time has come

For the Mississippi Braves, it’s time to make a move. The M-Braves, 15-15 in the second half of the Southern League season, are hosting a five-game series against SL South Division leader Mobile. Game 1 is tonight at 7:05 at Trustmark Park. Mobile, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate, is 22-8, 7 games up on the M-Braves. There are 40 games left in the second half, so there’s time for the M-Braves to climb in the standings. But this is a big series, one the M-Braves can ill afford to lose. They are just 5-14 against the BayBears and were swept in a four-game set at Mobile just a couple of weeks ago. At the very least, the M-Braves need to show they can play with these guys. Ernesto Mejia has swung a hot bat for the M-Braves lately; he’s up to .302 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs. Antoan Richardson (.302) also has been heating up. But the M-Braves still need more production from the likes of Willie Cabrera (.269), Donell Linares (.265) and Cory Harrilchak (.243). The M-Braves’ rotation isn’t the prospect-packed group it once was, with J.J. Hoover and Arodys Vizcaino having moved to the bullpen. But Randall Delgado, Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect who goes tonight, Brett Oberholtzer (No. 9) and Paul Clemens (No. 26) still provide a solid core. Luis Avilan and Jose Lugo are filling the other two spots. Pitching will be huge in this series for the M-Braves. Mobile leads the league in runs scored; the M-Braves are dead last.