Lineups for the Game 3 showdown in GF

The decider takes place today between the Osprey and Great Falls Voyagers. We’re on the air at 4:45, with the first pitch slated for 5 p.n. on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Here are the lineups for today’s game:

Missoula Osprey (41-35)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
9 Danny Pulfer DH
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
15 Alex Glenn LF
21 Breland Almadova CF
33 Rudy Flores 1B
38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Great Falls Voyagers (40-36)
8 Adam Heisler CF
11 Zach Voight SS
3 Micah Johnson 2B
22 Kyle Robinson RF
12 Brent Tanner DH
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
7 Patrick Palmeiro 1B
17 Angel Rosario C
6 Michael Johnson LF
21 JC Casey RHP

Round 2 of the Dance in Great Falls

The Osprey own a 1-0 lead in the Pioneer Baseball League North Division Playoff series, and will have two chances to close out the Great Falls Voyagers beginning tonight at Centene Stadium.

Sound familiar?

The Osprey were just in this position a couple of days ago, having to win twice at home to earn the final playoff berth in the North, sweeping a two-game series against the Billings Mustangs. Now the shoe’s on the other foot.

However, the numbers say not to worry. The Osprey are 7-1 in Great Falls this season (they were 4-2 at home against Billings entering the final series), and have a seven-game win streak at Centene Stadium. And that streak started with Kyle Robinson and Adam Heisler present for the Voyagers – both, of course, are back after mid-season promotions to Class A Kannapolis.

Anyway, here we go … on the air at 6:45, first pitch at 7:00 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. To the lineups …

Missoula (41-35)
14 Pedro Ruiz 2B
19 Socrates Brito RF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH
15 Alex Glenn LF
21 Breland Almadova CF
33 Rudy Flores 1B
38 Andrew Velazquez SS
29 Karl Triana RHP

Great Falls (40-36)
8 Adam Heisler CF
11 Zach Voight SS
3 Micah Johnson 2B
22 Kyle Robinson RF
12 Brent Tanner DH
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
7 Patrick Palmeiro 1B
17 Angel Rosario C
6 Michael Johnson LF
30 Brandon Brennan RHP

Welcome to the Dance! Game 1 lineups

OK, here we go!! First, we apologize for not posting lineups before last night’s game, but we’re back at it tonight! Tonight’s notes includes a little bit of Osprey playoff history…

Anyway, we also have the You Make The Call question ready tonight, too … which will be posted in the Osprey Online Box Suite before the second inning.

Pre-game, featuring plenty from last night and an interview with Andy Green, begins at 6:50, with the first pitch officially listed tonight at 7:15 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

To the lineups and such …

Missoula (41-35)

1 14 Pedro Ruiz 2B
.313, 2 HR, 19 RBI
2 9 Danny Pulfer DH
.285, 2 HR, 27 RBI
3 18 Jake Lamb 3B
.329, 9 HR, 57 RBI
4 7 Michael Perez C
.293, 10 HR, 60 RBI
5 19 Socrates Brito RF
.312, 4 HR, 39 RBI
6 15 Alex Glenn LF
.300, 6 HR, 17 RBI
7 21 Breland Almadova CF
.306, 1 HR, 28 RBI
8 33 Rudy Flores 1B
.296, 3 HR, 32 RBI
9 38 Andrew Velazquez SS
.220, 0 HR, 4 RBI
P 44 Chris Pack P

Great Falls (40-36)

1 8 Adam Heisler CF
.269, 0 HR, 12 RBI
2 11 Zach Voight SS
.339, 0 HR, 9 RBI
3 3 Micah Johnson 2B
.273, 4 HR, 25 RBI
4 22 Kyle Robinson RF
.326, 2 HR, 44 RBI
5 12 Brent Tanner DH
.280, 4 HR, 42 RBI
6 7 Patrick Palmeiro 1B
.219, 2 HR, 20 RBI
7 10 Tyler Williams 3B
.255, 4 HR, 15 RBI
8 19 Zac Fisher C
.218, 2 HR, 10 RBI
9 6 Michael Johnson LF
.252, 2 HR, 14 RBI
P 25 Chris Beck P
The Skinny:
The Osprey, who won the Pioneer League North Division Second Half crown on the final day of the regular season, open the PBL North Division Playoffs tonight against the Great Falls Voyagers, who won the first half title.

About Last Night:
The Missoula Osprey have used a team approach all season to get in position to play their way into the Pioneer League playoffs. On Thursday here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, in front of 2,668 witnesses, the Osprey showed that off in an 8-5 win over the Billings Mustangs. Pedro Ruiz had the key hit on offense, fighting off a Sal Romano (5-6) inside pitch for a two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning, pushing the Osprey lead to 4-1. It kick-started a three-run fourth inning for Missoula, who added a pair of runs in the home half of the fifth for a 7-1 lead. It was enough for Ross Gerdeman (5-5) to settle in and take control. Gerdeman allowed three runs on seven hits and pitched into the seventh inning to pick up the win on the mound. Neither Chase Stevens nor Vince Spilker had their best stuff, each surrendering a run, but Justin Thompson managed to battle through a two-on jam and earn his eighth save. Alex Glenn had another big night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Glenn drove in five runs in the two-game series for Missoula. Danny Pulfer, Jake Lamb and Rudy Flores each delivered two hits and a RBI for Missoula, who had 13 hits on the night.

History Made on Thursday:
There was a handful of Osprey history set on Thursday night:
– The Osprey set a new single-season attendance record, finishing 188 people shy of the 90,000 mark. The crowd of 2,668 on Thursday pushed the season total to 89, 812 for the season.
– For the first time in 14 seasons, the Osprey are in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. It’s also the seventh time the Osprey have won 40 or more games in a season, with six of those campaigns ending with a post-season berth (2000 being the only exception).

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Chris Pack to the mound as he looks to get the Osprey postseason run off to a good start. Pack (6-2, 5.42) didn’t get much help in his last start on Sunday, which turned into a 6-4 loss at Billings, allowing five runs – one earned – in four innings on six hits and three walks. Pack was coming off of a home start against Great Falls in which he allowed five hits and two walks while surrendering just two runs in six innings of work, while striking out seven batters. Four of Pack’s six wins have come against the Voyagers (4-1, 4.76).

The Voyagers will go with right-hander Chris Beck, who is looking to bounce back into form after having some struggles down the stretch. Beck (4-3, 4.69) has watched his ERA bump up by a run over his last five outings, but is 2-2 in those outings and in his last start, allowed just a hit and a run in five innings of work against Helena on Sunday, striking out four batters in the process. Beck has had his hands full at times with the Osprey, going 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in four outings, spanning 10 2/3 innings. The Osprey have hit .380 off of Beck, who has allowed a 2.06 WHIP against Missoula. Beck allowed eight hits and five runs (only two earned) in 2 2/3 innings of work in his last start at Ogren Park Allegiance Field on Aug. 28.

Pitching Probables
Playoff Schedule
PBL North Division Playoff
Great Falls vs. Missoula
Game 2 – Saturday at Great Falls, 7 p.m.
RHP Karl Triana (5-5, 5.64) vs. RHP Brandon Brennan (3-2, 4.34)

Game 3 – Sunday at Great Falls, TBA (if necessary)
RHP Yoimer Camacho (3-4, 4.91) vs. RHP JC Casey (4-7, 3.46)

PBL South Division Playoff
Ogden vs. Grand Junction
(Ogden Leads, 1-0)
Game 1 – Ogden 4, Grand Junction 3 (11)
Game 2 – Saturday at Ogden
Game 3 – Sunday at Ogden (if necessary)

PBL Championship Series
North vs. South
Game 1 – Sept. 11 at North winner
Game 2 – Sept. 13 at South winner
Game 3 – Sept. 14 at South winner (if necessary)

By The Numbers (2012 Regular Season):

Current Streak:

W4

 Extra Innings:

6-4

 Team Hitting:

.288
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

24-7

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

23-15

 Tied After 5:

11-2

 Team Pitching:

4.68
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

6-26

 PL Rank:

3rd
July:

13-15

 One-run games:

12-10

 Longest Winning Streak:

5 games
August:

17-12

 Two-run games:

6-6

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

4-2

 Three-run games:

9-1

 HR total at home:

23
Score First:

23-10

 +3-run games:

14-18

 Pitching K total:

683
Score Last:

20-11

 Shutout Record:

5-4

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.97
Reaching 11-hit Mark:

24-5

  

Peanut Inning Success:

17/38

 

PBL North Division Playoff Series Comparison:

Reg. Season

Missoula

Great Falls
Home Record

21-17

21-17
Road Record

20-18

19-19
Hitting

.288

.261
Lg. Rank

3rd

8th
Pitching

4.68

4.11
Lg. Rank

3rd

1st
Home Runs

51

29
HR Allowed

68

30
Team OBP

.361

.351
Team Slug. %

.428

.374
Team OPS

.789

.725
Head to Head

Missoula

Great Falls
Home W-L

5-3

1-7
Road W-L

7-1

3-5
HTH Avg.

.305

.223
HTH ERA

3.22

4.64
HTH OBP

.365

.319
HTH Slugging

.429

.328
HTH OPS

.794

.647
Head-To-Head Team Leaders

Missoula

Great Falls
Hitting

Almadova, .440

Robinson, .350
Home Runs

Gutierrez, 2

3 with 2
RBI

Lamb, 14

2 with  9
Pitching W-L

Pack, 4-1

Isler, 2-0
Pitching ERA

Capper, 0.82

Dvorsky, 1.69

Missoula Osprey Playoff History

Year Opponent Score
1999 @ Helena W 4-2 (11)
Helena Won
@ Billings Won
Billings Won
2001 Billings W 4-3
@ Billings L 2-6
@ Billings L 5-12
2006 Billings W 6-4
@ Billings W 10-2
Idaho Falls W 4-0
@ Idaho Falls W 7-2
2009 Great Falls W 3-2 (11)
@ Great Falls L 2-3
@ Great Falls W 16-7
@ Orem W 7-6
Orem L 0-10
Orem L 10-13
2011 @ Great Falls L 3-8
Great Falls W 11-1
Great Falls L 2-12
2012 Great Falls  
@ Great Falls  
@ Great Falls*  

*- if necessary

Overall Playoff Record:                                 13-7       .625
Home Playoff Record:                                   7-3          .700
Road Playoff Record:                                     6-4          .600
Divisional Round Record:                             8-5          .615
Championship Round Record:                   5-2          .714
Postseason Record vs. Great Falls:          3-3          .500

Lineups for Round 1 of the title bout

OK, so it probably should be a contender bout reference, but you know what we mean … it’s Showdown Night, Part 1. The Osprey take on the Billings Mustangs for the North Division title beginning tonight. Remember, the Osprey need to win BOTH games to take the North Division Second-Half crown, while the Mustangs just need to win ONE of the two games.

We’re going to have a different type of pre-game tonight – we’ll still go through last night’s game, but we will also turn over the second half of the pre-game show to Billings play-by-play man Ryan Schuiling, who will be talking with our own Ben Catley about the match-up of the Fish Hawks and Ponies.

Here’s the lineups and notes for tonight …

Missoula (21-15, 39-35)

1 14 Pedro Ruiz 2B
.311, 2 HR, 17 RBI
2 19 Socrates Brito RF
.317, 4 HR, 34 RBI
3 18 Jake Lamb 3B
.330, 9 HR, 56 RBI
4 7 Michael Perez C
.295, 10 HR, 59 RBI
5 21 Breland Almadova CF
.309, 1 HR, 28 RBI
6 15 Alex Glenn LF
.288, 5 HR, 12 RBI
7 33 Rudy Flores DH
.296, 3 HR, 31 RBI
8 30 Tyler Bream 1B
.273, 3 HR, 26 RBI
9 38 Andrew Velazquez SS
.214, 0 HR, 4 RBI
P 8 Chris Thomas P

Billings (21-15, 42-32)

1 41 Beau Amaral CF
.302, 1 HR, 24 RBI
2 4 Zach Vincej SS
.343, 1 HR, 15 RBI
3 23 Jesse Winker LF
.333, 4 HR, 34 RBI
4 13 Seth Mejias-Brean 3B
.318, 7 HR, 39 RBI
5 16 Robert Maddox DH
.257, 13 HR, 37 RBI
6 35 Carlos Sanchez 1B
.311, 8 HR, 54 RBI
7 26 Daniel Pigott RF
.304, 3 HR, 31 RBI
8 34 Wagner Gomez C
.198, 3 HR, 21 RBI
9 6 Brandon Dailey 2B
.311, 4 HR, 23 RBI
P 29 Drew Cisco P
The Skinny:
The Osprey play host to the Billings Mustangs with the Pioneer Baseball League Second-Half North Division title in the balance. The Osprey must win twice to take the playoff spot, while the Mustangs need to win only one of the two games to take the title.

About Last Night:

Yoimer Camacho and two pitchers combined to scatter seven hits, while the Missoula Osprey managed to get enough offense as they beat the Great Falls Voyagers on Tuesday, 3-1, here at Centene Stadium in front of 970 fans. Once again, the Osprey scored first, pushing a run across in the top of the first inning. Pedro Ruiz singled, moved to third on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, and scored on an Adam McConnell groundout for a 1-0 Osprey lead. The Voyagers would answer that run with one of their own in the bottom of the second off of Osprey starter Yoimer Camacho (3-4), which scored on a McConnell throwing error. However, the Osprey would score in the top of the sixth when Socrates Brito walked and would eventually score on an Alex Glenn RBI triple, giving the Osprey a 2-1 lead. Missoula added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. Glenn reached on an error, stole second and scored on a Danny Pulfer RBI single that pushed the Osprey advantage to 3-1. Great Falls would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Patrick Smith would strike out both Michael Johnson and Brent Tanner to finish off the game, and earn his first professional save. The Osprey had eight hits on the night, two of which came from Ruiz. Michael Perez, Yosbel Gutierrez, Tyler Bream and Kevin Dultz also had base hits for Missoula.

Lamb is Pioneer League Player of the Week:

Jake Lamb decided to make the past week one where he could carry the Osprey on his broad shoulders at times, and for that earned the final Pioneer League Offensive Player of the Week honor for the 2012 season. Lamb, who is currently on a 10-game hit streak, fell a double shy of the cycle at Billings on Thursday, added three more hits on Friday, and plated eight runs during the series in Billings this past weekend.

On the Mound Tonight:

Missoula will send right-hander Chris Thomas to the mound as he looks to continue his solid pitching as a starter. Thomas (2-1, 3.25), signed as a free agent following the 2012 MLB Draft, allowed just three hits and an unearned run in his last start, against the Mustangs on Friday. It was the first outing for Thomas against Billings this season. Thomas, who was transferred to the Osprey from Yakima in late July, was 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA in the month of August, walking just two batters and striking out 21 in 24 innings of work. Opponents hit just .216 off of Thomas in August, and just .230 for the season.

The Mustangs will go with right-hander Drew Cisco, who has been solid against the Osprey overall this season. Cisco (4-1, 3.66) was limited to three innings in his first start of the season against the Osprey on July 2, allowing four hits and a walk, surrendering a run (on a solo home run) and collected two strikeouts. In his other start against the Osprey, on August 30, Cisco allowed just two hits over five innings of work, striking out five batters. However, in both cases, the Mustangs would lose the game. Cisco has been dominant at home this season, posting a 2-0 mark in six starts with a sparkling 1.17 ERA, spanning 23 innings pitched. However, the 6th round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2010 MLB Draft, who is back from an injury last season, is 2-1 with a 5.65 ERA in eight road starts.

Pitching Probables

Thursday, September 6

MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (4-5, 5.10) vs. BIL RHP Sal Romano (5-5, 4.90)

Playoff Schedule

PBL North Division Playoff

Great Falls vs. TBA

Game 1 – Friday at TBA

Game 2 – Saturday at Great Falls

Game 3 – Sunday at Great Falls (if necessary)

PBL South Division Playoff

Ogden vs. Grand Junction

Game 1 – Friday at Grand Junction, 2 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday at Ogden

Game 3 – Sunday at Ogden (if necessary)

PBL Championship Series

North vs. South

Game 1 – Sept. 11 at North winner

Game 2 – Sept. 13 at South winner

Game 3 – Sept. 14 at South winner (if necessary)

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W2

 Extra Innings:

6-4

 Team Hitting:

.288
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

23-7

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

21-15

 Tied After 5:

11-2

 Team Pitching:

4.71
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

5-26

 PL Rank:

3rd
July:

13-15

 One-run games:

11-10

 Longest Winning Streak:

5 games
August:

17-12

 Two-run games:

6-6

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

2-2

 Three-run games:

8-1

 HR total at home:

22
Score First:

25-11

 +3-run games:

14-18

 Pitching K total:

664
Score Last:

19-11

 Shutout Record:

5-4

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.96
Reaching 11-hit Mark:

24-6

  

Peanut Inning Success:

17/36

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing:

Justin Bianco (2011-12) .274, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 8-11 SB, .746 OPS in 24 games

John Leonard (2012) .182, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 1 SB, .427 OPS in 14 games
Record: 27-29
Season over

 
DSL D-backs Update: The DSL D-backs were eliminated in the first round of the DSL playoffs, falling in three games to the DSL Angels.
Record: 43-29
Season over

 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: The Bears will play the decider in their Northwest League East Division Playoff Series tonight, after the Boise Hawks scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to win, 11-5, and even the series at one game apiece. Josh Parr (2011) had two singles and a double, plus scored a run to pace the Bears at the plate. Victor Acosta (2010) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. In the opener, Enrique Burgos (2009,11) pitched the ninth inning and locked down the save in the 5-4 win in Boise.
Record: 36-40
Next: vs. Boise, Game 3 of NW League East Division Playoffs (Series tied, 1-1)
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Matt Helm (2009-10) put together a solid season in 2012, batting .271 while finishing among the league leaders in hits (tied for 3rd, 141), RBIs (5th, 76), games played (3rd, 135), at-bats (4th, 520) and doubles (tied for 2nd, 36). Tom Belza (2011) hit .260 in 2011, was third in the Midwest League in RBIs (80) and second in the league in triples (11). Archie Bradley (2011) led the league in opponent’s batting average (.181) while posting a 12-6 record and 3.84 ERA.
Record: 67-73
Season over
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Jon Griffin (2011) put together a solid season for the Rawhide before his promotion to Double-A Mobile, hitting .300 and finished in the top five in the California League in home runs (26), RBIs (tied for 5th, 98) and total bases (249) … Anthony Meo (2011) finished 8th in the Cal League in ERA, going 9-8 with a 4.11 ERA, and tied for the league lead in strikeouts (153), three ahead of teammate Andrew Chafin (2011). Chafin was the league leader in opponent’s batting average (.241) while going 6-6 with a 4.93 ERA.
Record: 64-76
Season over
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: Griffin, mentioned above, is hitting .438 in five games with the BayBears, with a double, two home runs and four RBIs … David Nick (2009) hit .249 in his first full season at Double-A, with 23 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 43 RBIs, plus stole 13 of 18 bases … Chris Owings (2009) batted .263 in 69 games after his promotion from Class A Advanced Visalia, with 10 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 28 RBIs, with four stolen bases and only nine errors in 67 field appearances … Eury De La Rosa (2009) led the Southern League in holds (13), while going 4-4 with eight saves and a 2.84 ERA, striking out 68 batters in 63 1/3 innings pitched … Among starters, Chase Anderson (2009) has been solid when healthy, going 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 21 starts, while posting a 1.12 WHIP and striking out 97 batters in 104 innings pitched.
Record: 69-71
Next: vs. Montgomery, Southern Lg. South Division Playoff Game 1 (Thursday)
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Adam Eaton (2010) was named the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year and MVP, but won’t be with the Aces when they open the playoffs on Thursday. However, Taylor Harbin (2007) will be there, and the infielder put together a solid first season at the Triple-A level. Harbin hit .308 in the regular season, with 43 doubles (second to Eaton in the PCL), three triples, five home runs and 70 RBIs in 127 games, plus stole 18 of 19 bases. Also helping the Aces in the postseason will be pitchers Charles Brewer (2009) (who will start Game 2 of the series) and Bryan Henry (2007), and outfielder Keon Broxton (2009), who was called up to Reno on Tuesday from Class A Advanced Visalia.
Record: 81-63
Next: at Sacramento, PCL Playoff Series Game 1 (Thursday)

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .287 BA, 18 HR, 68 RBI, .864 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .274 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBI, .729 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .282 BA, 15 HR, 77 RBI, .831 OPS Jake Elmore (2008) .174 BA, 2 2B, RBI, .442 OPS
Adam Eaton (2010) 2-6 in debut on 9/4 at SF Bryan Shaw (2008) 1-5, 2 saves, 4.22 ERA

TEAM: 67-70, 3rd in NL West, 10.5 GB … 7.5 GB in wildcard

 

Lineups from Great Falls – Tuesday (Corrected)

Oh, there’s more a comin’ in separate posts, including an Eaton sighting and just how this whole playoff thing works … but for now, here are the lineups for today’s game between the Missoula Osprey and the Great Falls Voyagers.

(And now, the right ones. Program glitch is fixed.)

And, for the first time in about two weeks – no scoreboard watching necessary. While we will be keeping an eye on things in Helena, it doesn’t mean beans what happens in the playoff scenario. The post on the playoffs will say it all.

Anyway, Pre-game is on the air tonight at 6:40, with first pitch at 7:00 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Here are the lineups …

Missoula (20-15, 38-35)
14 Pedro Ruiz 2B
12 Adam McConnell SS
19 Socrates Brito CF
7 Michael Perez DH
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
15 Alex Glenn RF
30 Tyler Bream 3B
9 Danny Pulfer LF
50 Kevin Dultz 1B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Great Falls (14-21, 38-35)
8 Adam Heisler CF
3 Micah Johnson 2B
22 Kyle Robinson RF
12 Brent Tanner 1B
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
10 Tyler Williams DH
11 Zach Voight SS
7 Patrick Palmeiro LF
17 Angel Rosario C
21 JC Casey RHP

Playoff Scenario for O’s, Mustangs

by Ben Catley

Yes, tonight’s game here in Great Falls, in the scheme of things when it comes to the Pioneer League playoff picture, doesn’t mean a thing. However, for guys like Danny Pulfer – who is hitting .161 in his last eight games, Kevin Dultz, et al, it means a lot.

That as it may be, here is the whole science behind it. And, fortunately, no Abacus was used in determining the scenarios.

What you need to know:
– Tonight’s games involving both the Osprey and Billings will have no bearing on who wins the Pioneer League North Division Second-Half title. Thanks to the tie-breakers, the process has become very simple, as described next.

– If Billings wins ONE of the two games at Ogren Park Allegiance Field on Wednesday and Thursday, then the Mustangs will win the North Division Second-Half title.

– If the Osprey win BOTH games, then they will win the North Division Second-Half title and advance to the North Division Playoffs on Friday against Great Falls. Game 1 would be Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, with Games 2 and (if needed) 3 in Great Falls.

So why doesn’t tonight matter?
If the Osprey win and Billings loses tonight, the Osprey would still have to win both of the games against the Mustangs at home on Wednesday and Thursday, because the season series cannot end in a tie and benefit the Osprey. Billings would take the crown on the next tiebreaker – division record for the season, which they currently lead by two games.

Conversely, the Osprey can lose and Billings win tonight and not eliminate the Osprey. The Osprey would be two games back in that case, and the head-to-head tiebreaker would get them the title on a sweep, because they would have a 9-7 record against Billings for the season.

I hope this makes it easy to follow.

First, lineups from Great Falls on Tuesday

Oh, there’s more a comin’ in separate posts, including an Eaton sighting and just how this whole playoff thing works … but for now, here are the lineups for today’s game between the Missoula Osprey and the Great Falls Voyagers.

And, for the first time in about two weeks – no scoreboard watching necessary. While we will be keeping an eye on things in Helena, it doesn’t mean beans what happens in the playoff scenario. The post on the playoffs will say it all.

Anyway, Pre-game is on the air tonight at 6:40, with first pitch at 7:00 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Here are the lineups …

Missoula (20-15, 38-35)
14 Pedro Ruiz 2B
12 Adam McConnell SS
19 Socrates Brito CF
7 Michael Perez DH
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
15 Alex Glenn RF
30 Tyler Bream 3B
9 Danny Pulfer LF
50 Kevin Dultz 1B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Great Falls (14-21, 38-35)
3 Micah Johnson 2B
6 Michael Johnson CF
27 Yoandy Barroso LF
22 Kyle Robinson RF
12 Brent Tanner 1B
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
10 Tyler Williams DH
11 Zach Voight SS
19 Zac Fisher C
21 JC Casey RHP

Lineups for Monday in Great Falls

It’s Labor Day, but the Osprey are hard at work trying to catch a break tonight, as they take on the Great Falls Voyagers at Centene Stadium. The Osprey are 5-1 here this season, and will look to continue that trend in this series.

Pre-game is set for 6:40, with the first pitch set for 7:00 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Alex Glenn is our pre-game show guest.

And now … the lineups …

Missoula (19-15, 37-35)
38 Andrew Velazquez SS
19 Socrates Brito RF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH
21 Breland Almadova CF
15 Alex Glenn LF
33 Rudy Flores 1B
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
50 Kevin Dultz C
29 Karl Triana RHP

Great Falls (14-20, 38-34)
6 Michael Johnson LF
11 Zach Voight SS
3 Micah Johnson 2B
22 Kyle Robinson RF
12 Brent Tanner 1B
10 Tyler Williams 3B
19 Zac Fisher C
2 Dustin Hayes DH
1 Daurys Mercedes CF
30 Brandon Brennan RHP

 

 

 

Lineups for the Final Round in Billings

It’s a decent day in Billings as the Osprey get ready to take on the Billings Mustangs here at Dehler Park. The Osprey are hoping to win the series today, while the Mustangs look for a split – which would put them one game up on the Osprey with four to play, including two more in Missoula.

The Osprey will leave here after the game and head to Great Falls, as they will play their final two road games of the regular season against the first-half champion Voyagers.

Now to the lineups – oh, one more thing – we’re on the air at 1:45 today, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:05, on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (19-14, 37-34)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
21 Breland Almadova DH
30 Tyler Bream 1B
15 Alex Glenn LF
38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
44 Chris Pack RHP

Billings (19-14, 40-31)
41 Beau Amaral CF
4 Zach Vincej SS
23 Jesse Winker LF
13 Seth Mejias-Brean 3B
35 Carlos Sanchez 1B
26 Daniel Pigott RF
24 Matt Lentz DH
40 Robert Ramirez 2B
28 Julio Morillo C
51 Joel Bender LHP

Lineups for Round 3 in Billings

The Osprey are getting ready for the third game in this key four-game series, and as they do, they are (as I write this) peppering the scoreboard in right field. Evan Marzilli (yeah, the guy with Zero home runs on the season) and Michael Perez each hit it during BP today. The first group of Marzilli, Perez, Jake Lamb, Socrates Brito and Pedro Ruiz are looking like they did in their first workout before the season.

On the pre-game show tonight, we’ll have our Excerpts segment with hitting coach JR House, whose team remains on pace to set a new club record for best team batting average for a season. We’re on once again at 6:45 (when you’re on a streak, you don’t stop what you’re doing, right??), with first pitch set for 7:05 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

The lineups …

Missoula (19-13, 37-33)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
21 Breland Almadova DH
33 Rudy Flores 1B
15 Alex Glenn LF
38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
24 Ross Gerdeman RHP

Billings (18-14, 39-31)
41 Beau Amaral CF
4 Zach Vincej SS
23 Jesse Winker LF
13 Seth Mejias-Brean 3B
35 Carlos Sanchez 1B
24 Matt Lentz DH
17 Jeff Gelalich RF
34 Wagner Gomez C
6 Brandon Dailey 2B
59 Jon Moscot RHP