Richard Castle - contributing reporter
Ten Series. That's all that's left between now and the postseason, and for some teams, that means a chance to cement their legacy. For others? A chance to crash and burn spectacularly. That's all that separates teams from glory, heartbreak, or the cold, unforgiving void of elimination. Some are clinging to postseason hopes by their fingernails, while others are fighting for seeding, home-field advantage, or just the satisfaction of crushing someone else's dream.
But not all roads to the playoffs are paved equally. Some teams have a smooth ride, coasting into October with a schedule softer than a pitcher throwing 80 mph fastballs. Others? Their path looks more like an uphill battle in a hurricane, against teams that want nothing more than to send them packing.
Today, we break down the final 4 series, analyzing who's got the toughest road ahead, who might sneak in with a favorable schedule, and who's about to run straight into a buzzsaw. Will the favorites hold the line, or are we about to witness some last-minute, edge-of-your-seat chaos?
Buckle up - it's going to be a wild finish.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
- NORTH
- Syracuse - With 34 games to play, they hold a 17 game lead on the division and should be coasting at this point not only for the division but the #1 seed in the AL. Unless their owner pushes the team to set a Wins record, I fully expect players to rest up and rotations to be adjusted. But resting players now and having a first round bye, will they hit a cold streak in the Divisional Round?
- @Arizon, @Salt Lake City, @Fargo, Tacoma
- Combined record: 258-254
- Tacoma - Looking at the Wildcard but might be an uphill battle with SLC and Syracuse games. If Syracuse is resting players, I'm a little less worried for the last series. But as it stands, they are a single game up on Boston/Baltimore for Wildcard 2 and trail New Orleans by 2 games for Wildcard 1. The difference could be when you have to go through Syracuse to make the World Series.
- @Salt Lake City, @Philadelphia, New York, @Syracuse
- Combined record: 269-243
- EAST
- Boston - Second to last series of the year is against Baltimore, that could change EVERYTHING for both teams. Winner could take the division with the loser missing the playoffs. Right now they are tied for the division so the last 34 games will determine it all! Luckily it appears Boston has the easiest final four series of the playoff hopeful. But plenty can change in the six series before then.
- Vancouver, @Montgomery, @Baltimore, Cleveland
- Combined record: 240-272
- Baltimore - Before the Boston series even matters, Baltimore has to get through New Orleans first. LA shouldn't give them any issues and while you hope to sweep against Philly, they might surprise you late in the season too.
- Los Angeles, @New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia
- Combined record: 248-264
- SOUTH
- Texas - Texas holds a 2 game lead over NO Voodoo and lines up similar to Boston in the comparison, with the tougher schedule; but still needs to pull out the Ws for the division crown. Loser likely takes Wildcard 1.
- @Cleveland, Fargo, @New Orleans, @Durham
- Combined record: 250-262
- New Orleans - Similar setup to Baltimore's schedule, they face off against each other right before the true division battle happens with Texas.
- Philadelphia, Baltimore, Texas, @Montgomery
- Combined record: 264-248
- WEST
- Salt Lake City - No issues with the division, where they own a 12 game lead over Arizona; but some tough series against playoff hopefuls in Tacoma and Syracuse. They trail Texas by 2 games for the #2 seed and first round bye. Do they push the team for it in hopes to rest the players later? Though they need to be careful, as they lead Boston/Baltimore by only a game for the #3 seed.
- Tacoma, Syracuse, @Arizona, Vancouver
- Combined record: 271-241
- Current Playoff Seeding
- 1 Syracuse
- 4 Boston/Baltimore v 5 New Orleans
- 3 Salt Lake City v 6 Tacoma
- 2 Texas
- NORTH
- Trenton - Sights are set on the #1 slot, but looks guaranteed for a first round bye. The team was looking like a sure bet for the top seed but they went just 3-7 combined in the series against Fresno (x2) and Scottsdale. Thankfully the competition weakens for the two of the final three series.
- San Antonio, @Nashville, Chicago, Helena
- Combined record: 236-276
- Buffalo - Clear favorite for Wildcard 1 as they are 12 games behind Trenton even with their recent slip ups, which leans up for a Divisional round against the #1 seed. And they have a 5 game cushion on the Wildcard 1 spot. That likely creates a tougher path to the World Series. Change out SA and Nashville for Fresno and Scranton in their schedule comparison to Trenton. I fully expect them to have the wildcard secured and rest players for their first round matchup in their series against Chicago.
- @Fresno, @Scranton, Helena, @Chicago
- Combined record: 238-274
- Chicago - Might be 3rd in their division, which they trail by 19; but fighting for Wildcard 2 and trail Fresno by just 2 games. Due to their final two series, it's going to be a tough one. Their window might hinge on Trenton and Buffalo resting players to set playoff rosters, allowing the Northsiders a chance to squeak out some victories. Their first two series could not only shape the NL West but also the Wildcard 2 race. Every series will have playoff implications! So far they have the hardest path of any playoff hopeful team, having to face potential playoff teams in their final three series.
- @Tucscon, @Fresno, @Trenton, Buffalo
- Combined record: 293-219
- EAST
- St. Louis - Fighting Trenton for the #1 slot, and what looks like the tougher schedule, though they've had more recent success than the Thunderbolts. 34 games remain and they have a commanding 24 game lead on the division. It's gravy from here. Do they rest players or go all in? How much jockeying for position happens, knowing Buffalo is almost a sure fire Wildcard 1 (#5 team).
- Scottsdale, @Mexico City, @Cincinnati, @Indianapolis
- Combined record: 243-269
- SOUTH
- Charlotte - By far the easiest schedule in all of Hardball Stitches, with three of the easiest teams. With a small lead on the division, 5 games, it wouldn't take much to secure while being able to adjust the rotation for the First Round. Though knowing Buffalo is Wildcard 1, a few wins with the NL West having tough schedules - they could take over the #3 slot and match up with Wildcard 2 instead.
- Scranton, Cincinnati, Nashville, @Mexico City
- Combined record: 193-319
- San Antonio - Will they be able to pick up the 5 games on the current division champ, Charlotte or 4 games on the current Wildcard 2 Fresno team? The schedule likely helps but that's still six series away, and Trenton isn't going to be an easy one either. Definitely feels like an uphill better and considering the schedule of Charlotte I think their better chance is the Wildcard.
- @Trenton, @Tucson, @Mexico City, Nashville
- Combined record: 257-55
- WEST
- Scottsdale - Holds a 5 games lead on the division. For any other team, 4 road games to end the season would be nerve wrecking but the team has played better on the road than at home this season. The St Louis matchup could be a look ahead to a possible playoff matchup, and ending the season with Fresno means any 3 game lead could vanish like a fart in the wind. Keep an eye on the West.
- @St. Louis, @Indianapolis, @Colorado Springs, @Fresno
- Combined record: 273-239
- Fresno - Likely have the hardest schedule of the three NL West teams, but they hold a 2 game lead on Wildcard 2 and have an easier schedule than Chicago. That final series against Scottsdale is looking pretty HUGE!
- Buffalo, Chicago, @Tucson, Scottsdale
- Combined record: 279-233
- Tucson - They have the easiest schedule of the NL West teams, considering Fresno plays Scottsdale in the final series of the year, I could see a situation where the two teams beat up on each other enough that Tucson sweeps Colorado Springs and claims the division. But will that be enough to make up the current 10 games they are behind the division or 5 games they are behind the Wildcard? Might be too little too late for them to catch up.
- Chicago, San Antonio, Fresno, Colorado Springs
- Combined record: 253-259
- Current Playoff Seeding
- 1 St Louis
- 4 Charlotte v 5 Buffalo
- 3 Scottsdale v 6 Fresno
- 2 Trenton
- Redeem time after falling to those two teams in recent series?
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
- AMERICAN LEAGUE
- First round
- #5 New Orleans over #4 Boston
- #3 Salt Lake City over #6 Tacoma
- Division Series
- #1 Syracuse over #5 New Orleans
- #2 Texas over #3 Salt Lake City
- League Championship
- #1 Syracuse over #2 Texas
- NATIONAL LEAGUE
- First Round
- #5 Buffalo over #4 Charlotte
- #3 Scottsdale over #6 Fresno (biased much? yeah)
- Division Series
- #1 St Louis over #5 Buffalo
- #3 Scottsdale over #2 Trenton
- League Championship
- #1 St Louis over #3 Scottsdale
- WORLD SERIES
- AL #1 Syracuse over NL #1 St Louis in an exciting 7 game series.