Bears vs Volcanoes

It is almost mid-July already and the season is flying by fast.  The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes play host to the east leading Yakima Bears in this second and final 5 game series between these two teams.  In the opening series the Bears took the series 3-2 and look to improve on that mark as they sit just two games ahead of the Tri-City Dust Devils for first place of the first half of the season.  With the Dust Devils facing a strong team in the Everett AquaSox for five games, the Bears could have a great opportunity to add some more breathing room in their hunt for a playoff spot.

For the Volcanoes this series will make or break any hope they have of clinching a playoff spot during the first half of the season.  Sitting eight games out of first place the Volcanoes need to not only win the series but most likely will need to take 4 of the 5 games to start closing the gap on all three teams above them.

Keys to the series

• The Volcanoes have gotten a lot of players on base, but the goal of the game isn’t to get people on base, it’s to score runs.  The team needs to avoid the bases loaded strikeout and start looking to put the ball in play.
• The Bears have a 2.15 team ERA.  The next closest team is Everett at 3.24.  Great pitching has been a key to the Bear’s season and if they keep it up through this series they will have a great chance of taking another series win.  A few runs early in a game for the Bears could spell trouble for any opposing team.
• The Bear’s hitters have struck out a league fewest 148 times.  This puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses to make the play and for the Volcanoes a strong defensive showing in all five games is going to be needed to keep the games manageable.  Shortstop Matt Duffy will need to demonstrate once again his soft hands and strong arm.
• Neither team is particularly strong at base stealing but knowing when to run and executing hit and runs will be important for both teams.  For the Volcanoes that may be the best way to move runners and get them into scoring position.  For the Bears stealing a base or executing hit and runs may be what is needed to keep rallies going and to jump on a Volcanoes team that can get down on themselves really quick.

Players to Watch

• Josh Parr – Six homeruns already in this season is a great start and leads the league.  Parr was taken in the 12^th round of the 2011 draft and although his average is not the greatest he is showing future potential with his power.  If Parr can go opposite field and can get the ball up in the wind stream he may just add a few more homeruns over the five games.
• Joe Rapp – After starting the season a little slow Rapp has suddenly gone cranked it up with 5 homeruns in his last 10 games.  Rapp has shown a great deal of power to the opposite field, taking outside fastballs and putting them up in the jet stream that exists at Volcanoes stadium.  The Bears pitching is the stingiest in the league at allow runs but if Rapp can keep making opposing pitchers pay for mistakes he will be a key player in this series.
• Alexander Carreras – Leading the league with 4 wins and boasting a 2.57 ERA, Carreras will look to keep things going against the Volcanoes.  If he can get ahead of batters early in counts and keep the ball down he may be able to keep the Volcanoes offense in check.

  

• Cody Wheeler – Usually when a pitcher has a .73 ERA it means they are a specialist out of the bullpen and not a starter who is 3-0 with 24 innings pitched.  Wheeler would normally be a front runner for NW League Pitcher of the Year but this is no ordinary year for pitching in the NW League.  (I’m also pumped to watch Wheeler pitch because of the mustache he is sporting in his profile picture)
• Joan Gregorio – Of all the pitchers with 3 or more wins in the NW League Gregorio has the highest ERA at 4.39 but that doesn’t take away from the potential this 20 year old has.  At 6’7” he is able to get a nice downward motion on his pitches, but when you watch him he is still a little clumsy.  If he can get a little more control of his body on the mound he may just become a dominating pitcher.