The Chatham Anglers (22-9-1) will take their hot-hitting offense, league-leading record, and all-star pitcher to Clem Spillane Field on Sunday to take on the Wareham Gatemen (6-26).
Despite the Gatemens struggle this season, Manager
John Schiffner knows that they can not be overlooked.
Every Cape League team is a good team with great players, Schiffner said. We dont want to drop a game we should win.
The Anglers have been on a hot streak offensively, scoring 10 runs or more in their past three games, which have helped Chatham reach a three-game winning streak.
Not only have they won their last three games, they have won decisively against top teams in the Western Division.
We are playing with an attitude,
J.D Davis (Cal State Fullerton) said. We know we are a good team, and if we come out and play hard, we know we can compete with any team in this league.
Left-hander
Matt Gage (Siena), who was selected to the Eastern Division All-Star team on Saturday, will make his sixth start of the season for the Anglers.
On the season, Gage holds a 3-1 record with a 3.37 ERA. He has struck out 19 and has only allowed five walks in 26.2 innings pitched. In his last start, Gage picked up the win after only allowing four hits and one earned run against Orleans, a game in which the Anglers came back to win a 2-1 rain-shortened game.
Gages counterpart on the mound will be left-hander Fred Shepard (Amherst College). Shepard has struggled with a 1-4 record and a 3.58 ERA. Despite the record, Shepard pitched masterfully on July 15, shutting out the potent Falmouth Commodores offense while striking out five over seven innings.
The Anglers extended their first-place lead in the Eastern Division to double digits for the first time in 2013, and now hold a 10 point lead over the second-place Harwich Mariners.
First pitch at 7 p.m. Tune into the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. for live coverage with broadcasters Brandon Liebhaber and Keith Zubrow at
TRZ Teamline or call 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.
Chris Jones is the Beat Writer and Social Media Manager for the Chatham Anglers. Follow him on twitter at @Chrisjones_UO, and follow the Chatham Anglers at @ChathamAnglers.
Starting Lineup:
1. Mitchell Gunsolus (Gonzaga)- DH
2. Dante Flores (USC)- 2B
3. Connor Joe (San Diego)- 1B
4. J.D Davis (Cal State Fullerton)- 3B
5. Sheehan Planas-Arteaga (Barry)- LF
6. Brandon Sedell (Nova Southeastern)- C
7. Josh Eldridge (Old Dominion)- RF
8. Brett Bell (Texas Tech)- CF
9. Michael Russell (North Carolina)- SS