I tend to panic less than some. I think Phil Warren and Darin Kinsolving are worried a little bit. I am less worried. I am more encouraged by the strong pitching than the lack of offense. Last year the Grizzlies had a nearly unstoppable offense look where that got them in the playoffs.
I think tonight is a must win. Not because of standing, because if we have learned anything from this season in the West it is that teams can move up and down pretty quickly in this crowded race. I think this game is more important for the confidence of this team in this ballpark. Don't forget there is a real chance that these two teams-the Grizzlies and Miners-could meet in the first round of the post-season. If that happens the Grizzlies would be well served to have won at least one game in this park this year. Weird, because last year the Grizzlies had a better record in Marion against the Miners than in Sauget.
The next nine games could REALLY make or break the Grizzlies. They're home for nine straight and they need to hold serve at home, because then they're on the road for 12in a row. That's a long time away from home, and they're going to be facing Traverse City and Kalamazoo-the East's top two teams at least for now. If they can pile up some wins at home it will make whatever happens on the road easier to digest-plus it will build some more confidence and some good will before hitting the road for essentially two weeks in the heat of August.
I fully believe this team has what it takes to compete until the end, if they want to. The last two days have felt kinda blah. Like no one really cared if they won or not. If that is the case then forget it. If they want it I think they have got the pieces and ultimately the talent. We'll see.
