The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have advanced to the postseason - again. And they've locked up one of the top two seeds for the playoffs - again.
Now, it's time to see if the RedHawks can reel in the Northern League regular-season title - again.
The NL pennant is on the line as first-place Fargo-Moorhead faces second-place Kansas City for five games in four days at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
With just two games separating the two teams, the series begins at 6:05 p.m. today.
"There is something to be said for winning the league," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said Thursday. "I believe baseball is measured over the long haul and we have a chance to do what we've done on the books for the last 15 years in Fargo. (A regular-season championship) would go accordingly to what we do."
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Simunic admits there is little difference between entering the playoffs with the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. The RedHawks are already assured one of those two spots.
Both positions allow the teams to pick their schedule for the first round of the postseason.
F-M has already chosen to host the first two games of the five-game series on Wednesday and Thursday at Newman Outdoor Field.
However, the RedHawks goal every season is to finish at the top of the standings.
These games are definitely meaningful.
"You obviously want to be the No. 1 seed," said Jeremiah Piepkorn, who is hitting .300 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 25 games since his return to the team in late July. "You would like to continue to play well for the duration of the season and into the playoffs. ... Whatever you are doing, if you are doing something competitive you want to do it to win."
The T-Bones enter the series on a tear, winning eight of their last nine games.
Kansas City's lineup has been bolstered by the recent addition of Gabriel Martinez from the Mexican League. The T-Bones dropped slugger Ryan Fox, who had 17 home runs, to get Martinez on the roster.
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He hasn't disappointed, hitting .441 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs in eight games.
The T-Bones lead the league with 154 home runs. F-M is a distance second with 103.
But Simunic is confident that his solid pitching staff is up to the challenge.
"We're going to try to approach each game with the idea that we're trying to win games," Simunic said. "Hopefully, it's a preview of what's to come in September."
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562.
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