The 2021 Playoffs are officially underway with four clubs looking for their first RDBL Championship while the Las Vegas Aristocrats and Spokane Fightin' Fish look to add another trophy to their collection.
Here's what we are on the lookout for Monday:
Yordan Debuts for Goutfish
A career .296/.375/.591 hitter in 749 at-bats, Alvarez will make his long-awaited Active Roster debut on Monday for the Lake Merced Goutfish who activated the outfielder Monday. Alvarez, considered the best player remaining in a Minor League deal in the RDBL, will face Chris Flexen and the Mariners Monday evening. The Goutfish also activated right-hander Dylan Cease who will make his debut later this week.
Urias Kicks Off 10-Start Week for Stacks
The 1st Period schedule pulled the Stacks way with a league-high 10 scheduled starts. Left-hander Julio Urias will kick off the week in Atlanta before a weekend start against the San Francisco Giants. Brandon Woodruff (@SF, STL), Yu Darvish (HOU, @ARZ) and Taijuan Walker (MIA, @WAS) are also slated for two starts in the period.
Stephenson Debut for Heads
With Willson Contreras on the shelf, the Hammerheads activated Tyler Stephenson onto the Active Roster. One of the more underrated assets in the RDBL, Stephenson ranks 7th in catcher scoring while slashing .289/.376/.448 in a timeshare with Tucker Barnhart for the Reds. The addition of Stephenson gives the Heads a dynamic duo with Salvador Perez who has homered in four consecutive games and has 38 bombs on the season. Perez leads all catchers in scoring by 60.0 points.
Springer Return for Grapes
While it's been a disappoint year of health for Springer, his timing to return to the field couldn't be better for the Asti Grape Stompers. When in the lineup, Springer has been a force with a .610 slugging percentage and 16 home runs in 182 at-bats. With a white-hot pitching staff, a strong offense will make the Grapes awfully scary in September.
'Crats Lean on Gilbert
The Las Vegas Aristocrats will lean on recent waiver claim Tyler Gilbert for a 2-start week, starting Monday against the Padres. Gilbert, owner of one of the more unexpected no-hitters in big league history, has performed quite well over six appearances this year with a 2.38 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 22 2/3 innings.
The Good or Bad Castillo for Fish?
Luis Castillo has been a rollercoaster for the Fightin' Fish this season, but has steadied the ship a bit in the 2nd half with a 3.56 ERA compared to a 4.67 mark in the 1st Half. The key tonight for Castillo against the Cardinals might be the first time through the lineup where he has struggled to a 4.26 ERA compared to a 2.79 ERA the second time through.
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