Fall baseball is heating up in the minor leagues, too.
While the major leagues are still in the thick of the postseason race, the lower levels of the minor leagues, Low Single-A and High Single-A, have begun their postseasons.
The Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) took on the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers) in Game 3 of the Upper Single-A Midwest League Division Series at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan on Saturday.
Great Lakes players celebrate after clinching the victory in Game 3 of the Midwest League Division Series on Saturday. Photo by Jaeho Kim, Correspondent
Great Lakes players celebrate after clinching a spot in the Midwest League Championship. Photo (Midland, USA) = Jaeho Kim Correspondent
The game ended in a 2-1 victory for Great Lakes, which advanced to the Midwest League Championship Series with a 2-1 series lead.메이저놀이터
If you think the postseason in the minor leagues is a lukewarm affair, you’d be wrong.
“It’s different from the regular season,” said right-hander Hyun-il Choi, who plays for Great Lakes. It’s like win or die,” Choi said of the postseason atmosphere.
He gestured down the hallway to a pile of vinyl. It’s from a champagne party in the clubhouse. Celebrating victory is not unlike the major leagues.
Great Lakes’ Dalton Rushing celebrates after being thrown out at the plate. Photo (Midland, USA)=Jaeho Kim Correspondent
Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect, led the way for Great Lakes on the day, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Choi said, “He’s good. He’s a no-nonsense player. He’s one of those hitters that if I were facing him, I wouldn’t throw a fastball. He’s good at pitch calling,” Choi said of his teammate.
Jared Carothers is the son of Eric Carothers. Photo (Midland, USA)=Jaeho Kim Correspondent
On the mound, starter Jared Caroth pitched five innings of two-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts.
Carros is the son of Park’s former Dodgers teammate, Eric Carros. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2022 draft. He is pursuing his big league dreams with his father’s team.
Great Lakes players celebrate after clinching the Division Series victory. Photo (Midland, U.S.)=Jaeho Kim Correspondent
Great Lakes will play the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins) in the championship series two days later on April 18. The series will be a best-of-three series.
Choi will start Game 1. “Seeing them pop champagne like this today, it would be great to win two more games and win the championship,” he said.