Whitecaps eye playoff berth
Published on June 10, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
DAYTON, OH - It has been four years since the West Michigan Whitecaps have qualified for the playoffs during the first half of the Midwest League season, but that could change this weekend. The Whitecaps magic number is three versus South Bend to clinch a playoff berth, which means the team could be assured of a post-season spot as early as Sunday.
West Michigan also remains in first place in the Eastern Division, with a half game lead over Lansing entering Saturday's action. The magic number is nine for the âCaps to win the division, which at the earliest could happen in game one of a double header against Fort Wayne on Thursday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
2002 marked the last time West Michigan qualified for the playoffs by virtue of their standing in the first half. The âCaps finished in second place in the east, a game behind Michigan and just a half game ahead of Fort Wayne.
The last time the Whitecaps won the first half was in 2000 when they finished with a record of 44-26, 6.5 games in front of Fort Wayne in the East.
West Michigan is currently 36-23 and leads third-place South Bend by six games with nine to play for the Whitecaps and eight to go for the Silver Hawks.
In the first half, the âCaps beat the Hawks in four out of seven meetings and therefore holds the edge in a tie-breaker situation. South Bend plays a four game series at Beloit Saturday through Tuesday.
West Michigan also holds tie breaker advantages over Southwest Michigan and Fort Wayne. One loss by either of those teams or a single Whitecaps win would prevent either the Wizards or Devil Rays from catching the âCaps in the first half.
Second place Lansing opens a four game series at home against Wisconsin. The Lugnuts close the first half with four games in South Bend and owns the tie breaker over the Whitecaps with wins in two of the three games played between the two teams.
The top two teams in the division in each half qualify for the playoffs.
On the Field: The next possible step toward a playoff berth for the Whitecaps could be tonight in Dayton. LHP Erik Averill (2-3, 3.92) will be on the mound for West Michigan against Dragons RHP Robert Manuel (0-0, 0.93), who will make his first start in a Dayton uniform. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 6:50 p.m. on 1340 AM WBBL, the Whitecaps Radio Network and at wbbl.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 10, 2006
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- Lugnuts Topple Rattlers, 4-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Ninth Inning Undoes Dragons as Caps Win 6-1 - Dayton Dragons
- Maybin slams his way to 5 RBI in Whitecaps win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Late Lansing runs hand a loss to Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Whitecaps eye playoff berth - West Michigan Whitecaps
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