(Photo by Colton McKee, coltonmckeephotography.com)

BY TRUMAN BARTMAN. THEMAVERICKS.CA

Monday was a much-needed day of rest for the Mavericks after a disappointing weekend in Regina. Medicine Hat was outscored 23-3 in their two games against the Red Sox. For a team that has hit as well as the Mavs have over their first 17 games, their recent outings have been shocking. Luckily, there is still lots of baseball to be played as the Brooks Bombers make their final visit to Athletic Park this evening.

Brooks has been on a downward slide as of late, losing 5 games in a row. It doesn’t help that they also suffered an 8-1 loss against the Mavs earlier this season. The Bombers sit in last place in the West Division; however, they’re just a half a game back of the Energy City Cactus Rats for the final playoff spot. 

It’s still early, but all signs have pointed towards the Bombers being a step behind their fellow WCBL counterparts. A win against a high-powered team like the Mavericks would only lift their spirits.

One avenue that the Bombers can exploit within the Mavs’ makeup is their pitching. Medicine Hat’s team ERA sits at a measly 6.19, and outside of Xander Roberts, Luis Diaz, and Diego Centella, consistency has been hard to come by. 

Fawster Voytko, who has struggled in his first three starts, will get the nod as he looks to secure his first win as a member of the Mavs. The good news for Voytko is that he’s proved in the past that he can get the job done. At Ottawa University, he showed out all season long, leading the Braves to 7 wins and just one loss. It’s fair to say that Voytko is due.

The same can be said about the Bombers. Eventually, they’re going to figure things out and land themselves back in the win column. The likes of Wyatt Ormonde and Maddox Shaver have kept their stellar play up despite the Bombers’ skid and are going to be called upon to lift their group out of their current position. 

For the final time in 2025, the Mavericks and Bombers will contend in the Trans Canada Tilt. There’s no need for a jacket, as temperatures are expected to reach 28 degrees at gametime. It should be another thrilling one from Athletic Park as the Mavs aim to make it 9 in a row at home.