The final weekend of the regular season launched tonight and the remaining playoff spots didn’t get any clearer. One playoff berth is still available in each division and tonight’s developments mean we won’t have definitive answers until deep into the long weekend, if not tie-breaker territory.
In the North division, the San Jose Giants made up a game on the Visalia Rawhide for the wildcard spot with a 12-3 win over High Desert. The Rawhide gave up a big lead in Bakersfield and lost by a score of 9-8. The Giants moved to within two games of the Rawhide with three to play. The two half champions, Bakersfield (1st half) and Stockton (2nd half) are already in.
In the South division, Inland Empire pulled even with Lancaster in the second-half standings with a 12-8 victory while Rancho Cucamonga pulled even with High Desert for the wildcard spot. Lancaster (1st half champion) and Lake Elsinore (clinched best overall record if not a half-champion) are in. The uncertainty of the 2nd half champion makes the wildcard race a mess.
If you dare, the California League Playoff Procedures.
But one key point is that with Lancaster and Inland Empire tied, and with them playing each other for the remaining three games, there will be no tie for the 2nd half title between them. One will finish ahead of the other. If it is Inland Empire and they win the division, then the equation is solved. Lancaster (1st half), Inland Empire (2nd half) and Lake Elsinore (wildcard). If….
Aaahhhh, check back here tomorrow night.
