If the Salem RidgeYaks are going to make the Carolina League playoffs they’re going to have to make a move this week. The Yaks come into the week five and a half games behind the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in the second half North Division standings with seven games to be played in Fayetteville.
The Yaks opened the series Tuesday night, and on Wednesday they’re scheduled to play a doubleheader, making up a rained out game in Salem. Single games follow Thursday through Sunday and Salem has to realistically win at least five of the seven to have a puncher’s chance of catching the Woodpeckers.
Wilson is also in the mix, four and a half games behind the ‘Peckers after splitting a six-game series in Salem last week. The Yaks dominated in the first two games, winning 21-4 and 8-0, but then lost the next two, 11-10 and 7-5. They split the weekend, winning 15-9 on Saturday but falling 17-8 on Sunday.
If you like runs, this was the series for you. Salem scored 67 runs in the six games, averaging over 11 runs a game but still only managing a split.
After this week’s series in Fayetteville the Yaks will be home for the last time beginning next Tuesday, September 1. They’ll host the Hill City Howlers for six games to finish the regular season, and this week’s series in Fayetteville will determine how important those games will be.
The parent Red Sox made some moves last week as outfielder Skylar King and pitcher Barrett Morgan were promoted from the Yaks to the Greenville Drive. Three players were promoted from the Florida Complex League Sox to Salem, outfielder Martin Shelar and pitchers Carson Revay and Alex Kranzler.
