Game #139 Preview — Dash at Carolina
Game #139 — Road Game #69
Winston-Salem Dash (28–40, 56–82) at Carolina Mudcats (22–46, 51–87)
Monday, September 5–12 p.m.
Five County Stadium (Zebulon, N.C.)
GAME BACKGROUND:
The 2016 season comes to an end Monday, with the Dash hoping to avoid a sweep at Carolina. Winston-Salem dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Sunday, including a 3–2 walk-off defeat in the nightcap.
STARTING LINEUP:
Landon Lassiter — CF
Dante Flores — 2B
Mason Robbins — RF
Nick Basto — LF
Zack Collins — DH
Toby Thomas — 3B
Marcus Davis — 1B
Brett Austin — C
Cleuluis Rondon — SS
Tanner Banks — LHP
Get Winston-Salem Dash’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
DASH DOTS:
- Carolina’s three-run rally in the home half of the seventh overshadowed another brilliant outing from righty Jordan Stephens, who struck out eight over five shutout innings in Sunday’s finale. In his final three starts of 2016, the former Rice University star gave up just two runs (both earned) on nine hits in 15.0 innings, during which he struck out 29 batters.
- However, a frustrating trend continued, as the Dash fell to 8–19 in Stephens’ 27 starts, even though he stands second in the Carolina League in ERA (3.45). Winston-Salem averaged just 4.0 runs per game in Stephens’ starts.
- Stephens’ 155 strikeouts represent the most by a Winston-Salem hurler during the Dash era (2009-present). The previous record belonged to J.B. Wendelken, who whiffed 129 in 2014. No pitcher in franchise history had collected more than Stephens’ 2016 total since Carlos Chantres fanned 158 for the 1997 Warthogs. Stephens’ total is also the highest by a Carolina Leaguer since Lynchburg’s Aaron Northcraft whiffed 160 during the Hillcats’ championship season of 2012.
- Winston-Salem has locked up the worst season in the Dash era. The previous low-water mark came in 2014, when the club was 61–78 (.439). Winston’s winning percentage of .410 (with a win Monday) or .403 (with a loss Monday) will be the franchise’s lowest since 2002 (50–90; .357).
- Barring a remarkable turn of events, Winston-Salem outfielder Mason Robbins will win the Carolina League’s batting crown. Robbins’ .316 mark is nine points better than teammate Nick Basto, who is second at .306. Robbins will also finish atop the CL in hits (159 entering Monday).
- The true race is for second place, with Basto holding a two-point advantage on Frederick’s Aderlin Rodriguez. Should Basto maintain that edge, the Dash would boast the top two hitters in the league for the second time in five seasons. In 2012, Carlos Sanchez and Dan Black finished one-two on the circuit with .315 batting averages.
- While the Dash’s season will not include a trip to the postseason, Triple-A Charlotte will meet the Gwinnett Braves on Monday at 2:05 p.m. in a winner-take-all game for the International League South Division title. The Knights have not been to the IL’s postseason since 2012, when current Dash manager Joel Skinner was leading the way.
- The only team in the White Sox system that has solidified a playoff spot is short-season Great Falls. The Voyagers, winners of 14 in a row, have been to the Pioneer League playoffs nine times in the last 10 seasons.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Monday’s contest will be broadcast live on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio app. The Pregame Dash will begin at 11:45 a.m., with the first pitch set for 12 p.m.
-Brian
