TRENTON – Even after suffering a hard-luck loss to Dellin Betances and the Thunder on Wednesday in the opening game of the Eastern League Division Series, Kyle Drabek is adamant that his Fisher Cats are the cream of the crop.

“Our team is still confident,” Drabek said Wednesday night. “We feel like we’re the best team in this league. It’s a big loss. You don’t want to lose the first game in a playoff series.”

Drabek held Trenton to one run on three hits and a pair of free passes, but it wasn’t enough against Betances, who, although it wasn’t particularly pretty at times, got the better of Toronto’s top prospect.

Drabek’s downfall in Game 1 was command. He went to 2-0 or worse on every hitter in the first inning, but was able to retire them all. He wasn’t as lucky in the fourth, when a four-pitch walk to Austin Krum led to the eventual game-winning score.

“I had trouble throwing strikes and a leadoff walk is never good,” he said, “then they put a few hits together and were able to get (the run) in.”

Because there are no off days in this series, Drabek is reduced to a spectator for the remainder. Still, he’s got no worries about his teammates’ ability to battle back and move on to the E.L. Championship Series, which would be played against either Harrisburg or Altoona.

“This is a great team and everyone gets along great. After games, you have your downtime and focus on (today),” Drabek said, before reminding himself that New Hampshire’s 17-6 regular-season record against the Thunder won’t play much of a role in the outcome of the series. “I don’t think us beating them a bunch in the regular season comes into this series. This is a playoff series, so every win is big.”