When Cotuit takes the field at McKeon Park Tuesday night for the start of the West Divisional Series, they will do so as a historic playoff team. This is not because of a dominant regular season, players with monster statistical seasons, or even a massive win streak. Instead, it is because the Kettleers will enter the 2026 CCBL Playoffs with the worst win percentage of any team to make the postseason since at least 2020.
With a fact like that, there are two ways Coach Rob Cooper and his team can approach the playoffs. They could play defensive and roll over while a team with a better record takes them out. Or, they can rise to the moment, play with a chip on their shoulder and give the postseason all they have. Cooper knows his team has the grit to be the latter.
“Shoot, let’s make history,” Cooper said. “If you get into the playoffs, you’re in it. Everybody starts again at zero. We are going to compete every game and bring wins to this community.”
Truthfully, there is no reason to think Cotuit cannot make a run in these playoffs. In the West Divisional Series, the Kettleers will take on a Harbor Hawks team that they have defeated twice before at McKeon Park. In fact, throughout the five-game regular season series Cotuit has actually outscored Hyannis by two runs.
The Kettleers have also hit more home runs against Hyannis than they have against any other team, with five of their 18 home runs coming against the Harbor Hawks. That being said, Cotuit has also displayed the ability to win tight games over Hyannis like they did July 12 in a 1-0 affair.
Elaborating on the July 12 game, game one starting pitcher Ryan Buckler (Transfer Portal) will get his first shot at the Harbor Hawks since he allowed just one hit in 3.1 innings of shutout work that game. Buckler was also credited with the win, and will look to earn Cotuit’s first win over Hyannis in the playoffs since the 2022 West Divisional Series. Buckler is also a playoff veteran, throwing five scoreless innings in the West Division Championship series last season.
Another reason Cotuit may be well-served to make a postseason run is that they are largely fresh in the bullpen. It took just three pitchers for the Kettleers to get through two games Sunday, meaning almost the entire rotation and bullpen will have at least three days of rest coming into the first game of the playoffs.
Going further, the Kettleers have some of the hottest hitters on the Cape. Three Cotuit hitters sit in the league’s top 15 in OPS over the past week, with Landon Beaver (UAB) sitting in third with an OPS over 1.300. It is hitters like Beaver, Sam Christiansen (Alabama) and JJ Moran (Stanford) that have provided some magical moments for the Kettleers down the stretch and will be called upon to provide more in the postseason. While it may be a big ask, the Cotuit bats are not fazed.
“We’re going to continue to put up good at-bats and fight,” Christiansen said. “I’m always looking to get better and that doesn’t stop because it’s a big moment or we’re in the playoffs.”
When they lost nine games in a span of ten late in the season, not many thought the Kettleers would make the playoffs. When they coughed up their playoff spot with just three games to go, even fewer counted Cotuit in. But after a final day miracle, the Kettleers are here. Like anyone else, they can win the championship. But what makes them even more dangerous is that they are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and nothing to lose.
