Baseball teams get hot from time to time. It’s a part of the game. Either the pitching staff suddenly cannot be beat, or the lineup catches fire at the dish, or the baserunners can do no wrong, or the defense becomes impenetrable. And once in a blue moon, the stars align and a team starts doing all of these things exceptionally well.

Such is the case with Chatham Anglers (15-11) of late. They are firing on cylinders going into tonight’s 7 p.m. home duel with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (12-14).

“I’m so proud of the way the kids are reacting to what the coaches are trying to teach,” said Manager John Schiffner speaking specifically on the subject of Chatham’s renewed offensive presence. “It’s phenomenal to see them buying in.”

The offense, which had been averaging a standard three runs per game entering the streak, has put up 9.5 runs per game during it. Their efforts with the lumber have been compounded by continued solid pitching, allowing the Anglers build an eye-popping +6 average run differential through the last four games. Furthermore, Chatham baserunners have been successful stealing 67% of the time, and the defense has robbed opponents of clutch hits with multiple timely diving snags.

Tonight, the man who will likely start on the hill for the Anglers is on a hot streak in his own right. Zac Gallen (North Carolina) has not allowed an earned run in 15 summer innings and leads the Anglers with 23 strikeouts over the same period. Just as the Anglers have been firing on all cylinders, so too has Gallen—he sports a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.933 and has not allowed any team more than three hits this summer.

“I’ve had all my pitches working for me,” said Gallen. “When I can throw any of them for strikes, it definitely makes the outing easier.”

Yarmouth-Dennis is expected will counter with their most effective pitcher, Ricky Thomas (Fresno State). The left-hander got the best of Chatham in a 7-2 win on June 28, but tonight the red-hot Angler offense will get another shot at him in a showdown of undefeated starters.

Dominic Cotroneo and Jonny Wincott will have the call live, starting with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. on TRZ Teamline and at 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.

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