Playoff Start Today for Chihuahuas & Missions (Brief Series Preview)
The El Paso Chihuahuas and the San Antonio Missions start the Championship quests on Wednesday.
Each team will represent the San Diego Padres in the MiLB playoffs and ironically they will play teams that are from the Houston Astros franchise.
Unfortunately, both teams in the Padres organization will be without key players heading into this post season.
The Chihuahuas will be without Luis Urias and Francisco Mejia as both are now with the major league team. Urias was called up last week to the fans delight and Mejia was recalled on Tuesday morning in time for a series against the Diamondbacks. It is a little strange that the team recalled both players right before the playoffs start, but the Padres are going to take a long look at both against major league pitching. The Chihuahuas will have to cope.
The Missions are without Fernando Tatis Jr. and have lost both Cal Quantrill and Logan Allen to promotions. The Missions still have a strong roster headlined by Josh Naylor and Austin Allen who have played for the team all season long. Hudson Potts and Buddy Reed could also be factors for the Missions when it is all said and done. The bullpen had been solid all year for San Antonio, but the majority of the arms have been moved along in the system. Some (Robert Stock, Trey Wingenter, Rowan Wick) are presently pitching for the Padres. The Missions will have a tough task to compete with a very loaded Hooks team.
Here is a brief glimpse at the series and a look at game one.
We will have daily recaps for each game with some video and such.
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Fresno Grizzlies (82-57) @ El Paso Chihuahuas (82-57)
6:05 PM PT
Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
Brady Rodgers vs Walker Lockett
The Chihuahuas will face Brady Rogers, who beat the team last week throwing seven shutout innings against El Paso. The right handed pitcher is 27 years old and is 3-3 with a 5.07 ERA in three different stops for the Astros organization this season. Walker Lockett will oppose him for El Paso. Lockett is 5-9 with a 4.73 ERA this year for the Chihuahuas.
TEXAS LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
San Antonio Missions (71-67) @ Corpus Christi Hooks (82-56)
4:35 PM PT
Whataburger Stadium, Corpus Christi, Texas
Game 1: at Corpus Christi, Sept. 5 at 7:35 p.m. ET
Game 2: at Corpus Christi, Sept. 6 at 7:35 p.m. ET
Game 3: at San Antonio, Sept. 7 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 4: at San Antonio (if necessary), Sept. 8 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 5: at Corpus Christi (if necessary), Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. ET
Ryan Hartman vs *TBD
The Missions are the South Division Wild Card team and get to face first and second half winners, the Corpus Christi Hooks. The Missions lost 17 of 28 games against the Hooks this season. Left handed pitcher, Ryan Hartman led the Texas League in wins (11), ERA (2.69) and strikeouts (143) and will be a tough opponent. The Missions have yet to announce their starter. All games for both series will be available on MiLB TV.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.