Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Carolina Mudcats / Durham Bulls / Baseball Bulls, Mudcats open baseball season Thursday night
Posted by Mike Potter @mikepotterrdu on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 8:32 PM
- Photo courtesy Durham Bulls
- Jeremy Hellickson will get the Opening Night start for the Bulls at Norfolk.
Both local teams are on the road.
The Durham Bulls will begin defense of their Triple-A National and International League Governors’ Cup Championships tonight at 7:15, when they visit the South Division rival Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park in the opener of a four-game series.
And in the Southern League, the Carolina Mudcats will visit the Birmingham Barons for an 8:05 p.m. start at Regions Park in the opener of a five-game series.
For Durham, Jeremy Hellickson (6-1, 2.51) will take on Chris Tillman (8-6, 2.70) in a battle of right-handers as the Bulls begin their fourth season under Charlie Montoyo. The Puerto Rican skipper has set the expectations high, as the Bulls’ worst finish under him has been as the runner-up in the 14-team IL.
“You know how these rosters change, so it depends what kind of division we’re going to have,” Montoyo said. “You never know how the teams are going to be. Last year we had the best division in our league, and that made winning the championship more special. But I think we’re going to have a good team.”
For the Mudcats, right-hander Matt Klinker (3-2, 2.95) will take the hill as the club begins its second season under David Bell. Carolina, which is in its second season as the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, missed the first-half title in the North Division by one game.
“They already know the expectations,” Bell said of his club. “It’s a good group of guys that play the game the right way, a solid defensive team with good pitching. I like the way they go about their business, and I’m excited about the style of play that we’re going to have.”
Durham’s first seven games are on the road before they take on the Tides April 15 at 7:05 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Mudcats’ home opener is April 14 at 7:15 against the Montgomery Biscuits, the team right below the Bulls in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization.
- To create paragraphs in your comment, type <p> at the start of a paragraph and </p> at the end of each paragraph.
- To create bold text, type <b>bolded text</b> (please note the closing tag, </b>).
- To create italicized text, type <i>italicized text</i> (please note the closing tag, </i>).
- Proper web addresses will automatically become links.
Latest in Triangle Offense
-
Carolina RailHawks goes down to Atlanta Silverbacks 2-0 for RailHawks' first loss of season
Despite the loss, the RailHawks reaches the midpoint of the NASL Spring season atop the league standings.
- May 18, 2013
-
Shake-up unfolding in NASL front office staff, per internal league memo
The changes, which will all take effect this month, include a new Director of Operations and Director of Communications.
- May 17, 2013
-
Mudcats' woes get worse with late Salem comeback
Red Sox deal Mudcats ninth straight loss at home.
- May 15, 2013
- More »
More by Mike Potter
-
Break out the brooms: Muddies complete Winston-Salem sweep
Solid pitching, Wendle's big bat keep Zebulon club undefeated.
- Apr 7, 2013
-
Seeing Harper's Wolfpack tenure end isn't much fun
The young coach should still have a bright future in the profession.
- Mar 27, 2013
- More »
