Baseball Breakdown
2018 Baseball Preview: champs lead private school preseason rankings
Thomas Bingham
Feb 20, 2018, 9:14 pm
Some of the state’s best baseball programs are TAPPS and SPC squads. Check out the preseason rankings for VYPE-area private schools. For full team previews, and the rest of the VYPE Houston baseball and softball preview, pick up your copy of the February magazine, available at these locations this week.
1. St. Thomas: A repeat state title would be the Eagles’ 25th.
2. Rosehill Christian: A loaded senior class puts the Eagles in position to win their third straight state title.
3. Emery/Weiner: The Jags raised their expectations with a surprising 2017 state title.
4. Episcopal: The SPC Kings have won 5 titles since 2010.
5. Concordia Lutheran: The Crusaders are one of the area’s most consistent programs, and are coming off a state semifinals appearance.
Others to Watch: John Cooper, Kinkaid, Cypress Christian, Brazosport Christian, First Baptist
If you enjoyed the rankings, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEPrivates) on Twitter.
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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