Following the Anglers hottest stretch of the season — eight wins in nine games — Chatham has lost two straight by a combined score of 15-4. The A’s are one point above Yarmouth-Dennis for first place in the East Division, and the Red Sox play two fewer games in the final week of the season.

On Saturday, Chatham allowed double-digit runs for just the second time this season. And in last night’s game at Whitehouse Field, the Anglers struggled to score. They mustered four hits, three of which came off the bat of Hueston Morrill (Oklahoma State), in a 5-1 loss. 

“They played really good, we played really average,” Manager Tom Holliday said on Sunday. “Aside from four or five innings on the mound and Huey Morrill, it's hard to get excited about that ball game.”

Unlike the A’s, who’ve already clinched a playoff spot, the Mariners are fighting to make the postseason. They’re in fourth place, three points ahead of Brewster.

Probable pitchers

Kolby Kubickek (Texas) is expected to start for Chatham. The right-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the Cape League with a 0.93 ERA that ranked first in the East Division after Kubichek’s last start on July 25. Kubichek has allowed an earned run in just two of his seven appearances this season, and he’s recorded 33 strikeouts in 29 innings of work.

Another All-Star, Will Heflin (Tennessee), will start for the Mariners. Heflin and Kubichek have almost identical ERAs — the left-hander has a 0.94 ERA in 19 innings of work this season. Monday will be Heflin’s first start for Harwich where he’s recently been used as a one-to-two inning relief pitcher. 

Player to watch

Despite the A’s struggles, Hueston Morrill (Oklahoma State) has been a bright spot in Chatham’s offense. The infielder has eight hits in his last six games, including a three-hit night in Sunday’s loss. Morrill raised his batting average to .220 and has hit leadoff for the past three games.

Stat to know — 4.98

For most of its season, Harwich had the top pitching staff in the Cape League until its team ERA jumped in the last week to fourth. But it’s constant struggle has been pitching away from Whitehouse Field where its posted a 4.98 ERA on the road. The number is more than double its home ERA (2.24). 

Season series

Chatham is 3-2 against Harwich this season. The A’s hold a slight advantage in run differential, outscoring the Mariners 15-14 in its five games.