Game #123 Preview — Dash vs. Carolina
Game #123 — Home Game #64
Winston-Salem Dash (32–20, 62–60) vs. Carolina Mudcats (30–23, 64–58)
Friday, August 21–7 p.m.
BB&T Ballpark (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
GAME BACKGROUND:
Winston-Salem leaped back into first place with a walk-off wild pitch in Thursday’s 5–4 series-salvaging win over Myrtle Beach. The Dash begin this pivotal three-game series against Carolina holding a 2.5 game lead for the Southern Division’s final playoff spot.
STARTING LINEUP:
Adam Engel — CF
Eddy Alvarez — SS
Jake Peter — 2B
Trey Michalczewski — 3B
Keon Barnum — 1B
Nick Basto — LF
Brett Austin — C
Nolan Earley — RF
Michael Danner — DH
Jordan Guerrero — LHP
Get Winston-Salem Dash’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
DASH DOTS:
- The Pelicans surged past the Dash and into first place with Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep, which ended Winston-Salem’s 55-day run atop the division. That half-starting stretch represents the longest first-place streak in the Dash era (2009-present) by 13 days (42 in 2009). On Thursday, though, the Dash snagged the top spot back. The Dash also maintained a two-and-a-half game lead on Carolina for the Southern Division’s final postseason spot.
- Because Myrtle Beach won the first-half division crown, the Dash are fighting for the other playoff ticket with the Carolina Mudcats, this weekend’s opponent. If the Dash finish with a better record than Carolina (2.5 GU) and Salem (15.0 GU), they would return to the postseason for the first time since 2012 and the fourth time in the Dash era. This weekend marks the final matchup of the season series, one that the Dash lead 11–8.
- Statistically, the Dash and Mudcats are very similar. Winston-Salem (3.28) and Carolina (3.29) boast the second and third best ERAs in the CL, respectively. On the flip side, they are the two worst offensive teams by batting average on the eight-team circuit (Mudcats — .243, Dash, .242). Against one another, both teams are averaging less than four runs per game.
- Winston-Salem claimed a walk-off win on a wild pitch for the first time since June 1, 2011. Thanks to Thursday’s bizarre win, the Dash improved to 25–12 (.676) in games decided by three runs or less since the All-Star break. During this span, the Dash are also a league-best 14–2 in one-run contests. In the first half, the Dash were just 18–25 (.419) in games decided by three runs or less. Thursday also brought about the Dash’s second walk-off win of 2015. Winston-Salem claimed its fifth win in 56 tries when trailing after seven innings, too.
- The Dash clubbed a pair of home runs Thursday night. Adam Engel began the Dash’s offensive attack with a home run in the first, Winston’s second leadoff long ball this year. One frame later, Nick Basto blistered a homer, also to left field. Before these two taters, the Dash had endured a 66-inning homerless drought. This year, the Dash have only collected 45 homers, which are tied for sixth in the CL. From 2010–14, Winston easily led the league in total home runs.
- Friday’s opener features a fantastic pitching duel between Winston-Salem’s Jordan Guerrero and Carolina’s Blair Walters. Since recording his shortest professional start on July 17 at Carolina (2.2 IP, 6 R), Guerrero is 3–1 with a 1.64 ERA in five outings (6 ER in 33.0 IP with 32 K). Walters, a member of the Dash briefly in 2012, boasts the second-best ERA among CL qualifiers (2.72). In his first five outings against Winston-Salem, Walters is 1–2 with a 3.52 ERA.
- The Dash have scored (83) and given up (74) more runs in the first inning than any other frame this year.
- Winston’s bullpen has successfully converted 16 straight save chances and 25 of its last 26.
- Engel (54) and Eddy Alvarez (50) are fourth and fifth, respectively, in stolen bases in all of Minor League Baseball. However, neither stole a base in the three-game set with Myrtle Beach.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Friday’s game will be available on wsdash.com/broadcast, along with the TuneIn Radio app. The Pregame Dash will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the first pitch at 7 p.m.
– Scott
