Series preview - Calgary Vipers v2.0

UPDATE: Game 1 (Monday's game) against the Vipers has been POSTPONED due to food poisoning issues on the Vipers. Tomorrow will see a double-header start at 6:05, second game likely around 8:30.


Here come the Vipers for the second time this month, as they land for 4 games against the Seals Monday through Thursday (all games 7:05 starts). As if that's not enough, they then hit the road for 3 more games in Calgary. This 7-pak of games against this really good team from Cowtown could be a tough stretch for the Seals...

Tale of the Tape

The Vipers have begun to show their dominant side this year, winning 10 of their last 12 games (including 5 games againt the Seals in that span) and sit at 17-8, a game and a half behind Chico in second place in the North division.

Despite taking 2 of 3 from Edmonton, the Seals remain in fourth place in the North division, eleven games back of Chico, and just a game ahead of St. George for last place.

Who's Hot - Vipers

Well the whole team is hot actually, averaging over 11 runs per game over their last five. Drew Miller continues to be a force at the plate, banging home 11 runs while batting .417 over the last week. Vipers Jonny Caplan and Caonabo Cosme have also come alive, batting .400 and .429 respectively in their last 7. Team batting average sits at .303 for the year, .341 over their recent winning streak.

Who's Hot - Seals

New guy Mike Mooney is taking the city by storm, batting an impressive .455 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in his first 5 games. Brian Rios (.417) and Dale Swinford (.400) are also riding hot streaks at the plate over the past week.

Wilver Perez is really struggling of late, mired in a 2 for 21 slump. He had more hits against Matt Rogelstad at second base on Saturday night than he's had in his last 8 games at the plate.

On the pitching side, despite the mounting losses, the Seals have actually been pretty good on the mound. Andrew Arreola, Arron Easton and P.J. Bevis have all shown signs of brilliance coming out of the pen, giving up only 2 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings of relief.

Keys to the Series

This will be an interesting series to watch. Can the Seals build on the team momentum gained in the Edmonton series? Can Wilver Perez get fired up from his donnybrook on Saturday night? Can Mike Mooney continue to help the team at the plate? Can the bullpen remain stingy?

Series Prediction

You have to walk before you run. While I'd love to suggest the Seals will do all those things, I can't help but feel the Vipers are a bit stronger at the plate than Seals pitching can handle. With Mo Mentum on the team however, anything is possible. I'll go for a home series split against Calgary, with each team winning 2. We'll see how that turns out before predicting the road three...