As the Yard Goats home schedule winds to a close, there figures to be an interesting week ahead in Hartford, with six games against the Yankees’ Double A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.
With the Yankees trying to come out of a long tailspin and nail down a playoff spot, starting pitcher Luis Severino, recovering from a strained lat, will make what he and the Yankees plan to be a final minor league rehab start for Somerset on Wednesday. Other injured Yankees, such as center fielder Harrison Bader or relievers Zack Britton or Aroldis Chapman could join Severino before the week is out.
The Yard Goats’ hopes for a playoff spot are flickering, but can give themselves a chance with a big week. They finish the regular season at Binghamton.
Here’s what else you need to know about the Yard Goats final home stand of the season:
Probable starters and promotions:
Tuesday: Yard Goats RHP Mitch Kilkenny vs. Somerset RH Barrett Loseke 7:05 p.m.
Sitcom trivia night with prizes; Women in Sports pregame panel
Wednesday: Yard Goats RH Will Etheridge vs. Somerset RH Luis Severino, 7:05 p.m.
Bark in the park (Doggie tickets available)
Thursday: Yard Goats RH Noah Gotsis vs. RH Randy Vazquez, 7:05 p.m.
Kids jersey giveaway, first 1,000; Goats play as Los Chivos de Hartford
Friday: Yard Goats RH Noah Davis vs. Somerset RH Clayton Beeter, 7:05 p.m.
Pride Night — first 1,000 receive pride-colored koozie.
Saturday: Yard Goats RH Mike Ruff vs. Somerset RH Will Warren, 6:05 p.m.
Homerun for Heroes; Celebrating veterans. Postgame fireworks
Sunday: Yard Goats RH Kilkenny vs. Somerset RH Loseke, 1:05 p.m.
Final Game celebration. Kids run the bases
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information: Visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
Goats Notes
The Yard Goats lost the first half Northeast Division title to Somerset on the last day. To make the playoffs, they would have to win the second half title or finish with the best record while Somerset wins the second half. With 13 games left, Hartford trails first-place Portland by 6 1/2 games, and Somerset trails Portland by three games. Nevertheless, the Goats, 72-53 overall, will finish with a solid record. … Zac Veen, the Rockies’ top prospect, hit his first Double A homer last week. … Outfielder Brenton Doyle hit his 19th homer, as the Goats won four of six at home vs. Reading last week. … Hartford is in the top five in the Eastern League in runs scored, home runs and steals.
About Somerset
The most talked-about Yankee prospect, shortstop Anthony Volpe, spent most of the season in Somerset, but was promoted to Triple A last week. Catcher Austin Wells is another of New York’s top prospects and is hitting .272 with 10 homers and 36 RBI in 45 games since being promoted to Double A. Everson Periera is hitting .282 with five homers in 28 games since his move up to Somerset.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com
