game just like last year anyone at northview game knows bonita had it till gio came in.
Bonita vs Malibu game changed to THURSDAY 3:15 due to conflict with Malibu prom. Coach Knott did the right ting and honored Malibu's request for the game change.
if amat play la puente play each other in the second round i wonder who will have more big beer bellied fans? I think it might be a toss up.
AMAT69--THAT IS HYSTERICAL. I CAN HEAR THEM BRAGGING NOW, CHECK OUT OUR 2ND RINGS. YEAH -BE PROUD OF THAT. WHAT A JOKE - LAPUENTE SECOND ROUND???? BUT SOME HAVE ALREADY MADE ALIBIS JUST IN CASE AMAT LOSES TO LA PUENTE - NO KIDDING, REALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN BASEBALL - SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GIVING YOUR "JUST IN CASE WE DO LOSE" SPEECH. AGAIN AMAT PEEPS - YOU JUST DON'T GET IT.
AMAT69--THAT IS HYSTERICAL. I CAN HEAR THEM BRAGGING NOW, BUT SOME HAVE ALREADY MADE ALIBI'S JUST IN CASE AMAT LOSES TO LA PUENTE - NO KIDDING, REALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN BASEBALL - SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GIVING YOUR "JUST IN CASE WE DO LOSE" SPEECH. AGAIN AMAT PEEPS - YOU JUST DON'T GET IT.
They're opening a new CIF Division called the LP Division. It's a battle between Bishop Amat, La Puente, Workman, and Bassett. Winner take all. Oh, they're all in Div. 5 already, same difference.
Great line by Robledo today spicing up the potential second rd. matchup and how the winner of Amat/LP has "LP bragging rights" classic line right there Fred. I know you were chuckling when you wrote it.
"Rowland is in the wild card, and that's as far as they go".
WRONG again FREDDY!!!!
Rowland EARNED their playoff berth today by BEATING Colony 9-7
CONGRATS to the ROWLAND BOYS ...Nice WIN!
In a wild wild card game Yucaipa held on to beat Ayala 9-8. Yucaipa coach Jeff Stout decided to start their closer Adam Miller who was wild giving Ayala 3 quick runs in the first inning. In the 2nd inning jr Frankie Martin a lefty pitched till the 6th giving up 3 runs. Yucaipa then had 2 use their 2 aces to close out the game with jr Matt Davidson giving up 2 runs in the 6th on 2 huge errors on double play balls by the second baseman. Sr lefty Scott Snodgress pitched the 7th leaving 2 runners on base. Matt Davidson was 2/4 with a long home run to cf. Ethan Miller led Ayala with a home run. Ayala 1st 2 pitchers were juniors and had limited success. Miller pitched the best for Ayala. Yucaipa now plays baseline #1 Upland with Snodgress most likely the starter.
lets go saints show everyone how its done
Hey fans interested in the Fred J predictions for the BB playoffs.
Don't get so caught up in it especially you NV fans. Fred is a NV or COV guy at heart and he is trying to fire you up before Friday and beyond.
WE hope at least initially Fred's predictions come true. Let's see what happens. Good luck to each team in the area. May the dominating players still dominate and showcase their talent.
GO AZTECS!!!
Finally, AZUSA makes a top ten poll in the paper!
Good Luck against AQUINAS, on Thursday, at AZUSA!
Montview League Champs!
Can't take that away from you!
sd sucks and stupid,
Hey you do realize this is not the Jim Rome show right? What's with the ...next! Laughing at you some more errr! Laughing HARD at you some more. Your a jokester, funny though. Good talking to you buddy. Or should I say Steven Augilar. Like we don't know you spend your time on here all day Mr. Aguilar.
Tard? Seioursly? Wow..you are defenitely a Tartan with that extended vocabulary. As for being a San Dimas supporter I'm not, but unlike your biased eyes, I see the reality of the play-offs unfolding. You shouldn't get so upset...your not smart enough to be that upset about topics you have no clue about. That's ok, anytime you need advice or suggestions on how to relax, just give me a call. It's 1-800-saveanass. Be talking to you soon lil fella. Behave yourself on here, it's a blog for crying out loud. No need for the low points of your life to take control of your personality. Glorify God and all will be good. ...wait...yup...still laughing at you.
chill pill - you MUST be retarded... calling NV over-rated when you both play in the same league -you big ole dummy... what does that make you, considering you lost to them twice and QUITE a few other losses along the way. NOW -YOU MAKE ME LAUGH. tHANKS FOR PROVING HOW STUPID YOU REALLY ARE THERE SMART ONE. At the very least try going up against someone from another league, unless of course your team goes undefeated - oh wait HELL TO THE NO, you did not go undefeated - wait did ya -Nope.. Next
chill pill - you MUST be retarded... calling NV over-rated when you both play in the same league -you big ole dummy... what does that make you, considering you lost to them twice and QUITE a few other losses along the way. NOW -YOU MAKE ME LAUGH. tHANKS FOR PROVING HOW STUPID YOU REALLY ARE THERE SMART ONE. At the very least try going up against someone from another league, unless of course your team goes undefeated - oh wait HELL TO THE NO, you did not go undefeated - wait did ya -Nope.. Next
take it easy there lil fella. Panties in a bunch I see...eeeeeasy does it. Give me the quality wins Northview has in their recent 10 games? And if you could avoid the roid rage while writing would be great. laughing at you. All that hostility, you must be a Tartan or wanna be viking
hey over dramatic -- you are out of your friggen mind. talk about over-rated. QUALITY WINS - are you out of your fricken mind???... BETTER PITCHING - who?????? and are you whacked out on drugs??? CRUSH -- are you friggen serious??? have you guys crushed anybody, how about BP??? you won a few good games - get over yourselves.
Imagine the drinking on that bus drive home. I can hear reagan now -- my team sucks, we gave them the game, we chocked, no way that team should have won, my guy stunk up the field out there. we gave nv the game. watch me throw my team under the bus (where all the drinking occured) and watch me give NO other team credit for winning - EVER cause we give away all our losses - we never get beat LOSER
Imagine the drinking on that bus drive home. I can hear reagan now -- my team sucks, we gave them the game, we chocked, no way that team should have one, my guy stunk up the field out there. we gave nv the game.
Get real...the saints would crush Northview. They have more quality wins and better pitching. Northview is overrated as most bloggers on here know
Sorry Fred. No way Northview Loses to San Dimas if both teams get there. Both coaches hate each other and Northview will use Jedi Mind tricks to prevail as always. Murph will use the force to get it done. He will be sitting in his PE office laughing if he has to play the Saints while Regan will be tying a noose to get ready for his post game dramatics.