Jackfish set for major matchup to open CBL playoffs

By ROD MAWHOOD

Three teams — the Welland Jackfish, London Majors and Hamilton Cardinals — finished tied for top spot with 31-17 records in the Canadian Baseball League standings. Two of those three teams, Welland and London, will now face each other in a best-of-seven opening-round CBL playoff series beginning Friday night in London.

The two clubs have also been crowned champions of the IBL (now CBL) in four of the last five seasons.

The defending champion Jackfish feature three players near the top of almost every offensive leaderboard category.

Daiki Abe is third in batting average at .397, while Ethan Mann is fifth at .392. Mann is also tied for third in home runs with 15 and leads the league in RBI with 71, breaking the single-season league record.

Jonah Weisner finished fifth in runs batted in with 54 and led the league in doubles with 20.

Abe and Mann were also second and third in hits with 77 and 76, respectively. Abe was tied for first with three triples, ranked second in on-base percentage at .489 and led the Canadian Baseball League in stolen bases with 40.

Maikol Escotto is clearly the best hitter for the Majors.

He's first in the CBL in hits with 86, second in home runs with 16 and fourth in batting average at .396.

On the mound, veteran Welland closer Deivy Mendez finished third in the league in saves with six, while London's Travis Keys and Victor Payano were tied for the top spot in wins with eight. Payano was also fourth in strikeouts with 82 and fourth in WHIP at 1.29.

"This series will be tight. Outside of the last game, the first five games between us during the regular season were all close — the largest being a three-run difference," explained Jackfish Manager Brian Essery.

"I believe we have the deepest starting rotation and bullpen.

"If we can execute the small things at the plate, move runners over and get that big hit with runners in scoring position, then I like our chances.

"With the games being tight, I expect Deivy Mendez to be in a lot of big situations, and that's a positive for us.

"Our key at the plate will be getting runners on and in scoring position in front of Ethan Mann. He's delivered all season, so I expect the same in the postseason."

Game 1 goes Friday night in London at 6:05 p.m., with Game 2 back in Welland Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, September 6 at London — 6:05 p.m.

Game 4: Wednesday, September 9 at Welland — 7:05 p.m.

Game 5*: Friday, September 11 at London — 7:05 p.m.

Game 6*: Saturday, September 12 at Welland — 7:05 p.m.

Game 7*: Sunday, September 13 at London — 6:05 p.m.

*If necessary.

Playoff tickets are on sale now at tickets.wellandjackfish.com.