Miracle eye berth in playoffs

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

A game-and-a-half ahead in the Florida State League Western Division standings entering today, the Fort Myers Miracle still could not take anything for granted.

"It seems like this year has been a playoff atmosphere the whole year," Miracle manager Kevin Boles said. "With the opposing teams and how tough they have been, it's been great for our players' development."

Boles hopes his team will continue developing — with a berth in the four-team FSL playoffs.

If Fort Myers clinches a playoff spot, the Miracle would play host to the Dunedin Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Hammond Stadium.

If the Miracle were to win that three-game series, they would face the Eastern Division champions for the FSL title in a five-game series, which would begin in Fort Myers either Thursday or Friday, Sept. 7 or 8.

But first things first.

"We're just trying to take care of our business," Boles said.

The Miracle are scheduled to begin their final regular season homestand at 7:05 tonight at against the Sarasota Reds, with the regular season home finale and postgame fireworks set for 7:05 p.m. Friday.

Fort Myers' magic number is three over the second-place Tampa Yankees, meaning any combination of Miracle wins and/or Tampa losses totaling three would clinch the FSL West for the Miracle.

Oswaldo Sosa is the Miracle's scheduled starting pitcher for tonight, with Kyle Aselton set for Friday.

"The more experience you can give a player, the better," Boles said. "The higher they move up, the pressure adds on.

"We want to put these guys in situations where there is some added pressure."