The Honolulu Hammerheads looked dead in the water through the first two days of the season, but things quickly turned for GM Ross Horiuchi's club who has been the hottest team in the RDBL over the last week. The club enters Sunday in 5th Place with three starters on the mound and eyes on the top spot to close out Period 3.
The Heads have been elite on the mound, posting the league's second best ERA (2.63) while their staff has allowed just 45 hits in 68 1/3 innings while punching out 85. Their offense has been red-hot, leading the RDBL in hitter scoring over the last week while slashing .313/.378/.502 with a league-best five triples.
With Reid Detmers and Tanner Bibee throwing well, the pitching staff looks to have the depth to play the matchups all season long and be a viable contender in the Masters Division.
Projected Starters for Sunday, 4/7
Stacks: N/A
Grapes: Blanco (@ TEX)
Falcons: Imanaga (vs. LAD)
Aristocrats: Gonzales (vs. BAL)
Hammerheads: Sale (vs. ARZ), Silseth (vs. BOS), Houck (@ LAA)
Clovers: Marsh (vs. CHW), Flaherty (vs. OAK)
Maulers: Gil (vs. TOR)
Goutfish: Sanchez (@ WSH), Crochet (@ KC)
Jokers: Gore (vs. PHI)
Fringe: Abbott (vs. NYM)
Devils: Dunning (vs. HOU), Nelson (@ ATL)
Fish: N/A
Ducks: N/A
Hops: Webb (vs. SD)
Tacos: Gibson (vs. MIA), Pepiot (@ COL), Kremer (@ PIT)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Stone vs. Imanaga
Maltese Falcons left-hander Shota Imanaga was dominant in his stateside debut earlier this week, posting 32 points in six dominant innings against the Colorado Rockies. The challenge will be much tougher Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers who will send 'Crats underrated prospect Gavin Stone to the mound and his elite changeup.
Hops Offense Looks for Jumpstart
The Meinert Hope are hitting just .190/.254/.324 over the last seven days, producing a league-low 85.0 points over that span. Six of their 13 position spots have yet to produced double digit points on the year including Jorge Polanco, J.P. Crawford and activation Henry Davis.
Grapes Look to Stay Hot on the Mound
Ronel Blanco will look to follow up his 52-point no-hitter with another strong outing Sunday. He's helped lead the Grapes to be the most pitching points in the RDBL over the last 7 days. as the staff has produced a 2.91 ERA in a league-high 52 2/3 innings over that span.