The Skeeters are in the Play-offs

With a 2-1 win over York on Friday night, the Sugar Land Skeeters clinched a second consecutive appearance in the Atlantic League play-offs.  The Skeeters fell in the first round of the 2013 play-offs to Somerset.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Sugar Land holds a one game lead over Lancaster in the Freedom Division's second half standings.  One Skeeters win or one Barnstormers loss over the season's final two days gives the Skeeters the second half title and a first round play-off match-up against York.  Sugar Land has won 12 of 18 games against York this season.

If the Skeeters lose out and the Barnstormers win out, Sugar Land would earn the wild card berth. This position would result in a first-round showdown with Somerset. The Patriots won 12 of 20 games over the Skeeters during the regular season.

Regardless of opponent, Sugar Land's first two play-off games will take place at Constellation Field Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23 and 24.

Almost, but Not Quite for the Skeeters

After a win Thursday night, the Skeeters are on the brink of an Atlantic League play-off berth with just three games left in the regular season.  The Skeeters need one win against York, one Southern Maryland loss to Long Island or, oddly enough, two Lancaster wins or three Lancaster losses against Camden to clinch a spot in the post-season.

There is, in fact, only one possible outcome of the nine games remaining to be played by Sugar Land, Southern Maryland, and Lancaster that leaves the Skeeters out of the play-offs.  Let me break it down.

Current Freedom Divsion standings:

Sugar Land- 40-27 - ------
Lancaster-    39-28 -    1
S. Maryland-37-30 -    3

Current Full- Season "Wild Card Standings:

Sugar Land-  78-59 -    -----
Lancaster-     78-59 -    -----


If Sugar Land closes 0-3, Lancaster closes- 1-2 and Southern Maryland closes- 3-0, Sugar Land misses the post-season.  Here's why:  

This close to the season would leave the three teams in a three-way tie for the second half title at 40-30.  Southern Maryland would win the title because they have the best record in head to head games among the three teams in the second half.  SM-13-10, Sugar Land-9-10, Lancaster-10-12.

Lancaster would earn the wild card over Sugar Land based on a better over-all season record. Lancaster- 79-61, Sugar Land- 78-62.


What if Lancaster wins two or three games while Sugar Land loses three?

Lancaster would win the second half title outright.  Sugar Land would claim the wild card.

What if Lancaster and Sugar Land both lose three, while Southern Maryland wins three?

Southern Maryland would win the second half title over Sugar Land based on a better second half record against the Skeeters.  The Skeeters would win the wild card over Lancaster based on their better second half record against the Barnstormers.

Can all the complexity be avoided?

Of course, the Skeeters can make everything much simpler by just winning the Freedom Division second half title. Since they own the tiebreaker over Lancaster, their magic number to win the second half is two.  A Skeeter second half title makes Lancaster the wild card.


NOTE:  The Freedom Division Second half winner will face York.  The  Wild Card will face Somerset in the play-offs.

Majewski is Back with the Skeeters

The original Sugar Land Skeeter's trip to Mexico didn't last very long. After just two appearances with Piratas de Campeche, right-handed closer Gary Majewski has returned to the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Majewski, 34, is the Skeeters' franchise leader in career saves and appearances.  He was released by the Mexican League Piratas after posting a 20.25 ERA in 1 1/3 innings.

Meet the Skeeters

The Sugar Land Skeeters begin their third season in the Atlantic League next Thursday(April 24).  The club is preparing for the 2014 season with Spring Training at Constellation Field this week.

Following is the Skeeters' Spring Training roster:

My understanding is that the Skeeters opening roster can include 27 players.

Name/2013 Team(s)/Highest Level previously played/Texas connection HS and/or College(if applicable)

Pitchers
Brian Broderick/GCL Nationals,Harrisburg/MLB
Roy Corcoran/Sugar Land/MLB
Ramon Delgado/Springfield, Memphis/AAA
Clint Everts/Sugar Land, New Hampshire, Buffalo/AAA/Cy Falls HS
Steve Hammond/Orix(Japan)/AAA
Clay Hensley/Sugar Land, Nashville, Louisville/MLB/Pearland HS, Alvin CC, Lamar University
Ben Kozlowski/Sugar Land, Somerset/MLB
Gary Majewski/Sugar Land/MLB/St. Pius X HS
Jay Marshall/Sugar Land/MLB
Dan Meadows/Brevard County, Huntsville/AAA/Cinco Ranch HS, Temple College
Michael Nix/Sugar Land, Birmingham, Charlotte/AAA
David Pauley/Sugar Land, Reno/MLB
Chris Smith/Wichita/MLB
Jared Wells/Sugar Land/MLB/Columbia HS, E. Texas Baptist U, San Jacinto JC, Tyler JC
Matt Wright/Sugar Land, Reno/AAA/Robinson HS

Catchers
Koby Clemens/Sugar Land/AAA/Memorial HS
Travis Scott/Sugar Land/AA

Infielders
Chase Lambin/Sugar Land, Omaha/AAA/Cy Falls HS
Alex Nunez/Worcester(2012)/High A
Dominic Ramos/Sugar Land/High A/Texas St.
Rusty Ryal/Salt Lake City, Albuquerque/AAA
Nick Stavinoha/Hiroshima/MLB/Jersey Village HS, San Jacinto JC
Brandon Wood/Norfolk, Omaha/MLB
Delwyn Young/Camden/MLB

Outfielders
Ryan Langerhans/Sugar Land, Buffalo, Toronto/MLB/Round Rock HS
Dustin Martin/Sugar Land, Mobile/AAA/Burnet HS, Sam Houston St. University
Steve Moss/Sugar Land, Mexico/AAA
Michael Rockett/Sugar Land/AAA/UTSA

Non-Roster Invitees
Danny Lehmann, C/New Britain, Rochester/AAA/The Woodland HS, Rice
Tracy McGrady, P/ DNP/NBA
Neil Medchill, OF/Trenton, Scranton-Wilkes Barre/AAA
Wynn Pelzer,P/Bridgeport,Long Island(2012)/AAA
Clay Schrader, P/Bowie/AA/Atascosita HS, San Jacinto JC
Cory Van Allen, P/Harrisburg, Syracuse(2012)/AAA/Clements HS, Baylor

If He Keeps this up, Jason Lane May not be a Chihuahua for Long

Jason Lane, 37, pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only five hits in his 2014 debut for the El Paso Chihuahuas.  The former big league outfielder is in the third full season of his attempt to return to the Major Leagues as a pitcher.  However, this is the first of those three in which he has commenced the year in the starting rotation of an affiliated team.

Lane began 2012 in the bullpen for Reno(Arizona's AAA affiliate).  He made 15 appearances for the Aces before being released in June.  He completed the season as a starter for Sugar Land's Skeeters.

He continued as a starter for Sugar Land in 2013 until he signed with the Padres in July.  In 35 games(34 starts) with the Atlantic League Skeeters in 2012-13, Lane posted a 3.08 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 216 1/3 innings pitched.

Lane spent six seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder.  All but three games of that career were spent with Houston.  He had 61 home runs and 189 RBI as an Astro.