Truman Bartman | themavericks.ca
The 6th instalment of the Medicine Hat Mavericks and Regina Red Sox rivalry touches down at Athletic Park for just the second time this season. Their first meeting in the Gas City took place all the way back in May, with the Red Sox stunning the Mavs in comeback fashion. However, a lot has changed for both teams since that game, including a big name departing from the Red Sox organization.
In game one of the season, it was ace Aiden Shumaker who got the start and dazzled in his WCBL debut. Shumaker’s WCBL tenure did not last very long, as he left Regina in search of a new ace not even two months into the season.
Kaegan Baker has filled the void well, elevating himself into Regina’s ace role. The Oklahoma native has punished opposing hitters all season long with his reliable accuracy and ability to eat up innings in his starts. Recently named a first-time WCBL All-Star, Baker has made his rookie year in Regina one to remember.
The same can be said for David Gordon, who has been a premier option for the Red Sox out of their bullpen. Over the course of 2026, Gordon’s become one of the more underrated arms in the WCBL, regularly starring in a high-leverage reliever role for Regina. Leading his team in his and strikeouts for non-starters, there’s no doubt that Gordon will soon find himself in the Reliever of the Year conversation.
Medicine Hat has had plenty of challenges in its quest to find a bullpen arm similar to Regina’s David Gordon. Nonetheless, the Mavs are hoping that the emergence of new addition Jackson Miles may end their expedition.
Born and bred in Plano, Texas, Miles has turned in positive performances in both a starter’s role and in relief during his short stint with the Mavs. Already having his first career win under his belt and a healthy strikeout-to-walk ratio, Medicine Hat is banking on Miles to flourish as the postseason approaches.
Getting the start this evening is an arm that has already proven his worth through his first two months with Medicine Hat, as Derek Archer is in line to start. In his first matchup with Regina, Archer pitched 7 clean innings, allowing just two hits. Now having an opportunity to see the Red Sox for a second time, the one-time all-star will look to make his dominance a habit.
There’s no arguing that the play through the first half of 2026 for both Regina and Medicine Hat has been underwhelming. Thankfully, history has shown that when the pair meet, they rarely disappoint. The Regina Red Sox make their return to Athletic Park to face the Medicine Hat Mavericks in an Eastern Division faceoff.