2) Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (25-19, 50 points) vs 3) Chatham Anglers (21-21-2, 44 points)
August 9-Chatham (Michael Wagner-RHP, 2-2, 1.57 ERA) at Yarmouth-Dennis (Andrew Thurman-RHP, 3-3, 3.23 ERA), 4:00 pm.
August 10-Yarmouth-Dennis (Aaron Blair-RHP, 6-0, 1.17 ERA) at Chatham (Thomas Lawrence-RHP, 2-1, 3.55 ERA), 7:00 pm.
August 11-Chatham (Ryan Thompson-RHP, 1-3, 3.86 ERA) at Yarmouth-Dennis (Ben Lively-RHP, 0-2, 4.15 ERA), 4:00 pm (if necessary).
Season Series
Tied 3-3.
Key Matchup
Chatham Starting Pitching vs Yarmouth-Dennis Hitting
Chatham finished second in the Cape League with a 3.79 earned run average, but Yarmouth-Dennis has been a problem for the Anglers. In six meetings this season, Chatham pitching has surrendered 34 earned runs (6.12 earned run average). The good news for the Anglers is that the pitching problem with Yarmouth-Dennis has not been Michael Wagner (San Diego) or Thomas Lawrence (Maine), who have have thrown a combined three scoreless innings of relief against the Red Sox. Wagner’s and Lawrence’s ability to limit the damage will be crucial for a Chatham offense that finished at the bottom of the league in hitting. The Red Sox enter the postseason as one of the top offenses in recent Cape League history. Yarmouth-Dennis hit .300 as a team this season and received an added boost to an already potent lineup with the late-season addition Morgan Mickan (Texas State). In his last five games, Mickan has gone 9 for 14 (.643 average) with two home runs and seven runs batted in.
Quick Thoughts
One constant topic of discussion is the impact of Red Wilson Field’s small dimensions on hitting. The park has been great for the Red Sox offense this season. The Red Sox are hitting .323 at home with 26 home runs while hitting .279 on the road with only 11 home runs. Indeed, opposing hitters have also hit significantly more home runs against the Red Sox at Red Wilson Field than their home parks (27 to 15). However, opposing teams are hitting almost the exact same at both Red Wilson Field (.249 batting average) and at their home parks (.248 batting average). While Yarmouth-Dennis has scored 12 more runs at home (145 to 133), opponents have actually scored one more run at their own home parks (112 to 111). Red Wilson Field does help boost power numbers, but it might not help opposing offenses as much as one would think.
The Chatham offense has consistently found itself near the bottom of the league in hitting, but things may be turning around. The Anglers hit .224 in June, .222 in July, but in seven August games have hit .253. Andrew Knapp (UC Berkeley) has four of hit team-leading eight home runs in August to lead the way for the Anglers.
Advantage
With their top hitting and solid pitching, Yarmouth-Dennis has to be considered the favorites in this series.
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