FL River City Rascals

Rascals Gearing up for Playoff Run

Published on August 17, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - With just six series remaining in the 2015 regular season, the Rascals are primed for another playoff run. The reigning West Division Champions have qualified for the postseason in four of the last six seasons and are currently 3.0 games behind the Normal CornBelters for first place; the Rascals currently hold one of the four Wild Card spots. They are searching for their first League Championship since 2010.

The Rascals tied for the best record in the Frontier League in 2014 with a mark of 61-35. Although it is unlikely that they match that record this season, the Rascals are one of the five best teams in the league and in second place in their division. After sweeping the Rockford Aviators, the Rascals are currently 44-34, a season-high 10 games over .500. Their schedule over the final three weeks will be a test for the squad, though, as they will face the two best teams in the Frontier League, the Evansville Otters and the Southern Illinois Miners, three total times. They must also host the 45-30 Traverse City Beach Bums, who have already taken two of three from the Rascals this season.

The Rascals will kick off a six-game homestand on Tuesday, August 18 with the first place Miners; the Rascals were swept by Southern Illinois in May. Then the Otters come to town to finish the homestand. The Rascals follow the tough stretch with an easier run of three games at the Windy City ThunderBolts and at home against the Lake Erie Crushers, both of which are 33-44 on the season and 4-2 against the Rascals. The season concludes with three games at home against the Beach Bums and then a trip to Evansville.

The Rascals, Aviators, and CornBelters have been in a three-team race all season for first place in the West. Although the Rascals have never held possession of first, they have been as close as 0.5 game behind the division leader. Normal currently holds a 3.0 game lead thanks to a 10-game win streak, which remains in tact. The Aviators have slipped since starting the season 9-0 and find themselves 2.0 games behind the Rascals for second place but still hold a Wild Card spot.

In the East, Evansville, Southern Illinois, and Traverse City have established themselves as three of the top teams in the entire league. The Miners and Otters are tied atop the division with a league-best 50-28 record. The Beach Bums are just 3.5 games out, and the Frontier Greys look like the only team that could make a run, sitting at 38-40.

Six total teams make the playoffs in the Frontier League: two division winners and four wild cards. The Wild Cards can come from any division, although it looks like two will come from each division this season. The two first place teams each get a bye while the Wild Cards with play a one-game playoff contest to determine who moves on to face the division champions.

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Frontier League Stories from August 17, 2015


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