Chatham received an unexpected day off on Tuesday after high winds, rain and even a tornado ravaged the Cape, bringing down trees and power lines. The Anglers return to action on Wednesday at Yarmouth-Dennis, where they will take on the Red Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will kick off the final 10-game stretch before the playoffs. 

The A’s are closing in on clinching a playoff spot, with a 13 point lead on last place Brewster. While Chatham hasn’t played since Saturday, Y-D played Monday, beating Bourne 5-0, and Tuesday, losing to Wareham 3-2.

Wednesday will be the fifth meeting between the Anglers and the Red Sox in 2019, and Chatham holds a 3-0-1 edge in the season series. The Red Sox continue to be an offensive minded team, with the league’s second-highest average and OPS on the Cape. Meanwhile, they rank ninth in team ERA.

Probable Pitchers

Mason Hazelwood (Kentucky) is expected to start for Chatham. Hazelwood is one of the top strikeout arms on the Cape, as the lefty has 29 punchouts in 19 innings. This season, Hazelwood has a 1.86 ERA and has not allowed a run in his last two appearances.

Cole Ayers (State College of Florida) is expected to relieve Hazelwood. Ayers will make his seventh appearance and fourth start for the A’s on Tuesday. In his last start, also against Brewster, he threw 4.1 innings and allowed just one run. He’ll use his fastball, but locates his offspeed well with his changeup and curveball. 

Ryan Hare (UNLV) is the projected starter for Y-D. Hare will make his fourth appearance this summer and first against the Anglers. In three showings, the right-hander has pitched 11.1 innings and allowed eight runs. In his last start, Hare allowed five runs in four innings against Bourne.  

Player to Watch 

Jorge Arenas (Stetson) had two extra-base hits in the Anglers last game against Harwich, including a solo home run that won Chatham the game. He now has three hits in his last two games, and has become an almost everyday player in his second stint with the Anglers. Arenas has now started the last four games and played three different infield positions. 

Stat to know — 4

Of the 17 qualified hitters in the Cape League batting .300 or better this summer, The Red Sox have four of them. The top of its lineup, including Wyatt Young (.361), Austin Wells (.328), Riley King (.316) and Noah Campbell (.302) have mashed and carried the Y-D offense. 

Last time they met

Chatham and Y-D played at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth on June 12. Daniel Federman (Miami) had his best outing of the season, tossing seven innings of one-run ball. When he departed, the A’s trailed 1-0, but an eighth inning rally brought in one run and salvaged a 1-1 tie. That comeback tie sparked a four-game win streak for Chatham.