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Just curious what others think now that they have seen a few teams.

Northern CIF SS I think Oxnard is still the team to beat.

I saw Westlake play and they have some amazing athletes. Of the 25 on the roster only 4 are under 6'. Johnson looks like a top 4 rounder. 91+

Simi has not lost anything. T.O looks strong but have not seen them play, Westlake beat them however.

So from the Northern section I think Oxnard and Westlake will be teams to beat.
Last edited by BOF
Well, Westlake is looking good at 3-0 in league but I don't think they have the pitching depth to keep on this way. Simi's hitting is looking very strong so far as is Newbury Park's and Westlake's. Simi has jumped all over some very good pitchers in their last couple games. I still think TO's pitching will pull them through but you never know. They don't have the same type of depth they did last season.
Wow, TO will certainly tumble out of any national rankings after this last weekend. Interesting to see how they compete in the tournament.

BOF,
Oxnard isn't half bad as they came close to beating Westlake in the opening round of the St. Paul tournament.

My guess is that Notre Dame will take on either Simi or Westlake in the finals of that one.
Last edited by CADad
My guess is that they were saving pitchers for the spring break tournament. They've got some good pitching but probably not quite the depth they had last year. Also that was a decent team they were playing and TO just doesn't seem to be at the top of their game right now. I'd have to see the lineups, but my impression is that TO doesn't play for rankings and uses the non-league games to develop players.

I don't know how they did in their opener against Lakewood in the Anaheim Lions tournament, but they beat Capistrano Valley 3-2 in their second game.

BTW, My predictions for the St. Paul's tournament turned out to be all wet. I was 0'fer on that one.
Last edited by CADad
Interesting that in the PGCrosschecker rankings Crespi made a big move up after winning the National Classic, and Orange Lutheran made a move up after coming in 2nd. Bishop Gorman moved up to #1 after coming in second in their own tournament. Newbury Park won that tournament, beating Bishop Gorman in the finals and is not ranked. Personally, I don't believe NP really is a national power due to a lack of depth in their pitching staff, but based on results they probably earned their day in the sun in these latest rankings.
Things are getting interesting in the Marmonte league. It looks like Westlake's lack of pitching depth is starting to show and don't look in the mirror but here comes TO. TO's next game will be a big one for them. Their pitching should shut down a Moorpark lineup that does well against mediocre pitching but has not fared well against hard throwers. On the other hand there's no guarantee they'll be able to solve Moorpark's pitching and the game could come down to who makes fewer errors.

Simi looks to have sewn up a playoff spot and will probably be 6-1 going into the second half as they are facing Agoura on Friday. Royal and Newbury Park is a bit of a tossup with Royal having the stronger pitching and Newbury Park having the stronger hitting. Westlake vs Calabasas depends a lot on who threw for Calabasas vs. Agoura on Wednesday. If Calabasas doesn't have Selarz to go against Westlake then Westlake has a big advantage.

Right now I'd pick Simi, Westlake, Royal and TO to make the playoffs but Newbury Park, Moorpark and even possibly Calabasas who has a shot any time Selarz is on the mound are certainly contenders.
Last edited by CADad
Wed.
TO vs Agoura - TO
Moorpark vs. NP - Tossup, depends on lefty vs. lefty matchups.
Westlake vs. Royal - Tossup, but I'll go w/ Royal since the game is at Royal
Simi vs. Calabasas - Tossup, but I'll go w/ Simi since they've seen Selarz once.

Fri.
Moorpark vs. Simi - Simi
NP vs Agoura - NP
TO vs Westlake - Tossup
Calabasas vs. Royal - Royal

Projected Records in league Simi 8-1, Westlake 6.5-2.5, Royal 6-3, NP 4.5 - 4.5, TO 5.5 - 3.5, Moorpark 3.5 - 5.5, Calabasas 3-6, Agoura 0-9

The teams are too closely matched for these predictions to mean anything but it is fun to see how they pan out. I'll compare the actuals on Saturday to see just how far off I was.

Looks like I did pretty well on the Wed. predictions. My new projection for records after Fri.

Simi 8-1, Royal 6-3, TO 6-3, Westlake 5-4, Moorpark 4-5, NP 4-5, Calabasas 3-6, Agoura 0-9.

Correct so far as TO and Simi won. Pretty good chance Royal and NP won, but we'll see.
Last edited by CADad
Pretty much got them all right. Royal v. Calabasas was closer than expected. Don't know why Royal pulled Magill early. Next week there are too many tossup games and too many make or break games to try and call 'em. Looks like Westlake, Moorpark and NP are the bubble teams. Westlake and Moorpark still have games w/ Agoura.
Last edited by CADad
No predictions but there are some important games in the Marmonte league today. If Moorpark beats Calabasas they are right back in the middle of the playoff hunt, if they lose it'll be a tough battle. It looks like Selarz will be throwing so a lot will depend on how well Calabasas supports Selarz in the field as I'd expect a solid effort from Moorpark's pitchers and for Moorpark to put a lot of pressure on Calabasas' defense.

Westlake v. NP is another biggie as Westlake has to stop their slide and NP can't afford to lose. Two good hitting teams going up against each other. It'll be interesting to see if the game being at Westlake with their quirky field gives Westlake the advantage.

Royal vs. Agoura should be a gimme, but you never know.

TO vs. Simi is not a must game for either team, but a win for TO would really position them for a playoff run.

At this point I'd say 8 wins guarantees a playoff spot and 7 has a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if the final playoff spot is decided by next week's Westlake v. Moorpark game. That should be an interesting game as Moorpark will probably shuffle their rotation to make sure they have their best available for that game, while Westlake will have the home field advantage.
Last edited by CADad
Moorpark d. Calabasas
TO d. Simi
NP d. Westlake
Royal d. Agoura

Looks like Simi, TO and possibly Royal are locks with Moorpark, NP and Westlake tied for the final spot.

Friday should be interesting:
Moorpark v. Royal - Could go either way, depends on pitching matchups. Royal could have a big edge or small edge in pitching depending on who starts for Moorpark. In either case, Moorpark is swinging the bat lately and a win here would put Moorpark in the driver's seat for the last playoff spot.

Westlake v. Agoura - Just what the doctor ordered for a slumping Westlake

TO vs Calabasas - TO may not win the league, but they are rounding into shape for a CIF title run.

Simi v. Newbury Park - Two strong hitting teams, but NP probably doesn't have the pitching to keep Simi in check.
Last edited by CADad
Agree with NP not sure how and why, but give them credit.

Westlake is a disappointment as I thought they looked really talented. As been said many times talent does not lead to W's.

Simi can bang the ball so look out to whoever plays them.

You have been right so far about TO, so how can I argue with your analysis.

Farther north.

Oxnard is showing some cracks in their armor. Camarillo killed them 11-1 and looks like they are getting in shape for the playoffs. Oxnard's final game is against Cam so it could decide league. Both will make playoffs.

St Bonnie is in control of a very weak league, so no news here. I think team is an enigma, they win, but have not played very many tough teams so who knows how they will do in the playoffs.

Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos both will control the channel league. Santa Barbara may not have the pitching depth, but can win a critical game here and there. Ventura is bubble team for playoffs.
Last edited by BOF
BOF,
Westlake seems to have the easiest schedule remaining, but Moorpark seems to be playing better baseball. Newbury Park has a tough schedule also. I just think playing Agoura when they do gives Moorpark flexibility in how they use their pitchers and that Moorpark has the strongest pitching of the three.

Moorpark plays St. Bonny on Saturday but I doubt they'll hold anyone back for that game if they need them on Friday, so the result of that game probably won't mean a whole lot.
Last edited by CADad

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