New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer headlines Binghamton’s visit to Hartford as Yard Goats kick off second half of season
The Hartford Yard Goats, who came up a game short in the race for the Eastern League Northeast Division first-half title, start the second half of the season against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets’ Double-A affiliate, in a six-game series starting Tuesday at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
After the best first-half start in franchise history, the Yard Goats will face three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, as he makes a rehab start for Binghamton in the opening game.
That will make two games in a row that the Yard Goats have faced a perennial big league All-Star. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman threw a scoreless inning for Somerset on Sunday in the game that cost Hartford a chance to clinch the playoff spot up for grabs.
Winning the Northeast Division in the second half will be a tricky task, as some of the Yard Goats’ top players figure to be promoted by the parent club, the Colorado Rockies, before long.
In the meantime, there will be a few more games to see Ezequiel Tovar, arguably the league’s first-half MVP, and the rest of a roster that finished the first half 43-26.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re going to Dunkin’ Donuts Park:
Probable starters, promotions
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.: RHP Karl Kauffmann vs. Binghamton RHP Max Scherzer
Promotion: First 1,000 kids get pink Yard Goats jersey.
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.: Yard Goats RHP Mitch Kilkenny vs. Binghamton RHP Jose Chacin
Promotion: Scavenger hunt. Meet pink pig from the TV show, “Olivia.”
Thursday, 7:05 p.m.: Yard Goats RHP Michael Baird vs. Binghamton RHP Jesus Vargas
Promotion: Exhibits, displays and guests showcase things to do in Hartford.
Friday, 7:05 p.m.: Yard Goats LHP Nick Bush vs. Binghamton RHP Justin Lasko
Promotion: Patriotic fireworks after the game.
Saturday, 6:05 p.m.: Yard Goats RHP Noah Davis vs. Binghamton RHP Alec Kisena
Promotion: Star-spangled uniforms for players, surprises for fans and more patriotic fireworks postgame.
Sunday, 6:05 p.m.: RHP Karl Kauffmann vs. Binghamton RHP Jose Butto
Promotion: July 4 celebration continues with more postgame fireworks.
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
What to know about Max Scherzer
Scherzer, 37, is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, a member of the world champion Washington Nationals in 2019 and a likely future Hall-of-Famer. His career record is 195-98 with 3.15 ERA and 3,079 strikeouts in 15 seasons. The three-year contract he signed with the Mets as a free agent last December has an annual value of $43.3 million, the highest in history. He is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA this season but left a game with an oblique strain in May and has been out six weeks. This figures to be Scherzer’s last rehab start before rejoining the Mets, who have held on to first place during his absence. Scherzer will probably throw about 80 pitches, four or five innings, then be replaced by Butto, who would normally have been the Rumble Ponies starter.
Yard Goats restart
The Yard Goats are starting over for the second half. Tovar is hitting .320 with 13 home runs, 47 RBIs and 17 steals in 20 attempts and seems destined to play shortstop for the Rockies soon. First baseman Michael Toglia leads Hartford with 14 homers. The Yard Goats had the best first half in their history in Hartford but lost the playoff spot when they lost at Somerset on Saturday and Sunday. Top Yankees prospect Anthony Volpe’s 10th-inning homer clinched the first-half division title for Somerset.
About the Rumble Ponies
Binghamton (28-41 in the first half, last in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division) is making its third trip to Hartford, where it lost six of nine games during the first half of the season. The Yard Goats play nine games at Binghamton, three in July and six to finish the regular season. Catcher Francisco Alvarez is a top Mets prospect, hitting .280 with 17 homers and 45 RBIs. Shortstop Ronny Mauricio and infielder Brett Baty are other names high on the Mets’ list of up-and-comers.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com.
