AFL Championship Game – Mesa Solar Sox (19-11-1) vs. Surprise Saguaros (18-12-1)
- Game Time – 2:10pm CST
- Coverage – TV: MLB Network, MLB.com
- Location – Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale
Dallas Beeler (4-1, 2.49/1.34) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 5.52/1.50)
The 2013 Arizona Fall League Championship game takes place this afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants. At least two of the top prospects in the Cubs’ system are expected in Mesa’s starting lineup. Kris Bryant should be at the hot corner while Jorge Soler patrols right field. Albert Almora’s status for this afternoon’s game is unknown. Albert Almora left Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
The Solar Sox won four of the seven games against Surprise this fall. And Mesa’s roster is made up of players from the Cubs, Angels, A’s, Nationals and Tigers’ systems.
The Solar Sox have not won an AFL Championship since 2003.
The Solar Sox have a very good lineup led by the Angels’ C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant. Both Cron and Bryant led the league in several offensive categories this fall.
Kris Bryant edged out Cron in the home run title. Bryant launched six dingers in 20 games while Cron hit five in 20 games. Bryant finished second in the league in doubles (8), seventh in RBI (17), eighth in walks (14), fifth in BA (.364), fourth in OBP (.457), first in slugging (.727) and first in OPS (1.184).
Dallas Beeler is making his seventh start of the fall today. After a rough start to the fall league, Beeler has settled down and pitched rather well. Beeler has allowed 13 runs, six earned, on 24 hits with five walks and nine strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings.
The Sox will face a tough left in Orioles’ southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez makes his sixth start in a Saguaros’ uniform this afternoon. Rodriguez has allowed nine runs on 16 hits with six walks and 16 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.
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