Green 4
Rick Steelsmith
vs
Dave Traber
Dave will see too much
transition to stay with Rick in the late games. Even Dave
Traber's reaction will be effected by the quick transition
in the middle part of the lane. Rick is smart enough to
match up quickly and efficiently when the lane provides
obvious hook.
Green 3
Dave D'Entremont
vs
Robert Smith
Dave is at a huge
disadvantage because he is not at the top of his game and
the hook spot is not far enough right. I don't see this as
being a very tough match for Robert
Green 2
Paul Fleming
vs
Brian Kretzer
Paul reminds me of a Walter
Ray Williams type of bowler. He uses too strong of a ball
too long and gets hurt in late games because of it. Brian
loves late games and I expect that to be the difference in
this match.
Green 1
Wes Malott
vs
Pete Weber
I see this match up as one of
the best of the year. They certainly proved that the last
time they bowled. I do think Pete is bowling better now and
with the added friction he shouldn't have any problem seeing
his ball hook. I like is swing in this match.
Blue 4
Danny Wiseman
vs
Jason Hurd
Danny is seeing something he
likes this week and it will be a matter of whether Jason
forces Danny too deep to carry or causes Danny's ball to not
hit. That is not an easy thing to do with Danny. He can make
a dull ball look like plastic ball in the burn. The issue
should be carry and I don't have a good feeling for Danny in
this one unless he can get it over with quick.
Blue 3
Mike DeVaney
vs
Rudy Kasimakis
Who is this Rudy guy? We
haven't seen him much. But then again we haven't bowled on
these types of surfaces very often. Those East coast guys
like the early friction spots they manipulate it very well.
DeVaney seems to be struggling late more than I would have
expected. He is getting better on the fresh but he needs to
see the next transition and make the move quicker. Yes they
are that much different.
Blue 2
Ray Edwards
vs
Mike Fagan
Finally a condition where
Ray's ball actually sees friction and his roll is an
advantage. But his opponent is pretty darn good and likes
friction too. I don't think Ray is confident enough to win
many close games right now so I don't expect Mike to have
that tough of a problem.
Blue 1
Tommy Jones
vs
Chris Barnes
I want to watch this one.
Chris is smart enough to play a part of the lane that Tommy
can't get too. The pattern is thin enough on the gutter that
it could get broken down real quick and he is good enough to
hang out there until it gets playable. This may be a match
where a bowler comes back on Tommy instead of the other way
around.
Black
4
Ritchie Allen
vs
Chris Loschetter
I know Ritchie just made his first show on this pattern but
I don't see the natural advantage he had in Medford. He is
using awful dull stuff. If he can get the right ball in his
hand he should still have what he had in Medford. On the
other hand I think the pattern might get too deep for
Chris's end over end roll to hit when Ritchie is throwing it
over the hook.
Black
3
Bryon Smith
vs
Bill O'Neil It is
good to see Bryon back out here where he belongs. Bryon is
always a factor in match-play and will not never back down.
I love his competitive spirit but the question is whether he
will be able to stay up with the quick transition Bill
creates with his rev rate, track circumference and ball
choices. The shot will get deep. That is when Bill might get
a few more messengers. But never count Bryon out he is Mr. 7
game match.
Black
2
Mike Wolfe
vs
Brad Angelo This
is a case where Brad's roll is an obvious advantage. As long
as Brad isn't forced too deep to effect his carry. Where
Mike can stay further right. This match is one the Brad
should win.
Black
1
Ryan Shafer
vs
Patrick Allen I
doubt Ryan will be challenged early enough in this match for
Patrick to be able to come back. I have a lot of respect for
how Patrick can follow his own transition but the pattern
doesn't seem thin enough. If Ryan gets too deep to fast then
the story is different.
Red 4
Dino Castillo
vs
Jack Jurek
This is the type of condition
Dino can compete with anybody on. He will still need to make
better shots than he has but that is a lot easier when you
are more comfortable with what you are seeing.
Jack has done some good
things this week and it should be a matte of how the
breakdown effects his carry.
Red 3
Tom Daugherty
vs
Jeff Carter
A couple weeks ago Tom proved
me wrong in both the round of 32 and 16. I am not convinced
that his roll will match up on this surface as well as
Jeff's will in the late games. So again I give Tom the
opportunity to prove me wrong.
Red 2
Ben Laughlin
vs
Del Ballard Jr.
I really like the progress
Del is making confidence wise. He knows what he has been
working on is right and now he can focus on transition. His
brain is working a little too fast still. He is making moves
a little too early instead of trusting what he is working on
is not going to flat ten if it gets off his thumb good. We
will start to see the wrist loosen up after a couple
victories. This should be one.
Green
Round of 8
Brian Kretzer
vs
Robert Smith
(Guest Commentator Mike Wolfe)
oh, this one is tough.
Kretzer's slow wheel curve is in effect and Robert can
overpower anything. So I will have to take Robert on this
one because of his ability to burn up a lane forcing Brian
too deep because we know Brian can't play 10.
Blue
Round of 8
Mike DeVaney
vs
Mike Fagan
(Guest Commentator Mike Wolfe)
I am picking Fagan just for
the fact that I don't want the guy that complains (I changed
his choice of words) every week to win.
I think Fagan has the added
confidence in beating Barnes and has more tools than
"complain" and moan. Make special note about the guest
commentator.
Black
Round of 8
Ryan Shafer
vs
Ritchie Allen
(Guest Commentator)
Mike wanted us to pick sides on this one, he
said I could pick first. I said OK I will take Ryan. A laugh
and a response -so will I- comes from Mike. Now he is
grabbing for straws thinking that the lanes might break down
funny and Ritchie's funky roll will match up better. Mike
you obviously didn't watch Ryans look this morning.
Red
Round of 8
Del Ballard
vs
Dino Castillo
(Guest Commentator Mike Wolfe)
Battle of Big D.
Gotta take Del Ballard for
the experience he has in this situation and his transition
makes better sense. It will be easier to follow.
Somebody tell Dino this is
not the High-Roller anymore.
Green
Round of 16
2
Rick Steelsmith
vs
Robert Smith
Not the match up Rick needs.
He does not match up against these styles of bowlers very
well at all. Robert effects lanes tremendously. The track
gives Robert something to throw at. Rick doesn't need to
help him. But what is he suppose to do to stop him.
Green
Round of 16
1
Brian Kretzer
vs
Wes Malott
I don't see anything that can
happen that will help Brian in this match he will just have
to hope he pushes oil to spots on the lane that will create
problems for Wes. I haven't seen anybody that has been able
to do it yet. The low end of the house is lower scoring than
the high end because they hook earlier and hang more. hmmm!
Wes may play to the right.
Blue
Round of 16
2
Jason Hurd
vs
Mike DeVaney
Very interesting match
that is sure to be over the left gutter. Nobody is going to
outsmart anybody until one of them is forced to go right.
The question is will they. There is that spot to the right
that is playable if you break it down or if you run out of
oil deep. Mike will run out of oil first. Maybe they will
surprise me and stay further right early so it becomes a
strike fest late.
Blue
Round of 16
1
Chris Barnes
vs
Mike Fagan
Two years from now this going
to be a good match but right now Mike doesn't know how good
his straight game is. I expect Chris to use the same
strategy he did against Tommy. He doesn't want to get into a
rev fest with Michael either. If Michael will stay with
Chris early he should be able to play off that spot late.
And he will once he understands just how good he is.
Black
Round of 16
2
Bill O'Neil
vs
Ritchie Allen
Bill is going to be tough this week as long as his opponent
doesn't challenge his path to the track. Somebody is going
to have to force his ball to slow down and not widen his
target area. Ritchie can do that but to be honest I don't
think he will be able to slow Bill down this week.
Black
Round of 16
1
Ryan Shafer
vs
Brad Angelo
(guest commentator Sean Rash)
I am pretty sure Brad is going to win this
match. Brad can create more right and Ryan is looking for
more hold. It might be different story late when some oil
gets down the lane.
Red
Round of 16
2
Jeff Carter
vs
Dino Castillo
(guest commentator Sean Rash)
Just depends on who matches
up. If Carter can get the ball to pick up in the right spot.
Dino is bowling on a high. I didn't watch Jeff's match, I
watched Dino's. They will both be in the middle part of the
lane. I am picking Dino in 6 in fashion, without a roll-off.
Red
Round 16
1
Mike Machuga
vs
Del Ballard
(guest commentator Tom Baker)
This match
will played on the inside part of the lane Del's favorite
part of the lane. He is a 5th arrow specialist (something I
am not) I have to give Machuga the edge because he has been
bowling so good and Del doesn't have the transition
experience the last couple years as Mike.
Red 1
Mike Machuga
vs
Nathan Bohr
Another
learning opportunity for Nathan. I will not be watching this
match to see who wins. I will be watching how Nathan
approaches the match mentally and strategically.
Nathan is
good but he wants to be great. Commitment to a game plan and
execution through transition is what I am looking for.
Mike is
suppose to win.

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