The race for the Playoffs continued to tighten on Thursday as the Las Vegas Aristocrats and Honolulu Hammerheads continue to put pressure on the top eight teams with a focus on the three Wild Card spots that remain extremely in play for all clubs.
Here's the latest around the Roger Dorn Baseball League for Friday's action.
Falcons Look to Extend Lead
The Maltese Falcons are set to send four starters to the mound Friday with Nestor Cortes (@BOS), Sonny Gray (@TEX), Tyler Wells (vs.LAA) and Zack Wheeler (@STL) lined up for the first place club. The Falcons enter Friday with a 81.5 point lead which could extend significantly with the trailing Alamo Short Stacks without a starter Friday.
McClanahan Looks to Continue Dominant Year
Only Sandy Alcantara has outscored Hops ace Shane McClanahan on the mound this season as the lefty has posted a 1.74 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 16 starts this season. The current American League Cy Young and RDBL Activation of the Year favorite will face off against the Reds Friday afternoon.
Fish Try to Bounceback on the Mound
The Spokane Fightin' Fish lost their grip of 4th place on Thursday and will look to pick things up on the mound as the club owns a 6.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP this week with just 20.0 pitching points this Period. They will send Charlie Morton (vs.WSH) and Luis Castillo (vs.TB) to the mound with the duo combining for 64.0 points in their last outings.
Top Ducks Prospect Debuts
Third base prospect Nolan Jones was promoted to the big leagues by the Cleveland Indians and is expected to make his debut Friday. Jones was limited to start the season but was slashing .311/.417/.500 in 90 at-bats at Triple-A. Jones owns a .399 OBP in 1,615 career Minor League at-bats and could push his way into a Playoff activation for GM Ryan Walsh alongside infielder Luis Garcia.
Pressure Shifts to 'Crats Offense
The 'Crats have surged in the standings over the last 1.5 weeks with the rotation carrying the load in Period 14 with eight earned runs in 32 1/3 innings (2.23 ERA) while leading the league with . The pressure will now shift to the offense as only Shane Baz is scheduled to pitch for the remainder of the week for the 'Crats. The club currently sits 133.0 points out of the final Wild Card spot and has had a strong week at the plate so far, ranking 3rd in hitter scoring as a team with a .301/.348/.506 line.
Fringe Need More from Giolito
The Lunatic Fringe enter Friday just 42.5 points out of the Playoffs and will hand the ball to Lucas Giolito against the Tigers. Giolito owns a 4.90 ERA this season and prior to his last two outings, he posted -25.0 points combined over a four start stretch. GM Tony Guglielmi will need more help behind Alcantara and it starts with Giolito on Friday.
New Stacks Carrying the Load
The trio of Rafael Devers, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts went 6-for-12 with four home runs and a walk Thursday. The trio is 12-for-31 (.387) with five home runs and four walks since joining the Stacks on Monday.
Comments