clash on coast

It would be an overstatement to call this a “key” series, but the Mississippi Braves and Biloxi Shuckers are hooking up in a three-game set at MGM Park that rates some attention. Both teams are 3-2 in the second half, tied for first in the Southern League South. The series, which starts tonight, will be the first played between the two on the Coast. Biloxi leads the season series 6-4, having won four of five at Trustmark Park last month, clinching the first-half title on June 14 by beating the then-second place M-Braves 9-0. The Shuckers’ lineup features an array of good hitters, led by Orlando Arcia (.308), Nick Ramirez (.283, 10 homers, 48 RBIs) and Tyrone Taylor (.265). Biloxi’s staff ERA is 3.30, second in the league. The M-Braves are fourth at 3.65. Matt Lipka is hitting .288 with 11 steals, but otherwise this is an offensively challenged club. They’ve scored 11 runs in the five games this half. There are only four home runs among players on the current roster. P.S. The official debuts of pitchers Jake Brigham and Ryan Kelly in Atlanta’s 6-1 loss to Washington on Tuesday brings to an even 100 the number of M-Braves alumni who have advanced to the big leagues during the club’s 11 seasons in Pearl.