This weekend is a battle for first place in the North Division when the Falcons (21-12) visit the Wenatchee Applesox (24-9) for a three-game series.

It’s the first time these two clubs will meet this season and there is plenty on the line in the final series before the All-Star break.  The Falcons are coming off their seventh straight series win and are playing very good baseball right now, particularly on the mound holding the Kamloops NorthPaws to just six runs this week.  The pitching staff has combined to record a 3.65 ERA, second best in the West Coast League…second to the Applesox.

Yes, this could be a pitching dominated weekend with the Sox staff ERA of 3.62.  These two pitching staffs have allowed the fewest runs to date, the Falcons giving up just one more than the Applesox. The only glaring edge the Applesox are better is in the strikeout department.  Their staff has fanned 303 batters, compared to the Falcons who have recorded 259.  That said, both teams don’t give up much.

It’s to be expected that both teams have two of the highest batting averages in the WCL.  The Sox are hitting .275 while the Falcons are at a .270 clip with both teams clubbing over 20 homeruns. The Sox have outscored the Falcons 263-228 to date and have won five of their six games this month and have scored 20 or more runs in two games this season.

This will no doubt be a fun weekend to watch as the top two teams in the North go head-to-head.  The Falcons will return the favour and host the Applesox later this month from July 28-30.  Following this series the teams will hit the All-Star break before the Falcons return home for the Nanaimo NightOwls on July 17^th.