BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON JULY 23RD, 2024. THE MAVERICKS.CA

There’s nothing better than watching two behemoths face off at the height of their powers. Tonight and tomorrow night Medicine Hat has the luxury of getting their own Medicine Hat Mavericks and visiting Regina Red Sox right in their backyard.

The Mavericks head into tonight’s game coming off of a loss against the Swift Current 57s on the road and sit 3.5 games back of the Red Sox for 1st in the East Division.

The Red Sox are coming off of a run-heavy fight against the Moose Jaw Miller Express, where they came up a run short, losing 13-12. They, along with the Mavs, are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Keys for Medicine Hat

The Mavericks haven’t coasted in July as they have stayed well above the .500 mark and have stayed within arm’s reach of the Sox. 

I spoke with infielder Blake Dale yesterday and asked him what the game plan looked like against a beast like Regina. He said, “There isn’t a whole lot you can do; they’re really good.”. 

He also mentioned that the Mavericks need to get better at not beating themselves. Dale felt as though their game against Swift Current, where they recorded just 4 hits, was because of just that.

The Mavericks’s last home game saw Evan Morrison drive in a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th against the Weyburn Beavers to clap home another comeback victory at home. It may take that against the Red Sox tonight, as this one should be cutthroat. 

Keys for Regina

The Red Sox are in the driver’s seat at the moment and control their destiny. If they can sweep the next two games, they will have likely earned the rights to the 1 seed heading into the playoffs.

Jackson Syring has had a tremendous summer and has continued to keep his foot on the gas as he looks to earn the WCBL’s Most Valuable Player award. 

His batting average sits above .400, good enough for second in the league. He was named an All-Star and participated in the home run derby just last Saturday. He will be one to watch out for tonight.

Kody Hanna, who was also named an All-Star, is also a player to keep your eyes on as he attempts to take over the league’s RBI throwing a few backs of Mavericks outfielder Jordan Phillips.

Regina’s time is now; they may end up facing off against the Mavericks along their playoff journey, and having them come through their park would certainly be an advantage.

Bottom Line

The East is full of beasts, but none bigger than these two, as they will each look to feast their way through each other’s lineups. 

The simmering heat could be the biggest obstacle for these two, as temperatures are calling for 38 degrees along with a heat advisory for Medicine Hat and the surrounding area.