Drillers Face Must-Win Game Tonight

The first-half championship in the Texas League's North Division has come down to the final game of the half with the Tulsa Drillers still battling for the title. The Drillers will play another must-win game Monday night at ONEOK Field against Springfield in the final game of the half. First pitch for the critical game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Drillers must win their season-high fifth game in a row to have a chance to win the first-half title. Tulsa must also hope that Northwest Arkansas beats Arkansas on Monday night. Wins by Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas would set up a three-way tie for first place in the division, setting up a unique scenario to determine the first-half winner.
In that scenario, the game on Tuesday, June 19, between the Naturals and the Travelers, which would actually be the first game of the second half, would also serve as a first-half elimination game. The loser would be eliminated from the first-half race, while the winner would face Tulsa for the first-half title in the next scheduled game between the two teams (June 21 Northwest Arkansas at Tulsa or July 15 Arkansas at Tulsa).
Michael Johnson (1-0, 5.81 ERA) will make just his second start of the season on the mound in Monday's must-win game for the Drillers. Johnson will replace Justin De Fratus, who was originally scheduled to start the finale. The Cardinals, who are eliminated from the first-half race, will send Andrew Shew (3-2, 5.22 ERA) to the hill. Tickets for the game are available by clicking HERE.