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Around the Bases: Week 19
EHCC Playoff Watch 2005
By Listen DePleyohs / Baseball Tri-Weekly
Off to the Races
Western Division
Last week I noted that Quebec City had pretty much locked up the West barring a let down. Well, the snow is melting in Canada because the Piglets couldn’t have done worse. By tying Bizton, it opens to door for Tijuana. If the Hispanics can win out, they will be the division champs.
Eastern Division
Rakeville may have the Reznick Cup sewn up, but squeaking by Winston-Salem may give some hope to Bridgewater. Unfortunately for the Weasels, they are depending on Haverhill and Plymouth to do the dirty work and knock off the Rockets.
Byes
Ten games may be too much of a deficit for Quebec City to make up in the final month of the season, narrowing the race for a bye week to four:
- Rakeville has the easiest schedule and a 5.5 game lead, which could be enough to take first or second.
- Las Vegas cleaned up during an easy month of games, but only tied Weymouth. The schedule gets harder in the coming days, but the Doggs are my favorite to take the other bye.
- Weymouth seems to have snapped out of their slump, only to be abandoned by their General Manager. There is no question they have a good team, but their inability to adapt to matchups will take away crucial points down the stretch.
- Bridgewater has come back to reality, but they still have some of the best players in the EHCC and could easily put it together again. They have the toughest schedule of the four and I think that will shave off enough points to keep them out of the bye.
Playoffs
- Winston-Salem really stepped it up this week, taking Rakeville down to the wire while Golden and Tijuana buckled. A 5.5 game lead will not be enough for the Green Monsters to hold off the three teams below them with the schedule they have. Barring some huge performances, Winston Salem will slide out of 6th.
- Bizton is in the driver’s seat now. I still think they will be the last playoff team, and I stand by it. They did better than expected last week, tying Quebec City while gaining ground on the Monsters. Now they have the easiest schedule of the four and 6.5 games to make up. It is up to the Markies to capitalize.
- Golden must be wondering if it is even worth making the playoffs after an 8-2 loss at the hands of Las Vegas. This is the third loss in a row for the Gryphons, who were riding high a month ago. While they don’t have a real tough schedule, it will be enough to push them out of the running.
- Tijuana is at a turning point. They have an opportunity to take the Western Division and earn a playoff spot, but they need to win out the rest of the season. Games against Winston-Salem, Golden, Bridgewater and Quebec City are perfect barometers for this team, as we try to decide how good this team is. It would be a shame for them to not get something after a huge first half.
1st Overall Pick
As hard as Tokyo has tried to lose, Haverhill and Plymouth may be just a bit better. Both have closed the gap in the past few months despite better teams. The funny part about this race is Tokyo will show they are a better organization by finishing last, proving that the Swingers and Bells can’t even lose properly.
Matchups
BRW at LV
It is no surprise EHSPN bought the rights to broadcast this game. These are the games that EHCC fans live for, regardless of what team you back.
Las Vegas is desperate for a bye, and a win against a ranked team. They are a miserable 1-4-1 against the top half of the league, yet the Doggs are somehow in 2nd place in the standings. There is no doubt they need to hold onto that bye if they want to repeat, because an extra game means doom.
Bridgewater is almost healthy again, with Roy Halladay the only notable player on the DL. Clemens and Carpenter are the best pitchers in baseball, and there are enough quality arms around them to beat the Doggs.
The Doggs will often find themselves on the losing end of games until Schilling returns to the staring rotation, and even that may not be enough to compete this season. One thing is for sure. Both teams can hit and it should be worth watching.
GLD at TIJ
Sissy fight, sissy fight! Time is getting short for both teams, and neither can waste a week slapping at each other. If one team doesn’t put the hammer down this week, you can count both out for the playoffs. A 5-5, 6-4 win won’t cut it this week.
Golden has the better team. Their outfield is powerful and their infield solid. Combine that with their pitching, and they have a considerable advantage over Tijuana. What they don’t have is the mental toughness to win, as is shown over the past two months.
RAK at QC
Part two of the biggest pitcher’s duel in the EHCC, and this time Quebec City has the advantage of playing at home. Both teams match up well this time around, each with eight starters (not counting Rakeville’s Ponson, who is set to be killed). Again, Rakeville has the advantage in the bullpen and could risk exposing prized prospect Felix Hernandez to capitalize on his two starts this week.
The Piglets took strikeouts and wins in the previous matchup, and there is no reason why they can’t take it again. A good week at the plate for the Piglets may be enough to hand Rakeville their first loss in months.
Transaction Wire
Las Vegas jumped on Rookie pitcher Dustin McGowen as they try to rebuild their rotation. He has given up five runs in two starts this season.
Haverhill has cut Rafael Palmeiro in the wake of the steroid scandal, but he may have already found employment. Howe Dogg, the sketchiest man in sports, has already been approached by Palmeiro’s agent and the Doggs could very well offer a front office position as soon as this off season.
The Piglets are hoping Armando Benitez will return just in time for the playoffs, and give Quebec City a much need boost in the bullpen. Initial reports had him coming back in September, but he is rehabbing ahead of schedule.
Rakeville has dropped Runvleys Hernandez. “Piece of Shit.”
| 1. | Rakeville | ( - ) |
| 2. | Bridgewater | ( - ) |
| 3. | Weymouth | (+1) |
| 4. | Quebec City | (-1) |
| 5. | Las Vegas | ( - ) |
| 6. | Bizton | (+2) |
| 7. | Winston-Salem | (-1) |
| 8. | Golden | (-1) |
| 9. | Tijuana | ( - ) |
| 10. | Tokyo | ( - ) |
| 11. | Plymouth | ( - ) |
| 12. | Haverhill | ( - ) |
League Notes
-- Plymouth outfielder Jeremy Burnitz and first baseman Tino Martinez have opened a new store in downtown Manchester, selling decorative art. Neither has been to the ball park in three weeks. “We haven’t been paid since June,” said Burnitz. “I am running out of money.”
-- Three thousand illegal immigrants stowed away on the Shaddupu yacht as it sailed away from the Port of Tijuana after their game last week, and weren’t discover until the vessel docked in Weymouth. They all now live in the same apartment building on Main Street.
-- With only a month left in the season, Bridgewater liquor stores are stocking up on supplies. Like any good American town, once sports are over, the drink begins.
Listen DePleyohs writes a column for Baseball Tri-Weekly. He IS cycling.
