American Association Insider: Observations from Game Fours

 Wow, have I really wrote nothing in almost a week. Sorry about that everyone. It was hard to focus in the last week due to another painful bout of gout. Then last night it was a long ago planned date night to see a Weird Al Yankovic concert with my wife. But I'm all yours the rest of the way.... unless there is a game five of the MWC, then another date night but I'll have a wrap up.

Just some observations from both games tonight as Chicago defeated Kane County 5-3 and Fargo-Moorhead outlasted Sioux Falls 4-1 in ten innings.

First from the Chicago side. Give credit to Zach Davidson for nearly getting through four innings. Only once this season has Davidson gone more than four. His only blemish was a Josh Allen two run home run. The Dogs played their Trey Braithwaite card as the right hander got through two scoreless. He did run into trouble as the Cougars nearly scored on him in the seventh needing a T.J. Hopkins running catch to keep the lead. J.C. Keys pitched in his second consecutive game. That said, tomorrow is a win or go home, if you don't have your arm dragging by a string, you may be needed. Last week I mentioned great players have to play great games, Chance Sisco rose to the occasion tonight with a two run home run and three runs driven in. 

Kane County... As a long time Josh Allen fan, it's been fun to see him hitting as he has in this series. Allen got the Cougars a two run lead with a home run. At the time you thought it was destiny for the Cougars. Todd Lott only had one hit but will be key tomorrow night in game four. He's had two clutch grand slams in this series alone. Claudio Finol and Nick Dalesandro had multi hit games tonight. The Cougars will need both to contribute Saturday night. The pitching lines up good for the Cougars as they will have Konnor Ash on regular rest. Plus Logan Nissen, Casey Crosby, and Jake Gozzo all will be rested as none of them pitched on Friday. 

Fargo-Moorhead.... Never count out a veteran ball club, right? Eric Filia, Lamar Sparks and Juan Fernandez all had two hits games on Friday. Sparks in particular had Dan Gladden Game Seven 1991 vibes as he stretched out what seemed to be a harmless lead off single into a lead off double and scored two batters later on a clutch sacrifice fly by Jose Sermo. The only card the RedHawks did not play tonight was Alex DuBord as Parker Harm, Colton Davis and Garrett Alexander all pitched tonight. Word is that Shane Barringer will get the start on Saturday. Will it be a short leash for Barringer with Kolby Kiser and Kyle Crigger available to bolster the bullpen if needed?

Sioux Falls....If the Canaries offense is going to have the same kind of run production like we've seen at times in the playoffs, Matt Bottcher (.231) and Calvin Estrada (.185) are going to have get on track and be the catalysts in the 3-4 spot in the Canaries order. Does Mike Meyer shake up the lineup card or would that seem to be an act of desperation? Can Jabari Henry repeat his heroics of a week ago in a do or die game. Henry is already a legend in the American Associaiton. Another big game like last week further cements it. Tanner Brown gets the ball for the Canaries on Saturday. Brown has throw well in both of his starts in the playoffs and the Canaries will need another good one out of the lefty. Ryan Zimmerman threw great and deserved a win. Though he got a no decision, he went deep enough into the game where Cole LaLonde will be the only arm that will likely be a no go on Saturday. Sam Alvarado pitched but only threw five pitches. 

So there it is. The Cougars and Dogs start at 6 pm tomorrow with the Canaries and RedHawks starting at 6:35 tomorrow night. Get your college football fix during the afternoon, have a nice grill out and get ready for some baseball tomorrow night.