Team Preview: Belgian Wiffles

Belgian Wiffles:

Last Year: 5-1, 2^nd in East Division, Defeated Goon Squad, 2-1, to win Wifflepalooza IX

Additions: Zach Rosengrant

Losses: Kevin Fischer

Schedule:

11:00am  Flapacamingos

12:15     bye

1:30        Super Smash Brothers

2:45        High & Dry

What’s New: The loss of Fischer will be evident for the Belgian Wiffles, but his replacement is certainly someone to keep an eye on. Other than that there are no changes for the Wiffles, as they march into Wifflepalooza X as confident as any returning champion in history and, for good reason. The Belgian Wiffles return virtually the same lineup that assaulted pitching in this tournament last year. Rullo, last year's MVP, belted a tournament record 9 homers en-route to the title. They will be one of the serious favorites once again.

Hitting: In addition to Rullo, both Fischer & Stevenson also broke and/or tied the previous tournament HR record, with 6 & 7 respectively (previous record held by Al Etter, 6, in WP1). The only concern could be, that with most of their production coming via the long ball, what happens if they are unable to connect in the same ways this year? They will certainly face everyone's best pitchers throughout the day, and if there is an adjustment period with the lineup change it could cause some issues. Sure, this is all a stretch, but there really isn't a whole lot to pick at with these guys, they're solid up and down the lineup.

Pitching: Here's where some questions could arise. Kevin Fischer was lights out down the stretch last year. He won the Title Game MVP, by giving up 1 run and striking out 9 over 7 innings. Rullo also logged significant innings last year, but his stats showed he was clearly the distant #2 pitcher. So that leaves some questions. Without Fischer, who will log the majority of the responsiblity? And maybe more importantly, who will fill in that 2nd spot again. If newcomer Rosengrant can step in and provide stability on the mound, that clears up a lot of the picture for the Wiffles.

Prediction: Obviously there is no way to tell what will happen tomorrow. But based on what we've seen, and what is on paper, I don't see any way the Belgian Wiffles do not make the playoffs at the very least. Their play speaks for itself. They are prepared, and if teams aren't ready again they will likely face yet another blitzkreig. Projected win total: 2-3, playoffs.

Team Preview: Goon Squad

Goon Squad:

Last Year: 3-3, 2^nd in West Division, L to Belgian Wiffles in Championship, 2-1

Additions: Kyle Castellini*, Jimmy Oliva*

Losses: Rocco Lupi*, Johnny Malatesta*

*= we're not acutally sure who's gonna show up for these guys. Their roster assembly has been a total abortion

Schedule:

11:00am  bye

12:15     Mandingos

1:30        Goodfellas

2:45        Waffle Stompers

What’s New: Considering who we're talking about, nothing. This is the same dysfunctional, slightly toasted squad we've seen for years now, just a lot younger and slighty (I mean just slightly) less vulgar. These Goons have once again been assembled out of necessity, as 10 days before Wifflepalooza X, Jeff and Mark Ronchetti, as well as Patrick Hennessy (who was already doubtful with a foot injury) were all suspended for PED use. But if you know anything about the history of this team, you know none of these news items should surprise you.

Hitting: The Goons have always been competent at the plate, and based on the returning players that should remain a constant. They have one of the lowest On-base Percentages of any organization, but their BA. with runners in scoring position is the highest by far. Meaning, they don't get the most guys on, but when they do they manage to bring them home. Look for long time Palooza legend Tyler Martini and Johnny Malatesta (if available) to carry the bulk of the hitting.

Pitching: The pitching staff is gonna be a real hodge-podge of amateurs. Last year Malatesta and Lupi both carried the bulk of the innings, and both are unlikely to be available this season. The top remaining pitcher from last year is Tom Derer, who managed to strike out 7 in just 9 innings, but also walked 18 in that same amount of time. It will likely be one of the newcomers to try their luck on the hill this year. Look for Kyle Castellini and Jimmy Oliva to get plenty of opportunities here.

Prediction: Honestly, we have no idea. They could finally break through and win it all if they have their whole squad, or they could go winless. It depends on a few things, first of which are matchups. Yes, they've done very well in big games against the Goodfellas the last 2 years this is no secret. They play in the 2nd set of games again this year. That game will go a long way to deciding one or both of the playoff spots in the West. They matchup pretty solidly with a couple of other squads they may have to face if they reach the postseason. As Martini said on Media Day, the one goal for this team is to be as drunk as possible, and to "Make the Goonies Great Again"... Predicted win total: 1-2, playoffs likely

Team Preview: Goodfellas

Goodfellas:

Last Year: 4-1, East Division Champs, L to Goon Squad in Semi-final, 1-0 F/7

Additions: Josh Stuart

Losses: Ernie Scoma, Brian Stanzione, Mike Mazzochi

Schedule:

11:00am  bye

12:15     Waffle Stompers

1:30        Goon Squad

2:45        Mandingos

What’s New: The Goodfellas held their roster mostly in-tact over the offseason up until the final week. They lost Brian Stanzione and Mike Mazzochi, who were arrested trying to drive a Shamrock Meats truck full of stolen prosciutto through the Holland Tunnel. They will thus, be unavailable for WP10 as the investigation is active. They did downsize the lineup, meaning they’ll only need 1 flex spot this year, allowing for the heavy hitters to get more at-bats. Having produced the last 2, and 3 of the last 4 tournament Cy Young winners, and scoring 10+ runs 3 times, and 20+ twice last year, the Goodfellas are more than balanced all the way around.

Hitting: The offensive blitzkrieg put out by the Goodfellas last year was previously unseen in tournament history, yet they were outscored by just 1 run for the record by the Belgian Wiffles, who in fairness did get to play one game more than the Goodfellas. But their bats were silenced in the playoffs once again by the Goon Squad, as they were held to just 3 hits over 7 innings. Call it bad timing, call it inconsistency, call it whatever you want, but this team needs to find a way to move runners and score runs without always hitting the long ball. It’s been literally the only criticism of their offense over the last couple years, and possibly the only thing that’s separated them from glory as well.

Pitching: Rocco Lombardo has been managing this squad the last 3 years, and over the last couple, it doesn’t seem to matter who he throws on the mound it always seems to find a way to work out. Allen Rivera won the Cy Young in 2014, then Mike Tedesco, who had virtually no previous pitching experience, wins the Cy Young out of nowhere last year. They have some depth behind their two front-line starters as well, as Lombardo and Justin Geri have previous experience in Wifflepalooza on the mound. If Lombardo can successfully manage his pitchers’ innings throughout the day, expect the Goodfellas to be in good shape come playoff time.

Prediction: They’ve been arguably the best team on paper the last 2 years, and it looks like they could be that again. It’s all going to come down to matchups in the playoff game. The last two years, they’ve lost in extras to the Goon Squad. Both heartbreaking defeats, both big upsets. Third time’s a charm? Predicted win total: 2-3, playoffs probable.

Team Preview: Waffle Stompers

Waffle Stompers:

Last Year: 4-1, West Division Champs, L to Belgian Wiffles in semi-final, 18-12

Additions: Evan Mitchell, Zach Zieniuk

Losses: None

Schedule:

11:00am  Mandingos

12:15     Goodfellas

1:30        off

2:45        Goon Squad

What’s New: Other than a name change… Not a whole lot. This team continues to dip into its well of talent, and has added a couple new pieces to the lineup. Both rookies to the tournament, Evan Mitchell and Zach Zieniuk are both solid arms to log innings for the Stompers. A more than capable lineup returns, this year likely with 2 flex spots at the bottom.

Hitting: Most of the same lineup that tallied 22 homers and 45 runs returns this year. Eric Bomenblit is expected to lead-off once again and for good reason. His 2.209 OPS would’ve shattered previous tournament records, if he hadn’t been overshadowed by multiple players in last year’s tournament. He’s followed in the order by Paul Nyitray, Mike Sheridan and Rob Humes, all formidable hitters who put up great numbers last year. The question for this team will not only be consistency, but will adding more players to a deep lineup cause an issue with opportunity? Meaning, are there enough plate appearances to go around? The only way this team doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers once again is if they lose focus at the plate somehow.

Pitching: The mound was a strength for this team last year right up until their playoff game. They had given up just 18 runs in 4 games prior to the playoffs, then gave up 18 in the playoff game alone. It started with Bomenblit, who had a really solid tournament going until the onslaught. But the Belgian Wiffles didn’t stop with him, as they then peppered Sheridan all over the park. They scored 18 runs in 6 innings, scoring no fewer than 2 in any inning. So when looking at their pitching staff, try to take that game for what it’s worth. The Wiffles were a team of destiny on a war-path in that game. The Waffle Stompers will still be equipped with 2 top-notch pitchers and as stated previously, may be adding a couple more with their offseason transactions (Mitchell, Zieniuk).

Prediction: The talent here is impossible to ignore. Barring the Waffle Stompers running into another team of destiny, or just having a terrible day, they’ll be there come playoff time. What they do with that opportunity makes all the difference. Predicted win total: 2, playoffs probable.

Team Preview: Flapacamingos

Flapacamingos:

Last Year: 2-2, 3^rd in West Division

Additions: Matt Creamer, Kevin Smick

Losses: Ryan Hutchings, Kerry Cerana, Matt Bocchese (on-loan), Pat Ney (Manager)

Schedule:

11:00am  Belgian Wiffles

12:15     Super Smash Brothers

1:30        High & Dry

2:45        off

What’s New: After what felt internally like an embarrassment last year, the Flapacs made some serious adjustments. The goal of the offseason was to clear roster and salary cap space, and that’s just what they did via a series of trades with the Mandingos. They even sent the rights to Ryan Hutchings as part of the package, planning on him playing this season in Brazil (that however back fired, he’ll suit up for the Mandingos on August 7). But the moves cleared the necessary space for the Flapacs to sign top free-agent RHP Matt Creamer, who took last year off. He is expected to anchor the Flapacs rotation. Offense is something this team has never lacked, and with less to juggle within the lineup, expect a more balanced, consistent Flapacs team. More like the ones we’re used to seeing on wiffleball’s biggest stage.

Hitting: Losing Hutchings’s bat is definitely something worth noting, but the Flapacs believe they can definitely replace that production with the addition of Kevin Smick. The former all-star is back on the Flapacs after playing the last 4 years for the Virginia Squires of the South Atlantic Wiffle Association. He can’t match Hutchings’ power, but he’ll get on base and create runs. The rest of this lineup is well known, with boppers up and down the order. One other thing to watch is whether Lambert or Etter leads off for this year’s squad, as we’re told at this point that decision is up in the air. Both have ample experience leading off.

Pitching: The Flapacs will run-out 3 legitimate, healthy, ace-caliber type pitchers for the first time in a long time. Matt Creamer will most likely be looked at as the go-to, but behind him are Ryan Ricci and Kris Lapsley, both of whom have Championship game experience. Look for Flapacs management to try and stretch every inning of the tournament out of these 3 guys.

Prediction: You’d have to think, on paper, based on the changes made this offseason that the Flapacs will once again be title contenders. But things can change so fast on tournament day. The key for the Flapacs is to get off to a good start. They take on the defending champs right out of the gate, a tough draw, but if they can earn a win there, they are set up pretty well to get into the playoffs. Predicted win total: 2, playoffs likely