Cubs Minor League Daily: Second Half Playoffs Chances Fading for Cubs Affiliates

Tennessee and Eugene are the only two Cubs affiliates with realistic chances of claiming a playoff slot in the second half, and things aren’t look really great for either team. Myrtle Beach is already in the playoffs as a result of winning the first half division title.

In the case of Tennessee, they need to catch Montgomery in the overall standings, or they need to win the division outright. They are nine games back in the division, so that one is unlikely. And they are four and a half behind Montgomery. The Smokies have played some good baseball lately, but they have not been able to gain any ground thanks in part to a (still active) six game Montgomery winning streak. The Smokies do head to Montgomery this week; a sweep on the road would do wonders for their playoff chances.

Eugene is in better shape, but their margin for error is vanishing fast. A suddenly hot Boise team is within a game and a half of the Emeralds in the overall standings, and is half a game up on the Emeralds in the second half standings. If either Boise or Eugene wins the second half title, they are in the playoffs; Boise is tied at the top with first half winner Hillsboro, and Eugene is one game back. If Hillsboro wins, then we’re back to next best overall record.

Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Omaha 5, Iowa 2
After two rough innings, Iowa pitched seven shutout frames.

  • Williams Perez: 4 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Felix Pena: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K
  • Jack Leathersich: 1 IP, 3 K
  • Bijan Rademacher: 1 for 3, HR, BB
  • Chris Dominguez: 1 for 3, HR
  • Double A: Tennessee Smokies
    Biloxi 5, Tennessee 0
    Despite five hits, the Smokies were shutout.

  • Steve Perakslis: 4 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 4 K
  • James Pugliese: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB
  • Ian Rice: 1 for 2, BB
  • High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
    Myrtle Beach 8, Carolina 3
    Four pitchers combined to strike out ten Mudcats.

  • Duncan Robinson: 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K
  • Dakota Mekkes: 1.1 IP, 1 K
  • Zack Short: 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB
  • Jesse Hodges: 1 for 3, HR, BB
  • Eddy Martinez: 1 for 4, 2B
  • Robert Garcia: 2 for 3, BB, 2 SB
  • Adonis Paula: 4 for 4, 2B
  • Low A: South Bend Cubs
    South Bend 12, Dayton 4
    The Cubs piled up sixteen hits, five of them doubles.

  • Manuel Rondon: 5 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K
  • Elvis Diaz: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Yapson Gomez: 2 IP, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Andruw Monasterio: 3 for 5, 2B
  • Kevonte Mitchell: 2 for 5, 2B
  • Austin Upshaw: 2 for 5
  • Alberto Mineo: 3 for 4, 2B, BB
  • Chris Pieters: 2 for 5, 2B
  • Tyler Payne: 2 for 5, 2B
  • Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
    Eugene 4, Spokane 1
    Despite four errors, the Emeralds picked up the win.

  • Javier Assad: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K
  • Luis Aquino: 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K
  • Jhonny Bethencourt: 1 for 4, 2B
  • Brandon Hughes: 2 for 4, 2B
  • Rafael Narea: 2 for 4
  • Rookie: AZL Cubs

    Arizona had the day off.

    Other Notes

  • Since the All Star break, Leathersich has struck out 17 in 11.1 innings of work. He’s allowed just one run in that time span. When rosters expand in September I expect he’ll be back with the Cubs. If his second half success carries over into Chicago, and if he can shake off the memory of his one disastrous appearance with the Cubs, we might see him pitching meaningful innings down the stretch.
  • written by

    Luke Blaize is the Minor League Editor at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @ltblaize.

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