Here’s this week’s baseball rankings
1. Bonita (19-2-1) – What you have to admire about the ‘Cats is they graduate Justin Garza, one of the best high school pitchers in Valley history and come back with a staff that boasts a 1.48 ERA for the season. And how about undefeated Parker Merritt (5-0, 0.70), he doesn’t get enough credit. He was 8-1 last year and is 13-1 over two seasons. If there has been anyone better or more consistent over the past two seasons, I haven’t seen him.
2. South Hills (15-5) – The Huskies have a comfortable two game lead in the Sierra League, but as everyone knows, there’s nothing comfortable about the Sierra. The Huskies have a home-and-away against Damien, and a slip up could put them right back in a league fight.
3. Northview (17-4) – The Vikings and San Dimas are tied for the Valle Vista League lead at 5-1 with Baldwin Park making a hard push at 6-2. But the Vikings have the toughest finishing schedule with two games each against Baldwin Park this week, followed by Nogales and San Dimas. Safe to say, there are no gimmies in the final six.
4. Diamond Bar (16-3) – I normally can’t stand leagues that play home-and-away schedules, but in the Hacienda’s case, it’s working out perfectly. The Brahmas are 5-1 in league, one game back of Bonita and spend the next four games facing Walnut and Rowland, all easy wins on paper. That could set up a dramatic winner-take-all in the final week with two against the ‘Cats.
5. Glendora (14-6) – The Tartans are 6-3 in the Baseline and only a game back of league leader Los Osos, 7-2. The Tartans need to take care of business this week against struggling Rancho Cucamonga. If they do, it appears the final week could come down to the home-and-away against Los Osos.
6. San Dimas (16-6) – The Saints are looking good in the Valle Vista and have a big week against Covina. If the Saints win both, they’re in the drivers seat for the VVL title. But they finish the season with two against Northview, which is another case where the home-and-away could set up a dramatic finale.
7. Baldwin Park (15-4) – The Braves are the biggest surprise in the VVL, just a 1/2 game back of league leaders Northview and San Dimas with a home-and-away against Northview. Baldwin Park finishes the season against Wilson, which is probably two more wins. If they get a split or sweep against Northview, that could be good enough to earn them a piece of the league title when all is said and done.
8. Nogales (16-4) – At 3-3 in league, the Nobles are on the outside looking in at fourth place in the VVL after losing on Friday to Baldwin Park, 3-1. But the Nobles have a favorable schedule on their side. Other than two games against Northview, they should pick up four wins with home-and-aways against Pomona and Wilson.
9. Chino Hills (13-7) – The Huskies are tied with Claremont for second in the Sierra with 5-4 records, two games back of 7-2 South Hills.
10. Bishop Amat (10-10) – The Lancers have won four straight and are making a final push to get in the playoffs. Forget a league title, that’s between undefeated Cathedral and Serra, both 4-0. The Lancers and St. Paul are both 2-2, fighting for the third playoff spot. Amat plays two key games against La Salle this week, followed by two tough ones against Cathedral. But the question remains, are they good enough to get to the postseason, and if they get there, are they good enough to do any damage? At this point, I say no way. You’re what you’re, 10-10.