The first half of the season is in the books as the IronPigs closed out a home series with Worcester with a loss, clinching the series split. Syracuse is in town to open the second half of 2026 baseball at Coca Cola Park.
Looking Back
The IronPigs went 35-40 in the first half, 12.0 games back of the International League leader, Memphis (STL). Of course, they play a completely different set of opponents so it makes just that much sense. The IronPigs were 20-19 at home, so we did see winning baseball around here.
The International League East was led by Rochester, who finished 1.0 game behind Memphis. Jacksonville and Charlotte were the next tier, 3.5 and 4.0 games behind Rochester. The next grouping finished in the .500 neighborhood: Worcester, Syracuse and Scranton. Buffalo and the IronPigs were 5.0 games below .500, while the bottom tier was Norfolk and Durham, 7.0 games behind the Bisons and the Pigs.
A further look at what the team put up this season finds that they scored 372 runs, which was only bested by Charlotte (480), Rochester (385) and Jacksonville (379). However, the Pigs allowed 415 runs to score, for a -43 run differential. That was worse than any other team, except Norfolk (424, -96) and Durham (445, -109).
Fixing The Playoffs: Look, it’s just not that important to have a bunch of playoffs–not to the powers that be, anyway. MLB wants Triple-A to be for spare parts for the big league teams and a place for their extra 40-man players to get regular playing time. They keep us playing well into September these days so that players are sharp if needed for the end of the season and/or the MLB playoffs. So, if they want the first-half/second-half structure, just limit it to the International League East. So Rochester would be our winner and they would play a game or three against the IL-East second half winner for a short playoff and then the winner gets a plaque. Done. Nice and tidy and nobody has to travel that far, and everyone’s done in time for the MLB playoffs. The West and the Pacific Coast League can have a similar system. Don’t worry about crowning a Triple-A overall champion. Nobody really cares that much, it seems. If they don’t care enough to make the schedule fair or symmetric, then no reason to stress about a massive playoff system.
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Enter Syracuse
The Pigs were up in the Salt Town for a standard series back when April was turning into May. That was when the wheels came off for the 2026 ‘Pigs. They were flying high coming off a 5-1 series win down in Durham when they got smashed 1-5 up in Syracuse. They went from 2.5 games back in the entire league to 7th place, all in one series.
RHP Ofreidy Gomez is on this team. Back in 2022 he appeared in 14 games with Reading and 24 games with the IronPigs. Our old friend Guillo Zuñiga is on this team as well. INF Christian Arroyo is on the injured list. INF Francisco Lindor will be with the team at least on Tuesday, for rehab; we’ll see where it goes from there. OF Christian Pache is another familiar name playing for the Smets. As far as top prospects go, look for RHP Jonah Tong, 1B/OF Ryan Clifford, who came over in the Verlander trade, and RHP Jack Wenninger. OF Nick Morabito just misses the top 10.
Last week Syracuse took a home series against the cellar dweller Tides, 4-2.
Paint Man
This week, we welcome the return of one Andrew Painter. Unfortunately, it didn’t go like I predicted before the season, but he’ll be here working on his delivery and command–and work on putting that together. His return was predicted, though.
[UPDATED]
Looks like not until Sunday at the soonest or Painter–which makes sense as they make changes in his delivery–unless they push him into next week in Rochester.
Rotation and matchups this week:
Tuesday: LHP Tucker Davidson (3-3, 6.43) vs RHP Jack Wenninger (3-5, 3.34)
Wednesday: RHP Brian Keller (0-1, 4.40) vs TBD
Thursday: RHP Chuck King (4-3, 3.99) vs LHP Zach Thornton (1-3, 4.80)
Friday: RHP Drake Fellows (0-1, 5.73) vs RHP Johah Tong (1-5, 6.30)
Saturday: LHP Kolby Allard (2-1, 4.29) vs RHP Xzavion Curry (2-0, 4.54)
Sunday: TBA vs TBA
Transactions
Oldest to newest..
- OF Steward Berroa optioned from Phillies
- RHP Max Lazar called up to Phillies
- RHP Andrew Bechtold to the 7-Day Injured List
- RHP Evan Gates promoted from AA Reading
- RHP Andrew Painter optioned from Phillies
- LHP Tanner Banks optioned from Phillies
- RHP Bryse Wilson added to 40-man and called up to Phillies
- RHP Seth Johnson called up to Phillies
- LHP Kolby Allard signed to minor league contract and assigned to IronPigs
Phillies moves Monday:
- RHP Alan Rangel to Phillies
- RHP Bryse Wilson Designated for Assignment
- RHP Max Lazar optioned to IronPigs
- LHP Kyle Backhus activated for Phillies
- OF Cade Fergus, who had been with Reading, was released
Printable Roster (6/20): 062026 LHV Roster
Going On At The Park This Week
We’ve got 6:45PM first pitch all week, with 6:35PM on Saturday and 1:15PM on Sunday. Gate times are 5:15PM Club/Suites and 5:30PM Main/Center Field all week except Thursday. On Saturday look for 5:00PM/5:15PM and on Sunday 11:45AM/12:00PM.
Tuesday: Pride Night, Tail Waggin’ (bring the pup), Clack Fan Giveaway (Adults). (Dollar Dogs resume in September)
Wednesday: The Office Night with Kate Flannery, Tacos and Tallboys
Thursday: Margaritaville Night, Happy Hour 5PM-7PM, All Gates: 5PM, Cap Giveaway (Adults)
Friday: USA 250 Night, Corn Holder Giveaway (Adults), Fireworks
Saturday: T-Shirt Giveaway, Fireworks
Sunday: Jurassic Pork, Cap Giveaway (Adults), Post-Game Kids Run Bases
What To Watch
- Watch out for Mets fans who think these games are really important. If necessary, ask them how their weekend was last week.
- Watch to see if Lindor stays for more than one game.
- Watch to see if some pitchers start moving. Some of the prospect-level arms from Clearwater have made it to Jersey Shore; we should start to see some movement to Reading and maybe a promotion or two to the IronPigs now that we’re in the second half. I’m looking at Adam Seminaris, Luke Russo and Braydon Tucker from the starters and Alex McFarlane and Christian McGowan from the relievers. Nobody is completely dominating right now, but those are the guys who could be ready for a challenge.
- The Phillies roster is far from complete. But carrying three catchers is probably not forever. Watch how Rene Pinto plays this week and if they can try to sneak Stubbs or Marchan through waivers.
- Watch to see how much Berroa plays. I think he only played one game last week after getting sent down–could be some time off for him or perhaps he’s nursing an injury. Also don’t think he’s pulling a “Hector Luna” with this–doesn’t seem like the type.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
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