When a team has a big game, there needs to be a big game pitcher and the Bridgeport Bluefish are doing just that.

On Monday in what is being dubbed “One Game for the Championship” by Bridgeport officials, Connecticut’s team will replaying the final game of the first half since the July 12th game was called after nine innings due to rain. The winner will become the first half champion in the Atlantic League’s North Division and clinch a playoff spot. The Bluefish are not taking any chances and sending their best out to the mound, Tim Cain.

The right-hander is having a great season up in the Constitution State. Currently he is 11-2 with a 2.28 ERA while holding batters to a .223 average. He feels that this is not the biggest start of his career, but is like every other start and wants the ball on Monday.

“It feels good,” the 34 year-old told MOFO Sports. “Obviously you take it the same approach and routine. We all know it’s the first half championship, so we go for it.”

Manager Jose “Chico” Lind added that all his team has to do is continue what they have been doing all season and they will be fine.

“We need to do what we have been doing all year,” said the manager. “We need to play hard and be aggressive.”

Going for it isn’t anything new to Cain. He started the nine-inning rainout last month that caused this game to happen. The pitcher is going about it the same way as his did back on July 12th.

“We knew what we had to do that day and I knew what I had to do so we will take the same approach,” Cain said.

When looking at the opposition the Bluefish starter will try and neutralize the heart of the Duck lineup. This means stopping the “big three” of Doug Jennings, Patrick Lennon and Wendell Magee.

“You want to make sure they go out and hit your pitch,” Cain explained. “You need to go at them with your best stuff and not give in.”

This season Cain has a 0-0 record against Long Island with a 2.37 ERA pitching in only one game. He will need his best stuff to stop them, but needs to see what stuff he has on the day of the game.

“You never know until you warm up,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Lind expects Cain will do his job and give the Bluefish “six or seven strong innings” on Monday.

The Bluefish have gotten out to a strong start maintaining a six game lead over Long Island. With that type of lead one would think that this game is the Ducks’ shot and they would be up for this game more than the ‘Fish.

“Compared to Ducks, probably (this game means more to them),” Cain explained. “But we still have 40 games left in the season. This game is important but we still have a long season to finish.”

This is Cain’s seventh year in the Atlantic League and third with the Bluefish. He is the League’s all time win leader with 62 and this game the right-hander also has a chance to surpass his career high in wins on Monday.

Coming off surgery, Cain has developed into a dominating pitcher. He has lowered his ERA by over two runs this year and has dominated batters as his record indicates. The pitcher can’t figure it out himself saying only that he has “pitched better.”

A game like this may get the attention of the scouts. It is a championship game and scouts will be in the stands. The Springfield, MA native still has the goal to pitch in the majors.

“That’s why I am playing,” he said, but added that he had no contact with any organizations as of yet.

The game will be played on Monday at 7:05 pm at the Ballpark at Harbor Yards in Bridgeport, CT and will be televised on Long Island’s Metro Channel.

Photo by the Bridgeport Bluefish.