By ending the first half of the season on a high note with 14 wins in 20 games, the Capitals have shown that they will not relinquish their title as Frontier League champions so quickly. However, the second part of the calendar will complicate their quest.
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With the four-day All-Star Game break coming to an end and action resuming for a three-game series at the New York Boulders on Friday night, manager Patrick Scalabrini knows his team is not out of the woods despite his happy streak.
After all, the past five series, or 16 games, have been played against teams with negative records.
The Capitals took the opportunity to collect 11 wins and remain in the playoffs, fifth in the East Division, with a 29-22 record. At the end of the campaign, the top three in each division advance to the play-offs.
However, the Capitals will have to prove that their recent successes are not fake by facing the Boulders (29-20), Sussex County Miners (29-20) and New Jersey Jackals (32-17) in quick succession. ahead of those in the east.
“I am very confident in what we have and the way we are starting to play. The real test is coming and I can’t wait to see how we will respond,” noted Scalabrini, who celebrated the last few days getting married, no less.
A transformed team
While the manager knows there may be some doubt about the team’s recent encouraging results, he says he is excited about the list he has at hand.
“It is very positive, even though it was the easiest part of our schedule. That being said, we have improved a lot. It is night and day compared to the team we had at the start of the season.
“Returning players helped. Our two Panamanians (Steven Fuentes and Abdiel Saldana) completely changed our look in the rotation. Ruben Castro and David Glaude returned at full time. Castro doesn’t flash that much in a fight, but he changes the dynamic completely. When he’s there, our pitchers are more confident,” he explained.
Ruben Castro lends a solid helping hand to the Capitals.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Reinforcements on the way
While proud of his team’s progress, Scalabrini makes no secret that he expects to continue to improve the workforce.
“With the major league draft just completed, players are free everywhere and there will be some changes. I am very close to having a pitcher that I have verbally agreed with, but I am waiting on his contract. I have two hitters I’m courting who were waiting for the draft. Within a week we could have news,” he specified.
“After the four days off, it’s the real test for everyone and we’re aware of that,” he reiterated.
In favor of the Capitals, they will play only 15 of their last 42 meetings abroad.
