But Mariners manager Mike Chewpoy has been around the block more than just a few times and knows of the dangers that loom almost on every pitch.
Chewpoy realizes that in a best-of-three series, anything can happen and the 30-14 Mariners will not take the 24-20 North Delta Blue Jays lightly in the opening-series doubleheader that begins today at 1 p.m. at Layritz Park.
On the Mainland, the Victoria Eagles (21-23) venture to face the defending champion North Shore Twins (32-12) in their series.
The Mariners finished third in the regular-season standings, just behind leading Langley Blaze (33-11) and North Shore.
鈥淎 30-win season, when there are only 44 games as opposed to the past when we had 48, that feels pretty good,鈥� admitted Chewpoy, who is proceeding with caution because of the format that starts with two games today and a third on Sunday, if necessary.
鈥淚 would love the first round to be a best-of-five. 鈥� We develop five pitchers in case one of our starters goes down. If it鈥檚 a best-of-five we feel really good going into that. Sometimes, in a best-of-three, if you run into two hot pitchers you could be done, regardless.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how many times I鈥檝e seen the No. 1 seed lose to the No. 8 seed because of two hot pitchers. North Delta is no different,鈥� added Chewpoy. 鈥淪till, I like our chances. Our guys have been upbeat and our pitchers are ready to go.
鈥淥ur defence is always solid and our hitting is near the top of the league. We鈥檙e feeling good, but we know anything can happen in a best-of-three.鈥�
Chewpoy will go with his regular pitching rotation with Liam Kruse and Jesse Simpson expected to start today鈥檚 two games. He then can go to Duncan Brens-Knight in Game 3, if required, with the likes of Nick Seginowich and Jason Willow waiting in the wings. He also has Dawson Neal and junior Jared Anderson to draw upon.
鈥淗onestly, we like our chances with all of our pitchers,鈥� said Chewpoy, whose Mariners defeated the Blue Jays in three of four regular-season matchups this season, most recently in back-to-back 5-1 victories just a week ago on the road. At home, Victoria won 13-5 and lost 15-13 to North Delta, coming back from a 15-0 deficit.
The Eagles are in a tougher situation in facing the Twins, having lost all four previous matchups this season, however, coming off close 5-4 and 6-5 decisions on the on road July 6. The Eagles also lost 10-1 and 5-0 at home June 26.
The four surviving teams advance to the BCPBL championship series in Abbotsford, which grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot. Should Abbotsford advance to the final round, that would mean a four-team wrap-up tournament. Should the Cardinals lose, it becomes a five-team affair with Abbotsford as host.
鈥淚 have a ton of respect for them,鈥� Chewpoy said of the 20-24 Abbotsford Cardinals. 鈥淭he way they run their program 鈥� right from their public address announcer to their coaching staff, to their bullpen to their entire facilities 鈥� they are top drawer.鈥�
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