Game 3 Preview: Big Train Keep Rolling

Roll Train Roll--that's all we've heard thus far this season.

Following Thursday night's 8-0 victory over the Alexandria Aces, the Big Train have rolled to an early 2-0 start to the season. That start includes a whopping 18-1 combined score, a sizable +17 scoring margin thus far. Put simply: it's been impressive.

The Big Train's next opponent will be the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. That game is set for Friday night at 7 p.m. at the vaunted Shirley Povich Field. These two teams have already done battle once this season, and in that game at the Bolts' stadium, the Train set off to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning before eventually clocking in a 10-1 statement win.

Some names to watch in this one will be Darius Foster (San Francisco) and Jacob Southern (Jacksonville). After a very impressive pair of exhibition games coupled with high expectations for the season, Foster has been relatively quiet thus far in the young season, despite drawing three walks in Thursday's victory. Against the Thunderbolts the first time around, he struck out three times, albeit on some close calls. Here, he will look to rebound from those early hiccups, and it would not be surprising to see his name lighting up the board.

On the flip side, Southern has been stringing together nice plate appearances since the season began, highlighted by his monstrous three-run homer on Thursday. Look for him to try to replicate the success he's seen so far this season.

For the Thunderbolts, this game represents an opportunity to climb above .500 and even themselves up with the Big Train. If the Big Train have their way, that simply won't happen. We'll see what comes of the second battle between these two teams Friday night. As always, come out to Povich Field Friday night for yet another summer classic. That is, if you're a real fan anyways. You are a real fan, aren't you?