American Association Insider: Sunday August 23rd Takeaways.

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

I'll preface this much like I did with last night's takeaways. I did not see much American Association Baseball this afternoon. I decided for the first time in over 20 years to take in a Demolition Derby. My friend and I left early as it had already gone 3.5 hours. It just wrapped up at 7:50 CST after beginning at 2 pm. It was fun to watch for a while, but I had my fix. I can do one in another 20 years.

Active Sunday in the Association. Lost opportunities abound. Kane County let an early lead slip away. Gary SouthShore lost a chance to gain a game on Cleburne who lost in Milwaukee. The only team that seemed to seize the moment was the Sioux City Explorers who won their series with Winnipeg and in the process gained a game on Sioux Falls and Fargo-Moorhead. 

Getting away from the format of boxscore regurgitation. Let's take a look at the standings and see what lies ahead in the last two weeks of the season.



East

1. Milwaukee Milkmen 51-35 (4 vs. Lincoln, 3 vs. FM, 3 at Lincoln, 4 at FM)

Seeing only two teams the rest of the way, none in the division. Lincoln may not have much to play for, 4.5 out of a playoff spot currently. But Fargo-Moorhead will be battling Winnipeg for second place and home field in Round One.

2. Lake Country DockHounds 50-37 1.5 GB (3 vs. KCO, 3 at WPG, 3 at GSS, 4 vs. SC)

On the surface it looks like an easy last week. Three up on Kane County after winning three of four in Geneva, the early week looks like a time to put the Cougars in the rearview for good. Winnipeg will be looking for wins to stave off Fargo-Moorhead. That "easy" last week could have them playing teams desperate for wins to get in the top four.

3. Kane County Cougars 46-39 4.5 GB (3 at LC, 4 at SC, 3 at CHI, 4 vs. CLE)

Three behind the DockHounds, it'll be tough to catch up unless they can run the table at Kamp Oconomowoc this week. A day off before four in three days against a Sioux City team in a playoff chase will be a challenge. A reprieve against a Chicago team playing out the string before four at home versus Cleburne which will likely be playoff tuneups for both clubs with little chance of positions switching

4. Cleburne Railroaders 40-47 11.5 GB (6 vs. CHI, 3 at SF, 4 at KCO)

The Dogs kept Gary SouthShore at bay winning two of three over the weekend. The Railroaders get the Dogs at home with a chance of a 5-1 week that would be the likely end to the RailCats chances to catch the Roaders. This would leave the Railroaders trying to help Sioux City, playing Sioux Falls for three before four likely tuneups against Kane County. 

5. Gary SouthShore RailCats 36-50 15 GB (3 vs. SC, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. LC, 4 at CHI)

It's a well timed ten game homestand as the RailCats need to get on a run to catch Cleburne. They will have a direct impact on the West hosting the Siouxs in back to back series. They go to Chicago for four to wrap up the regular season. They dropped two of three to the Dogs this weekend, so none of those games are a gimme. 

6. Chicago Dogs 29-58 22.5 GB (6 at CLE, 3 vs. KCO, 4 vs. GSS)

The Dogs can be RailCats best friend with a good showing in Cleburne. The games at Kane County should have little impact. If they can do a number on the Railroaders, the last four at home vs. Gary SouthShore could be huge.



WEST

1. Kansas City 51-35 (4 at WPG, 3 at Lincoln, 3 vs. SC, 4 vs. WPG)

As long as the Monarchs can take two in Winnipeg, it may make it tough for the Goldeyes to catch up. Three at Lincoln against a Saltdogs team playing out the string, followed by three at home against a Sioux City team playing for their season. The final four games against Winnipeg should be tuneups for both clubs.

2. Winnipeg 46-39 4.5 GB (4 vs. KC, 3 vs. LC, 4 at FM, 4 at KC)

On the surface, eight games left against the team you're pursuing, sign me up. But one of the games in Fargo will be a continuation of a game in which they were losing badly when it was suspended. The task is daunting as you'll likely have to run the table or go 7-1 versus the Monarchs. Then you're dealing with a second place team with Lake Country that is still pursuing a division title and four at Fargo-Moorhead that is only half a game behind with one game already likely going the RedHawks way. Do not be surprised if the Goldeyes end up third. 

3. Fargo-Moorhead 46-40 5GB (3 vs. SF, 3 at. MKE, 4 vs. WPG, 4 vs. MKE)

The RedHawks have an outside chance of catching Kansas City, but it would require a lot of help from Winnipeg which would also likely put the Goldeyes out of their reach. Three against a struggling Sioux Falls team clinging on to a playoff spot with home and homes versus Milwaukee with a series at home against Winnipeg with at least one game likely won already. I don't see Sioux Falls catching the RedHawks but with a good showing against the Milkmen and going 3-1 against Winnipeg should bump them up to second place. 

4. Sioux Falls Canaries 43-44 8.5 GB (3 at FM, 3 at GSS, 3 vs. CLE, 4 vs. Lincoln)

After battling the RedHawks, the Canaries will not face a team over .500 the rest of the way. But after getting swept by the Monarchs, the Canaries cannot lose focus against the RailCats and Railroaders as both those teams could be battling for playoff spots, so no rolling over. Four against the Saltdogs wrap up the schedule with a chance to finish strong heading to a likely first round match up with the Monarchs if they can stave off the Explorers.

5. Sioux City Explorers 41-45 10 GB (3 at GSS, 4 vs. KCO, 3 at KC, 4 at LC)

The thing for the Explorers is to have the Monarchs and DockHounds looking ahead to the playoffs. But if either team is playing for positioning or overall best record, it will be a tough final week. The three games at Gary SouthShore will have both teams desperate for wins to try to get out of fifth. Kane County may be locked in to third place by next weekend, but the Cougars will be fine tuning for the playoffs. 

6. Lincoln Saltdogs 38-48 13 GB (4 at MKE, 3 at KC, 3 vs. MKE, 4 at SF)

4.5 back having to jump both Sioux Falls and Sioux City while playing 11 games versus the top two teams in the league. I'm not going to make any outlandish predictions, but I do not see a scenario where the Saltdogs will not be cleaning out their lockers the day after Labor Day. 










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