Non playoff teams to decide MWL title

It's hard to believe it could turn out this way, but the three teams fighting for the MWL title do not play each other this week. If the top tier teams each win their two games this week, then here's the playoff seeds:

1. Springfield 12-3
2. Thurston 11-4
3. North Eugene 11-4

Fourth place Churchill, a playoff team last year, is the most likely to change the above scenario. The Lancers host North Eugene Monday and have both Spencer Jorgensen and Brad Birch available to pitch. North Eugene threw Andrew Moore all seven last Friday, so he probably won't be throwing Monday unless it's an inning of relief. I'm assuming that North Goes with Kyle DeHaven, who is 4-1 on the season. But he has thrown both of the other games against Churchill. On Wednesday, the Lancers travel to Thurston Wednesday with Sam Kiesse rested.

Fifth place Willamette hosts first place Springfield Monday and travels to North Eugene Wednesday. The Wolverines have wins over Churchill and North Eugene, so they know they can knock either Springfield or North down a notch. The Wolverines are likely to face Kameron Bates for the first time this year on Monday. Then Willamette will likely see Moore at North Eugene on Wednesday.

Marshfield hosts Thurston Monday and travels to Springfield Wednesday.

I'm thinking the highest possibility of an upset(s) will be Monday with the Springfield at Willamette game and the North Eugene at Churchill game. Both games are at the underdog's field. Willamette hasn't seen Bates yet this year, but I don't think that is a problem. Willamette doesn't like to strike out and they should put up a battle..... Churchill and North Eugene have traded 1-0 ball games. We could see a third 1-0 game.

Wednesday's games are less likely to give us an upset. All three playoff bound teams are at home. Marshfield at Springfield, Willamette at North Eugene (Moore) and Churchill at Thurston (Phinney). And I'm betting it's all hands on deck as far as the pitchers go on Wednesday, everyone is a potential reliever for the last league game.

The pressure's on. The number one seed is the only MWL team to get home field advantage for their first playoff game. Who wants it?

PS. Thanks to those who text me the scores last Friday. I was at the James Taylor/Carol King concert in Portland - Row 1. I know you youngins don't know who these people are, but they were and are still awesome.