Thursday Preview: Pelicans vs. Mudcats
By Myrtle Beach Pelicans Media
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25–7 P.M.
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (73–55, 37–21) vs. CAROLINA MUDCATS (45–83, 16–42)
FIVE COUNTY STADIUM — ZEBULON, N.C.
The Pelicans clinched their sixth consecutive playoff berth Wednesday with a wild 2–1 10-inning win over the Mudcats. The Birds return to Five County Stadium Thursday in search of a sweep over their division rivals. Myrtle Beach is 18–8 this year against Carolina.
THURSDAY’S PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Jonathan Martinez (11–6, 4.10 ERA)
Martinez has allowed three earned runs or less in 42 of his last 48 starts and has been a model of consistency in the Pelicans rotation. The Venezuelan right-hander is the franchise record holder in wins (20) and is making his 44th career start with Myrtle Beach Thursday. Martinez is facing the Mudcats for the third time this month Wednesday, having posted a 3.44 ERA against them in three starts on the year.
RHP Caleb Beech (2–8, 4.52 ERA)
Beech was sent to Carolina on June 18 and has filled a void in the rotation ever since. After spending a year at Shelton State CC, the Alabama native was selected in the 13th round of the 2014 draft. After being named a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2015, Beech made a few outings in the Rome bullpen before reporting to Carolina. Despite his .310 opponents’ average, he’s had the Pelicans number in 2016 (12 IP, 13 H, 2 R, 5 K, BB).
Get Scott Kornberg’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
THURSDAY’S LINEUP:
- Charcer Burks, DH
- Donnie Dewees, CF
- David Bote, 2B
- Yasiel Balaguert, 1B
- Bryant Flete, SS
- Ian Rice, C
- Jeffrey Baez, RF
- Daniel Spingola, LF
- Jesse Hodges, 3B
BIRDS’ NEST NOTES:
- With their 2–1 win over Carolina and a Winston-Salem loss at Frederick on Wednesday, the Pelicans clinched their sixth consecutive postseason bid — the longest run into the playoffs in the Carolina League, with only Lynchburg close at five straight playoff appearances, including a coming one this year. The Birds have won 24 of 31 to earn both a winning overall and second half record.
- While Myrtle Beach has earned the final Southern Division playoff spot, first place is no longer as secure. With Salem winning 11 of their last 12 games, the Birds hold just a 1.0 game lead on the Red Sox in their hunt win the second half division and host Game 1 of the Southern Division Championship Series. Over the rest of the season, Myrtle Beach’s opponents (LYN, CAR, WIL and POT) are a combined 243–270 (.474). Meanwhile, the Red Sox close the regular year against opponents (W-S, POT, FRE and LYN) with a combined mark of 266–246 (.520).
-Prior to Thursday’s game RHP Craig Brooks was placed on the 7-day DL. RHP Ryan McNeil was activated off the DL to take his spot on the active roster.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday’s game will be broadcast in the following ways:
Video: MiLB.tv
Online (Available at 6:35 p.m.): Pelicans Baseball Network
Phone/Tablet: MiLB First Pitch App, TuneIn App.
