Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Playoffs of Bust
Last Chance: Gwinnett Braves Must Win to Reach Playoffs
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Today is the last day of the regular season for most minor leagues… and let me set this up for you:
- ROME BRAVES – 1st place: playoffs start on Wednesday vs. Charleston at Rome.
- MISSISSIPPI BRAVES – 1st place*: playoffs start on Wednesday at Pensacola.
- GWINNETT BRAVES – 2nd place: must win today to get in.
* – Mississippi has clinched a playoff berth, but still needs a win to clinch the division today. Their playoff schedule is the same either way.
Gwinnett was “there” until this weekend: losses to Durham (14-0, 7-3) put them in the position of having to beat the Charlotte Knights in one o the last two games Sunday or Today.
A 7-1 loss yesterday means that it’s now down to … today. Win or go home.
One More Shot
At 2:05pm ET today, Tyrell Jenkins will start against the White Sox’ Charlotte Knights affiliate for the right to represent the South Division of the International League in the AAA playoffs.
Now mind you, neither of these teams is exactly rolling into the post-season: Charlotte is 13 games below .500 and Gwinnett is 14 below. But Charlotte has won three straight to give themselves a chance – and indeed this was their only scenario: to win 4 straight to finish the year while Gwinnett loses 4 straight. But it could happen today as these teams finish against one another.
Whoever wins out will face a tough task, for the other playoff participants have owned the league this year:
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees): 90-52
- Columbus (Cleveland): 81-62
- Lehigh Valley (Phillies): the wild card team at 84-58.
But today: Gwinnett needs just one win – nothing else matters.