Rain, Records Favor Loons as Dragons Visit Dow Diamond

MIDLAND, Mich. (Interstat) — The surging Great Lakes Loons look to extend their early-season dominance and a three-game winning streak over the Dayton Dragons when the Midwest League rivals continue their series Friday at Dow Diamond.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EDT under a forecast of 66-degree temperatures and rain.

The Loons (8-3) have taken the first three games of the six-game set, including a 6-5 victory Wednesday and a 2-0 shutout Tuesday. They hold a commanding four-game lead over the Dragons (4-6) in the early standings.

Great Lakes will send right-hander Zach Root (0-1) to the mound. Dayton counters with right-hander Cole Schoenwetter (1-0).

A player to watch for the Loons is outfielder Eduardo Quintero. He powered Wednesday’s win, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. For Dayton, outfielder Anthony Stephan drove in all three of his team’s runs with a bases-clearing double in that same game.

The series has been defined by pitching and timely hits. The Loons’ staff has held Dayton to a total of seven runs over the first three contests.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-3 Great Lakes victory, giving the Loons a 65.2% probability to win based on its ELO rating system.

Following Friday’s game, the series continues through Sunday. The Dragons then return home to face the South Bend Cubs, while the Loons hit the road for a series against the Beloit Sky Carp.