After falling in all three games against Syracuse out of the All-Star Break, the Rochester Red Wings are in a bit of a rut. They've lost their first-place spot in the International League second half and dropped four straight. And now, they have a six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, one of the two teams ahead of them.
So, this will likely be the season's biggest series so far. Depending on how it goes, the Red Wings could regain or expand the lead or be knocked further down the standings.
It may seem hyperbolic to say that so early in the second half, but how the cut-down International League playoff system works means there is little room for error. And with the six-game series model, games can be made up or lost in the standings very quickly... but you'd much rather have to avoid that.
So, this week could go a long way to determine if the top prospects of the Washington Nationals will have a chance to experience postseason play at the AAA level.
OTHER NOTES:
- Tuesday will be Brady House's first home game as a Red Wing.
- Darren Baker in a four-way tie for first in the league in stolen bases, with 30.
- Travis Blankenhorn is tied for third in home runs with 19.
- Rico Garcia is just one save off the lead in the category for the International League, with 15.
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