(SEA PR August) Pikes and Panthers Ready for Title Fight

SEATTLE - Like two heavy weights staring each other down during the pre-title match press conference, Vista and Seattle are going into this final month of the season ready to take each other on in what is sure to be a knock-down drag out fight. While there's over 30 games left for both teams, the focus will be on the 7 that they face head-to-head. It'll be the equivalent of a seven-round boxing match, and the team that walks away with the most in their favor could very well end up with the CL West Division Title.

Both teams head into this week, in which they'll play three games at Pikes Point Stadium, having taken different paths to their preparation. The Vista Panthers are coming off a 15-2 stretch that took them from CL Wildcard hopefuls to within .5 games of the division lead. The Pikes meanwhile have gone 6-6 over the past two weeks and only scored 8 runs in those six loses - not nearly enough to help out their best in the league pitching staff. Right behind both teams are the Fresno Deplorables who have gone 20-6 over the past month and are within shouting distance of the title if the two main contenders knock each other out. 

Seattle GM Carter isn't resting on his laurels. In response to the resurgent Panthers, he's signed two mercenaries to add immediate depth to a tired and injury-ridden Pikes team. Joining the division leading Pikes are RF Nate Rhodes and RP Mario Tobias.

Rhodes actually played this season in 30 games for the New Orleans Looters before being cut after an initial .206 - however, his OBP was still .339 during that stretch and he's a career .800 OPS hitter. He's also a plus plus defense in right, which was a major hole for the team with Randy Sheppard and Dick Hunter on the disabled list.

Tobias meanwhile is a veteran lefty who at 31 years of age has 12+ years of major league service. His 4.11 ERA isn't the most impressive stat ever but he provides depth and he'll serve as a second southpaw, lefty-specialist throughout September. It also doesn't hurt that he played his past two seasons in Vista and can bring some insider knowledge on how to defeat them.