BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON JULY 28TH, 2024. THE MAVERICKS.CA
The 57s will visit the Mavericks on their home turf for the final time this season. They will travel in from Swift Current after beating the Weyburn Beavers 6-4 last night.
The Mavericks were just down the Trans-Canada Highway in Brooks, where they showed they were Bombers more than the actual Bombers by hitting 7 home runs and winning 18-6.
The last time these two faced off, the 57s pulled out a win in a tight-knit game. The final score sat at 6-4 with pitcher Jorge Maza-Leon pulling out the win for Swift.
The season series currently sits at 4-2 for the Mavericks with 3 games left to be played between the two clubs.
Keys for Medicine Hat
It has been a historic season for the Medicine Hat Mavericks, as their stars have come to play and broken countless records while also maintaining one of the top spots in the East Division.
After a short slump, Nick Thibodeau has rejuvenated his game and has also moved into second place all-time for home runs in a season with 10.
He hit a game-tying nuke to center field in his last appearance at Athletic Park, coming off the bench.
And how about the performance that Jaden Babiuk just had? A two-homer night in which he also had 5 RBIs. Babiuk had not hit one out all year long, but I’m sure it was well worth the wait.
The Mavericks have had trouble in low-scoring close games, and it seems as though sometimes they play down to their competition. A hot start could help the boys in red and white control this game’s flow and potentially the outcome.
Keys for Swift Current
The 57s have officially been eliminated from the playoffs as they’re 10 games back of the Moose Jaw Miller Express with just over a week to go in the regular season.
This will be the first time as a WCBL team, and in over a decade, the 57s will not play postseason baseball.
They have been the gold standard for consistency as a franchise, and it will be weird not hearing their name come playoff time.
One thing that is a positive for the 57s in the play of Jose Ayala. He and his brother Luis have both been key additions for the 57s in 2024, and Jose is still in the home run chase as he sits just 3 shy of the lead.
Athletic Park isn’t the easiest place to hit home runs, but if anyone can go yard, it will be Ayala.
Bottom Line
Tickets have been flying off of the shelves, so the park should be packed for today’s 2:05 start. Fans will also be delighted to know that the Mavericks plan on starting superstar arm Jacob Petersheim.
It should be a fun one down at Athletic Park, as fans will get one last look at the Swift Current 57s on a beautiful summer day.