The Hudson Valley Renegades have had their peaks and valleys this season. They got off to a hot start before dropping 11 straight games at the end of June and into July. That was the valley, and now they’re sitting high atop the peak with eight straight wins and sit just a game and a half out of a playoff spot.
While the Staten Island Yankees have long since run away with the McNamara division, the Renegades are a legitimate contender for the Wild Card spot. In the New York-Penn League, playoff spots are awarded to the winner of each division, as well as the team with the next-best record.
That team is currently the Aberdeen IronBirds, who the Renegades defeated Saturday and play two more games against on Sunday and Monday. The IronBirds (33-24) lead the way with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (31-24) and the Renegades (31-25) right behind them.
The Renegades will have to play the rest of the season without their ace, Mikey York, who was promoted to Class-A Bowling Green earlier this week. The promotion was well-deserved for York, who led the Renegades, and the league, in ERA (0.82) and WHIP (0.82). His eight starts made up one of the best stints in Renegades history which have seen the likes of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Wade Davis.
York’s departure doesn’t leave the Renegades without pitching depth, however. Austin Franklin, Tobias Myers, and Resley Linares have been outstanding all season as well and will play a huge role in getting them in and through the playoffs.
It’s truly been an exciting season for the Hudson Valley Renegades. Along with York’s dominance, they’ve also seen great production from Brendan McKay, the Tampa Bay Ray’s first-round selection in this year’s Draft. McKay has gone deep four times and has knocked in 14 runs in 23 games. He’s also pitched eight shutout innings, giving up just two hits, three walks, and striking out nine.
Hudson Valley’s offense has been exciting all year as well, consisting of All-Stars Vidal Brujan, Oscar Rojas, Angel Perez, and Zac Law. Brujan and Perez, along with Carl Chester, are all batting over .300 while Rojas, Law, and Taylor Walls all have over 20 RBI.
Dominant starting pitching, a great bullpen, and timely hitting have been the keys to success for the Renegades this season. They’ll need to stay hot down the stretch, as every game becomes the most important game of the season.