The Durham Bulls took 5 of 6 games from Jacksonville, now the second-best team in the IL, East last week. They ended up in first place with 39 games to go in the season. I don't see how a better outcome could have been obtained. Among several notable features, the Bulls were playing with at least four rehabbing major leaguers. That circumstance often comes with problems, but did not this week. Jacksonville is a very good team. Four of the six games were decided by just one run and there were no shutouts by either team.
However, being in first place doesn't mean the season's over. Six teams are within easy reach of each other. Notice the streak that Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (the Yankee AAA team), has had in recent weeks.
Speaking of season's end, the Bulls are at home only three more times this year. That's it. Six games against Nashville (best team in the West) the last week of August, six against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and the last six of the season against Norfolk, 18 games and we're done for the year.
Matchup
Unlike their parent club, the Baltimore Orioles, the Norfolk Tides have had a tough year so far. The Bulls appear to have an advantage in every category. We will have to see about the Rays rehabbers who stick with the team, plus it's being reported that Wander Franco is coming for a visit on his way back to Tampa's roster.
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