Texas League North Championship Preview
North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers are set to take on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the Texas League North Championship beginning Wednesday, September 9 at Arvest Ballpark.
After losing each of the first 11 games to the Naturals in 2015, Arkansas finished 11-6 over their final 17 head-to-head matchups.
Games one and two of the best-of-five series will be played in Springdale, while games three, four (if necessary) and five (if necessary) will take place at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Probables
Wednesday, 9/9 7:05 p.m. - LHP Sean Newcomb (2-2, 2.75) at LHP Jonathan Dziedzic (10-6, 3.12)
Thursday, 9/10 7:05 p.m. - RHP Michael Brady (7-7, 3.77) at RHP Luke Farrell (5-3, 3.09)
Friday, 9/11 7:10 p.m. - RHP Chris Ellis (7-4, 3.92) vs. RHP Brooks Pounders (3-4, 2.19)
Saturday, 9/12 (if necessary) 7:10 p.m. - RHP Kyle McGowin (9-9, 4.38) vs. TBD
Sunday, 9/13 (if necessary) 2:10 p.m. - RHP Albert Suarez (11-9, 2.98) vs. TBD
Who's Hot / Who's Not - Arkansas
Hot: Chad Hinshaw (Last 9 games) 13-for-31 (.413) / 7BB / .526 OBP / 6 runs / 5 doubles / 6 SB
Hot: Albert Suarez (Last 6 starts) 39.1IP / 6 ER (1.37 ERA) / 23 hits
Not: Sherman Johnson (Last 10 games) 4-for-29 (.138)
Who's Hot / Who's Not - Northwest Arkansas
Hot: Lane Adams (Last 16 games) 25-for-57 (.439) / .500 OBP / 3 HR / 11 RBI / 9 SB / 13 runs
Hot: Aroni Nina (Last 11 appearances) 13IP / 1 ER / 11 hits / 7 BB / 16 K
Not: Raul Mondesi 0-for-last-20 / 13 K
Not: Paul Clemens (Last 4 appearances (3 starts)) 12.2 IP / 13 ER / 14 hits / 6 BB / 8 K
Arkansas vs. Northwest Arkansas Head-to-Head
Who's Hot - Blake Gailen: 19G .333 AVG / .405 OBP / 3HR / 13 RBI / 11 runs / 9 BB
Who's Hot - Eduard Santos: 6 appearances / 10 IP / 2 ER / 1.80 ERA / 6 hits / 2 BB / 16 K
Who's Not - Raywilly Gomez: 16G .173 AVG / 0HR / 1 RBI / 9 K
Who's Not - Kyle Winkler: 5 appearances / 7 IP / 7 ER / 9.00 ERA / 6 hits / 4 BB / 4 K
Northwest Arkansas vs. Arkansas Head-to-Head
Who's Hot - Alex Liddi: 27G .343 AVG / 2HR / 13 RBI / 9 runs / 8 doubles / 3 triples / 6 SB
Who's Hot - Ramon Torres: 9G .361 AVG
Who's Not - Raul Mondesi: 16G .190 AVG / 29K
Who's Not - Frank Schwindel: 11G .161 AVG / 9K
Travs Leaders (current players)
Batting Average: Raywilly Gomez (.291), Chad Hinshaw (.289)
Home Runs: Blake Gailen (10), Brian Hernandez / Wade Hinkle (8)
RBI: Brian Hernandez (77), Sherman Johnson (53)
Walks: Sherman Johnson (89), Cal Towey (56)
Run Scored: Sherman Johnson (75), Brian Hernandez (59)
Stolen Bases: Drew Maggi (29), Chad Hinshaw (27)
Wins: Albert Suarez (11), Kyle McGowin (9)
Holds: Eduard Santos (12), Chris O'Grady / Danny Reynolds (11)
ERA: Eduard Santos (2.31), Albert Suarez (2.98)
Strikeouts: Kyle McGowin (125), Albert Suarez (121)
Saves: Greg Mahle (16), Danny Reynolds (10)
Batting Average Against: Eduard Santos (.175), Danny Reynolds (.213)
Naturals Leaders (current players)
Batting Average: Parker Morin (.309), Lane Adams (.298)
Home Runs: Jorge Bonifacio (17), Alex Liddi (13)
RBI: Jorge Bonifacio (64), Alex Liddi (56)
Walks: Hunter Dozier (45). Jorge Bonifacio (42)
Run Scored: Hunter Dozier / Alex Liddi (65)
Stolen Bases: Lane Adams (29), Raul Mondesi (19)
Wins: Jonathan Dziedzic (10), Luke Farrell / Daniel Stumpf (5)
Holds: Mark Peterson / Daniel Stumpf (6)
ERA: Brooks Pounders (2.19), Kyle Zimmer (2.81)
Strikeouts: Jonathan Dziedzic (93). Daniel Stumpf (76)
Saves: Malcom Culver (8), Mark Peterson (4)
Batting Average Against: Daniel Stumpf (.212), Brooks Pounders (.223)
If Arkansas wins the North Championship, this is how the Texas League Championship schedule would shake out:
Tuesday, 9/15 - at South winner
Wednesday, 9/16 - at South winner
Friday, 9/18 - vs. South winner (7:10 p.m.)
Saturday, 9/19 (if necessary) - vs. South winner (2:10 p.m.)
Sunday, 9/20 (if necessary) - vs. South winner (2:10 p.m.)
2015 marks the third straight season Arkansas has made the playoffs. Tickets are available at www.travs.com, by stopping by the Dickey-Stephens Park box office and by calling (501) 664-7559.