MOOSIC, Pa. — The RailRiders hold one of the top records in the International League (IL) but are in danger of missing the playoffs, as they sit a few games back in the standings with the season ending September 22nd.
While these guys are fighting for a playoff spot, some of them are also fighting to make their way to New York, as the Yankees hope to embark on a World Series run come October.
“It’s a really good experience you know, it’s the big leagues,” said right-handed pitcher, Yoendrys Gómez. Gómez was called up to the Yankees as a relief option at different points this season, pitching 11.1 innings. “It’s another level, it’s a lot of fun, the energy is really good- I feel good. When they call, it feels great,” said Gómez.
“You know it’s something that you got to keep in mind, but also, you’re not going to get that call unless you’re focused on what you got to do today,” said RailRiders starting pitcher, Tom Pannone. “I think everyone’s mindsets are in the right spot with that, you know. I got to attack today and be the best that I can be today to get that opportunity.”
Pannone began the season with the Chicago Cubs Triple-A club before the Yankees picked up his option in July. Pannone has started six games for the RailRiders, boasting a 5-1 record and a 1.99 ERA. Pannone debuted with the Blue Jays in 2018, and most recently saw major league action with the Brewers in 2023. He’s a guy who understands how meaningful it is to be vying for a postseason roster spot while your Triple-A team fights for their own playoff berth.
“There’s a lot of moves that are made in Triple-A. The clubhouse is used to it, the guys are used to it. We got some pitchers that have been shuffled up and down, we got some guys that have been in the big leagues for the first time, and there’s a lot of guys here who are still fighting as hard as they can to get that call,” said RailRiders manager, Shelley Duncan.
The RailRiders currently have nine players on their roster who are also on the Yankees active 40-man roster.
“We hope it happens for a lot of them,” said Duncan.
The RailRiders finish their season in Buffalo for a 6 game series with the Bison. They are currently 2.5 games back in the IL playoff standings.
“That’s how we treated every single game this season, regardless of what the standings are, where we are, what we need to do, all we’d like to do is focus on today, do whatever we can to win today,” said Duncan. “That attitude has brought a lot out of these guys, it’s brought them together, gives them something to fight for each and every day and has created a fun atmosphere in there. That’s what we’re going to do until the very end.”