Friday is shaping up to be a critical day in the race for the three coveted Wild Card spots as contenders up and down the standings are sending multiple starters to the mound. The 2023 RDBL Trade Deadline is just eight days away as the new rule pushed the date up two weeks, forcing clubs into buy or sell decisions earlier than in past seasons.
Here's a team by team overview of Friday's starters for the Wild Card contenders.
Cloverdale Clovers: Glasnow vs. ATL, Williams vs. TEX
We highlighted Tyler Glasnow as the player to watch down the stretch for the Clovers on Thursday's LBB. He will face one of the top offenses in baseball Friday as the right-hander gets the Atlanta Braves at home in a matchup of two of the top teams in baseball. The matchups don't get any easier for the Clovers as Trevor Williams will also face a tough Rangers lineup at home.
Idaho Taters: Brown vs. SEA, Civale vs. KC
The Taters continue to close the gap on 4th place as they enter Friday just 21.5 points behind the Cloverdale Clovers. Hunter Brown gets the ball against the Mariners as he looks to continue his solid Rookie season, owning a 3.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Aaron Civale has posted 16 or more points in four of his last six starts and will look to continue that hot streak against the lowly Royals.
Mission Viejo Maulers: Rodon vs. CHC, Castillo @ HOU
Friday will mark the long awaited return of Carlos Rodon who has been on the shelf since Spring Training. The Maulers acquired Rodon from the Maltese Falcons in a June deal, now slotting him behind Gerrit Cole and Luis Castillo as a potentially dominant three headed monster for the remainder of the season. Castillo enters Friday ranked 13th in starting pitcher scoring and will oppose the Astros on the road.
Las Vegas Aristocrats: Burnes vs. CIN
The 'Crats continue to hang around as they enter Friday 13.0 points out of the final Wild Card spot with their ace Corbin Burnes on the mound. A dominant start could have President of Baseball Ops Nick Holz thinking about adding before the July 15th deadline after it was reported Thursday that the club is likely to undergo a reshuffle in their Front Office this off-season.
Lunatic Fringe: Alcantara vs. PHI, Montgomery @ CHW, Hill @ ARZ
The Fringe have backed up a 443.5 point week with 197.0 already this week. They can add to that in a big way with Sandy Alcantara, Jordan Montgomery and Rich Hill on the mound Friday. While Alcantara has been a shell of his former self this season with a 4.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, the 2022 RDBL Pitcher of the Year is capable of dominance down the stretch.
Meinert Hops: Gallen vs. PIT, Lynch @ CLE
The Hops are banged up as they head into the All-Star Break with Shane McClanahan, Thairo Estrada and Jorge Polanco all hitting the IL recently. That makes Friday's starts from Zac Gallen and Daniel Lynch critical to keep pace in the Wild Card race. GM Garrett Shelley is likely to be the most aggressive GM before the July 15th deadline according to sources close to the club with offense the likely target with the current group ranking just 13th in scoring.
Honolulu Hammerheads: Ober vs. BAL
The Heads had a breakout Period 14, ranking second in scoring in the RDBL but have not been able to back it up in Period 15 with just 91.5 points entering Friday. With a ton of pitching above them today, Bailey Ober is staring down an important start against a tough Orioles offense as the Heads look to keep pace in the Wild Card hunt.
Burlingame Blue Ducks: Abbott @ MIL, Gonsolin vs. LAA, Manoah @ DET
It feels like a make or break day for GM Ryan Walsh as the Ducks have managed just 69.0 points in Period 15 and badly need a breakout day as they have fallen to 13th. All eyes will be on the big league return of Alek Manoah who enters his start against the Tigers with a 6.36 ERA and 1.90 WHIP.
コメント