Off Day Thoughts

Some random thoughts from my mind on this off day:

*I said that I won't use that this team is young as an excuse for the second half, and I stand by that. However, I think it's a "reason". Being young is a reason why the team is struggling to win games, but it's not an excuse for not winning.

*I think that if you brought this year's Silver Hawks back for a second time in the Midwest Leauge next year, that they would dominate without too much problem.

*I also think that with 40 games to play (including 26 against other playoff contenders), this year's club still has a chance of making the playoffs. I know some fans are ready to give up on this year...I'm not.

*I know that it's an unbelievable difference at the Cove when the seats are filled like they were on Monday night. Trust me when I tell you that the Cove is a great baseball experience, and if you haven't been yet, please come join us before the season is over (or even if you've been out once, come back again).

*I'm thrilled to report that the full-time staff rallied to defeat the interns in a softball game earlier today. I am also very happy to report that there were no injuries.

*Speaking of interns, I don't know if it's because I'm his "boss", but I'd also like to thank Casey Richards for losing a ball in the sun in my first at-bat, allowing me to reach base. I followed with two clean singles to finish 2-for-3 (assuming we are charging Casey with an error).

Poll Results

The question was: As of July 8th, the Silver Hawks are five games over .500 against everyone in the MWL except the Great Lakes Loons. Does this change your opinion on the team?

The results are as follows:

Wow, I didn't realize that. I have renewed faith in this club. 10 votes (33%)

I knew that and I still think the team will make the playoffs. 12 votes (40%)

I knew that, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs. 4 votes (13%)

I didn't know that, but it doesn't change my view. 4 votes (13%)

So most of you still think the Silver Hawks will make the playoffs (current three game losing streak not factored into this poll of course).

A new question is on the right with a simple yes or no response today.

Playoff Race - Two Remain

Only one spot for the playoffs remains, and it's going to either Dayton or South Bend. Here's your daily report:

About Last Night (only games that matter)
Dayton lost to Great Lakes (greatly hurting Dayton's chances)

Eastern Division Playoffs
West Michigan vs. Great Lakes
Fort Wayne vs. TBD

Western Division Playoffs
Cedar Rapids vs. Peoria
Kane County vs. Burlington

Today's Matchups with Playoff Implications
South Bend vs. Lansing
Dayton @ Great Lakes

Race for Second Half Wild Card in East
................W...L...PCT..GB
South Bend...31..36...463..--
Dayton........30..37...448..1.0


Magic Number
South Bend magic number for the wild card spot: 1

Games Left for South Bend (In order):
2 vs. Lansing

Games Left for Dayton (In order):
2 @ Great Lakes

West Division Update
First Half Champion: Kane County Cougars
First Half Wild Card: Cedar Rapids Kernels
Second Half Champion: Peoria Chiefs
Second Half Wild Card: Burlington Bees

What This Series Means

I've heard from a lot of different people over the past couple of days that are worried about getting swept in the series with Fort Wayne. Quite honestly, I'm one of them. They are a darn good ballclub, and they have swept South Bend three times already this season (and taken 3 out of 4 in the other series).

That being said, whatever happens in this series is not going to make or break the Silver Hawks. Yes, being swept would hurt. Yes, if the Silver Hawks could find a way to sweep Fort Wayne it would be huge. Heck, even going 2-2 against the TinCaps would be a victory at this stage for South Bend. But this division is not going to be decided with four games in early August.

Consider that after this series, South Bend still has 8 with Great Lakes, 7 with Dayton, and 7 with Lansing. Oh, and in case you've forgotten, those are the three teams that are battling with the Hawks for the playoffs spots.

Great Lakes is a solid team that everyone thinks is going to make the playoffs. Good for them if they do, but let's not just give it to them yet. They are full of experienced players who quite honestly have underachieved to some extent...and they still have a lot of games with West Michigan remaining.

Dayton has promoted half their pitching staff in the last two weeks. They are going to have some kinks to work out over the final month. They also can't beat Fort Wayne (1-14 versus the TinCaps).

Lansing struggles mightily against South Bend (amongst others). Every time they win two in a row, they seem to lose the next three in a row.

The Silver Hawks are dealing with injuries (Krauss, Sinclair) and have losing records against every Eastern Division team other than Lansing.

My point is...every team has strengths, every team has flaws, and every team will be playing every other team in the division still.

Let's not write off this series until the games are played, and let's not judge the second half until South Bend has a chance to go head-to-head with the teams they are fighting with for the playoff spots.