2009 Playoffs

Hey Salem Sox fans it is time to talk about the playoffs! The Salem Red Sox are currently in the playoff mix and I thought it would be a great time to review what it will take to get the Sox one step closer to the Mills Cup. The path to the playoffs in the Carolina League is easy to understand if you think about the entire season as two separate halves. The winner of the first half is automatically in the playoffs, in our division that means Winston-Salem, the first half champs, are in. Things get a little more confusing when looking at the second half. There are three ways to make the playoffs in the second half if you were not the first half champs like the Dash. The first way to make the playoffs is to have the best record in your division in the second half of the season. The second way to make the playoffs in the second half is to place second in the standings to the first place champions. The third way to make the playoffs is to win the play-in game if there is a tie between the two division leaders in the second half, not including the first half champs, or a tie between the two teams in second place with the champs still leading the division in wins. I know that sounds a bit confusing, the play-in game especially, but I will break down a scenario and give you an example. Check out these standings below.

Standings            Records

Kinston                 32-33

Salem                   32-33

Winston-Salem      32-33

If the season ended today- Salem would play Kinston in a play-in game on September 8th.

If Salem ended the season ahead of Kinston & Winston-Salem in wins- They would automatically make the playoffs as second half champs.

If Kinston finishes ahead of Salem and Winston-Salem in wins- They are second half champs and make the playoffs automatically.

Hopefully this post sorts out some of the questions Salem Red Sox fans have about the postseason and if you have any other questions feel free to ask! Go Sox!