Shrimp Bites: What to watch as Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp open second half vs. WooSox
It's a snack-sized Shrimp Bite: Following the International League All-Star break, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp return to action against the Worcester Red Sox on Friday at 121 Financial Ballpark, a series that lasts three games instead of the usual six.
Who: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Worcester Red Sox.
When: Friday through Sunday.
F: 7:05 p.m.
SA: 6:35 p.m.
SU: 3:05 p.m.
Where: 121 Financial Ballpark.
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Series recap: The Jumbo Shrimp wrapped up their most successful road series for more than a year, taking five of six games against the Charlotte Knights. That's lifted Jacksonville into a tie for first place in the second-half standings for the International League East.
Highlight: Austin Allen's bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning pushed Jacksonville into the lead on Friday, completing a comeback from four runs down against Charlotte. The Jumbo Shrimp went on to win 11-6.
Crustacean sensation: The reigning International League player of the week, Xavier Edwards is having a summer to remember. The 23-year-old has reached three or more times in each of his last seven games, raising his season batting average to .368 with a .903 OPS. He's batting .538 in July with 10 RBI, numbers that are likely to earn him a call-up to the Miami Marlins before long.
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On deck: The WooSox enter the series only a half-game behind the Jumbo Shrimp, riding a three-game winning streak from last week's series against Syracuse. The series is a homecoming for former Bolles School second baseman Max Ferguson, who has 23 steals on the year for Worcester. It's also a chance for Jacksonville fans to see Boston's No. 2 prospect in infielder Ceddanne Rafaela, batting .289 with 10 homers, 44 RBI, 31 steals and a .792 OPS.
Ballpark fun: Along with baseball's return comes another round of offbeat promotions, including Friday night's adventures with Captain Potato Friend and the Table of Parts. Also on the agenda are a beach blanket giveaway on Saturday night and a round of birthday celebrations for mascot Southpaw on Sunday afternoon.
Probable pitchers Friday: To be announced.
Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp-Worcester Red Sox: Baseball series, July 14
