The Ridgefield Raptors are going to the playoffs. That much they know.
What they don’t know is who they will be facing or where that playoff series will begin.
The Raptors cling to a narrow lead in the second-half standings of the West Coast League’s South Division as they embark on a three-game series in Walla Walla to conclude the regular season. The series against the Sweets begins Tuesday.
Another thing is certain — the Raptors are not satisfied with simply qualifying for the playoffs.
“One of the big things that (Raptors manager Chris) Cota said to us after we clinched the playoff spot was to not be like everyone else when they know they’re going to the playoffs,” outfielder Hunter Katschke said. “They kind of shut down and take it easy. Every game means a lot for us. We want to get that second seed so we can play the (Portland) Pickles.”
In key series this week for South Division teams, Ridgefield plays at Walla Walla (19-32 full season), Portland hosts Kelowna (15-36) and the Bend Elks host Wenatchee (34-17).
Ridgefield is 20-5 in the second half of the season, one-half game ahead of the Pickles (20-6). Because the Pickles had a game postponed by weather in the first half of the season and replayed in the second half, Portland had that game added to its second-half record, per league procedures.
If the Raptors win all three games in Walla Walla — or if they win an equal number or more games than Portland over the final three — Ridgefield will win the second-half title in the South Division and earn the No. 2 seed to the playoffs.
The Corvallis Knights, winner of the South Division’s first-half title, are the No. 1 seed.
If Ridgefield secures the No. 2 seed, the Raptors will face Portland in a three-game playoff series starting Saturday in Portland. Game 2 of the series, and Game 3 if necessary, will be played Sunday and Monday in Ridgefield.
However, if the Pickles slip past Ridgefield in the standings over the next three games, Portland will be the No. 2 seed, and the Raptors’ seeding will be determined by their overall season record.
Ridgefield’s four-game winning streak pushed their overall record to 30-21, tying the Raptors with the Bend Elks in the South Division standings.
Bend won the season series over the Raptors 4-2. If the two teams tie in the standings, Bend would secure the No. 3 seed and face Portland to open the playoffs on Saturday.
But if Ridgefield finishes ahead of Bend — without winning the second-half title — the Raptors would be the No. 3 seed and play Portland, hosting Game 1 of the playoff series on Saturday.
However, if the Raptors finish as the No. 4 seed, they will face seven-time defending WCL champion Corvallis in the playoffs, hosting the series opener on Saturday. Ridgefield is 0-6 against Corvallis this season.
Honors for Taylor Takata
Leadoff hitter Taylor Takata (Hawai’i) was selected as the West Coast League’s player of the week after reaching base 21 times with 14 RBI and three stolen bases in six games.
Takata is batting .340 on the season with an on-base percentage of .486. He has drawn 39 walks in 41 games this season.
Hot bats, lots of runs
The Raptors have been swinging hot bats as they head to Walla Walla.
Ridgefield scored 36 runs in completing a three-game sweep of the Springfield Drifters over the weekend, stretching their current win streak to four games.
Katschke went 5 for 11 with two home runs in the series sweep of Springfield. Takata went 6 for 14, Dasan Harris went 6 for 12 and Kyle Memarian was 8 for 14, including a five-RBI game in a 16-12 win on Sunday.
“We’re not going to be complacent (now) that we’ve clinched the playoffs,” Memarian said. “We want to win this second half and have that home-field advantage. So, we’re still grinding every game and just going after it.”
