For an in depth review of yesterday’s games please check out our minor league wrap-up which can be found here. The VSL Pirates clinched their 6th straight season title and will now take on the Rays in the playoffs, a best of three series that will begin today. The GCL and DSL teams both had off yesterday. Altoona has off today before beginning a three game series in New Britian on Tuesday night. I will be in Lakewood covering the West Virginia Power for the site tonight.
AAA: Indianapolis (60-56) @ Toledo (54-62) 7:00pm
Probable starter: Sean Gallagher (5-11 5.23)
Indianapolis is tied for 2nd place in their division, 13.5 games behind the Columbus Clippers. In the wildcard standings they sit in 5th place, 5 games back. They have 28 games left in their season including 12 with Louisville who they are tied with in the wild card race.
AA: Altoona (50-63) @ New Britian (56-58) 7:05pm 8/9
Probable starter: Jeff Locke (6-8 4.22)
Jeff has made 21 starts and one relief appearance this year. He is the Altoona team leader in strikeouts with 108 and his 119.1 innings pitched is just behind team leader Aaron Pribanic. In his 4 starts since the all-star break Jeff has a 1-0 2.52 record over 25 innings pitched. He allowed one run over 7 innings on Wednesday night.
High-A: Bradenton (57-56 overall 27-16 2nd half) VS Jupiter (49-64 overall 17-26 2nd half) 7:00pm
Probable starter: Nate Baker (6-7 3.91)
Nate will get his team leading 20th start of the year tonight. He has also made 4 relief appearances and has pitched a total of 112.2 innings. He allowed 4 earned runs over 6 innings in his last start on Wednesday. It was the most runs he has allowed since early June. This year he has a 2.92 ERA on the road and a 4.77 mark at home. In 52.1 innings on the road this year he has not allowed a single home run.
Low-A: West Virginia (54-57 overall 19-24 2nd half) @ Lakewood (56-54 overall 23-19 2nd half) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Porfirio Lopez (1-4 4.33)
Porfirio will make his 2nd start of the season tonight, he had previously pitched 24 games in relief before getting a start last Tuesday. He lasted just 2.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out four. He has faced Lakewood three times this year and allowed just one run over 7 innings of work. Between Bradenton and WV this year he has a combined 3-5 4.71 record over 49.2 innings with 44 strikeouts.
Short Season A: State College (19-31) @ Jamestown (27-23) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Ryan Hafner(1-3 3.19)
Ryan has made 8 starts this year and one relief appearance. He has pitched 36.2 total innings, 3rd highest total on the team. His 22 strikeouts ranks him 4th and he has allowed just one home run. In his last start on Wednesday, he went 5 innings allowing one earned run. It was the first time in his pro career he pitched at least 5 innings while giving up one earned run or less.
Rookie: GCL Pirates (23-19) VS GCL Tigers (20-22) 12:00pm
The GCL Pirates are currently in 2nd place, five games back in the standings.
VSL: VSL Pirates (40-32) VS VSL Rays (38-33) 11:00am
The VSL Pirates have finished their season and will begin the playoffs today.
DSL: DSL Pirates (36-19) VS DSL Yankees2 (23-35) 10:30am
The DSL Pirates are in 2nd place, one half game back of the DSL Royals who they play two more times this year. Their season ends on August 19th.
