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08/14/2023 11:43 AMWith two games left in the season and teams looking at the playoffs, there couldn’t have been better weather for Week 15 of the Deep River Horseshoe League — temperature in the mid-70s, low humidity with a slight breeze was a recipe for great scoring, as the league topped 2,000 points for only the second time this season.
There was little change in the standings this week, but four teams are vying for the final spot in the playoffs: the Royals and Mets are tied for eighth, with the Pirates one game behind and the Cubs with an outside chance at three games behind.
Mark Goodale’s Marlins grabbed a 4-2 win over John Sciacca’s Royals, delaying them from securing a playoff spot. The Royals faced a formidable task, having to overcome double-digit handicaps in all six games. In most all cases, the team with the large handicap only needs to score their average, and they will win, and in the case of the Royals, they need to score above their averages. Although the team scored 300 points, none of the Royals were able to score above their average. Marlins’ Mark Goodale, who converted from tossing a flip shoe to a turn shoe, had his best series of the season with 122 points, while Royals’ Sciacca only managed a 116-point series. The Royals are on pace to be the first team to toss 1000 ringers this season.
The Mets were riveted on the outcome of the Marlins/Royals match and were elated with how it turned out. However, as they took on the Rockies, they could only manage a split, as Rockies’ Mike Didomizio had his season-best series of 139 points, 36 ringers, and five doubles — earning him the third-high score for “A” division players.
The Mets continued on their high-scoring pace of the last four weeks, scoring 295 points thanks to scores above the century mark by Bob Cifaldi and Damin Roberts. Howie Fisher added in his 80-point series, which was the third leading scorer for “C” division. The Mets are tied with the Royals for the final playoff spot.
Giants’ Mike Zanelli Sr. returned from a three-week absence, and his scoring didn’t miss a beat as they took on Skip Robinson’s Pirates. Mike, the league’s leading scoring average, had a 145-point series and was the night’s leading scorer for “A” division. The Pirates also were interested in the Marlins/Royals match. They were unable to ride their 300+point wave from the last game, and in a very close match, they were only able to gain a split with the Giants. They are one game out of the final playoff spot.
The Cubs were looking for help from the above teams and hoping for a big win as they took on the first-place Cardinals. They ended the night as they began — three games out of a playoff spot. Cardinals’ Kris Toohey’s 144-point series tied for his season best, and he was the second-leading “A” scorer.
The White Sox, led by Vinny Jonynas and Bob Beckwith, overwhelmed the Dodgers 4.5 — 1.5, outscoring them 305 — 238. Jonynas’ 125 point/30 ringer/eight doubles series was a season’s best and was the top “B” scorer, and Beckwith was the top “C” scorer for the ninth time this season with a 96-point series.
In other playoff team news, the Red Sox defeated the Yankees 4-2. The Yankees are tied for fourth place. The Braves defeated the Reds 5-1 and are tied with the Yankees. The Tigers split with the Angels and are in sixth place. Tigers’ Susan Feaster’s 86-point series was the second-leading score for “C” division.
The top eight teams make the playoffs. Currently, here are the top eight teams:
1. Cardinals (61.5 - 28.5)
2. Giants (56.5 - 33.5)
3. White Sox (55.5 - 34.5)
4. Yankees (52 - 38)
5. Braves (52 - 38)
6. Tigers (50.5 - 39.5)
7. Rockies (47.5 - 42.5)
8. Royals (44.5- 45.5)
8. Mets (44.5 - 45.5)
The Bubble Teams include the Pirates (43.5 - 46.5) and the Cubs (41.5 - 48.5).