When the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes won the 2015 California League Championship last September it was the first time they had done so since becoming the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate in 2011 and they did so in grand fashion by sweeping the ever-powerful San Jose Giants in three games. But as happens even spring, they began the new season with only a handful of returning players – as does nearly every minor league team across all of baseball. This, of course, is the way it’s supposed to be and is the very definition of player development. And while it is always the hope, dream and goal to be a repeat winner, the truth of the matter is that it doesn’t happen very often.

But it does occasionally happen.

The 2015 California League Champion Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
(Photo courtesy of RCQuakes)

With guys named Jose De Leon, Trevor Oaks, Brock Stewart, Chase De Jong, Cody Bellinger, Alex Verdugo, Kyle Farmer, Willie Calhoun, Paul Hoenecke (to name only a few) having been promoted to Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City (and even Brock Stewart to the Dodgers), first-year Quakes manager Drew Saylor has had to rely on guys names Josh Sborz, Andrew Sopko, Luis De Paula, Mike Ahmed, Johan Mieses, Edwin Rios, Joey Curletta, Kyle Garlick, Yusniel Diaz, Garrett Kennedy, Matt Beaty (again, to name only a few) to fill his roster; and let me tell you, they have done an exceptional job in their respective roles.

But here again, during the course of the 2016 campaign a number of these guys were promoted, thus leaving Saylor and his staff having to kick and scratch their way through the season to remain competitive.

…and they did.

Last week the Rancho squad guaranteed themselves at least a Wild Card berth in the 2016 playoffs, thereby at least getting a shot to repeat as Cal League Champions.

But wait, there’s more!

The Quakes are currently tied for second place in the Cal League South second-half standings with the High Desert Mavericks (Rangers). However, because the Mavericks won the first half of the Cal League South and are already guaranteed a playoff berth, this technically means that the Quakes are alone in second place in the second half standings (hence their Wild Card berth).

But wait, there’s even more!

Beginning tonight, the Quakes open a crucial three-game series against the current second-half / first place Lancaster JetHawks at The Hangar in Lancaster. The JetHawks currently have a two-game lead over the Quakes but that could change very quickly should the Rancho squad take two of three from the front runners; certainly no easy task but definitely doable. And if, by chance, the Quakes can pull off a three-game sweep. they would leave Lancaster in first place with a very good shot at winning the division’s second half with only four games remaining in the season. Winning the second half would give the Quakes home field advantage in the first (elimination) round of the playoffs.

But wait … well … you know.

Although the JetHawks probably aren’t too happy about it, the Quakes will most likely have the services of rehabbing Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier during the three game set. And while the 34-year-old, 10-year MLB veteran – who suffered a fractured right tibia during a spring training game on March 18, 2016 – has appeared in only three games thus far in his rehab assignment, he is 4-for-10 (.400) at the plate with two doubles, has scored two runs and driven in another. That being said, thus far the Phoenix, Arizona native and former All-Star has appeared on defense in right field for a grand total of only four innings, having been the designated hitter the rest of the time. This certainly suggests that Ethier will probably see more playing time in right field over the next several days depending, of course, on how feels after each outing.

Although Ethier’s rehab takes priority over winning and losing for the Dodgers, you can bet that the Quakes are very happy that he is swinging a hot bat during his rehab assignment with them.
(Photo credit – Steve Saenz)

So when you put all of this together and at the risk of beating up an old baseball cliché, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes absolutely positively control their own destiny over the next three nights against the Lancaster JetHawks.

Play Ball!