Period 4 is off and running on Monday as a tight race is the main storyline of the Roger Dorn Baseball League 2024 season thus far. Five teams sit within 24.0 points of the league lead with the Mission Viejo Maulers looking to make a big move Monday as they send four starters to the mound headlined by Luis Castillo. The Maulers rotation is looking to hold down the fort until Gerrit Cole returns.
Here's the latest On The Lookout for Monday, 4/8:
Projected Starters for Monday, 4/8
Grapes: Valdez (@ TEX)
Falcons: Morton (vs. NYM), Cortes (vs. MIA)
Aristocrats: Mikolas (vs. PHI), Assad (@ SD)
Hammerheads: Olson (@ PIT), Heaney (vs. HOU)
Stacks: N/A
Maulers: Luzardo (@ NYY), Eflin (@ LAA), Castillo (@ TOR), Berrios (vs. SEA)
Clovers: N/A
Goutfish: Snell (vs. WSH)
Jokers: N/A
Fringe: McKenzie (vs. CHW)
Devils: Paxton (@ MIN)
Tacos: Turnbull (@ STL)
Fish: Keller (vs. DET), Ashcraft (vs. MIL), Anderson (vs. TB)
Ducks: Williams (@ SF), Darvish (vs. CHC)
Hops: Gallen (@ COL)
Pitching Matchup for the Day: Berrios vs. Castillo
In an all Maulers matchup, Jose Berrios and Luis Castillo will face off as two of four Maulers starters for GM Chris Ferraro on Monday. Berrios has a 2.25 ERA over two starts while Castillo, RDBL's second highest scoring pitcher in 2023, has limped to a 6.75 ERA over his two outings.
Snell Debuts for Goutfish
The wait for Blake Snell is over as the 2023 National League Cy Young Winner will make his Lake Merced Goutfish and San Francisco Giants debut on Monday night against the Nationals. Snell is the lone starter for the Goutfish who enter Period 4 in 8th Place.
Falcons, Grapes and 'Cats Look to Stay Hot on the Mound
The Maltese Falcons Nashville Aristocrats and Asti Grape Stompers posted 1.85, 2.02 and 2.19 ERA's respectively in Period 3 and will look to carry that momentum into Period 4 with five starters between the staffs on Monday.
Stacks Offense Looks for Jolt
After leading the league in offense through Period 2, the Stacks limped to a .204/.295/.333 line in Period 3, ranking 11th in scoring. With big hits to the rotation between Spencer Strider and Justin Steele, the offense will need to pick up the slack to keep the Stacks relevant early in the season.