Panthers look to play spoiler as CBL season comes to close
Posted Aug 20, 2026 11:45:00 AM.
Last Updated Aug 20, 2026 11:43:32 AM.
While they have been mathematically eliminated from the CBL playoffs in 2026, the Kitchener Panthers have 6 more games ahead to prove their merit heading into a hopeful rebound season in 2027.
With just 9 days until the Canadian Baseball League concludes its inaugural season since the rebranding from the Intercounty Baseball League, the Kitchener Panthers find themselves in an unfamiliar place. As opposed to prior seasons where 8 of 9 clubs make the playoffs in a quest for the Dominico Cup, 2026 sees only 5 teams eligible for playoff baseball. As a result, the 7th seeded Kitchener Panthers will miss the playoffs for the first time this decade, and thus, enter the last week of August with only bragging rights and building momentum to play for.
Canadian Baseball League standings prior to August 20, Courtesy of CBL website
Kitchener will play 2 playoff teams and 3 playoff eliminated teams down the stretch, as well as the Brantford Red Sox who remain statistically in the hunt as of August 20. The 14–28 Panthers could finish as high as 20-28 to round out the campaign, but that journey will begin with one of the league’s toughest squads, the Welland Jackfish.
Thursday sees the Panthers host the defending champion Jackfish at Jack Couch Park for the final time this season. Welland leads the season series 4-1, with their only loss coming at home at Welland Stadium. The Panthers have allowed 49 runs from Welland in their two matchups at Jack Couch Park, with the first being a 30-8 Welland win that serves as the high watermark for single-team scoring this season.
Early in August, it looked like the Panthers’ ability to limit runs was improving as the season came to a close. Between August 1 and August 9, Kitchener held their opponents to 6 runs or fewer in 5 straight games, the longest stretch of their season for the pitching staff. Since then, however, they have allowed 12 or more runs in 3 of the 4 games since.
Looking to break that streak of run prevention troubles is 2026 all-star Evan Elliott, who will make his first start of the season against Welland. Elliott has continued to excel in terms of command on the mound in his last 5 starts, allowing less than a walk per outing. His longevity has been the concern, as the Toronto native has thrown 5 innings in a start just once since the start of July. The righty starter will face a plethora of left-handed batters Thursday, as Welland has some of the most in the league in that regard.
Evan Elliott on the mound at Kitchener’s Jack Couch Park (Courtesy Kitchener Panthers)
On the opposing mound, CBL veteran Pedro De Los Santos will make his first start of 2026 in his ninth season in the league. The 37-year-old from the Dominican Republic is a former Kitchener Panther, having pitched in 10 games for the team in 2024. De Los Santos has transitioned from a career starter into an effective middle-inning reliever, having made all 20 of his appearances this season out of the bullpen. He sports an ERA just over 6.00, and has faced Kitchener twice so far this season. He has allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run in 3 innings relieving against the Panthers.
The Panthers top offensive stars continue to challenge for top honours in major statistical categories into the final 6 games of their season. MVP contender Malik Williams continues to lead the race for the batting title, with his .408 average sitting just .007 ahead of Barrie’s Noel Mcgarry Doyle.
Mateo Zeppieri now trails Guelph’s Ryan Dos Santos by 1 in the race for the league lead in walks. Dos Santos has taken 33 free passes in 2026, with Zeppieri entering Thursday with 32.
Kitchener outfielder Raffi Gross has a chance to break his tie with Welland’s Daiki Abe atop the league in triples, with the pair tied at a trio of three-bag hits each.
The Panthers will take on Welland at Jack Couch Park on Thursday, August 20 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets to all Kitchener Panthers home games can be found at the ticket portal on their website.
