By Tiffany Williams –
The Hartford Yard Goats continue their six-game road swing with a Friday night matchup against the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, New Jersey. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with left-hander Michael Prosecky taking the mound for Hartford against Somerset’s right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Hartford is looking to extend its winning streak to four games after breaking a six-game skid earlier this week and taking the first three contests of the series. The Yard Goats sit just 1.5 games behind Somerset in the race for a playoff spot with 21 games remaining in the regular season.
Hartford’s pitching matchup could be a key factor in their pursuit of another win. Prosecky, the Rockies’ No. 24 prospect, makes his sixth start with the Yard Goats and is aiming for his third win at the AA level. The 6-foot-2 left-hander has shown flashes of consistency, allowing two or fewer runs in three of his five starts in the Eastern League. Prosecky earned his first AA win on August 3 against Reading, striking out eight over six innings while surrendering just one run. His previous High-A season at Spokane saw him post a 3.86 ERA with 93 strikeouts across 18 starts, ranking among the league leaders in several pitching categories. Hartford will need Prosecky to pitch deep into the game and maintain command of the strike zone against a Patriots lineup that has given them fits in previous seasons.
Offensively, Hartford has shown resilience in the early part of this series, taking five straight games from Somerset this season and holding a 10-5 edge in the season series. To secure another win, the Yard Goats will need contributions from both the top and bottom of the order, with players like Brock Wilken, Will Remillard, and Cole Roederer likely to drive the offense. Aggressive baserunning and patience at the plate will be critical, especially against Rodriguez-Cruz, who relies on fastball command and off-speed pitches. If Hartford can sustain timely hitting and limit defensive lapses, they have a strong chance to push their streak to four. Game prediction favors Hartford continuing their momentum with a 5-3 victory over Somerset, with Prosecky delivering a solid outing into the seventh inning and the bullpen preserving the lead.