Green 4
Dale Traber
vs
Chris Johnson

I would not want to be bowling Dale Traber this week no matter how good I was. Dale could easily make the show this week.

 

Green 3
David Traber
vs
Norm Duke

If Norm could win on TV he would be the run a way player of the year.

Dave does have a very good look this week and he will need it to get past Norm.

Green 2
Michael Haugen
vs
Brad Angelo

Michael has some questions to answer and most of them are related to confusion. He just doesn't look like he is repeating as well as I expect him to.

Brad has some confidence issues that he seems to be getting under control. I really can see Brad starting to turn the corner in that area.

Green 1
Liz Johnson
vs
Bill O'Neil

Bill gets to deal with the pressure of bowling Liz when she can do things that the higher rev rates can not.

3 out of the 5 that qualified through the TQR made it to match-play and all 3 of them would be categorized as lower rev rates. Obviously that is a pretty good thing to have this week.

Blue 4
Mike Mineman
vs
Jason Hurd

Mike deserves a slap on the back for getting through the TQR and the qualifying rounds. That proves how good of a natural match up he is this week. That will not make it an easy match for Jason.

There are times when lower rev rates do have the advantage.

I hope Mike can run with it. He has to be one of the nicest guys I know.

Blue 3
Patrick Allen
vs
Wes Malott

It was just pointed out to me how slow this side of the house will be. These bowlers are competing on the high end of split house and the group of matches over on that side are extremely slow bowlers.

Patrick is the slowest of them all. If Wes Malott can stay awake he will win.

Blue 2
Mike Scroggins
vs
Robert Smith
(Guest commentator Chuck Gardner)

Scroggins is going to run him over. He is throwing the right company. Just teasing.

Scroggins has the big advantage because he can play his "A" game and Robert is not. Robert is trying to fire it from out.

Blue 1
Bo Goergen
vs
Andres Gomez

This look like a high-roller match. These two know each other from a different environment. Andres had a very dominant ball roll this week but he didn't have to follow his own transition. This is the round  when talent begins to separate themselves.

This is a pretty natural match up for Bo so a year on tour doesn't give Andres much of an advantage.

 

Black 4
Brian Himmler
vs
Rick Steelsmith

Here we are again Rick makes match-play with a chance to make some noise. He needs to win more in the Round of 32. Rick has been getting to this round quite frequently but as not managed to gain on the exempt number. They really ought to look into the point splits but until then Rick needs to get past this round.

This seems to be Storms week as their entire staff made match-play for the first time this year. At least that is what I heard Chris Schlemer say on the phone a couple minutes ago.

Black 3
Paul Fleming
vs
Nathan Bohr

These Texans need wins and a lot more than this round of 32 will provide.

Both Nathan and Paul are seeing the hook they would like to have seen all year. They look much more confident in what their ball is doing and their options. This match should come down to who bowls better when they want it.

NO favorite but very happy for both. They deserve to see their ball hook to.

 

Black 2
Tommy Jones
vs
Brian Voss

I expect Tommy to be effected by transition more than Brian so that is a feather in Brian's cap.

Of course betting against Tommy Jones is never a good idea.

I get the feeling this week is all about getting ready for next week. The bowlers seemed more focused than usual.

Black 1
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
vs
Tommy Delutz Jr.

Walter knows his ball is going to hook so his confidence is going to hook as well.

Tommy still has not gotten back to Tommy yet so I will side with Walter until I see his ball not hook.

Red 4
Chris Loschetter
vs
Doug Kent

When I start typing about Doug I have to catch myself before I say that I don't like some of the thinks he is doing. He has done some very good things as of late.

Watching Chris and Doug I like the way the ball is clearing Chris's hand and that is crucial this week.

I will side with Doug on this one because of the confidence factor and ball choices.

Red 3
Pete Weber
vs
Tore Toregersen

Storm vs Storm

Pete seems to be gearing up for the end of the season. His focus seems strong and I really liked what I saw in him during qualifying. It might be the free hook he is feeling but the ball was clearing his hand very well.

Red 2
Patrick Healey Jr.
vs
Ryan Shafer

Storm vs Storm

With the added friction this week finding hook is no problem. It is just a matter of who is seeing it where they want it.

This will be a tough one to pick based on reaction but I have a feeling that Ryan will win simply by making better shots in crunch time.

TV

Green
Round of 8
Norm Duke
vs
Brad Angelo

We had a blast playing mind games during practice before this match. Norm and Brad have a lot of respect for each others abilities and everybody knows how good Norm is bowling right now.

With the oil getting down lane Norm's slow speed is good but like I said earlier Brad is turning the corner as far as confidence is concerned. I don't think the winner will have it easy.

Blue
Round of 8
Patrick Allen
vs
Mike Scroggins

This is a very important match for several reasons but the most interested spectator will be Wes Malott. Patrick is the only one who can knock Wes out of the top 4 for next weeks World Championships. This is not an easy match up for either. To start the match I would say Scroggs has the better look but transition is going to be the key factor. I think Scroggs is ready.

Black
Round of 8 Walter Ray Williams Jr
vs
Paul Fleming

I am trying to figure out a way for Paul to get the exemption he deserves. After evaluating the options, watching ball reaction, looking at Paul's arsenal, and talking strategies... I think his best bet is to get as many wins as he can against Walter and bowl good the next two weeks.

That was suppose to be funny. But when Walters ball hooks he is very tough.

Red
Round of 8
Danny Wiseman
vs
Chris Loschetter

With the down lane getting tighter with each strip and re-oil my logical thinking says to pick Chris Loschetter.

Looking at the ball Danny drilled I have to think he is just as concerned. As long as Chris gets the right ball in his hands I think he will make the show.

Green
Round of 16
2
Dale Traber
vs
Norm Duke

Duke just got done with one Traber and know he has to face another. I wonder if big brother is going to defend his little brother.

It is always difficult to wrestle up in your weight class but to have to do it twice in one day may be a little more than Norm can handle.

Actually Norm is the favorite it just didn't sound as funny.

Green
Round of 16
1
Brad Angelo
vs
Liz Johnson

Buffalo rematch. Brad and Liz met one time before and Brad came out on top. I have to give Liz the advantage in this match unless Brad can make her move. Brad is liable to see the lanes being a lot tighter than the morning round while Liz is just going to find more hold.

Blue
Round of 16
2
Jason Hurd
vs
Patrick Allen
(Guest Commentator Jason Couch)

I just watched the second game in the match and Hurd missed another spare to go along with his double 2-8-10's.

Needless to say he lost game 2.

My observation was the Jason was not staying up with the transition very well

 

Blue
Round of 16
1
Bo Goergen
vs
Mike Scroggins

Battle of the domes. Bo said the fans are going to be rooting for the best looking dome. That must have been why Bo was asking for the factory polish before the match. Certainly he isn't going to need it for the Classic Zones he has been using. Mike is using the Scorchin Inferno and we all know how dangerous he can be with a B ball.

Black
Round of 16
2
Paul Fleming
vs
Brian Himmler

(Guest Commentator anonymous)

I watched one game and I wanted to throw up. Himmler was landing on two feet and Fleming looks scared.

Fleming just needs to get confident and quit trying to fix something.

Brian must be having problems with the approaches, he is off balance every shot.

Black
Round of 16
1
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
vs
Tommy Jones

I have been looking for the opportunity to say this all year. Walter is the favorite against Tommy Jones.

Nothing Tommy can do can change that unless he sabotaged the lane machine.

Red
Round of 16
2
Pete Weber
vs
Chris Loschetter

The way Pete has been attacking the lane I don't see the lanes getting any tougher for either of these bowlers. But I don't think I ever see Pete try and stay right of any bowler since his gutter days.

This could turn into a chase to the left gutter. I don't see Pete as the favorite in the match because I think he will want to see his ball change directions harder than Chris.

Red
Round 16
1
Danny Wiseman
vs
Patrick Healey Jr.

Something about the way Patrick is walking around tells me he is feeling very confident. Nothing has happened in particular but I can sense it. Danny had a great match with Mike Machuga this morning and seemed to have the same  good look he had in qualifying. I expect this round to be a little tighter.

I just have this feeling that Pat can make this match a lot closer than it is suppose to be. 

 

Red 1
Danny Wiseman
vs
Michael Machuga

Don't think just because Danny beat Mike by 326 pins that he is a huge favorite.

I will take Machuga in a one on one match most of the time. Danny has obviously fixed his flaws that I think were related to his timing. He looks a lot better at the foul line than I have seen him most of the year. Mike is having some issues with his wrist. He has it all taped up.