With just four weeks left in the Minor League regular season schedule where all four affiliates are still playing regular season games and the three Complex league teams regular seasons ending on August 22nd it’s time for a few more promotions (I’ll discuss in a separate article once the team officially announces them) and a final push to end on winning notes. Here’s a look at each club.
AAA Lehigh Valley : 24-14 in 2nd half, 60-51 overall - tied for 1st place in International League with Worcester
The regular season ends on September 24th which translates to six series (three at home, three away). They play Jacksonville, Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Worcester in a scheduled 36 games left. Even though there are divisions (East & West) in the league winning the division crown doesn’t earn a playoff spot, there’s only one spot and that goes to the team with the best record amongst all 20 teams for the half. The eventual winner will meet Norfolk (first half winner) in a best of three championship series for the league title. In the event Norfolk wins the second half also the team with the next best second half winning percentage will qualify for the playoff spot.
This week’s slated starting pitchers are Griff McGarry on Tuesday & Sunday, Drew Hutchison on Wednesday, Shaun Anderson on Thursday and Tyler Phillips on Saturday.
AA Reading : 18-20 in 2nd half, 46-60 overall - three games behind Eastern League Northeast Division leader Somerset
The regular season ends on September 17th which means there are five series left (three home, two away). They play Somerset, Harrisburg, New Hampshire, Portland and Binghamton in a scheduled 31 games to play. The second half division winner will play first half champion Somerset in a best of three playoff series, if Somerset also wins the second half the team with the next best winning record in the half will qualify for the playoffs. The division playoff series winner meets the Southwest Division playoff series winner in a best of three league championship series.
This week’s slated starting pitchers are Josh Hendrickson on Tuesday, Mick Abel on Wednesday, David Parkinson on Thursday, Zach Haake on Friday, Matt Osterberg on Saturday and Adam Leverett on Sunday. In addition there’s a suspended game to complete on Tuesday which is tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
High A Jersey Shore : 24-18 in 2nd half, 59-48 overall (second best in loop) - two games behind SAL North Division leader Brooklyn
The regular season ends on September 10th, there are four series left (two home, two away). They play Asheville, Wilmington, Aberdeen and Hudson Valley in a scheduled 24 games. The second half division winner will play first half champion Hudson Valley in a best of three playoff series, if Hudson Valley also wins the second half the team with the next best winning record in the half will qualify for the playoffs. The winner meets the South Division playoff series winner in a best of three South Atlantic League championship series.
This week’s slated starting pitchers are Michael Plassmeyer on Tuesday with Gabriel Cotto in bulk reserve, Christian McGowan on Wednesday with Gunner Mayer in bulk reserve, Mitch Neunborn on Thursday, Samuel Aldegheri on Friday, Rafael Marcano on Saturday and still to be determined for Sunday.
Low A Clearwater : 27-15 in 2nd half, 71-36 overall (best in loop) - one game behind FSL West Division leader Lakeland
The regular season ends on September 10th, there are four series left (two home, two away). They play Dunedin, Lakeland, Fort Myers and Palm Beach in a scheduled 24 games. Since Clearwater has already won the first half they will meet the second half division winner in a best of three playoff series, if the Threshers also win the second half then the team with the next best winning record in the half for the Division will qualify for the playoffs. The winner meets the East Division playoff series winner in a best of three Florida State League championship series.
This week’s slated starting pitchers are Guissepe Velasquez on Tuesday, Jean Cabrera on Wednesday, Jonathan Petit on Thursday, Alex McFarlane on Friday, Estibenzon Jimenez on Saturday and Eiberson Castellano on Sunday.
Florida Complex League Phillies : 26-20 - three and one half games behind the North Division leading Yankees
The regular season ends on August 22nd, there are seven games left to play. They play the Blue Jays three times, the Yankees twice and the Tigers twice hosting five of the contests. There are three divisions, each division winner and one wild card team qualify for the playoffs which is seeded by record, one meets four and two meets three in a one game playoff, the two winners play for the league title in a best of three series. The Phillies are in the running for the wild card spot currently trailing the Red Sox and Braves by a half game.
Dominican Summer League :
Six division winners and two wild card teams make the playoffs, seeded by record - best of three playoff series, quarter finals, semi finals and championship series.
Phillies White : 39-11 - 1st place in South Division - magic number of two - presently second seed in winning percentage
The regular season ends on August 22nd, the club has six games left playing Giants Black, Twins (twice), Phillies Red, Colorado and the Blue Jays - three at home, three away.
Phillies Red : 24-24 - 6th place in South Division - eliminated from playoffs
The season ends on August 22nd, the club has seven games left playing Giants Orange, Mariners, Giants Black, Phillies White, Angels (twice) and the Nationals - four at home, three away.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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