Here's some quick notes about the upcoming month on the farm. Emphasis for August will be placed on finishing up the year strong, with all affiliates winding their schedules down.
Oklahoma: The Redhawks enter the day 9 games up in the PCL American South division with 29 games to play. The remaining schedule includes 4 against Tucson, 4 at Albuquerque, 4 at Nashville, 4 against Omaha, 5 against Iowa, 4 at Round Rock, and 4 at Memphis. What's lacking is any games against their division rival New Orleans, the team currently sitting in second. Only Iowa and Memphis have winning records (they sit 1-2 in the American North), and Oklahoma currently sits 3.5 back of Iowa and 1 ahead of Memphis for the best record in the American. With 20 games remaining against sub-.500 teams, expect Oklahoma to finish strong.
Frisco: The RoughRiders won their division in the first half with a 43-27 record. With a playoff spot already in tow, they lead their division again in the second half, albeit by only a game. Frisco has 28 games remaining, 6 at San Antonio, 6 games split home and home against Tulsa, 6 games split home and home against Northwest Arkansas, 6 games split home and home against Midland, and 4 at home against Corpus Christi. San Antonio, Northwest Arkansas, and Midland each have winning records this half, so it will be a tough stretch run. However, with the playoffs already assured, the 'Riders should have no problem playing well.
Bakersfield: The Blaze have played 18-24 ball in the second half, good enough for last place in the CAL North division. They are still only 6.5 games back of first-place Modesto, but with only 28 games to play, it looks like Bakersfield will not have any division crowns this year. They finished the first half at 36-34, and they have not gained enough ground to get into the playoffs as the team with best record not to win a division crown. Their remaining games pit them against teams with better second-half records. Look for the Blaze to fight hard, but come up short this year. Certain Blaze players possibly will be in Frisco for the playoffs.
Clinton: The LumberKings have been playing ball much like the big league club in the second half. They've been sitting around .500 for most of the half, and their current record is 22-20. That puts them 2.5 games back of Burlington with 28 games to play. If the 'Kings go on a hot streak like the first half, that's a margin they can easily make up. By winning their division in that first half, they've already sewn up a playoff spot. Look for Clinton to play increasingly well as they head toward the playoffs next month.
Spokane: The Indians are well on their way to a division title Northwest League's Eastern division. With a 33-12 record, the young Spokane pitching staff has given their team a 5 game cushion with 31 games to play. 12 of those games are against the second-place Boise team that threatens their title (6 in Spokane, 6 in Boise). With 11 games between Spokane and third-place Tri-City, the race will depend on those 12 games against the Cubs' Northwest League affiliate. If the pitching staff holds up and Neil Ramirez comes back soon, Spokane should secure a division title.
AZL Rangers: The baby Rangers finished their first half with a 17-11 record, good enough for third place, 4 games behind the Angels' Arizona League affiliate. So far in the second half, the Rangers have a perfect 6-0 record, putting them 2 games up already in the standings. With 22 games remaining, the Rangers will look to sew up a division title, although their roster keeps getting moved around due to rehab assignments and promotions. If the roster keeps changing like it is, it won't be hard for the other teams to catch the Rangers before the end of the year.
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