The Norfolk Tides ended their season with the best overall record and the International League regular season crown. After winning the first half International League Eastern Division Title, the Tides enter the playoffs on top.
Finishing with a franchise record 90 wins, the Tides also won a league best 48 games in the first half of the season, as they ran away with the Eastern Division. Now, they face the second half champs, the Durham Bulls in the International League Championship Series.
This is the first time in history that the two teams will face each other in the playoffs. It’s the first time Norfolk has qualified for the playoffs since 2015, while Durham has won the International League Championship in back-to-back seasons and looks for a three-peat.
Though the Tides are headed to the postseason, pitching has to be a top concern, as in five of the last six games, Norfolk pitching gave up seven or more runs, going 2-3 in those games. On the other hand, the offense scored six or more runs in five of the last games, going 3-2 in those contests.
The Bulls, the top affiliate for the Tampa Bay Rays, finished with the second best overall record at 88-62, 2.5 games behind the Tides.
The series is interestingly a harbinger of the parent clubs, who are duking it out for the best AL record and division title. Both teams are assured of a playoff spot, with the Orioles leading the Rays by 2.5 games in the final week of the season.
Let’s see what players we’ll need to watch for both teams as they head into their postseason clash, starting with the Tides.
JACKSON HOLLIDAY – INF
We discussed how the top overall prospect started his Triple-A career, and this week, the young phenom returns, as he reached base 15 times (nine hits and six walks) in six games in the final series. While there are many others who could fill this spot, the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year is the focus of this series.
In a trend that has helped carry Holliday through four levels of minor league ball this season, the No. 1 overall prospect has shown a unique eye and seasoned plate discipline you would expect from a 10-year MLB veteran.
Across 18 games with Norfolk, Holliday is slashing .267/.396/.400 with two home runs, nine RBIs and 18 runs scored. The 19-year-old has also walked 16 times and has stolen a base.
Overall, Holliday has amassed a .941 OPS through four levels of minor league ball and has walked 101 times over 125 games, adding 154 hits for the season. Though his Triple-A season has been less than 20 games, the growth and maturity that Holliday has demonstrated makes him a focal and key player for the series.
GARRETT STALLINGS – RHP
As pitching has struggled in the second half of the season, there are plenty of players who could fall into this slot. The Tides need someone to step up and lead by example in order for them to take charge in the series.
Stallings is the one to fill those shoes, especially with how he closed the season for Norfolk. This is the type of pressure that can help a pitcher take the next step in their journey and establish themselves as a front-line starter.
Stallings pitched in four games (two starts) in September, compiling a 3-0 record with one save. He allowed a .177 average against while pitching to a 2.78 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. Across 22.2 innings, Stallings struck out 26 batters while yielding just four walks.
Stallings could stabilize the pitching staff to start the series and give the Tides an early advantage, putting the Bulls’ backs against the wall.
Now, let’s look at the key players for Durham:
AUSTIN SHENTON – INF
A former fifth-round pick of the Seattle Mariners, Austin Shenton was acquired in a trade in July of 2021 and has started to put his talents together.
During the season, across two levels, the power-hitting infielder has clubbed 25 home runs with 99 RBIs across 134 games. Shenton is slashing .304/.423/.584, collecting 94 walks and 45 doubles.
Shenton, who is the No. 26 ranked prospect in a deep Rays farm system, put together an OPS of 1.035 in 61 games with the Bulls this season.
His ability to change the game with one swing will be a difference maker for the Bulls in the series. A power hitter who has a keen eye at the plate and can hit for average, it’s the kind of player that can alter a series very quickly.
MASON MONTGOMERY – LHP
Montgomery, like Holliday, is still fresh to the Triple-A level, but it hasn’t stopped showcasing his talent and making a statement.
Through four starts with Durham, Montgomery has a 2-0 record and a 2.70 ERA across 16.2 innings of work. He has held opponents to a .127 batting average, but his control has led to a 13:11 strikeout to walk ratio.
Montgomery possesses a fastball that can touch 97 mph and is one of his most dominant pitches. His changeup and slider come in above average and give him an arsenal that has seen him excel through the minors from rookie ball to Durham in less than two years.
His ability to control a game could help Durham make a statement and stay in the series with a strong outing.
During the season, the Tides would go 14-6 against the Durham Bulls, who would come on strong in the second half, as they won the International Eastern Division. It’s fitting the top two International League teams will fight it out to advance to the next round while also providing a preview of future clashes.
The best of three series is slated to begin Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. EST with games two and three (if necessary) having the same start time.
Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann will take the mound to open the series for Norfolk, with right-hander Cooper Criswell starting for Durham. Will the Tides rise to the occasion and sink the Bulls, or will Durham see red and hold the Tides down?
How do you see this playoff series going? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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