The Red Deer Riggers playoff matchup in the Sunburst League semifinals has officially been set.
In a rematch of last year's semifinal tilt, the Riggers will take on the Calgary Rockies in a best-of-three series in hopes of advancing to the league finals.
Riggers manager Jaret Chatwood said he expects it to be a tough series.
"We've played them five times and went 3-2 against them this season. Every game was close so it's going to be a great series," said Chatwood.
The Riggers fell to the Rockies in three games in 2023, but Red Deer is hoping for a different result this time around.
"It was kind of the same thing last year, we finished in first place and they ended up beating us in the playoffs... We want the outcome to be different for sure," he added.
"They have a couple really good pitchers so it's going to be key for us to have good at-bats early on in the game just to try to manufacture runs in any way possible. They're really good at commanding the zone and they know how to pitch."
Game 1 is set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6th at Great Chief Park followed by Game 2 in Calgary on Wednesday. If needed, Game 3 will be back at Great Chief on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
This season the Riggers finished in first place in the south standings with a 13-5 record which was four points ahead of the second-place Rockies. Depending on who moves on to the finals in the north division, they'll face either the first-place Edmonton Cubs or the second-place Sherwood Park Athletics.
Leading up to the series, the Riggers have been practising while also working out individually to prepare for the postseason. This year they have a strong belief in their group.
"I think everyone is doing everything that they can to get focused and ready for Game 1," Chatwood said.
"I think we're confident. We're as strong as any team out there and we proved it all season. We started 0-2 on the year and battled back. We started to figure it out and I think we're in a really good spot for playoffs... As long as we can keep playing our game I think we're going to be in a pretty good spot."
