(Photo by Colton McKee, coltonmckeephotography.com)
BY TRUMAN BARTMAN. THEMAVERICKS.CA
It’s been a while since the Medicine Hat Mavericks have had a home game, after they embarked on a 6-game road trip across Alberta. Throughout their time on the road, the Mavs claimed four wins, which helped them extend their season win total to 21. Now the Mavericks are back home looking to stay hot.
The Weyburn Beavers are the first team on their schedule as the Mavericks prepare for a long homestand. It has been another unwelcoming summer for the Beavers, who are currently 4 games outside of a playoff spot. They’re also in the midst of one of their worst stretches, with just one win in their last 10 games. It’s hard to figure out where the Beavers’ misfortunes lie, as their squad on paper is flooded with talent.
Noah Brooks, Ian Heck, and Ryan Dauphinee have carried the Beavers offensively all summer long as expected. For Heck and Dauphinee, they have found their spark in the RBI department, with each being top 5 in the WCBL. Brooks, on the other hand, holds a batting average over .300 for the second consecutive year, making another strong all-star case for himself.
Pitching-wise, the Beavers have also been stout, with ace Ian Heck having a 3.18 ERA. Both 2024 All-Star Owen McConnell and Logan Kinter have also had big-time performances this season. Outside the Beavers’ rotation, pitching consistency has been hard to come by, and it’s hindered them as of late.
Weyburn hasn’t made the playoffs since 2019, when Phil Curtis was their head coach. There aren’t many people who want to see the Beavers make it back to the postseason as badly as Curtis, who currently resides as their pitching coach. If the Beavers can get on a roll and squeak into the playoffs, Curtis’s experience could be a major asset.
Medicine Hat already has the playoffs on its mind with an 11.5-game lead over the Beavers. The latter part of this season presents a chance for the Mavericks to ramp up their play. Knowing that the Beavers will be fighting to play in August, the Mavs will have to match their divisional foe’s intensity.
The Mavericks are back in town as they get set to see the Weyburn Beavers for the 5th time this year. After a short holiday, it’s fitting that tonight’s game theme is Christmas in July! Hopefully, the Mavericks provide their fans with plenty of cheer this evening!