Tucson Toros Playoff Clinch Scenarios
August 26, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Tucson Toros News Release
Tucson, AZ - With the Tucson Toros making a strong push to make the playoffs in their inaugural GBL season, here is a breakdown of the various ways the club can clinch a spot in the postseason:
The GBL utilizes a split season, where the Southern Division winner of the first half, in this case the St. George Roadrunners, will take on the division winners of the second half. If the same team wins both halves, then the team with the next best overall record for the entire season will receive the second playoff spot. Winners are determined based on winning percentage, and not games back so as not to penalize teams playing differing amounts of games due to the Tijuana franchise being unable to participate in the 2009 season.
With the split season the Toros actually have two different chances to make the playoffs. They can either win the GBL Southern Division outright in the second half, or if St. George wins the second half (after already taking first half) Tucson would need to finish the season with the second best overall record in the division.
The Toros could clinch a playoff bid under either of these possibilities as early as Thursday. The scenario to win the Southern Division is relatively straight forward - if Tucson wins two more games (with six remaining) they will win the division and advance to the playoffs.
Should Tucson only win only more contest, or even lose out for the rest of the season, the team can still make the playoffs even without winning the division by finishing with the next best record. Tucson's main competition in this scenario is the Long Beach Armada, who enter tonight's play trailing Tucson in winning percentage .537 to .500. If Tucson gets just one more win this season, they would still make the playoffs if Long Beach loses three or more of their six remaining games. If Tucson goes winless for the rest of this season, they would still make the playoffs if Long Beach loses four or more of their six remaining games.
If one of these scenarios comes through and the Toros make the playoffs, they would take on St. George for a best of five game series beginning Wednesday, September 2nd either in Tucson or St. George. Particular home dates and times are yet to be determined. The winner of the Southern Divisional Series would advance to face the winner of the GBL Northern Divisional Series for another best of five series. Both Calgary and Edmonton have already clinched locked up playoff spots in the north.
Any questions regarding the GBL playoffs or when the Tucson could clinch can be directed to the Tucson Toros Media Relations department at media@tucsontoros.com
The Toros will face St. George on the road two more times before returning home to host the Roadrunners for their final homestand of the regular season in a four game series beginning Friday, August 28th at 7:00 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field.
Golden Baseball League Stories from August 26, 2009
- Six Run Second Sinks Snakes - Calgary Vipers
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- Armada wins in 9th - Long Beach Armada
- 20 Hit Given Up in Defeat - Calgary Vipers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
