After rain washed out Wednesday’s start to the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to open up their best-of-seven series against the London Majors on Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.

The Leafs compiled a 1-3 record against the Majors but played two double-headers, which doesn’t suit the older and more experienced Leafs.

“Every time we have played London in the past three or four years, it’s been tough,” Leafs catcher Damon Topolie said. “We are not used to playing double headers and I think they are more accustomed to playing those types of games. They (London) are a younger bunch of guys, a little bit fresher and they play the small ball game. They can bunt, steal some bases and they are not waiting for the big inning they just chip away.”

Since double headers are only seven innings, teams usually get less at bats than a regular nine-inning game. When the game is shortened teams will change their offensive philosophy.

“When you’re playing for only seven innings the offence doesn’t have a full chance to get into swing mode,” Leafs pitcher Drew Taylor said. “There’s a little bit more of a sense of urgency to score runs early and get ahead because you don’t have as much time to play catch up.”

Toronto finished third with a 24-12 record, three games ahead of the fourth place Majors but Taylor said it might be the Leafs advantage to play them in nine-inning games.

“We’ve only played them in seven-inning games,” Taylor said. “I think we have a stronger bullpen than them and chances are that we’re not going to see their starter for nine innings. So, we have a chance to get into their bullpen and maybe see some weaker pitching and score some runs which could be a big difference for us.”

The Leafs have more of a veteran line up than London and Taylor thinks that could be a factor.

“I think that when you look at veteran teams they tend to peak at the end of the year,” Taylor said. “Some of the younger clubs that tend to use college players peak at the beginning of the season when they have come off a lot of at bats in a college season.”

Toronto has won eight of its final 10 games and Topolie thinks they are peaking at the right time.

“We wanted to have the momentum going into the playoffs,” Topolie said. “It should keep us going and get us off to a good start and we want the first game to set the tone for the series.”

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.