Doubleheaders across the International League today–including right here in the Lehigh Valley–have the potential to create some noticeable movement in the standings.
About Last Night
Is the Crizzler crumpling? Two straight bad outings for Crismatt has the IronPigs faithful concerned. The ‘Pigs got sort of boat-raced last night, at one point trailing 8-1. These Pigs don’t go away easily, though, so they were able to pull within 6-8, but alas, my guy Zuni–Guillo Zuñiga–had his first really bad outing, giving up 6 runs. With the microscope on relievers these days, always looking at who is able to put out the fire. M Mercado looked to have two clean innings, but really, he allowed two inherited runners from Crismatt to score. Aoyagi looked to have a pretty good outing scattering 2 hits, but really he allowed two of Zuni’s runs to score. Anyway, not a great night for the Colombian tandem of Crismatt and Zuñiga at the end of the day.
On the hit side, Christian Arroyo had a 4-hit night bringing his batting average up to .308. Young Justin Crawford had three hits and a walk, bringing his batting average up to .326 and on-base up to .389. The IronPigs left 10 guys on base in the game.
Playoffs Watch
Jacksonville won yesterday pulling them to within 3.5 games of the IronPigs. Durham lost, keeping them at 4.0 games back. Scranton beat Nashville, keeping Nashville at 3.5 games back.
We’ve looked at the schedules for Durham and Jacksonville already, and determined that the IronPigs schedule is more advantageous. Nashville is starting to make me nervous, so let’s take a look at who they play over the next four series (after this weekend with Scranton visiting) leading up to the June 22 first-half conclusion:
At Indianapolis (27-20)
Home Gwinnett (21-28)
At Norfolk (17-30)
Home Iowa (26-20)
The Sounds play the top two closest teams in the IL West over this stretch, and the Norfolk series cancels out because the IronPigs play them next week. The last week they have to contend with Iowa and the talented Cubs affiliate, while we’ll be here playing Rochester and their complete lack of pitching. Advantage: IronPigs.
Game Day!
Let’s Play Two!
It’s two 7-inning games in a single-admission doubleheader, making up the missed game from Thursday. Your Saturday ticket is good for both games. If you hold Thursday tickets, trade them in for any other game this season (based on availability).
Game 1 first pitch at 4:35PM. All gates open at 3:30PM
Promotions: Post-game fireworks, perhaps some Military Night promotion carries over from Thursday
Pitching:
Game 1: RHP Kyle Tyler (4-2, 3.40) vs. RHP Adam Klofferstein (0-0, 10.13)
Game 2: RHP Mick Abel (5-2, 2.53) vs. RHP Andrew Bash (3-0, 2.08)
Note: IronPigs media has this order specifically, while MiLB is more vague about who starts when.
UPDATE: Latest from IronPigs is that Abel/Koffenstein is first game.
Analysis: IronPigs with two strong starters should be able to cover the 14 innings (minimum) tonight pretty well. Abel, coming off his MLB debut, we expect him to be dialed in, using that Phillies outing to boost confidence and stay dialed in. He doesn’t seem like a guy to ‘big-league’ a start.
Klofferstein is working back from an early-season injury, has had a couple nice rehab starts, but got roughed up by Worcester in his first start with Buffalo. Book on him is low-90s fastball and two above average breakers, a curve and a slider. He will throw the change to lefties. Big guy with good extension. IronPigs should try to get to him early, if possible, not only to get a lead but to get to the bullpen and use up some Buffalo pitching in the first game setting up some advantage in the second game.
This is a spot-start for Bash and perhaps a bullpen game for Buffalo. Bash could go as many as three innings. Scouting report says that he does not give up a ton of walks, and that his slider/sweeper combo are his best pitches, which he pairs with a 4-sm fastball.
Weather: 62° and partly sunny at game time. Windy. In the mid-50s with the winds abating a bit by fireworks time.
Pigs Parlay: 7-inning games. Take the unders. (note: I’ve been really bad at this.)
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Kram