Mavericks to meet Bulls in first round after finishing atop WMBL standings

By Ryan McCracken on July 30, 2018.

NEWS FILE PHOTO
Sal Rodriguez (20) and Reed Odland (15) of the Medicine Hat Mavericks tap helmets after Odland hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning of their game against the Edmonton Prospects Friday, July 6, 2018 at Athletic Park. The Mavericks, who finished atop the WMBL this season, host the Lethbridge Bulls in the first round of the playoffs beginning Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Mavericks locked up the best record in the Western Major Baseball League with a pair of victories on the road this weekend —now it’s time to make it matter in the playoffs.

The 38-9 Mavericks will open the playoffs Tuesday at Athletic Park against the 19-29 Bulls after sweeping the season series 6-0 with Saturday’s 12-3 victory — but given the rapidly-paced post-season to come, Hat head coach Andrew Murphy says they won’t be taking anyone lightly.

“The middle of their order can really do some damage if you leave some balls over the plate,” said Murphy, adding starting pitcher Matt Brooks will be on the hill to open the best-of-five Western Division semifinal series Tuesday. “Iknow they can put a good game together, so it’ll be tough.”

The Mavericks muscled their way to the top of the WMBL standings thanks to unrivaled depth both in their batting order and on the team’s pitching staff — something Murphy says will need to continue if they hope to transition their success into a championship.

“I think that’s definitely where the success has come this summer, the depth of our team,” he said. “Summer ball is an absolute grind, you can’t just throw out the same guys every single day and you can’t play the same guys every single day. So the back ups or the guys at the lower end of the bullpen are probably just as good as the top guys.It helps offensively and especially in the pitching category.”

Medicine Hat followed up Saturday’s win over Lethbridge with a 7-5 victory over the Brooks Bombers in Sunday’s regular season finale at Elks Stadium. Gas City product Nolan Rattai was 3-for-3 in the victory while left fielder Jaxson Hooge added 2 RBI in a 2-for-4 outing.

Colton Wright led the push Saturday with 4 RBI in a 2-for-5 outing, while Zach Gray added 4 RBI while going 2-for-5.

Game 1 of the Western Division semifinal is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start Tuesday. The teams return to Athletic Park for Game 2 Wednesday before the series shifts to Lethbridge for Game 3 Thursday and Game 4, if necessary, Friday. If required, a series-deciding Game 5 will be held Saturday at Athletic Park.