The playoff bracket is set following the final weeks of regular-season action in the Deep River Horseshoe League. The battle for the top spot in the standings between Cubs and Red Sox finally drew to a close. The Red Sox made a hard push, including a six-game sweep in the final week, but the Cubs claimed the No. 1 seed for the playoffs by a ½ game.

The teams that made the playoffs, going in order from the No. 1 seed to the No. 8 seed, include the Cubs (70.5-43.5), the Red Sox (70-44), the Yankees (67.5-46.5), the Pirates (65-49), the Dodgers (62.5-51.5), the Orioles (62-52), the Tigers (59.5-54.5), and the Astros (59-55). The first round of the playoffs begin on Monday, Aug. 20, the second round takes place on Thursday, Aug. 23, and the championship match will be held on Saturday, August 25 at the First Congregational Green in Deep River.

Following the top eight teams that clinched playoff berths, the rest of the league stands were as follows: Marlins (59-55), Cardinals (56.5-57.5), Rangers (56.5-57.5), Mets (55-59), Reds (54-60), Giants (52-62), Padres (50-64), Royals (49.5-64.5), White Sox (49.5-64.5), Indians (49-65), Braves (47.5-66.5), and Angels (45.5-68.5).

In Week 18 action, A Division player Mark Goodale of the Mets tied the Royals’ Frank Jolly for the season-high game score with a 55, recording 17 ringers in the process. Goodale was also top overall scorer with a 152, followed by the Yankees’ Mike Zannelli, Sr., with a 142, and Cris Christensen of the Dodgers with a 138.

The Angels’ Paul Felie led the B Division with a score of 102, while Ed Turner of the Marlins finished in the top three for the 11­ time this year with his total of 100. The Cubs’ Robert “Skip” Robinson also scored 100 on the week.

As for the C Division, Tony Cutone of the Cubs once again finished on top with a 104, followed by the Dodgers’ Ken Fox at 83, and Sherryl Serviss of the Pirates with a score of 78.

For the final week of the regular season, Bill Strong of the Padres turned in an impressive score of 161 to lead the A Division. The White Sox’s Chip Goodrich came in second place at 144 with Billy Beckwith of the Giants trailing him closely with a 143.

In the B Division, Turner earned top marks with a score of 111, the Yankees’ Dean Henry tossed a 100, and Robinson’s total of 96 was good for third.

Serviss came in first place in the C Division with 106, while Cutone took second by scoring an 94. Howie Fisher of the Yankees totaled an 86 on the week.

For more info on the Deep River Horseshoe League, visit deepriverhorseshoes.com.

Information courtesy of Joe Heery