American Association Expands Playoff Structure
August 5, 2021 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
MOORHEAD, MN - The Board of Directors of the American Association of Professional Baseball has approved a plan to expand the 2021 postseason schedule with a play-in game that will pit the second and third place clubs in each division against each other for the right to advance to the North and South Division Championship Series.
In the new format, the second and third place clubs in the North Division and South Division will face off on Wednesday, September 8th in a one-game playoff. The winner of the two play-in games will advance to face the regular season champion of the respective division in a best-of-five Division Series, which will begin on Friday, September 10th. The Division Series winners will then advance to the best-of-five American Association Championship Series, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 17th.
"Unprecedented times have allowed the American Association to be innovative in many aspects of our league play and presentation, while increasing the number of playoff participants as we enter the final month of the season," said American Association Commissioner Joshua Schaub. "The American Association continues to showcase our league's ability to pivot and be nimble while maintaining a high level of competition on the field and top entertainment for our fans."
In 2020, the American Association amended the playoff schedule as the league played as a six-team league. The top two teams at the end of the 60-game regular season advanced to the best-of-seven American Association Championship Series, which was won by the Milwaukee Milkmen in five games over the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Following their win on Thursday afternoon, the Winnipeg Goldeyes (35-35) sit in fourth place in the American Association North Division, 11.0 games behind the first place Milkmen and four losses back of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for the North Division's second wild card spot. The Goldeyes have 30 games remaining on their 2021 schedule.
2021 American Association Postseason Schedule
Wednesday, September 8th Play-In Game (#2 seed vs. #3 seed)
Thursday, September 9th Travel Day
Friday, September 10th American Association Division Series Game 1
Saturday, September 11th American Association Division Series Game 2
Sunday, September 12th Travel Day
Monday, September 13th American Association Division Series Game 3
Tuesday, September 14th American Association Division Series Game 4 (if necessary)
Wednesday, September 15th American Association Division Series Game 5 (if necessary)
Thursday, September 16th Travel Day
Friday, September 17th American Association Championship Series Game 1
Saturday, September 18th American Association Championship Series Game 2
Sunday, September 19th Travel Day
Monday, September 20th American Association Championship Series Game 3
Tuesday, September 21st American Association Championship Series Game 4 (if necessary)
Wednesday, September 22nd American Association Championship Series Game 5 (if necessary)
The Winnipeg Goldeyes open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Milkmen on Friday evening at Shaw Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Advanced tickets for all Goldeyes home games are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes' 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes' comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com.
American Association Stories from August 5, 2021
- Goldeyes Acquire Former Major Leaguer Hart - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- American Association Expands Playoff Structure - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Monarchs Add Big Bat from Angels System - Kansas City Monarchs
- Ventura's Superb Start Not Enough in Gary Finale - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Mercado's Walk-Off Ends 11-Inning Thriller in Series Finale - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Goldeyes Blank X's to Finish Sweep - Sioux City Explorers
- Goldeyes Get Back to .500 with Shutout - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Milkmen Pitching Rocked by Cougars, Fall 10-2 - Milwaukee Milkmen
- Dogs Take Series over Cleburne as Crouse, Haug, Starting Pitching Heats Up - Chicago Dogs
- Kansas City Collects Road Win over Fargo-Moorhead - Kansas City Monarchs
- Conners, Goldeyes Post Stunning Win - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Garkow Dominates as Canaries Cruise in Gary - Sioux Falls Canaries
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