Today’s game was rightfully pushed to tomorrow. I realize there needs to be an effort to play when possible… but if there is a declared state of emergency and major severe weather, that’s a no-brainer. There’s time to take risks and a sporting event is not one of them. Enough of that.
The IronPigs have 8 games remaining.
Double header with Syracuse tomorrow.
Tuesday and Wednesday against SWB Yankees.
Thursday off.
Friday and Saturday against Buffalo
Finish the season with 2 in Syracuse.
8 Games
Syracuse
Last week the Chiefs were our best friends, taking 4 of 6 games vs. the Pawsox. They finished the week out going 1-2 vs. Rochester.
The Chiefs also have Stephen Strasburg in their rotation. He last pitched on Saturday against Rochesters’s lineup going 5 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits striking out 7. Thinking a 5 man rotation, his next scheduled start would be Sept 1st, but they have an off day on Wednesday. They could push him ahead for that game to get more late season work in on Thursday. There is a slight chance the Pigs could face Strasburg on the final day of the season. How important that game could be…
Scranton Wilkes Barre
Although losing a double header to Pawtucket on Friday (no games on Sat/Sun), the Yankees took down Rochester 7 straight games. While Rochester has been getting slammed the past couple of weeks they did take 3 of 4 games from the IronPigs the week before last.
Buffalo
Last year we found ourselves saying, “Well at least we aren’t Rochester” and that’s what Buffalo fans are saying this year. They can play spoiler but these games are definately winnable.
***
So the Playoffs. In 9 days we will know the bracket. (If 4 teams qualify as a bracket)
Pawtucket is currently up on the Pigs by 1 game. Like the Pigs, they did not play today.
SWB is currently 7.5 games behind Pawtucket and 6.5 games behind the Pigs. Their elimination number is 2. It would take an earthquake and a hurricane for them to make the.. wait, no.. an earthquake, hurricane and volcanic eruption for them to make the playoffs.
The North is about the Pawsox and IronPigs.
Durham has a 3 game lead on Gwinnett in the South division.
Durham won the first half of a double-header today and are leading early in game 2.
Gwinnett stomped Norfolk for a win today.
The west is, and always has been the Columbus Clippers territory. Expect them to be the South/West representative in the Governor’s Cup finals.
While a real possibility of winning the North division, the Pigs are also currently leading the wild card race.
As of this post the Pigs and Gwinnett are the only real contenders, with Gwinnett 1.5 games behind. Indianapolis, Louisville and SWB still have a slight shot at it but I don’t see any volcano in PA ready to erupt.
***
In it to win it, or lose it.
The Pigs hold their fate in their own hands. If they win, they are in.. if they play .500 baseball this week they will have to depend on 1 of 2 other teams to play less than .500 baseball. If they play under .500, well then we have an off season full of what if’s.
The double-header tomorrow is huge. Being 2 – 7 inning games is also a key point as the IronPigs strengths are scoring late in games and their closer. (Either Schwimer then and DeFratus now) If they sweep the 2 games tomorrow they set themselves up to drive into the playoffs. If they split or (gasp) get swept, it’s an omen that it isn’t meant to be.
One thing for sure… it’s been a hell of a ride so far and I’m not getting off the bus just yet!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
The article I read last week about Strasburg’s rehab assignment said the Nationals would like him to be pitching on one of their minor league home fields. He’s still listed on the Syracuse roster but the Chiefs don’t play at home again until the 4th and 5th vs. the Ironpigs. That means at least 8 days between starts unless they move him down to AA Harrisburg where he can start a home game on normal rest Thursday or Friday. That supposedly would be his last rehab start before joining Washington. Even though he won’t pitch, I’m hoping he at least shows up with the Chiefs at CCP Monday/Tuesday. Facing Peacock and Milone will be difficult enough. I can do without seeing the Strasburg Railroad pitch against the Ironpigs.
Just found an article on the website of CBS Channel 21 in Harrisburg that said the following:
“Strasburg is expected to make one more minor league start for Harrisburg on Sept. 1, then will likely pitch for the Nationals on Sept. 6”.
Fasten your seatbelts it’s gonna be a bumpy ride to the finish!! I’m still on the bus too. No matter what, it’s been one hell of a year! And that’s Jimmy T’s Take!! GO PIGS!!!
OINK OINK!!
IF WE TIE WITH GWINNETT FOR WILD CARD THERE WILL BE A ONE GAME PLAYOFF AT THE COKE NEXT TUESDAY