BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON MAY 31, 2024. THE MAVERICKS.CA
The Mavericks are red hot as of late winning 3 of their first 4 games coming into tonight’s matchup against the Swift Current 57s.
What we know
The 57s enter tonight with a 1-2 record and are coming off of a disappointing loss to the Fort McMurray Giants, losing 5-0. They currently sit two games back of the first-place Regina Red Sox and could use a division win over the Mavs to stay in the chase.
The Mavericks enter today as favorites, holding a 3-1 record, which is good enough for 2nd place in the East division. They put up a season-high 19 hits just a night ago and look to maintain their home run-heavy offense.
Keys for Medicine Hat
The Mavericks have taken over early in most of their games. They have been able to relax in the later stages, but that has also allowed the opposition to produce down the stretch.
This hasn’t been a problem for the team yet but it is something to keep a close eye on in this one. If Swift Current keeps things tight it will be interesting to see if the Mavs can continue to slug deep into games.
Low-scoring games are also something that the Mavericks haven’t seen a lot of due to the amount of five-tool players they have.
One of the biggest questions the Mavs will eventually have to answer is how will they be able to find a way to win when the bats aren’t fully active.
The Mavericks have a well-oiled machine as it stands and there are no signs that suggest they’re going to slow down anytime soon.
Keys for Swift Current
The 57s entered a new era a few seasons ago as their champion head coach Joe Carnahan (Now Head Coach of the Saskatoon Berries) packed his bags. Jason Veyna took over as head coach for the team and looks to continue the franchise’s winning ways.
As for the players themselves, it’s been a difficult start from a batting perspective. The 57s are averaging just .250 as a team over their first couple of games. If they want to beat the Mavericks their bats will need to pick it up.
From a pitching standpoint, the 57s are strong with star pitcher Kenny Jinks returning to the team and already claiming a win in his first start. Adam Korte is the pitcher on the block out of Muenster, Saskatchewan. Korte tossed 4.2 clean innings in his debut and looks to make up a nice one-two punch with Jinks. Regardless of who steps in to pitch tonight, the 57s should feel good about their chances.
Bottom Line
It will be a battle of Swift Current’s flamethrowers vs Medicine Hat’s home-run smokers. The clash begins at 7:05 pm from sunny Athletic Park.