In a rematch of the 2015 DMBL Series, the result went another way for lower stakes as Tucson obliterated Arkansas, 10-0, in a play-in game on Tuesday night to clinch the Clemente Division and the No. 4 seed in the postseason after both teams finished the regular season tied (89-74).
Showing posts with label playoff race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoff race. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
One game to decide No. 4 seed
Faced with win-and-they're-in scenarios, few teams were able to secure their own destiny without help from other squads on the final day of the season.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Down to the final game
Only a handful of games will matter tonight on the season's final day, but boy howdy, will three teams be scoreboard-watching just to be sure they've made the playoffs.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Blue Ridge keeps heat on Arkansas
The final 10 games (give or take) of the 2013 season are upon us and still the playoff race has yet to be resolved. Four teams are within four games of each other for the sixth and final playoff spot. Meanwhile, a battle is still on for the number-one seed as Philly has opened a 2 1/2-game lead on Las Vegas for home-field throughout the playoffs.
There's at least been some continuity as Arkansas has held on to the sixth spot for the past week but the view from behind has shifted as Blue Ridge continues to pile up the W's, passing Rowdy and Sardine City to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Golden Falcons. A week ago, the Bombers were 3 1/2 back of the Wild Card but have continued one of the great runs this season.
Whoever grabs the sixth seed likely will face No. 3 Vancouver in the first round of postseason while the others go into the draft lottery, a.k.a., the Yasiel Puig/Jose Fernandez sweepstakes. Two of the teams still in the hunt are assured of finishing below. 500, having suffered their 82nd loss.
Let's take a look at where they stand and what's on the horizon in the season's final 10 games:
Arkansas, 74-78, ----
Remaining schedule: .519 win percentage
v. Sardine City
2 @ Boston
2 v. Las Vegas
2 @ Philly
3 @ Sardine City
Arkansas just sort of treaded water last week, going 3-4, which was good enough, for now. The good news is that the Golden Falcons get Matt Harvey back from injury and should be able to squeeze two more starts out of him, including a likely start against Las Vegas while also avoiding Kris Medlen, who could return from the DL after their series. The bad news is their opponents' winning percentage is .521 thanks to a gauntlet of two-game sets against Vegas and Philly before their three-game season finale with Sardine City. Arkansas could bury the Straphangers with a win tonight (A.J. Griffin v. Brandon McCarthy) but they may have to start worrying about other teams at this point. The Golden Falcons have little room for error if they want to finish better than .500; they'll need a run of no worse than 8-2; no worse than 7-3 to finish an even .500.
Blue Ridge, 72-79, 1 1/2 GB
Remaining schedule: .463 win percentage
@ Hillsborough
2 v. Philly
3 v. Livingston
2 @ Boston
3 v. Hillsborough
Blue Ridge has put together one of the great runs of the 2013 season, and quite possibly one of the best ever, at least to finish a season. Their only loss in the past 2+ weeks was a 2-1 setback against Brick City, otherwise we're talking about a 21-game win streak. Still, they've won 20 of their last 21 games, which came after a three-game skid, including a new 5-game win streak after their 15-win streak ended. All this after selling at the trade deadline (dealing Gio Gonzalez and David Hernandez). Their toughest opponent will be Philly but it's only two games this week. While Arkansas is dealing with powerhouses Las Vegas and Philly later this week, the Bombers get to face off against Livingston and Boston. Of the remaining teams, only Arkansas and Blue Ridge have any shot (albeit long) of finishing better than .500; the Bombers can only loss two more if they have any hope of avoiding a losing record.
Rowdy, 72-81, 3 GB
Remaining schedule: .595 win percentage
@ Philly
2 v. Amityville
3 @ Hoboken
2 v. Sardine City
2 v. Philly
The Roddy Pipers are still hanging around after an up-and-down stretch, going 3-4 to gain no ground on Arkansas. They face the toughest schedule over the final 10 games, including six games against playoff-bound Hoboken and Philly, two more against possibly a third playoff team in Sardine City, as well as two versus Amityville, who's just barely hanging on to a flicker of hope.
Sardine City, 70-82, 4 GB
Remaining schedule: .497 win percentage
@ Arkansas
2 v. Brick City
2 @ Vancouver
2 @ Rowdy
3 v. Arkansas
As long as Sardine City can remain within 3 games or less of Arkansas, they'll be within striking distance, with that three-game season finale in their back pocket. But that's the problem, at present they stand 4 games back as they enter Monday night's critical matchup at Arkansas. The Straphangers have stumbled badly of late, with just one win sandwiched around three losses last week to go 1-6, on top of a six-game skid two weeks ago, making them just 3-12 over their last 15 games. They had won 8 of 9 before that ugly stretch.
Amityville, 69-82, 4 1/2 GB
Remaining schedule: .439 win percentage
v. Livingston
2 @ Rowdy
3 v. Hillsborough
2 @ Brick City
3 @ Livingston
Amityville continues to face the weakest competition, at least according to opponents' win percentage, but it hasn't helped. The Ant Slayers are running out of time but they do have an extra game to play and have won three straight after losing three in a row last week. Either way, they probably will need quite a bit of help from others to make a run of destiny.
There's at least been some continuity as Arkansas has held on to the sixth spot for the past week but the view from behind has shifted as Blue Ridge continues to pile up the W's, passing Rowdy and Sardine City to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Golden Falcons. A week ago, the Bombers were 3 1/2 back of the Wild Card but have continued one of the great runs this season.
Whoever grabs the sixth seed likely will face No. 3 Vancouver in the first round of postseason while the others go into the draft lottery, a.k.a., the Yasiel Puig/Jose Fernandez sweepstakes. Two of the teams still in the hunt are assured of finishing below. 500, having suffered their 82nd loss.
Let's take a look at where they stand and what's on the horizon in the season's final 10 games:
Arkansas, 74-78, ----
Remaining schedule: .519 win percentage
v. Sardine City
2 @ Boston
2 v. Las Vegas
2 @ Philly
3 @ Sardine City
Arkansas just sort of treaded water last week, going 3-4, which was good enough, for now. The good news is that the Golden Falcons get Matt Harvey back from injury and should be able to squeeze two more starts out of him, including a likely start against Las Vegas while also avoiding Kris Medlen, who could return from the DL after their series. The bad news is their opponents' winning percentage is .521 thanks to a gauntlet of two-game sets against Vegas and Philly before their three-game season finale with Sardine City. Arkansas could bury the Straphangers with a win tonight (A.J. Griffin v. Brandon McCarthy) but they may have to start worrying about other teams at this point. The Golden Falcons have little room for error if they want to finish better than .500; they'll need a run of no worse than 8-2; no worse than 7-3 to finish an even .500.
Blue Ridge, 72-79, 1 1/2 GB
Remaining schedule: .463 win percentage
@ Hillsborough
2 v. Philly
3 v. Livingston
2 @ Boston
3 v. Hillsborough
Blue Ridge has put together one of the great runs of the 2013 season, and quite possibly one of the best ever, at least to finish a season. Their only loss in the past 2+ weeks was a 2-1 setback against Brick City, otherwise we're talking about a 21-game win streak. Still, they've won 20 of their last 21 games, which came after a three-game skid, including a new 5-game win streak after their 15-win streak ended. All this after selling at the trade deadline (dealing Gio Gonzalez and David Hernandez). Their toughest opponent will be Philly but it's only two games this week. While Arkansas is dealing with powerhouses Las Vegas and Philly later this week, the Bombers get to face off against Livingston and Boston. Of the remaining teams, only Arkansas and Blue Ridge have any shot (albeit long) of finishing better than .500; the Bombers can only loss two more if they have any hope of avoiding a losing record.
Rowdy, 72-81, 3 GB
Remaining schedule: .595 win percentage
@ Philly
2 v. Amityville
3 @ Hoboken
2 v. Sardine City
2 v. Philly
The Roddy Pipers are still hanging around after an up-and-down stretch, going 3-4 to gain no ground on Arkansas. They face the toughest schedule over the final 10 games, including six games against playoff-bound Hoboken and Philly, two more against possibly a third playoff team in Sardine City, as well as two versus Amityville, who's just barely hanging on to a flicker of hope.
Sardine City, 70-82, 4 GB
Remaining schedule: .497 win percentage
@ Arkansas
2 v. Brick City
2 @ Vancouver
2 @ Rowdy
3 v. Arkansas
As long as Sardine City can remain within 3 games or less of Arkansas, they'll be within striking distance, with that three-game season finale in their back pocket. But that's the problem, at present they stand 4 games back as they enter Monday night's critical matchup at Arkansas. The Straphangers have stumbled badly of late, with just one win sandwiched around three losses last week to go 1-6, on top of a six-game skid two weeks ago, making them just 3-12 over their last 15 games. They had won 8 of 9 before that ugly stretch.
Amityville, 69-82, 4 1/2 GB
Remaining schedule: .439 win percentage
v. Livingston
2 @ Rowdy
3 v. Hillsborough
2 @ Brick City
3 @ Livingston
Amityville continues to face the weakest competition, at least according to opponents' win percentage, but it hasn't helped. The Ant Slayers are running out of time but they do have an extra game to play and have won three straight after losing three in a row last week. Either way, they probably will need quite a bit of help from others to make a run of destiny.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Five teams jockeying for playoffs -- or draft lottery?
Does anyone want the final, sixth playoff seed? As many as five teams might still have a shot to make the 2013 playoffs but it's almost as if some teams are doing anything they can to avoid it. Three playoff hopefuls have lost anywhere from four to seven games in a row as we head into the season's final two weeks.
Much of the playoff hunt has been set for some time, with the top 5 teams pulling away from the rest of the league in recent weeks. As far as seeding, Las Vegas has caught Philly for the top seed to make things interesting in the final weeks but most of the rest of the playoff dance card seems all but filled out: Hopatcong is on the cusp of clinching the top wild card and Hoboken is just a few games from putting away the Van Slyke Division.
The #6 seed has changed hands about three times in the past week, held at some point by Rowdy and Sardine City, but heading into Sunday's doubleheader this how it looks:
Let's take a look at the contenders (who may be hoping to get into the lottery rather than the playoffs):
Arkansas, 69-74
Games remaining: 19 -- 11 road/8 home
Strength of schedule: .541 winning percentage for opponents
- 9 games versus teams with better records, including 7 against top 2 seeds (4 v. Las Vegas, 3 v. Philly)
- 10 games versus teams with worse records (including 5 v. Sardine City).
The Golden Falcons boasted an impressive road record earlier in the season and though it's evened out a bit, they're still 37-33. Could that be a good sign? They're the only team with a losing record that's better than .500 on the road (32-41 at home). They wrap up the year with a five-game road trip: two at Philly and a three-game set at Sardine City which could be a showdown for the 6th seed as the Straphangers currently trail by 3 1/2 games. The teams also meet earlier for two games in Arkansas.
Rowdy, 68-76, 1 1/2 GB
Games remaining: 18 -- 9 road/9 home
Strength of schedule: .601 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 13 games v. teams with better records (5 v. Hoboken, 4 v. Philly, 2 each v. Las Vegas and Vancouver)
- 5 games v. teams with worse records (including 2 v. Sardine City)
Rowdy lost out on the playoffs in last season's final game and only has two games (v. Sardine City) against teams jockeying for the final spot. The Roddy Pipers are just 1 1/2 games back of the final spot but have lost four in a row and face the most daunting schedule of any playoff contender the rest of the way.
Sardine City, 67-76, 2 GB
Games remaining: 19 -- 9 road/10 home
Strength of schedule: .516 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 12 games v. teams with better records (including 5 v. Arkansas, 4 v. Vancouver)
- 7 games v. teams with worse records
The five remaining games between Sardine City and Arkansas could have a big impact on who gets the last playoff spot and conversely, who goes into the draft lottery. The Straphangers have to turn it around though after losing six straight.
Blue Ridge, 66-78, 3 1/2 GB
Games remaining: 18 -- 5 road/13 home
Strength of schedule: .441 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 3 games v. teams with better records (including 2 v. Philly and 1 v. Rowdy, who's just 2 games better)
- 15 games v. teams with worse records
As if winning 14 straight wasn't enough good news, the Bombers have the most home games remaining of any of the playoff contenders. Plus, Blue Ridge faces just one powerhouse opponent (Philly) the rest of the way, and only Amityville faces a weaker remaining schedule. The Cinderalla story for Blue Ridge could very well continue the rest of the season. The Bombers also enjoy three off days this week before playing their final 14 games.
Amityville, 64-79, 5 GB
Games remaining: 19 -- 11 road/8 home
Strength of schedule: .438 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 4 games v. teams with better records (2 v. Hopatcong and 2 v. Rowdy)
- 15 games v. teams with worse records (5-game trip to end season; 2 v. Brick City, 3 v. Livingston)
The Ant Slayers have been in a downward spiral this week but if any team in the playoff hunt has an opportunity to turn things around -- and quickly -- it's Amityville. They face just one team with a winning record in their final 19 games (Hopatcong) and the only other team with a better record is Rowdy, who's only 3 1/2 games better.
Much of the playoff hunt has been set for some time, with the top 5 teams pulling away from the rest of the league in recent weeks. As far as seeding, Las Vegas has caught Philly for the top seed to make things interesting in the final weeks but most of the rest of the playoff dance card seems all but filled out: Hopatcong is on the cusp of clinching the top wild card and Hoboken is just a few games from putting away the Van Slyke Division.
The #6 seed has changed hands about three times in the past week, held at some point by Rowdy and Sardine City, but heading into Sunday's doubleheader this how it looks:
#6 Arkansas, 69-74, --Should the Golden Falcons hold on, it would be their first trip to the postseason since 2006. Rowdy just missed the playoffs last year but participated in 2011 as the Carolina Mudcats, as did Sardine City. Amityville last year secured the 4th seed while Blue Ridge has never made the postseason since joining the league in 2008. The way things are shaking out, whoever makes the playoffs could be the first sub-.500 squad to make the postseason.
#7 Rowdy, 68-76, 1 1/2 GB
#8 Sardine City, 67-76, 2 GB
#9 Blue Ridge, 66-78, 3 1/2 GB
#10 Amityville, 64-79, 5 GB
Let's take a look at the contenders (who may be hoping to get into the lottery rather than the playoffs):
Arkansas, 69-74
Games remaining: 19 -- 11 road/8 home
Strength of schedule: .541 winning percentage for opponents
- 9 games versus teams with better records, including 7 against top 2 seeds (4 v. Las Vegas, 3 v. Philly)
- 10 games versus teams with worse records (including 5 v. Sardine City).
The Golden Falcons boasted an impressive road record earlier in the season and though it's evened out a bit, they're still 37-33. Could that be a good sign? They're the only team with a losing record that's better than .500 on the road (32-41 at home). They wrap up the year with a five-game road trip: two at Philly and a three-game set at Sardine City which could be a showdown for the 6th seed as the Straphangers currently trail by 3 1/2 games. The teams also meet earlier for two games in Arkansas.
Rowdy, 68-76, 1 1/2 GB
Games remaining: 18 -- 9 road/9 home
Strength of schedule: .601 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 13 games v. teams with better records (5 v. Hoboken, 4 v. Philly, 2 each v. Las Vegas and Vancouver)
- 5 games v. teams with worse records (including 2 v. Sardine City)
Rowdy lost out on the playoffs in last season's final game and only has two games (v. Sardine City) against teams jockeying for the final spot. The Roddy Pipers are just 1 1/2 games back of the final spot but have lost four in a row and face the most daunting schedule of any playoff contender the rest of the way.
Sardine City, 67-76, 2 GB
Games remaining: 19 -- 9 road/10 home
Strength of schedule: .516 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 12 games v. teams with better records (including 5 v. Arkansas, 4 v. Vancouver)
- 7 games v. teams with worse records
The five remaining games between Sardine City and Arkansas could have a big impact on who gets the last playoff spot and conversely, who goes into the draft lottery. The Straphangers have to turn it around though after losing six straight.
Blue Ridge, 66-78, 3 1/2 GB
Games remaining: 18 -- 5 road/13 home
Strength of schedule: .441 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 3 games v. teams with better records (including 2 v. Philly and 1 v. Rowdy, who's just 2 games better)
- 15 games v. teams with worse records
As if winning 14 straight wasn't enough good news, the Bombers have the most home games remaining of any of the playoff contenders. Plus, Blue Ridge faces just one powerhouse opponent (Philly) the rest of the way, and only Amityville faces a weaker remaining schedule. The Cinderalla story for Blue Ridge could very well continue the rest of the season. The Bombers also enjoy three off days this week before playing their final 14 games.
Amityville, 64-79, 5 GB
Games remaining: 19 -- 11 road/8 home
Strength of schedule: .438 winning percentage for remaining opponents
- 4 games v. teams with better records (2 v. Hopatcong and 2 v. Rowdy)
- 15 games v. teams with worse records (5-game trip to end season; 2 v. Brick City, 3 v. Livingston)
The Ant Slayers have been in a downward spiral this week but if any team in the playoff hunt has an opportunity to turn things around -- and quickly -- it's Amityville. They face just one team with a winning record in their final 19 games (Hopatcong) and the only other team with a better record is Rowdy, who's only 3 1/2 games better.
Friday, August 24, 2012
And Down The Stretch They Come!
Fewer than a dozen games remain in the 2012 DMBL season for most teams and while there's some uncertainty left as to seeding, the real drama looks like who will clinch the final few playoff spots.
The Marietta juggernaut (100-52) wrapped up its division last week and will secure the top seed. With their divisions safely in hand, Vancouver (87-66, with a magic number of 1) and Amityville (85-67/4) could battle for seeding in the final week. The difference between a No. 2 and No. 3 seed is a first-round bye.
The only division that seems to be left up for grabs is the Kruk, which also looks like it'll play a major role in determining the wild cards; it's conceivable that three of the four teams could be in the postseason. Newark, Hopatcong and Bridgewater have traded wins and losses for a few weeks, staying with a few games of one another.
Entering Thursday's action, the Sugar Bears held the division lead by just 1/2 game over the Floating Fish, who were only a 1/2 game ahead of the Mallers for the 6th and final playoff seed. After Thursday's games, it was Hopatcong (82-70) leading the division by a 1/2 game over Newark (82-71) and Bridgewater (82-71)!
Hopatcong will make the trip down 280 to Newark for a season-ending three-game series that potentially could crown the division champion -- or maybe the division's lone playoff representative. But before that, the Floating Fish have to go down 287 to Bridgewater this weekend in a three-game set that could provide some separation. Probable starters in the series line up like this:
The only division that seems to be left up for grabs is the Kruk, which also looks like it'll play a major role in determining the wild cards; it's conceivable that three of the four teams could be in the postseason. Newark, Hopatcong and Bridgewater have traded wins and losses for a few weeks, staying with a few games of one another.
Entering Thursday's action, the Sugar Bears held the division lead by just 1/2 game over the Floating Fish, who were only a 1/2 game ahead of the Mallers for the 6th and final playoff seed. After Thursday's games, it was Hopatcong (82-70) leading the division by a 1/2 game over Newark (82-71) and Bridgewater (82-71)!
Hopatcong will make the trip down 280 to Newark for a season-ending three-game series that potentially could crown the division champion -- or maybe the division's lone playoff representative. But before that, the Floating Fish have to go down 287 to Bridgewater this weekend in a three-game set that could provide some separation. Probable starters in the series line up like this:
HPG - Collmenter (12-12, 4.54) v. BRI - Beachy (16-5, 4.52)As for the wild cards, current Van Slyke runner-up Rowdy (83-70) enters Friday's games with a slim one-game lead on Newark and Bridgewater, with division rival Hoboken (81-72) just two games behind. That scenario sets up a playoff-like atmosphere at Rowdy this weekend where the Cutters come in for three games. The pitching matchups in Rowdy appear to be:
Stauffer (5-16, 6.15) v. Lincecum (6-1, 2.93 w/ BRI; 13-6, 3.28)
Cain (12-8, 3.53) v. Vazquez (1-6, 5.67 w/ BRI; 8-10, 3.43)
HBK - Jurrjens (14-13, 4.34) v. RWD - Gallardo (8-11, 5.65)Until this week, Hillsborough (78-74) and Sardine City (79-75) were still in the thick of the hunt and while there's been some separation in the past few days, these two just won't go away - both still stand within 3 1/2 games of the final seed after winning Thursday night with 10 and 9 games to go, respectively. Hillsborough faced among the most daunting final two weeks, with eight of its final 14 games against playoff contenders. Rowdy has nine of its final 13 against contending squads.
Kuroda (5-10, 5.67) v. Sabathia (13-10, 4.91)
Kershaw (13-5, 3.57) v. Wilson (12-8, 4.01)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Last game today!
It's the last day of the regular season...maybe. All six playoff spots are secured, but in what order? Only Marietta knows their spot for sure. Bridgewater currently sits atop the Morris Division, but by only one game. If Vancouver and/or Philadelphia win their games today and the Mallers lose thiers, there could be a three way tie for first place. Yikes. And the Morris Division winner might not even have the second best record in the league. Sardine City is currently tied with the Mallers with 91 wins, making it likely that the Sardines will be the top wild card. Which leaves the Sugar Bears as the 6th team with 89 wins, right? Well...if the Sugar Bears win and Vancouver and/or Philly lose, well there are all sorts of tiebreakers to sort through. Let's take a look at some.
If there is a tie for the Morris Division lead, there will be a one (or possibly two) game play-in game on Saturday. Sardine City has winning records against Vancouver (8-3), Philadelphia(9-3), and Bridgewater(7-5), so they have the 3rd spot locked up. Amazingly, the Sardines only have a losing record against one playoff team - the Mighty Men (4-9). They are 7-6 against Newark.
Bridgewater already has at least a tie for the division locked up, so we won't really have to go into any tiebreakers with them, unless there's a 3-way tie. Bridgewater has a winning record against both rivals so will probably only have to play one play-in game in that unlikely scenario. Philly is 8-5 against Vancouver this year, so the Iron Fist need a lot to go right to get a good seed. Newark has a losing record against Philly and split their season series against Vancouver. Newark has a better run differential than Vancouver, so they'd probably win that tiebreakers, but the Sugar Bears first have to win their final game.
We have a few other little races of note as well. Blue Ridge and Hillsborough are all tied up at 82-79 with Las Vegas sitting at 81-80. Conceivably all three could end up tied up, but Las Vegas would probably like to sew up that 82nd win to get over the .500 mark. If that does happen, then we'll end the season with 9 teams with a winning record!
And at the other end of the spectrum, Carolina has already sewn up last place, but New Jersey and Arkansas both have identical records and both teams will try to avoid losing their 100th game - Arkansas for the first time in franchise history.
As for Hoboken and Amityville - well nobody cares about them today, sorry guys!
If there is a tie for the Morris Division lead, there will be a one (or possibly two) game play-in game on Saturday. Sardine City has winning records against Vancouver (8-3), Philadelphia(9-3), and Bridgewater(7-5), so they have the 3rd spot locked up. Amazingly, the Sardines only have a losing record against one playoff team - the Mighty Men (4-9). They are 7-6 against Newark.
Bridgewater already has at least a tie for the division locked up, so we won't really have to go into any tiebreakers with them, unless there's a 3-way tie. Bridgewater has a winning record against both rivals so will probably only have to play one play-in game in that unlikely scenario. Philly is 8-5 against Vancouver this year, so the Iron Fist need a lot to go right to get a good seed. Newark has a losing record against Philly and split their season series against Vancouver. Newark has a better run differential than Vancouver, so they'd probably win that tiebreakers, but the Sugar Bears first have to win their final game.
We have a few other little races of note as well. Blue Ridge and Hillsborough are all tied up at 82-79 with Las Vegas sitting at 81-80. Conceivably all three could end up tied up, but Las Vegas would probably like to sew up that 82nd win to get over the .500 mark. If that does happen, then we'll end the season with 9 teams with a winning record!
And at the other end of the spectrum, Carolina has already sewn up last place, but New Jersey and Arkansas both have identical records and both teams will try to avoid losing their 100th game - Arkansas for the first time in franchise history.
As for Hoboken and Amityville - well nobody cares about them today, sorry guys!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Vancouver clinches, Carolina one step away
Vancouver made it official with a 13-8 victory over Sardine City, becoming the final team to clinch a playoff spot. David Ortiz was 3-4 with 5 RBIs and Chase Utley was 2-3 with 4 runs in the contest. Vancouver jumped out early against starter Ubaldo Jimenez, chasing the righthander out of the game with one out in the 2nd after giving up 8 runs. The defending champions will take on Marietta in the first round no matter how everything else shakes out.
Meanwhile, Carolina clinched at least a tie for the division lead with a 9-7 victory over Newark. Dustin Pedroia was 3-4 with 4 RBIs and Xavier Nady was also 3-4 as the Mudcats dealt a big blow to Chien-Ming Wang's Ben McDonald Award hopes. Wang had pitched himself into the driver's seat before this game. Nevertheless, Wang still leads the league in wins (21) and is 3rd in ERA (3.32), so he still has a good shot at the prize. With another Carolina win or a Hillsborough loss, the Mudcats will clinch their first ever Morris Division title.
It'll be tough for the Hitmen to win both of their remaining games, considering they'll be taking on Las Vegas. If the Hitmen don't miraculously win the division, they'll be playing Vegas in the first round. Yesterday, the Hitmen lost 5-1 to Tim Lincecum and the Rats to put them 2 games out of first place. Lincecum, Wang's toughest competition for the McDonald, improved to 19-3 with 6.2 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball. Lincecum struck out 9, giving him a total of 246, top in the league. Lincecum is also second in ERA with 3.15, behind only Carolina's Roy Halladay (2.72).
Meanwhile, Carolina clinched at least a tie for the division lead with a 9-7 victory over Newark. Dustin Pedroia was 3-4 with 4 RBIs and Xavier Nady was also 3-4 as the Mudcats dealt a big blow to Chien-Ming Wang's Ben McDonald Award hopes. Wang had pitched himself into the driver's seat before this game. Nevertheless, Wang still leads the league in wins (21) and is 3rd in ERA (3.32), so he still has a good shot at the prize. With another Carolina win or a Hillsborough loss, the Mudcats will clinch their first ever Morris Division title.
It'll be tough for the Hitmen to win both of their remaining games, considering they'll be taking on Las Vegas. If the Hitmen don't miraculously win the division, they'll be playing Vegas in the first round. Yesterday, the Hitmen lost 5-1 to Tim Lincecum and the Rats to put them 2 games out of first place. Lincecum, Wang's toughest competition for the McDonald, improved to 19-3 with 6.2 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball. Lincecum struck out 9, giving him a total of 246, top in the league. Lincecum is also second in ERA with 3.15, behind only Carolina's Roy Halladay (2.72).
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Vancouver clinches tie
Vancouver missed a golden opportunity to clinch the final playoff spot yesterday, but instead had to settle for clinching a tie. The Fist dropped a 6-4 decision to Sardine City, leaving the defending champions 3 games ahead of Arkansas and Philadelphia with only 3 games left to go. Arkansas lost 5-3 to Marietta on Brandon Phillips' grand slam in the 5th. Meanwhile, the Endzone Animals were smoked by Hoboken 12-4. Aaron Cook took a shutout into the 9th but gave up two two-run homers in the innings.
Hillsborough gained a 1/2 game on Carolina in a 7-5 defeat of the injury-ravaged Rat Pack. Ryan Howard was 2-4 with 2 homers and 3 RBIs in the contest. Hillsborough is now 1 game behind Morris Division leader Carolina and 2 games ahead of Las Vegas in the wild card standings. This series is looking more and more likely to continue on into the post-season - as of now, if the season ended, the Rat Pack and Hillsborough would meet in the first round of the playoffs.
Hillsborough gained a 1/2 game on Carolina in a 7-5 defeat of the injury-ravaged Rat Pack. Ryan Howard was 2-4 with 2 homers and 3 RBIs in the contest. Hillsborough is now 1 game behind Morris Division leader Carolina and 2 games ahead of Las Vegas in the wild card standings. This series is looking more and more likely to continue on into the post-season - as of now, if the season ended, the Rat Pack and Hillsborough would meet in the first round of the playoffs.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Sugar Bear streak ends at 17
With the new win streak record already in hand, the Sugar Bears let down their guard yesterday and lost 6-2 to Carolina, officially ending their 17 game winning streak. John Maine held the Sugar Bears in check for 6.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6. Bengie Molina was 3-5 with 2 RBIs as the Mudcats piled on in the middle innings. The Mudcats remained 1/2 game up on Hillsborough.
Meanwhile, the Hitmen took game 2 against Las Vegas in a possible playoff preview. Dan Haren and Josh Beckett duelled in a scoreless game for 8 innings. Then in the top of the 9th Kelly Shoppach hit a 2-run double off Hideki Okajima to break the tie. After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th, Mike Gonzalez got into some trouble after giving up a single and a double to Rats batters, but left both stranded to preserve the shutout.
Vancouver edged Sardine City 4-3 behind a solid performance from Ben Sheets (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K) and gained a game on their playoff pursuers. Philadelphia lost a tough one to Hoboken, 7-6. In the bottom of the 9th, the Animals held a 6-5 lead, but Miguel Cabrera hit a solo homer to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. In the 10th, Ian Kinsler won the game for Hoboken with a walkoff single. Arkansas had a tougher challenge, taking on the wild card leader, Marietta. But Marietta's offense was alive and well Thursday night and took the game 7-4, knocking the Falcons 3 games behind the wild card, with 8 games to go.
Meanwhile, the Hitmen took game 2 against Las Vegas in a possible playoff preview. Dan Haren and Josh Beckett duelled in a scoreless game for 8 innings. Then in the top of the 9th Kelly Shoppach hit a 2-run double off Hideki Okajima to break the tie. After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th, Mike Gonzalez got into some trouble after giving up a single and a double to Rats batters, but left both stranded to preserve the shutout.
Vancouver edged Sardine City 4-3 behind a solid performance from Ben Sheets (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K) and gained a game on their playoff pursuers. Philadelphia lost a tough one to Hoboken, 7-6. In the bottom of the 9th, the Animals held a 6-5 lead, but Miguel Cabrera hit a solo homer to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. In the 10th, Ian Kinsler won the game for Hoboken with a walkoff single. Arkansas had a tougher challenge, taking on the wild card leader, Marietta. But Marietta's offense was alive and well Thursday night and took the game 7-4, knocking the Falcons 3 games behind the wild card, with 8 games to go.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sugar Bears break record, win 17th straight
The Sugar Bears beat Carolina 5-4 yesterday to break the record for longest winning streak. Are they done? It's up to Carolina right now. Some interesting streak notes:
- The Sugar Bears have won their last three games all by the same 5-4 score, including a 14-inning victory against Vancouver.
- Since the streak began, the Sugar Bears have won 4 extra-inning games and 8 one-run games.
- The Sugar Bears have defeated seven teams, five of which are either playoff teams or still alive in the playoff race.
- During the streak, Newark has only had one shutout and has only scored in double digits twice.
- Only four of the 17 games were played on the road.
- The Sugar Bears played Vancouver in two series during the streak, and won 3 of the games by that magical 5-4 margin
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Newark ties streak record
Newark snuck by Vancouver 5-4 yesterday to win their 16th straight game, tying the record held by Arkansas and Vancouver. Newark will try to break the record against Morris Division-leading Carolina. The last time Newark took on the top of the Morris Division they swept Hillsborough right out of the top spot. Of course that sweep made it possible for the Cats to move into first place. This time Hillsborough will be waiting in the wings to try to make up their 1/2 game difference. It won't be easy for the Hitmen as they will face the Rat Pack.
Carolina and Marietta both clinched playoff spots with wins yesterday. The Cats defeated Amityville 4-3, while Marietta pounded Philadelphia 13-2. Las Vegas and Hillsborough have both clinched at least a tie for a playoff spot. One of them will clinch tonight, depending on who wins their head to head matchup, while the other can clinch with an Arkansas loss to Marietta. Meanwhile, the final wild card team, Vancouver, hasn't even clinched a winning record, as they prepare to take on Sardine City. Vancouver is only one game up on Arkansas with Philadelphia trailing by only 2 games. All other teams are mathematically eliminated, except D.C., who will be officially out with their next loss or Vancouver's next win.
Carolina and Marietta both clinched playoff spots with wins yesterday. The Cats defeated Amityville 4-3, while Marietta pounded Philadelphia 13-2. Las Vegas and Hillsborough have both clinched at least a tie for a playoff spot. One of them will clinch tonight, depending on who wins their head to head matchup, while the other can clinch with an Arkansas loss to Marietta. Meanwhile, the final wild card team, Vancouver, hasn't even clinched a winning record, as they prepare to take on Sardine City. Vancouver is only one game up on Arkansas with Philadelphia trailing by only 2 games. All other teams are mathematically eliminated, except D.C., who will be officially out with their next loss or Vancouver's next win.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sugar Bears close in on streak record
The Sugar Bears won their 15th straight game yesterday, a 5-4, 14-inning marathon against Vancouver. The Sugar Bears are now only one game shy of tying the record for longest winning streak, currently shared by the 1996 Vancouver Iron Fist and the 1993 Arkansas Golden Falcons. Newark will have to do it tonight again versus the Fist, who have now lost 5 straight and are in serious danger of losing their wild card status.
Hillsborough and Carolina meanwhile continue their battle atop the Morris Division. Both teams entered yesterday tied for the lead. Hillsborough blanked the Straphangers 10-0 on John Lackey's 2-hitter. Lackey struck out 7 and walked 1 in winning his 12th. The Cats also took care of business, taking a 7-3 decision against Amityville. Dustin Pedroia was 5-5 for Carolina. The Cats continue their series against the Ant Slayers today, but the Hitmen have the day off.
Both playoff hopefuls Arkansas and Philadelphia dropped their matches against Hanover playoff teams. The Falcons lost an 8-5 heartbreaker as the Rat Pack scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to come back and win. Chris Davis hit the walkoff grand slam to win it for Vegas. Meanwhile, Philly also lost a close one to Marietta - a 10-inning, 4-3 loss. With the Animals winning 3-2 in the 9th, Josh Hamilton came through with a game-tying single to send it to overtime. In the 10th, pinch hitter Kurt Suzuki came through with the game winning base hit.
Hillsborough and Carolina meanwhile continue their battle atop the Morris Division. Both teams entered yesterday tied for the lead. Hillsborough blanked the Straphangers 10-0 on John Lackey's 2-hitter. Lackey struck out 7 and walked 1 in winning his 12th. The Cats also took care of business, taking a 7-3 decision against Amityville. Dustin Pedroia was 5-5 for Carolina. The Cats continue their series against the Ant Slayers today, but the Hitmen have the day off.
Both playoff hopefuls Arkansas and Philadelphia dropped their matches against Hanover playoff teams. The Falcons lost an 8-5 heartbreaker as the Rat Pack scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to come back and win. Chris Davis hit the walkoff grand slam to win it for Vegas. Meanwhile, Philly also lost a close one to Marietta - a 10-inning, 4-3 loss. With the Animals winning 3-2 in the 9th, Josh Hamilton came through with a game-tying single to send it to overtime. In the 10th, pinch hitter Kurt Suzuki came through with the game winning base hit.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Last place teams scramble for position
The season ended yesterday for 6 of the DMBL's teams. New Jersey has a firm hold on the #1 draft pick next year, one game ahead of Marietta. Both teams are done. Carolina also finished with a 100-loss season, but can slide into 12th place if Blue Ridge wins today's game. If Blue Ridge loses, then Marietta slides up into 12th place - a virtual disaster for owner Dave Landsman. You can bet he'll be the biggest Rat Pack fan today.
Hillsborough and D.C. both lost yesterday giving us one more day of seeding excitement. D.C. was shut out by Jeremy Guthrie and the Cutters 7-0. Guthrie went the distance, picking up his 15th win and getting his ERA under 4. Meanwhile Fausto Carmona shut down the Hitmen in a 5-1 victory for the Straphangers. Ryan Braun's three-run homer in the 5th set the pace.
Hillsborough and D.C. both lost yesterday giving us one more day of seeding excitement. D.C. was shut out by Jeremy Guthrie and the Cutters 7-0. Guthrie went the distance, picking up his 15th win and getting his ERA under 4. Meanwhile Fausto Carmona shut down the Hitmen in a 5-1 victory for the Straphangers. Ryan Braun's three-run homer in the 5th set the pace.
Monday, September 15, 2008
D.C.-Hillsborough race heads into final stretch
We'll postpone the awards until Wednesday so we can include the last two games in our "week". Yeah, that and I forgot to run the reports, but maybe this will work out better anyway...
As it stands now, there's nothing of interest to write about except the big D.C.-Hillsborough battle for 5th place. D.C. is still up by one game on the Hitmen with two games left to play for each team. Hillsborough hosts Sardine City for the final two games, a team that they are 3-7 against. Hillsborough will send Dan Haren and C.C. Sabathia to the mound for those games, but Sardine City will counter with thier top two - Fausto Carmona and Cole Hamels.
Meanwhile D.C. hosts Hoboken, who they are 6-4 against on the season. D.C. will send Kelvim Escobar and John Maine up against Jeremy Guthrie and Jon Garland. It would seem like D.C. has the upper hand, but D.C. has a losing record (4-9) against the Hitmen this year, meaning that a tie would demote the Bushslappers to last place - there is no one game playoff for seeding.
As it stands now, there's nothing of interest to write about except the big D.C.-Hillsborough battle for 5th place. D.C. is still up by one game on the Hitmen with two games left to play for each team. Hillsborough hosts Sardine City for the final two games, a team that they are 3-7 against. Hillsborough will send Dan Haren and C.C. Sabathia to the mound for those games, but Sardine City will counter with thier top two - Fausto Carmona and Cole Hamels.
Meanwhile D.C. hosts Hoboken, who they are 6-4 against on the season. D.C. will send Kelvim Escobar and John Maine up against Jeremy Guthrie and Jon Garland. It would seem like D.C. has the upper hand, but D.C. has a losing record (4-9) against the Hitmen this year, meaning that a tie would demote the Bushslappers to last place - there is no one game playoff for seeding.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hitmen gain ground on Slappers
Well, here we are at the final weekend of the regular season. The top four positions are locked up in order. Hillsborough and D.C. have both clinched playoff spots, but their order is too close to call. D.C. lost 5-0 yesterday to Carolina. Mike Pelfrey won his first career DMBL game with 6 innings of 2-hit ball. Meanwhile C.C. Sabathia pitched a complete game shutout (6 H, 8 K), outduelling Blue Ridge's Ted Lilly (8 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 5 K) to move the Hitmen to within one game of the Bushslappers. Interestingly enough, it might be to the Hitmen's best interests to remain in 6th place. Hillsborough is 7-5 against Las Vegas (who they would face if the season ended today) this year as opposed to 4-9 against Philadelphia. As for D.C., it doesn't really matter. They're 6-6 against the Rats and 6-7 against the Endzone Animals.
This'll all probably be wrapped up by Monday, so it should be an interesting weekend, to say the least.
This'll all probably be wrapped up by Monday, so it should be an interesting weekend, to say the least.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Newark clinches 1st spot
Well Newark finally did it - the Sugar Bears broke their losing streak and clinched the Hanover Division by shutting out Hoboken 5-0 yesterday. Chien Ming Wang pitched 5.1 shutout innings and Luke Scott drove in 2 runs in the match. The dejected Las Vegas Rats went on to be shut out as well, by the Plunkers. Jered Weaver pitched 7 shutout innings in the 2-0 win for Tampa.
Hillsborough dropped their 4th straight game, a 4-3 squeaker to Arkansas. Of course Hillsborough just came off a streak that saw them win 16 of 18 games, so their timing is questionable with the season ending next Tuesday.
The Hitmen lost no ground to D.C. as the Slappers dropped a 7-2 decision to Jake Peavy and the Iron Fist. Peavy won his league-leading 23rd decision.
Hillsborough dropped their 4th straight game, a 4-3 squeaker to Arkansas. Of course Hillsborough just came off a streak that saw them win 16 of 18 games, so their timing is questionable with the season ending next Tuesday.
The Hitmen lost no ground to D.C. as the Slappers dropped a 7-2 decision to Jake Peavy and the Iron Fist. Peavy won his league-leading 23rd decision.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Newark unable to clinch, blames Swisher
For the third time Newark has been unable to put the division title race away. After dropping two of three to, of all teams, Marietta, Newark now lost their first against Hoboken. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has won 9 straight and closed the gap to 7 1/2 games. With a magic number of one, that would mean that the Rats would have to win all of their remaining games and Newark would have to lose all of theirs, but the situation has still been getting under Newark owner Butch Garretson's skin. Garretson was seen upending garbage cans, sweeping papers and knickknacks off desks in the Sugar Bear office, and physically abusing Nick Swisher. "Lazy bastard doesn't want to work..." Garretson was heard muttering yesterday.
D.C. became the fifth team to clinch a playoff spot yesterday, but still is vulnerable to Hillsborough. The Hitmen are only 1 1/2 games behind with 8 games left to play. Hillsborough can clinch with a win over Arkansas tonight combined with a Tampa loss to Las Vegas.
Remember when Marietta was so far in last place that the 13th place team needed binoculars? Well the Mighty Men are now closer to 11th place than last, separated by 2 games behind 11th place Carolina and 1 1/2 behind 12th place Blue Ridge. The Mighty Men are currently 3 1/2 ahead of last place Team Buddah. New Jersey became the first team to 100 losses this year after their extra-inning loss to Sardine City. There's a good possibility that they'll be joined by 3 other teams in the 100-loss column before next week's season finale.
D.C. became the fifth team to clinch a playoff spot yesterday, but still is vulnerable to Hillsborough. The Hitmen are only 1 1/2 games behind with 8 games left to play. Hillsborough can clinch with a win over Arkansas tonight combined with a Tampa loss to Las Vegas.
Remember when Marietta was so far in last place that the 13th place team needed binoculars? Well the Mighty Men are now closer to 11th place than last, separated by 2 games behind 11th place Carolina and 1 1/2 behind 12th place Blue Ridge. The Mighty Men are currently 3 1/2 ahead of last place Team Buddah. New Jersey became the first team to 100 losses this year after their extra-inning loss to Sardine City. There's a good possibility that they'll be joined by 3 other teams in the 100-loss column before next week's season finale.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Animals clinch despite loss
Despite their loss yesterday, the Philadelphia Endzone Animals finally clinched the fourth playoff spot. Newark shut out Tampa Bay yesterday 9-0 to give the Animals the clincher. James Shields went the full nine, giving up 9 hits and striking out 8. The Sugar Bears magic number to clinch the best record overall is now 2. Meanwhile, the Plunkers fell 8 games out of a playoff spot, giving them a "tragic number" of 5.
Hillsborough and D.C. kept pace with each other. The Hitmen knocked off Carolina 5-2 behind a solid effort from Justin Verlander. D.C.'s Shawn Marcum pitched a 7-hit shutout of Blue Ridge in a 7-0 victory. The tie will be broken one way or another after tonight's games as Hillsborough travels to Blue Ridge and D.C. takes the day off. The Slappers resume Thursday against the Falcons.
New Jersey pounded Marietta 11-3 to move 1/2 game behind the Mighty Men in the race for the cellar. Josh Fields and Ivan Rodriguez each had 3 RBIs for the Buddahs.
Hillsborough and D.C. kept pace with each other. The Hitmen knocked off Carolina 5-2 behind a solid effort from Justin Verlander. D.C.'s Shawn Marcum pitched a 7-hit shutout of Blue Ridge in a 7-0 victory. The tie will be broken one way or another after tonight's games as Hillsborough travels to Blue Ridge and D.C. takes the day off. The Slappers resume Thursday against the Falcons.
New Jersey pounded Marietta 11-3 to move 1/2 game behind the Mighty Men in the race for the cellar. Josh Fields and Ivan Rodriguez each had 3 RBIs for the Buddahs.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
D.C., Hillsborough make it a race
D.C. and Hillsborough remained neck and neck yesterday, as they beat up on the lower dregs of the Morris Division. D.C. squeaked by Blue Ridge 3-2, besting emergency starter Paul Byrd. Byrd had been signed to make the start after Tim Redding, himself replacing injured Adam Wainwright, was injured in his last start. Byrd was solid in his 6.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, but was saddled with the loss after his team could not score enough runs off D.C. starter Derrek Lowe.
Meanwhile, John Lackey struck out 11 Mudcats en route to a 6-2 victory yesterday. Lackey improved to 15-7 on the season and Takashi Saito notched his league-leading 27th save of the season. D.C. and Hillsborough are now tied with 13 games left in the season, 7 games ahead of 7th-place Tampa Bay.
Marietta continues to shoot themselves in the foot, beating New Jersey 7-3 yesterday on the back of Austin Kearns (3-4, 3 RBIs) and Conor Jackson (3-5). The Mighty Men are now 1 1/2 games ahead of the Buddahs in the standings.
Meanwhile, John Lackey struck out 11 Mudcats en route to a 6-2 victory yesterday. Lackey improved to 15-7 on the season and Takashi Saito notched his league-leading 27th save of the season. D.C. and Hillsborough are now tied with 13 games left in the season, 7 games ahead of 7th-place Tampa Bay.
Marietta continues to shoot themselves in the foot, beating New Jersey 7-3 yesterday on the back of Austin Kearns (3-4, 3 RBIs) and Conor Jackson (3-5). The Mighty Men are now 1 1/2 games ahead of the Buddahs in the standings.
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