Tue. 9/12 - Playoff Baseball in Zebulon; Shuckers Begin a Huge Week

[Mass Haas]

This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Tuesday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

[Mass Haas]

The best-of-three series is as follows (times listed are Central):

• Tuesday: Down East Wood Ducks at Carolina Mudcats, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Carolina Mudcats at Down East Wood Ducks, 6:00 p.m.
• Friday: Carolina Mudcats at Down East Wood Ducks, 6:00 p.m. (if necessary)

The winner of this Northern Division series will play the winner of the Southern Division series, which pits the Charleston RiverDogs against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

[wibadgers23]

So I’m looking at the International League West standings and there is no first half winner marked. What am I missing? I see one for the East league (Norfolk) but not the West.

[wibadgers23]

Now would be a really good time for Chourio to get on one of his heaters, lead Biloxi past Montgomery and show us why he’s the 2nd ranked prospect in all of baseball.

[Jake McKibbin]

Just now, wibadgers23 said:

Now would be a really good time for Chourio to get on one of his heaters, lead Biloxi past Montgomery and show us why he’s the 2nd ranked prospect in all of baseball.

Especially against a player almost his equal in many respects in Junior Caminero

[wiguy94]

17 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

So I’m looking at the International League West standings and there is no first half winner marked. What am I missing? I see one for the East league (Norfolk) but not the West.

They changed the AAA playoff format. The entire Inernational league gets 2 playoff teams. It’s not split into divisions. Norfolk won the IL in the first half and Durham is winning in the second half.

[wibadgers23]

20 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

They changed the AAA playoff format. The entire Inernational league gets 2 playoff teams. It’s not split into divisions. Norfolk won the IL in the first half and Durham is winning in the second half.

Ok makes sense now. Thanks!

[Joseph Zarr]

We couldn't ask for a better set of circumstances to watch the final six games of the Shuckers regular season. This is a true gift to us as fans. Hopefully, the players respond with some incredible baseball and hopefully we are gifted with another set of post-season circumstances.

I am still pinching myself over the two plays SS Freddy Zamora made in the 8th inning of game 5 at Birmingham to ensure the tying runs didn't cross home plate. I've been looking for that defense in key spots for over a year...and to get it at the most crucial of moments was just awesome as a fan. Just awesome. 

[Joseph Zarr]

The first Montgomery series of 2023 began as the calendar flipped to May. It was a 3-3 series split @ Montgomery. A sign of thing to come between the two teams, the Shuckers lost their three combined games by a grand total of 3 runs. The two first place foes matched up just three weeks later and split another series, at Biloxi this time, 3-3. 

Just around the bend, the Shuckers traveled to Montgomery again in mid-June. After a 10-8 game 1 victory, the Shuckers saw  a game 2 rain-out (part of a double-header in the same series) and the loss of any momentum, apparently. They did manage to take game 2 in a 6-0 shutout but they ultimately lost the series 4-2. In a call back to their earlier head-to-head road series, the Shuckers lost their final two games by a grand total of two runs.

The Shuckers headed back to Montgomery on July 18th, a road series that set up this final homestand. The Shuckers took the series 4-2,. And, well, they lost the two games by a whopping two runs.

Do you sense a theme at this point?

I would casually opine: 

The new look Shuckers bullpen may indeed be the key to squeaking out some of these one-run losses that have haunted the Shuckers in all their previous series with the Biscuits in 2023. If they can hold serve as they've repeatedly done over the past two series (aside from one blow-up in Birmingham), the Shuckers should give themselves the opportunities they may need to squeak a couple tight ones out themselves.

[Mass Haas]

 

[brewmann04]

Biloxi best players need to step up in this series 

[Joseph Zarr]

30 minutes ago, brewmann04 said:

Biloxi best players need to step up in this series 

That would definitely be ideal. BUT, I would be remiss if I didn't simply share: a lot of Shuckers have stepped up in the second half. The team is more than capable of winning as a group. They simply need to stick to the fundamentals. That may sound absolutely cheezy as all get out but what has won them 11 of 12 is lots of sticks stepping up at opportune moments and really good pitching and really good defense for the most part. 

[wibadgers23]

So the Shuckers need to win at least 4 of the 6 games to clinch a playoff berth. I’m feeling pretty confident!

[Joseph Zarr]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

HUGE:

Adding all three of these players (and, don't sleep on Kahle's unassuming manner and stature - he has been huge in moments for the Shuckers in 2023) is very very large for this closeout series. EBJ and Wilken could both see a start or two here - it would be completely validated. EBJ is always a dangerous pinch-running threat. You swap in an up-trending Smith replacing two of the more struggling members of the Shuckers bullpen (a bullpen that has been pitching much better over the past 12 games)...these are pivotal adds for the playoff push.

So far, though I'm sure we'll possibly learn more as the series progresses, I haven't been able to uncover any late promotions/re-assignments to the Biscuits from within the Rays organization. Interestingly, however, RHP Victor Castaneda was re-assigned to Montgomery earlier in September. He hasn't really pitched all that much whatsoever in 2023 and when he has the results haven't been all that good. Regardless, I'm sure it will be nice for his ex-teammates and ex-manager/coaches to meet up with the former Brewer.

[wiguy94]

I do wonder how much playing time EBJ and Wilken will get. Murray and Zamora haven’t exactly been on fire at the plate lately. 

I imagine we see something like this.

C: Quero/Clarke

1B: Martinez/Clarke/Warren

2B: Zamora/Murray

3B: Wilken/Warren

SS: EBJ/Zamora

LF: Collins/Rodriguez

CF: Chourio

RF: Sparks/Rodriguez

DH: Clarke/Warren/Collins/Quero

[wiguy94]

Ashby is being sent to Biloxi this week. I really pray he doesn’t blow Biloxi’s playoff chances. Seems like a very questionable call from management not to just send him to Nashville 

[damuelle]

Low-A Carolina plays their first playoff game since 2008, hosting Rangers' affiliate Down East in Game One of their best-of-3 Division Series. 21-year old RHP Logan Henderson (in 12-team Carolina League: 5th in ERA - 2.75, 2nd in WHIP - 0.97, 10th in K/9 - 12.1) gets today's start.

1B Jesus Chirinos (.899 OPS - 2nd in league) powers the offense, which includes two slight surprises (Juan Baez > Luke Adams at 3B, Gregory Barrios > Daniel Guilarte at SS). Go Mudcats!!! 

[Joseph Zarr]

54 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I do wonder how much playing time EBJ and Wilken will get. Murray and Zamora haven’t exactly been on fire at the plate lately. 

I imagine we see something like this.

C: Quero/Clarke

1B: Martinez/Clarke/Warren

2B: Zamora/Murray

3B: Wilken/Warren

SS: EBJ/Zamora

LF: Collins/Rodriguez

CF: Chourio

RF: Sparks/Rodriguez

DH: Clarke/Warren/Collins/Quero

For as good as Wilken has been since his assignment, it is worth mentioning:

Warren Named Southern league Player of the Week

Quote

Since the start of September, Warren is hitting .419 (13-31) with two doubles, a triple and two home runs. He also owns a .472 on-base percentage and a 1.214 OPS.

Lotttttttta worthwhile infield and offensive candidates, suddenly, on the left side of the diamond and DH spot. Great problem to have for manager Mike Guerrero. 

[Joseph Zarr]

You almost got it smack dab @wiguy94:

Wilken gets an immediate start (and, let's be honest, this is an immediate defensive upgrade at 3B) at the hot corner. Collins bumps to LF while Murray brings his stalwart glove to 2B. Zamora is rewarded for his fantastic defense at Birmingham while Clarke moves to the DH slot with his League-leading 24 HR on the season. Rodriguez stays in RF where his League-leading BA and speed will look to be utilized in the sixth spot of the batting order. 

Looking at this line up my sole concern is the ongoing output of LHP Adam Seminaris. All season long, pre and post rehab, he has been prone to a big inning. The Shuckers can't have that in this series. Hopefully, he can buckle down.

[damuelle]

The Mudcats face formidable 20-year old RHP Brock Porter in this opening game: 2.47 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 12.3 K/9. They also played him 9 days ago (that's actually his last outing), scoring 1 run on 3 hits in 4 innings. He's been exiting at about 55 pitches in recent starts, but had gone as high as 74 pitches earlier.

But offensively, most of Down East's top performers were promoted to High-A, helping explain their 29-37 second half record. RF Quincy Scott (.856 OPS), CF Blackmon (.669), LF Villarroel (.602), DH Piotto (.699), C Moller (.619), 3B Figuereo (.623), 1B Calarco (.491), 2B Hurdle (.531), SS Cueva (.591).

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, damuelle said:

The Mudcats face formidable 20-year old RHP Brock Porter in this opening game: 2.47 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 12.3 K/9. They also played him 9 days ago (that's actually his last outing), scoring 1 run on 3 hits in 4 innings. He's been exiting at about 55 innings in recent starts, but had gone as high as 74 pitches earlier.

But offensively, most of Down East's top performers were promoted to High-A, helping explain their 29-37 second half record. RF Quincy Scott (.856 OPS), CF Blackmon (.669), LF Villarroel (.602), DH Piotto (.699), C Moller (.619), 3B Figuereo (.623), 1B Calarco (.491), 2B Hurdle (.531), SS Cueva (.591).

55 inning starts?!?

 

I'm just playing with ya'...Porter is a stud. Should be an exciting game 1. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Screen Numero Dos has been fired up and we are warming up in Zebulon and Nashville. It's a beautiful thing...September baseball. 

Don't forget, folks, the Mudcats Division Series Game 1 is indeed the Minor League 'Game of the Day'. Tune in Live for FREE right HERE