Pippins Radio Voice Jack Benjamin Analyzes Tonight’s Crucial Playoff Game Vs. Corvallis

Jack Benjamin, play-by-play man for the Yakima Valley Pippins, has been asked by many in the last 12 hours what he thinks the team's chances for victory are to tonight when the Pips take on the Corvallis Knights in an elimination game in the West Coast League's Divisional Series finale. And why not? He's seen every pitch of every inning so far this season and know how the two teams match-up against each other.

Benjamin analyzes tonight's tilt, which can be heard here on 1460 ESPN Yakima live beginning at 6:30 p.m., like this:

"The Pippins have a great chance tonight. In their first postseason victory in franchise history on Tuesday, the offense was dominant, producing nine runs on 15 hits. Although the bats slowed in game two, I would expect an offense that finished third in batting average in the WCL to pick it up again tonight.

The big question mark will be how the Pippins use their bullpen. Of course, they need to get a great start out of Anthony Alvarado, who in his two starts has been spectacular, including a solid outing against Corvallis on August 4 when he left the game with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning that the Pippins were not able to hold onto. The good news for the Pippins is that WCL saves leader, Connor White, is well rested, having not pitched since earning his 11th save of the season on August 5 (against Corvallis), and he should be available for two innings if needed.

Timely hitting, solid pitching, and maybe a little luck. The recipe for many teams to knock off defending-champions, the task in front of the Pippins tonight against the Corvallis Knights on the road. Underdogs? Sure. But don't count this Pippins group out just yet. They have risen to the occasion time and time again in 2017."