Thanks to yesterday’s win, the Eugene Emeralds are now listed on the Northwest League website has having clinched a playoff slot.
But I can’t figure out how. And I’m pretty sure that designation is a little premature.
Eugene’s win over Salem-Keizer did eliminate S-K from the second half division title conversation, but it did not eliminate Hillsboro. The Hops are still just one game back of Eugene with 3 to play. Another point is that the second playoff slot is dictated by the overall record, not the second half record, in the case of the same team (Hillsboro in this case) winning the division in both the first and second halves. That means, so far as I can tell, the scenarios look like this:
Eugene wins twice at Hillsboro this weekend. That makes Eugene the second half division winner and sends them into the postseason.
Eugene loses twice at Hillsboro this weekend and Salem-Keizer sweeps Boise. That would mean Hillsboro wins the division title and S-K would hold a one game lead over Eugene in the season standings, and that in turn would make S-K the winner of the second postseason slot. This would also be the scenario if Eugene is swept and S-K wins twice.
Eugene loses twice at Hillsboro, but S-K only beats Boise twice. In this scenario Eugene and S-K are tied, but I think Eugene wins on the first tie breaker (head to head record in the second half). If I’m right, Eugene would be in the playoffs.
Eugene loses two or three times in Hillsboro, but Salem-Keizer matches them loss for loss. This would mean Eugene still finishes ahead of S-K in the season standings, and therefore Eugene wins a spot in the post season.
In short, the official standings notwithstanding, I don’t think Eugene’s playoff ticket has quite been punched just yet. They are close, though. If I am adding it up correctly, their magic number for the postseason is two (it is three for the second half division title). Any combination of Eugene wins or Salem-Keizer losses that adds up to two will, I think, put Eugene in the playoffs.
Here’s hoping they just win twice in Hillsboro and make things easy.
[And, sure enough, after Luke wrote this up:
Put on the breaks everyone. Ems have not clinched yet. Magic number is 2. #PlayoffPush
Iowa – A few late runs did not help as Iowa lost 8-3. Tennessee – The Smokies erupted for a huge third inning, and that led to an 11-3 win. Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach lost the lead in the seventh, and they lost the game 4-2. South Bend – The Cubs came out swinging, and their seven first inning runs resulted in a 12-5 win. Eugene – Eugene never trailed as they won another critical game by a final of 5-1.
Performances of Note
[Iowa] Carl Edwards, Jr. dropped his Triple A ERA to 2.93 with his hitless inning of relief. He also struck out one.
[Iowa] Taylor Teagarden doubled and finished 2 for 4. He was the only Cub with an extra base hit, or with more than one hit.
[Tennessee] Corey Black allowed 3 hits in his 2 scoreless innings of relief. He also struck out one.
[Tennessee] Carlos Penalver, a 21 year old shortstop who had played in Myrtle Beach all season, walked and homered for the Smokies.
[Myrtle Beach] Duane Underwood struck out only 3, but he also allowed just a run on 3 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings.
[Myrtle Beach] The only Pelican extra base hit was a Cael Brockmeyer double.
[South Bend] Jake Stinnett struck out 7 over 6.2 innings. He allowed 5 runs on 5 hits a walk thanks in part to 3 home runs.
[South Bend] Angelo Amendolare walked twice, doubled, and finished 2 for 4. David Bote also had 2 hits, including a double.
[South Bend] Kevin Encarnacion finished 2 for 4 with a walk and his 3rd homer of the season.
[Eugene] Donnie Dewees stole his 17th base and finished with 2 hits out of the lead off spot. P. J. Higgins, batting right behind him, stole his first base and finished with 3 hits.
[Eugene] The only extra base hit for Eugene was a double off the bat of Eloy Jimenez.
[Eugene] Ryan Kellogg gave up a walk and 2 hits over 3 innings of work. He struck out 2.
[Eugene] Adbert Alzolay then allowed a run on 3 hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out 10.
Other News
Whether they have secured a playoff slot yet or not, when Eugene takes the field in Hillsboro you will be able to watch on MiLB.tv (if you are a subscriber). This may be your last chance of the season to see Eloy Jimenez, Frandy Delarosa, Donnie Dewees, and the rest of a very intriguing young roster in action.
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NEWSLETTER
Thanks to yesterday’s win, the Eugene Emeralds are now listed on the Northwest League website has having clinched a playoff slot.
