GAME PREVIEW - BAYCATS AT MAPLE LEAFS (JUNE 28, 2023)

TORONTO – With another postponed game this past Monday, the Barrie Baycats will face the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second time in three games. This time they will travel to Christie Pits. Barrie is looking for their eighth straight victory after beating the Welland Jackfish on Saturday. 

After Toronto lost against those same Jackfish on Sunday, they have dropped to fourth place losing back-to-back games. But anything can happen between these two teams. Especially at the Pits.

Lineup and Starting Pitcher

With Starlin Rodriguez making his second start at shortstop this season and Adam Odd playing at his natural position of first base, the Baycats have a bit of a different look. The top four in the order are still the same. But there is once again some shuffling at the bottom with Josh Cote, Victor Plaz, and Kyle Maves switching spots to create some different matchups. 

Making his second start against the Maple Leafs this season and looking for his third win, Jeifry Nunez has had a nice stretch of games recently. Barrie has won his last three starts and Nunez has allowed only four earned runs in those appearances. One of those was a five inning outing where he gave up one earned run against Toronto.

Here is the Full Starting Lineup

Players to look out for 

Victor Plaz: Boasting a team best .433 batting average and connecting for two home runs in Welland last Saturday, Victor Plaz has hit in four straight contests driving in seven runs and scoring eight. This recent hot stretch has only made this lineup better and the Baycats will need that moving forward.

Ryan Rijo: Ryan Rijo earned the title of IBL Hitter of the Week and has continued to mash. There has only been one game this season that Rijo hasn’t recorded a hit in. Ryan is no stranger to hitting against Barrie’s Highway 400 rival. Four for five with six RBI against the Maple Leafs last Thursday to go along with an amazing postseason a year ago which was also against the Leafs. 

Kyle Maves: Kyle Maves in the nine spot basically acts as another leadoff man. Maves stole 30 bases this season in college which makes him a threat on the bases. Kyle, along with Noel McGarry-Doyle, Canice Ejoh, and Starlin Rodriguez make a fast attack and a dangerous one as well.  

Game Information

Tonight’s matchup kicks off at 7:30 pm. Entry is free of charge but if you can’t make it down to Toronto, the Leafs will have the game on their YouTube Channel for fans to watch from home. Enjoy the game!