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Series Preview: Las Vegas 51s Host Tacoma Rainiers

By John Sasso

April 28, 2016 6 Comments

 

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Las Vegas 51’s (8-10)

vs

Tacoma Rainiers (11-8)

 

The 51’s host the Seattle Mariners AAA team the Tacoma Rainiers for a four game series.The 51’s bats have come alive led by TJ Rivera hitting a stout .441 in his last 10 games, and hit his first homerun of the season. He did so going back to back with Gavin Cecchini, who hit his first AAA HR in taking the lead for good on Tuesday in their 7-2 victory over the Isotope. Travis Taijeron continues to slug a hearty .508 on the season.

Though the offense is clicking, if there is a story in the desert it has to be the young Vegas pitching that seemingly solved the PCL. Gabriel Ynoa (1-0, 1.48) took the league ERA lead in his first AAA victory on Tuesday. Thursday’s starter, Sean Gilmartin is fourth in the league with a 1.62 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 16 innings, to go with a 1.02 WHIP. Seth Lugo is scheduled to return from the DL to pitch on Saturday.

A few familiar names among the Rainiers roster including former top prospect and current PCL batting leader Mike Zunino, the player many Mets fans pined for in Chris Taylor, offseason addition Boog Powell, and  former Met folk hero Mike Baxter. On the mound the Rainiers have a pair of southpaws worth watching in former top prospect in James Paxton, and future LOOGY Paul Fry

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Things to keep an eye on:

  • The Rainiers come into the series with the second best average (.292) in the league as well as the second best OPS (8.12) on their way to scoring a tied for league high 105 runs
  • With only 102 strikeouts, the Tacoma offense has the second fewest in the league. On the flip side, the 51s have the second most walks in the league with 78.
  • The Tacoma pitching staff has issued the fewest amount of walks on the year at 46 but has struck out only 116 which is more than just one PCL team.
  • Las Vegas has a 4.09 team ERA compared to the 4.45 ERA of the Rainiers despite giving up more baserunners with a 1.50 WHIP in contrast to a 1.31 WHIP for Tacoma.

Thursday, April 28 10:05 EST Sean Gilmartin (1-1, 1.62 ERA) vs Donn Roach (1-1 8.59)

Friday, April 29 10:05 EST Rafael Montero (0-0, 3.00) vs Joe Wieland (1-2, 15.00)

Saturday, April 30 10:05 EST Seth Lugo (1-2, 10.66) vs Cody Martin (3-1, 7.58)

Sunday, May 1 3:05 EST TBD vs TBD

 

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Written by John Sasso

Grew up rooting for Mookie before Darryl was a Met, in a Yankees and Phillies neighborhood in NJ. Globe-trotted for a decade before settling in, to raise my Jr Mets fans in the middle of Nationals and Phillies territory . You can usually find me along the third baseline of organizational road games. Follow me on Twitter @JSasso4

Latest Comments
  1. Out of place Met fan

    Think Zunino has figured things out or is he a major leaguer just feasting on the PCL?

    I would say fringe major leaguer, but as a catcher he belongs in the majors.

  2. Michael Mayer

    Catching version of Mark Reynolds, has legit MLB power but will always strike out a ton.

  3. Out of place Met fan

    Nice comp, and being a catcher is what made him a top prospect.

  4. DaveMontrose

    Sorry to be that guy, but it’s the Rainiers. They are named after Mount Rainier.

  5. Michael Mayer

    No worries, sorry that we had it incorrect.

  6. Out of place Met fan

    < that guy. Let auto correct get the best of him

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