Australian Baseball League Round Four Preview 2016/17
Melbourne Aces (8-4) will return to Altona a win clear at the top of the table as they prepare to play host to second-placed Canberra Cavalry (7-5), which has thus far been the best-performed offensive outfit in the league. Perth Heat (4-8) is at home to Adelaide Bite (5-7) for a four game series that may be crucial for both if it produces a sweep or a 3-1 result either way. Over at Blacktown Sportspark, free-scoring Sydney Blue Sox (7-5) appears to have a form advantage over the visiting Brisbane Bandits (5-7), although the reigning champion is steadily building its roster and should certainly not be underestimated.
WEEK FOUR AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE PREVIEW
Xavier Player
8 December 2016
PERTH HEAT versus ADELAIDE BITE (Barbagallo Ballpark)
Thursday 8 December, 7.00 AWST WATCH LIVE
Friday 9 December, 7.00 AWST LISTEN
Saturday 10 December, 4.00 AWST LISTEN
Saturday 10 December, 7.00 AWST LISTEN
After a landmark week for the ABL, the action kicks off again on Thursday night when the Perth Heat host the Adelaide Bite. Both sides will be looking to rebound after a rough weekend against Sydney and Canberra respectively.
For the Heat, it’s been a case of “where are the bats?”, with their 42 runs scored in twelve games a whopping 16 runs less than the second-last team in that category. The struggles don’t end there for the Heat who are also last in the league in hits, average and OBP. Adelaide have had their share of struggles throughout the early part of the season, with a series win against the Aces at home the lone bright spot. 22-year-old short stop Nathan VanDerLinden has proved to be a shining light for the Bite with his .273 average and two stolen bases the sign of a strong future.
The Heat will be thankful for some home cooking but won’t be able to come away with the series. 2-2.
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MELBOURNE ACES versus CANBERRA CAVALRY (Melbourne Ballpark)
Friday 9 December, 7.00 AEDST LISTEN
Saturday 10 December, 5.00 AEDST LISTEN
Saturday 10 December, 7.00 AEDST WATCH LIVE
Sunday 11 December, 1.00 AEDST WATCH LIVE
If you had the Melbourne Aces on top of the standings after three weeks, give yourself a pat of the back. A tough road series against the Bite left fans wondering if it was going to be more of the same in season 2016-17.
When the Canberra Cavalry come to town on Friday the Aces have a huge opportunity to build a gap at the top of the standings. Mark Hamburger has been a dominant Friday night starter for the Aces, with his 2-0 record, 0.95 ERA and 0.79 WHIP a daunting prospect for Michael Collins’ men. Canberra lead all hitting categories (with the exception of stolen bases), setting up a mouth-watering series at Melbourne Ballpark.
The Aces are going to continue their fine form, 3-1.
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SYDNEY BLUE SOX versus BRISBANE BANDITS (Blacktown Sportpark)
Friday 9 December, 7.30 AEDST WATCH LIVE
Saturday 10 December, 4.00 AEDST
Saturday 10 December, 7.00 AEDST
Sunday 11 December, 1.00 AEDST
The defending champion Brisbane Bandits are desperate for a rebound winning series, and there is nobody they’d rather take it off than the Sydney Blue Sox.
If their previous encounters are anything to go by, the series at Blacktown won’t be lacking spark. The Blue Sox currently hold a two-game edge over the Bandits and will be looking to the hot bats of Malik Collymore and Michael Campbell to extend the gap. The Bandits will be hoping for normal service to resume with their pitching staff, with no pitcher earning more than one win so far this season.
It’s going to be a fun series. 2-2.
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