Long Island Ducks on Verge of Championship

The Long Island Ducks are closing in on a championship, leading the Atlantic League Professional Baseball Championship Series by a 2-0 margin against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs heading into a pivotal weekend of games in Central Islip.

The team has navigated a successful season, which included the departure of former MLB All-Star Trevor Bauer in June. Bauer signed with a Mexican team after joining the Ducks at the start of the year.

Despite the mid-season change, manager Lew Ford expressed confidence in his team's performance. "Different guys have stepped up throughout the year... the beginning of August we just started playing our best baseball," Ford told The Post. He added that the team is "confident" with one weekend remaining in the series.

Ford credited the team's success to strong pitching and defense. "Our pitching staff has stepped up so much," he said, noting that hitters have also performed well in crucial situations.

The Ducks secured their playoff spot by sweeping the Blue Crabs in the final series of the regular season and then swept the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in the divisional round.

"It's going to be an exciting atmosphere," Ford said, anticipating strong home crowd support. "We’re looking for some good fan support."

The team is also receiving support from its former owner, Frank Boulton, who sold the Ducks to REV Entertainment last winter after a 25-year tenure. "He’s very happy that we’re in the championship series right now, and he’s totally supportive," Ford stated. "He just loves his Ducks."