#1 seed Arizona actually started out ranked #2 overall at the beginning of the season. They finished 38-17 (12-12 Pac-10, fourth place). Fourth place? Seriously? And they are the #1 seed here?
#2 Michigan won the Big Ten and has Big Ten player of the Year 1B Nate Recknagel. Michigan finished 45-12 (26-5 Big Ten, first place).
#3 Kentucky who starts a Canton product, Chris Rusin, started the season at 19-0 before finishing at 42-17 (16-14 SEC, third place in East Division).
#4 Eastern Michigan started the season the opposite way of Kentucky, at 0-17 before rallying to win both the MAC West regular season title and the MAC tournament. EMU finished at 25-32 (15-8 Mid-American Conference, first place in West Division).
OK, we like Michigan to beat Kentucky. Michigan is a solid offensive team, has been playing extremely well of late, get to sleep in their own beds and play at home. We also like EMU to spring a huge upset over Arizona in game 1. Why? Simple, EMU has been tearing the hide off of the ball and if you think Eastern is going to see Arizona's top two pitchers in what to them is a walkover game, you're fooling yourself. Arizona will save their aces for later games vs teams they think will give them trouble. We're not picking EMU to come out of this region (we pick Michigan) but we DO think they can steal game 1. Incidentally this would set up a game between U-M and Eastern, their third this year, one was close, won by the Wolverines on a Nate Recknagel walkoff home run and Michigan destroyed EMU in the other. Hey, Eastern beat Arizona last year after all so why not tomorrow?
Michigan to win the region, EMU to upset Arizona in game 1. Past that you're gonna have to watch.
All games are being played at the University of Michigan's Wilpon Baseball Complex. Ticket info available HERE
2 comments:
I like your way of thinking.
I'm definitely going to be at the ballpark tomorrow with TWO different ballcaps, appropriate to the Washtenaw County team that's playing at the moment.
Thanks Chris, some situations do lend themselves to upsets. EMU close to home, having played twice at Michigan this year, Arizona maybe tired after a long trip, and I just have a HUNCH about the pitcher they will throw might not have his best stuff as he won't be their ace. Truthfully I'd HATE to be setting a pitching rotation built around a double elimination weekend. For Eastern it's easier, gotta set the sights on game 1 and game 1 is all that matters, these other powerhouses are worried about facing each other.
Plus we have faith in the EMU coaching staff
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