The second half standings are starting to take shape now, and the first half playoff hunt for the short season league teams is definitely coming into focus. Between those factors and trade season, we’re definitely into an interesting part of the year.
Speaking of interesting, Iowa’s record certainly qualifies. Overall they are 39-43, good for third place and six and a half games back of Oklahoma City, but at 14-9 their in-division record is the best in the league. Not just the division, in the entire sixteen team Pacific Coast League. I suspect the cause is the prolonged hot streak that the Cubs enjoyed some weeks back; it came largely against divisional foes. Whatever the reason, it is one of the more unexpected splits we’ve seen this season.
The second half of the season had the desired effect on the Smokies. With their first half struggles wiped off the standings, they were able to jump out to an early 6-3 second half record and a share of first place. Along with Montgomery, their .667 winning percentage is the best in the league. The first half winner, Jackson, is currently sitting in the basement. Jackson also plays five against the Smokies in Tennessee this week.
For the Pelicans, the second half of the season is looking a lot like the first half. Myrtle Beach is in second with a 5-5 record, and they are still trailing Salem. Fortunately they don’t see Salem again for a few weeks, but unfortunately they start on a challenging eight game road trip through Winston-Salem and Wilmington beginning Monday.
Meanwhile, over in the Midwest League, the South Bend Cubs have established themselves as the team to beat in the second half. At 8-2 they are in first place by a game over Lansing and are tied for the best record in the league. For the season they are coming up on 50 wins at 49-30. If they don’t hit 50 at home today, they’ll likely get it done in Fort Wayne during the series that starts Monday.[adinserter block=”1″]
At 12-4, Eugene posses the best record in the league and a five game lead in their division. The first half of the season will wrapping up soon, and that means Eugene has a magic number of just 18. They also have a four game winning streak.
In the Arizona Rookie League, the Cubs (6-4) are tied with the Athletics for the top slot in the East division. The Cubs play those Athletics three times this week, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th, with some contests against the Indians, Diamondbacks, and Padres in between.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Round Rock 3, Iowa 2. This was the completion of a game started April 18, so the box score will look very odd.
Iowa 4, Round Rock 1
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Jacksonville 7, Tennessee 2
The silver lining in this game was some nice work out of the bullpen.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 11, Potomac 9
The Pelicans got all their runs on just ten hits. Efficient.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 3, Lansing 1
Over his last three starts, Miller is averaging a strikeout an inning.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 4, Salem-Keizer 3
Despite four errors, the Emeralds got the win.
Rookie: Arizona Cubs
Athletics 9, Cubs 5
Of the fourteen runs scored in this game, nine came in the ninth.
Other Notes