CHATHAM, Mass. – Forty-four regular-season games have all come down to this—one final contest to set the East Division playoff bracket. The Chatham Anglers (22-21) are in a position in which they control their own destiny—win, and they are in. They will attempt to record that victory 7 p.m. at Veterans Field against the Orleans Firebirds (30-12-1).

“We just have to go get it,” said Manager John Schiffner when asked about the team’s mindset heading into the final regular-season clash. “Just go get it.”

Tonight’s contest is a rematch of last night’s affair in Orleans. The final margin separating the squads was equal to two runs or fewer for the fifth time in as many games this summer, and the 4-2 Orleans victory was the third by that exact tally over the same span. Though the outcome gave Orleans a 3-2 edge in the summer series, it did not dampen Chatham’s competitive fire heading into tonight’s finale.

"We just have to come out and compete tomorrow," said Chatham outfielder Trenton Brooks after last night’s game. "Not put too much pressure on ourselves and just play."

The starting pitcher the Anglers are expected to turn to is James Mulry (Northeastern). The southpaw is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA through 11 games. His strikeout to walk ratio entering play sits exactly at 3:1, and he has not allowed more than one run in any appearance. Though he has pitched in a multitude of games, Orleans is one of the few opponents who does not have the benefit of having already seen Mulry this summer.

The Firebirds will likely counter with Bennett Sousa (Virginia). As Orleans has not seen Mulry, Chatham has not seen Sousa— in fact, nobody has. The front end of Sousa’s summer was truncated because of Virginia’s College World Series appearance and ultimate victory, and he has yet to make his first Cape League appearance. Though the scouting report on Sousa versus Cape competition is limited, his status as a right-hander should produce favorable matchups for the lefty-dominant Chatham lineup.

Additionally, the Anglers clinch a playoff berth regardless of the outcome in their own game if the Harwich Mariners fall to the Brewster Whitecaps today.

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. It is also Anglers EXTRA-vaganza night on the broadcast. Tell our broadcasters where you are listening from by emailing chathambroadcast@gmail.com, and they will relay back all the towns, states, countries, and continents Chatham fans are listening from.