Mauer making plans for MWL playoffs
Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer has been in an unusual situation for the past couple of months, since his Kernels nailed down a Midwest League postseason berth by finishing second in the MWL’s Western Division during the first half of the season.
Only in minor league baseball is a manager occasionally faced with the challenge of keeping his roster focused on winning games even after locking up a spot in the postseason with 70 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
Recently, Mauer talked about that challenge as well as the steps he and his coaching staff are taking to prepare for the Midwest League playoffs that begin for the Kernels on Sept. 4.
“We’re a lot different team than we were at the beginning of the year,” Mauer said. “Obviously, (Byron) Buxton and (Dalton) Hicks and (J.D.) Williams were a big part and they’ve moved up, along with some of our pitchers, (Steven) Gruver and (Tyler) Jones and (Tyler) Duffey. That’s kind of what happens and how the nature of the beast is.
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