The Great Northern Division Playoff Race

Over the next two weeks. the battle for the Northern Division’s playoff spots will somehow heat up even more as the regular season winds to a close. Entering Friday’s action, their are three teams tied for the fourth playoff spot and sit five games out of first. The third-place team is just one game back of second and the ability to host a playoff series, while the second-place team is two out of first.

Even the last-place team is just 2 1/2 games behind the fourth and final playoff spot. The level of parity in the North is unprecedented, making this one of the more exciting postseason races in recent memory. Every team is playing meaningful games at the end of the season in both divisions, as even in the South the last-place team is just 1 1/2 out of a playoff spot.

It’s incredible, but for the focus of this post, here’s an extensive look at the Northern Division. Here are the current standings as we head down the stretch.

Sanford, 21-14
Valley, 18-15
North Adams, 18-17
Vermont, 15-18
Winnipesaukee 15-18
Keene, 15-18
Upper Valley, 13-21

Sanford’s heated up as of late, winning eight of 10, and appear they’ll lock up their first divisional title in several years barring a collapse. Still, Valley and North Adams are within two and three games, respectively, so it’s no guarantee.

The most interesting race is for the fourth seed in the postseason, as three teams are tied for it. To figure out if any of the teams have an advantage, let’s take a look at their respective schedules.

VT: @NG, @OSW, @NBS, vs UV, vs NSC, @VAL, @WIN, vs NSC, @VAL, @UV (2)
WIN: @VAL, @KSB, @SM, @UV, vs MYS, @OSW, vs SM, vs VM, vs VAL, @NSC, @VAL
KSB: @DM, vs WIN, vs NSC, @NSC, @PP, vs SM, vs VAL, @MYS, vs SM, @UV, @NG

Each team has an off day mixed in during this decisive 11-game stretch. Winnipesaukee has a tough double-header tomorrow, as they play in Keene at noon, then travel to Sanford for a nightcap. Keene plays at noon and at 6:30 against North Adams at home, while Vermont’s double-header is against Upper Valley on the last day of the season.

By pythagorean record, Winnipesaukee has the hardest schedule the rest of the season. They have to play the NECBL-leading Mystic Schooners twice, no small task. Keene is second, facing the division-leading Mainers twice while also traveling to Newport and Mystic. Vermont, despite a tough Southern Divisions swing, is in good shape. They close the season with eight divisional games, including three against the last-place Nighthawks.

Tomorrow’s doubleheader is huge. While the Mountaineers are in Rhode Island, Winnipesaukee and Keene face off at noon before playing Sanford and North Adams, respectively.

A lot has happened in the Northern Division this summer, and we’re poised for a dramatic end of the season. The rest of the way, baseball’s going to be unpredictable. Vermont’s had three straight games end in walk-offs, so it’s hard to pretend that baseball is even remotely predictable. Regardless of what happens, the NECBL is witnessing one of their closest divisional races in league history.