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amead17 · 01-03-2026, 04:52 AM

June 8th, 2023

Raiders Ride Another Wave of Highs and Lows on the Road

The San Jose Raiders’ season continues to swing wildly as inconsistency again defined the latest stretch of games. Over the first two series of their current road trip, the Raiders went 2–4, leaving them with a 29–32 record and still searching for stability as the calendar pushes deeper into June.

Trouble in Philadelphia

The road trip began in difficult fashion with a three-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Freedom. The Raiders struggled to find momentum in all facets of the game, and matters were made worse when third baseman Andrew McRaven suffered a slightly strained oblique. He is expected to spend a few days on the injured list, with Miguel Esparza recalled from AAA to fill the gap.

A Rivalry Spark in San Francisco

Things improved significantly when the Raiders returned west to face their long-time rivals, the San Francisco Miners. After dropping the opener, San Jose rallied to take Games 2 and 3, securing a series win and, at least for now, bragging rights in Northern California.

That momentum, however, came at a cost. In the finale, ace starter Willie Baca was forced from the game after developing biceps tendinitis. He has since been placed on the 10-day injured list and is expected to miss at least a couple of starts — a major concern for a rotation already under pressure.

Pitching Concerns Deepen

With Baca sidelined, the Raiders’ pitching situation grows even more uncertain. The staff has struggled to find consistency all season, and the loss of their most reliable arm has only heightened concerns among fans and within the organization. How the team navigates the next stretch without him could define the next phase of the season.

Offensive Bright Spots

Despite the setbacks, the offense showed some encouraging signs. While Andrew McRaven’s absence is a blow, it has not derailed the lineup entirely.

Joey Watts, in particular, continues to shine. He found his best form of the season during the San Francisco series, including a four-run performance in Game 2, and has lifted his batting average back up to .313. His resurgence has been one of the few consistent positives in recent weeks.

What’s Next

The Raiders now close out their road trip with a stop in Detroit to face the Lakers, before finally returning home for a seven-game homestand featuring visits from the Houston Drillers and division rivals, the Los Angeles Whitehawks.

With injuries mounting and inconsistency still haunting them, the coming days may prove pivotal. Whether the Raiders can stabilize — or slide further — remains one of the season’s most pressing questions.

01-03-2026, 04:52 AM	#18
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,067	June 8th, 2023 Raiders Ride Another Wave of Highs and Lows on the Road The San Jose Raiders’ season continues to swing wildly as inconsistency again defined the latest stretch of games. Over the first two series of their current road trip, the Raiders went 2–4, leaving them with a 29–32 record and still searching for stability as the calendar pushes deeper into June. Trouble in Philadelphia The road trip began in difficult fashion with a three-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Freedom. The Raiders struggled to find momentum in all facets of the game, and matters were made worse when third baseman Andrew McRaven suffered a slightly strained oblique. He is expected to spend a few days on the injured list, with Miguel Esparza recalled from AAA to fill the gap. A Rivalry Spark in San Francisco Things improved significantly when the Raiders returned west to face their long-time rivals, the San Francisco Miners. After dropping the opener, San Jose rallied to take Games 2 and 3, securing a series win and, at least for now, bragging rights in Northern California. That momentum, however, came at a cost. In the finale, ace starter Willie Baca was forced from the game after developing biceps tendinitis. He has since been placed on the 10-day injured list and is expected to miss at least a couple of starts — a major concern for a rotation already under pressure. Pitching Concerns Deepen With Baca sidelined, the Raiders’ pitching situation grows even more uncertain. The staff has struggled to find consistency all season, and the loss of their most reliable arm has only heightened concerns among fans and within the organization. How the team navigates the next stretch without him could define the next phase of the season. Offensive Bright Spots Despite the setbacks, the offense showed some encouraging signs. While Andrew McRaven’s absence is a blow, it has not derailed the lineup entirely. Joey Watts, in particular, continues to shine. He found his best form of the season during the San Francisco series, including a four-run performance in Game 2, and has lifted his batting average back up to .313. His resurgence has been one of the few consistent positives in recent weeks. What’s Next The Raiders now close out their road trip with a stop in Detroit to face the Lakers, before finally returning home for a seven-game homestand featuring visits from the Houston Drillers and division rivals, the Los Angeles Whitehawks. With injuries mounting and inconsistency still haunting them, the coming days may prove pivotal. Whether the Raiders can stabilize — or slide further — remains one of the season’s most pressing questions.