Written by Raptors Broadcaster Hunter Shumake
The 2023 West Coast League regular season has concluded. The Ridgefield Raptors are one of four teams from the southern division who have earned their right into the 2023 postseason. The other three teams from the southern division to make the playoff are: Corvallis, Cowlitz, and Portland. For the Raptors, their first opposition in the playoffs will be the Portland Pickles.
The first round of the playoffs will be a best of three Divisional Series. By winning the first half championship, the Raptors are the number one seed in the southern division and will face the number four seed—Portland. The Divisional Series will be broken down into the following format for the Raptors:
AWAY August 8th, Game 1—start time 7:05 PM PDT
HOME August 9th, Game 2—start time 6:35 PM PDT
HOME August 10th, Game 3—start time 6:35 PM PDT
*Game three would only be played if the series is tied 1-1 after the first two games*
The season record between the Raptors and the Pickles is tied 3-3. The teams first met back in June at Walker Stadium when the Raps rallied to win the series with solid victories in games two and three after dropping game one. The teams met for a second time this season early in July when the Raptors clinched the 1st half championship with a 10-3 victory in game two against the Pickles; however, in that second series Portland prevailed in games one and three to win the series.
The Divisional Series this year will be a rematch between Portland and Ridgefield. In the 2022 season, the Raps knocked Portland out of the post season by winning the
first two games of the series. The difference this year will be home field advantage. Raps will have game two and three at home while they will be on the road for game one—reversed from
last year. Last year, the Raps played game one at home, won 9-8 and then proceeded to win the series the following day on the road with a 7-5 victory over Portland. The rivalry has been growing between Portland and Ridgefield.
The winner of the Divisional Series between Ridgefield and Portland will play either Corvallis or Cowlitz in the Divisional Championship. Corvallis has the home field advantage in the other Divisional Series. Both Divisional Series’ follow the same game format.
The 2023 West Coast League playoffs will kick off on Tuesday August 8th at Walker stadium against the Portland Pickles. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM PDT. For more information, please visit ridgefieldraptors.com. #GoRaps