Arizona Fall League championship set: Surprise Saguaros meet Peoria Javelinas for title

The Arizona Fall League championship game is set for Saturday, with the Surprise Saguaros (18-10) meeting the Peoria Javelinas (17-11) after both clubs posted the league’s two best regular-season records.

Surprise has reached the AFL championship for the seventh straight season and will try to win its fifth championship overall. Peoria, the seven-time AFL champion, will be seeking its first title since back-to-back championships in 2017-18.

The two teams earned their way to the final through different routes in the semifinals. Surprise advanced with a 10-4 win over the Glendale Desert Dogs, a game that included first baseman Cole Mathis driving in seven runs and an AFL playoff-record performance.

Peoria punched its ticket to the title game with a 6-5 win over the Salt River Rafters. The Javelinas received three RBI and a decisive fourth-inning sacrifice fly from right fielder Ike Irish.

The matchup will feature a number of high-profile prospects, including Surprise’s Cole Mathis at first base and Peoria’s Tai Peete in center field. The published starting lineups list Justin Lamkin (KC) as the projected Surprise starter and Luke Holman (CIN) as Peoria’s counter.

MLB Network will broadcast the championship game live Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local), with additional streaming options available and.