The Western Canadian Baseball League’s (WCBL) East goes through Moose Jaw and the Regina Red Sox aim to defend their 2025 league title. Sitting atop the division with a 41-15 record, the Moose Jaw Miller Express are ready for any and all opponents these playoffs. “It went better than expected with the roster we were given coming in,” Millers head coach Michael Gonzalez told CTV News. “The boys did a good job taking ownership of what we want to do as a team.” A veteran Moose Jaw squad features 14 graduating senior classmen. Its 41 wins this season set a new franchise record. In addition to the team accolade, shortstop Thomas Soto set two individual league records – for stolen bases (49) and runs scored (75) – while ace pitcher Westin Wells set the new mark for strikeouts (92). “Those guys let the new guys know the expectations of what we have as an organization and what we have to do off the field,” said Gonzalez. “Having the players police themselves is something I appreciated them for.” Gonzalez took over coaching duties at the beginning of this season after former field manager Eric Marriott earned a professional opportunity down south. With the organization for five years now, Gonzalez was awed by the way his players banded together. Throughout the season, the Millers earned league shoutouts for their line dancing and karaoke skills after videos of their postgame celebrations ended up online. “Since day one, there’s been a bond that [has] been unexplainable,” the coach said. “This is one of the closest teams I’ve been around in the five years I’ve been here and it’s showing on the field. They trust each other; they trust the next person is going to get the job done.” By earning the top seed, the Millers drew a semi-final series against the fourth-place Medicine Hat Mavericks to begin the playoffs. Moose Jaw last reached the WCBL championship in 2024, but they have not lifted the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy since 2002 – when they were co-champions. The last time the Millers won the league championship series was 1999. Holding onto the number one seed – and home field advantage – is a new experience for the black and gold. Each of the past two seasons the Millers entered the playoffs as the four seed. They beat the first-place Red Sox in 2024 before taking down Saskatoon in the division final, and last year were eliminated by the Berries on a walk-off grand slam in Game 3 of the semi-final. Having seen the possibility of upsets, Gonzalez is not taking any opponent for granted. “It’s a whole new season now,” he said. “I don’t want to say we have a target on our back, but I’m sure teams are going to play their hardest against us. And that’s something the boys look forward to.” Medicine Hat features a record breaker of their own. Second baseman Carter Roth set a new WCBL record for doubles hit in a season, smacking 24 two-base hits this year. Roth was also second in the league in hits (88) and ninth in batting average (.359). First baseman Frankie Giacalone provided the power in the middle of Medicine Hat’s lineup with 14 home runs, tied for second most in the league. “They have a bunch of upperclassmen in their lineup who know this is their last go around with baseball,” Gonzalez said about his first round opponent. “They’re going to be playing their hearts out and our boys know they can swing it. We’ll have to pitch the ball very well and play defense in order to keep them under control.” Series schedule: Game 1: Friday, Aug. 7: 7:05 p.m. @ Ross Wells Park, Moose Jaw Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 8: 7:05 p.m. @ Athletic Park, Medicine Hat Game 3 (if necessary): Sunday, Aug. 9: 7:05 p.m. @ Ross Wells Park Road to repeat For a second-straight year, the playoff path goes through Saskatoon for the Regina Red Sox. This time, however, back-to-back WCBL championships await them at their destination. “We’re no less talented than we were last year,” Interim head coach Braydon Cobb said after the last home game of the year. “Last year, we got hot at the right time; we were only one game over .500 last year, so there’s really not much of a difference in our record. If you get hot at the right time, you can do anything in this league. It’s a three-game series – you win two quick games and you’re off to the next round.” Regina began the season on fire with huge comeback wins and exiting finishes. Through the middle of the summer, they cooled off significantly; falling below .500 and finishing 26-30 on the season. Since the All-Star Game July 20, the Sox pulled together 10 wins in their final 17 games. “You’ve got a two week sprint,” said Cobb. “If you can just play the best ball in a quick stretch here, you’re in a good position. Moose Jaw won 15-straight earlier this month and now they’ve kind of slowed down a bit. Whereas I feel like we’re starting to peak at the right time.” Led by 2025 Postseason MVP Brady Bye, the Red Sox are coming into the playoffs beating Saskatoon in two of their last three games against the first round opponent. The fifth-year Red Sox from White City, Sask. set franchise records for runs batted in (67) and home runs (13) this season. Bye was second in the WCBL for RBIs and tied for fifth best in homers. “We went through a few slumps this year, but we also showed flashes of what we’re capable of,” said the third baseman. “When we showed those flashes, we understand we’re right there at the top [of the league].” “We’re not worried; we know if we bring our best, we’re going to [do] just fine,” Bye added. Regina will lean heavily on their championship foundation in returning players like Bye, catcher Daniel Castellanos, utility man Jalen Meyers – and on in the mound with Daniel Crabtree and Vittorio Iacobucci. “It’s a lot of leadership,” said Castellanos. “A lot of guys came back, and when you have a core group of guys pushing for the same man, a lot of things can go right.” New additions of pitcher Kaegan Baker and David Gordon will be key for Regina to shut down a monster Berries’ lineup. Led by Swift Current product Ethan Murdoch, a senior from Marshall University, the Berries scored the second most runs scored (528) in the league – behind only Okotoks (537). Saskatoon pitchers also allowed the third-fewest (341) runs in the WCBL – a run differential of +187. Murdoch smashed his way into the top-10 in several offensive categories including hits (82), doubles, (17), home runs (14), RBIs (62), walks (36) and OPS (1.069) – all while leading the WCBL in plate appearances. Gael Salinas and Gavin Panks also found themselves near the top of the league in batting average. “They’re a deep team,” said Cobb. “They’ve got good pitching all the way through, got good bats. But we’re not scared of them at all. We have the same pieces in our locker room too.” “It’s going to be a good three-game series, and it’s going to come down to probably the top of the ninth, bottom of the ninth in the third game,” he added. In just their third season returning to the WCBL, Saskatoon has reached the East Division Final each of their past two tries. However, they have not been able to get to the league championship series – losing to Moose Jaw in 2024 and Regina in 2025. “They’re going to be gunning for us for sure,” Cobb added. “A lot of those returning guys from last year; they’re sour about it still, and they circle our name on their calendar every time we play them. They bring us a little extra and it’s going to be a really exciting series.” Series schedule: Game 1: Friday, Aug. 7 – 7:05 p.m. @ Cairns Field, Saskatoon Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 8 – 6:05 p.m. @ Currie Field, Regina Game 3 (if necessary): Sunday, Aug. 9 – 7:05 p.m. @ Cairns Field
