DL Playoff Push

[Whale]

So I just was looking at the standings and all, and looking at the last few weeks thought it'd be interesting to see what the playoff chances are coming up:

Maine Guides (85-58)
Leading Ale Division by 2 games
Home: Pawtucket (3), Hartford (4)
Away: Syracuse (3), Sin City (3), Mississippi (3), Pitt (3)

Indianapolis Clowns (84-59)
Leading Pilsner Division by 5 games
Home: Pitt (3), Dallas (3), Denver (3), Syracuse (4)
Away: Hartford (3), Pawtucket (3)

Hartford Whalers (83-60)
2 GB in Ale; Leading Wild Card by 4
Home: Indianapolis (3), Pawtucket (3), Pitt (3)
Away: Mississippi (3), Sin City (3), Maine (4)

Denver Bulls (79-64)
5 GB in Pilsner; 4 GB in Wild Card
Home: Sin City (3), Los Lunas (3), Dallas (4)
Away: Hyundai (3), Syracuse (3), Indianapolis (3)



It seems to be sort of incestuous, as most of the teams play the same teams through the rest of the season. I would think that Indy and Mississippi have their divisions locked up since they are both 5 games up with only 19 games left. It would take a serious charge by Denver or Los Lunas over the next few weeks. I didn't include Dallas as they would have to leapfrog both Denver and Indy, which I don't see happening.

Maine has the most games on the road, but still sport a 39-30 away record. Only Miss and Hartford have decent records on the rest of their schedule. I anticipate them winning the Ale yet again.

Hartford has a bit more of a challenge losing a bunch of starting pitching lately. They also face each of the division leaders over the final 19 games, with the last 4 in Maine, who they are 5-9 against this season. I see hanging onto the Wild Card by 1 game when the season is done, but going out quickly in the first round.

Denver has an average schedule, easier than Hartford's, but they boast a below .500 road record. They also finish out the season against Dallas, where it could be these teams are fighting it out with similar records. A combined 16-22 record against teams they will be playing on the road makes it tough to make up the distance in the WC.

[Spectre]

I'd be sleeping easier if I didn't have a 3 game set with Los Lunas later in the year. The prospect of having of having to face Guardagmani isn't exactly reassuring either.

If I can survive the gauntlet of Dallas, Hartford, and Maine and still have a >3 game lead I'll be happy. I still feel its going to go down to the wire. My offense will need to continue raking- Chewning, Dodson, Latham, Samarano, and West are having great seasons and I'm going to need them. Los Lunas is 10-3 in September right now so I'm hoping they cool off and don't go on an Oakland A's type run.

[Whale]

That's true. You might very well be added to this list after next SIM. The reason why it's tough for LL is that they play 13 games on the road, where they have been quite subpar. But you are right, you face a lot of tough teams too.

[Ryan]

Good stuff there Whale.

I think its gonna come down to the wire, as I think Dallas, Denver, and myself are all capable of taking the Pilsner.

[BradleyB]

Good stuff there Whale.

please. don't encourage him.

[Ryan]

please. don't encourage him.

Sorry, I got all caught up in the moment.

[Gyrodork]

Thanks for the bulletin board material Whale! My primary motivational tactics (hookers and beer) were starting to wear off.

[Carlos]

Denver can win the Pilsner if Indy stops winning games. That's what I'm banking on.

[Ryan]

Denver can win the Pilsner if Indy stops winning games. That's what I'm banking on.

Let me see what I can do!

[Whale]

Maine Guides (88-61)
Leading Ale by 5 games
Home: Pawtucket (3), Hartford (4)
Away: Mississippi (3), Pitt (3)

Indianapolis Clowns (87-62)
Leading Pilsner by 6 games
Home: Pitt (3), Dallas (3), Denver (3), Syracuse (4)
Away:

Hartford Whalers (83-66)
5 GB in Ale; Leading Wild Card by 2 games
Home: Pawtucket (3), Pitt (3)
Away: Sin City (3), Maine (4)

Mississippi Storm (82-69)
Leading Lager by 6 games
Home: Maine (3), Los Lunas (3)
Away: Hyundai (3), Sin City (4)

Denver Bulls (81-68)
6 GB in Pilsner; 2 GB in Wild Card
Home: Dallas (4)
Away: Hyundai (3), Syracuse (3), Indianapolis (3)

Dallas Snappers (81-68)
6 GB in Pilsner; 2 GB in Wild Card
Home: Syracuse (3)
Away: Los Lunas (3), Indianapolis (3), Denver (4)


Well, what a difference a week makes! We've added two teams to the race here as things have tightened up just a little bit. If this week goes as crazy as this season has, we could have every division and the Wild Card up for grabs in the final week. By the same token, everything can basically be locked up if the right teams dominate.

In the Ale, it appears Maine has locked up another division title. Unless a big week happens here for Hartford, the 5 games should be enough, even with 4 games at the end of the year with the Whale. But we can't call it just yet as Maine has been uncharacteristically average.

We're calling the Lager for Mississippi. A 6 game lead with only Los Lunas in their rearview mirror should be enough. However they have 3 with those same furry pigs, along with tough series against the Dinos and powerhouse Maine. For some reason we just think Los Lunas won't have enough in the tank to bring it home.

Indy can't possibly lose the Pilsner, can they?? Well, we'll know shortly. After a must have series with Pitt at home, they take on both division chasing teams in Dallas and Denver. We see them holding on for the simple fact they are all home games, where Indy is a healthy 41-27.

Ah, the Wild Card. Hartford did a nice stink job with an 0-6 week. Losing 3 of their starting pitchers is opening the doors for others. Both Denver and Dallas now have a chance. With a schedule that includes Sin City and Pawtucket, who are not pushovers right now, and 4 games at the end against Maine, the Whale's ship could easily sink. If we were betting today, we'd put our money on Dallas taking this by a game over both Denver and Hartford.

[Gyrodork]

We're calling the Lager for Mississippi. A 6 game lead with only Los Lunas in their rearview mirror should be enough. However they have 3 with those same furry pigs, along with tough series against the Dinos and powerhouse Maine. For some reason we just think Los Lunas won't have enough in the tank to bring it home.

The local sports writers in Los Lunas agree with you. (They're also giving the GM one more off-season to bring in a couple of bats. Failing that, it's "Off with his head!")

[Whale]

Maine Guides (91-64)
Leading Ale by 5 games
Home: Pawtucket (3), Hartford (4)
Away:

Indianapolis Clowns (91-64)
Clinched Pilsner
Home: Denver (3), Syracuse (4)
Away:

Hartford Whalers (86-69)
5 GB in Ale; Leading Wild Card by 3 games
Home: Pitt (3)
Away: Maine (4)

Mississippi Storm (87-68)
Clinched Lager
Home: Los Lunas (3)
Away: Sin City (4)

Denver Bulls (82-73)
4 GB in Wild Card
Home: Dallas (4)
Away: Indianapolis (3)

Dallas Snappers (83-72)
3 GB in Wild Card
Home: Syracuse (3)
Away: Denver (4)


An average week by most teams except Mississippi, things are all but wrapped up for the divisions. Mississippi and Indy have clinched, with Indy trying to get the #1 overall seed over Maine. Maine is up by 5 games in the Ale, and should have the path to win the division by mid-week.

The biggest question left is the Wild Card. Dallas and Denver had a chance to pick up ground on Hartford who went 3-3, however both teams fell in the standings. With just 7 games to go, Dallas has to win at least 3 games, and Denver 4, if there Whalers were to go 0-7. The interesting there there is Denver plays Dallas. The Whalers will look to take advantage of the 3 games at home against Pitt, as they have to go to Maine for 4.

We've been calling this for Dallas all along, but it looks a bit tougher now. Not that the Whalers have been playing hot ball, but just 2 wins would force a 5-2 week from Dallas, which they haven't had since early July.

Final Predictions:
#1 Indy
#2 Maine
#3 Mississippi
#4 Hartford

Hartford v Indy
Mississippi v Maine

Indy in 5
Maine in 7

Maine in 6

[Spectre]

Wow, I just saw Maine lost Don Mcguire for the season

They still have the best pitching on the planet, but that's a pretty big loss. I think Indy has a good shot for the #1 seed (not that it matters, the matchups will be the same either way since Maine couldn't play Hartford since they're in the same division)

[Carlos]

Denver quickly regressed to its April record.

What's actually disappointing to me is that this team had the opportunity to eclipse its franchise season high of 93 wins in 1981 (and my own personal best of 90 wins in back-to-back seasons in 1982 and 1983).

That is now out of the question after Denver collected its 73rd loss of the season, also shattering any hopes of a 90 win season.

Denver finished 10-13 after April and went on to post a .519 record or better in every month after. September will end up being worse than its opening month in the 1987 season.

Very disappointing finish for this team despite the fact that it will have played winning baseball for the first time in 4 seasons.