Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2011

Playoffs 2011: The Story So Far

CONCORD -- Things have been happening at a fast and furious clip in Muckraker Land, so perhaps a quick updating is in order while we all catch our breath.

Let's just say Muckraker Nation has to be very proud of its lads as they have gotten off to a sensational start in the D League Playoffs. The postseason version of the 'Rakers absorbed a two-run loss to the Water Boys in the opener, then got a break in the next round when their opponent utterly and completely failed to show, resulting in a forfeit.

The 'Rakers took advantage on Sunday, when they derailed their old D-League South buddies Trainwreck 20-12 in perhaps the Mucksters' finest all-round effort of the season.

The solid showing advances Los Muckeros in the loser's bracket, where they next play on Friday at 7:25 p.m. on Field 3 against I'd Hit That.

Should the Men of Muck prevail Friday, they would play next on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 8:25 p.m. on Field 3.

A little background on the 'Rakers' next foe: I'd Hit That was the second-place team in Friday D-North, where it finished 8-4.

In all, it's shaping up to be quite a tournament. If you haven't caught a game yet, there's still plenty of room on the Muckrakers bandwagon. But be careful; things are moving pretty quickly these days.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

After Trainwreck, Muckrakers On Board for Playoffs

CONCORD -- As the former great coach Jim Mora once memorably said: "Playoffs??!!??"

Yes, Jimmy old boy, playoffs.

For the first time in four years, the Muckrakers will dip their toes into the postseason waters by virtue of their third-place finish in the D-League South. After a regular-season-ending 18-12 loss to Trainwreck, the 'Rakers (6-6) will take on the Waterboys (10-2) at 9 a.m. on Field 4. The Men of Muck will have another game on Saturday and will be attempting to play their way into more action on Sunday, so much weekend play beckons for the scrappy ballclub.

It's been a lean time playoff-wise for the Muckrakers of late, but all that is resolved come Saturday. The last time the Masters of Muckaggedon played beyond the regular season was the 2007 fall league, when they went 3-1 in the postseason. Before that, there was the epic 2007 summer campaign, when the 'Rakers dropped their playoff opener (also a 9 a.m. tilt) then ran off an improbable five-game winning string, only to see the surge come to a halt in a season-ending forfeit.

In 2006 the Mucksters were one-and-done in the fall playoffs. In the 'Rakers' Blog Era (2005-present) the team has made the playoffs three times and played 12 games, going 8-4.

But before Los Muckeros could try to add to their playoff lore, there was the tiny matter of completing their regular season. With the playoffs already clinched, the 'Rakers dropped their decision to Trainwreck on Field 2.

The Mucksters did their best to take some momentum into the playoffs but just fell a little short in this one. The 'Rakers scored five times in the third inning and three times in the sixth, and got a two-run home run from Matt Knauff in the top of the seventh, but it was not to be. Again, the Men of Muck proved to be a little snake-bit at the plate, with well-struck line drives finding Trainwreck gloves, but that's life in the fast lane. Perhaps it all had something to do with the full moon that was out that night, and thanks to leadoff man/team astronomer Dave Alcorn for that observation. Most likely there will not be a full moon at 9 a.m. this Saturday, so the 'Rakers should be in good shape in that department.

In any case, the 'Rakers have had their playoff bats stowed away for the past few seasons. It's time to break'em out and swing'em, and continue to swing'em robustly throughout the weekend. Playoffs, here we come.

Playoff message

From the manager's desk:

Muckrakers,
Looks like we are indeed going to finish third and will open the playoffs on Field 4 at 9 a.m. We play the first-place team of the Sunday night D/E League which is the Water Boys (10-2). If we win we'll be playing at 4 p.m. on Field 4 later that day. If we lose we play again at 8:40 p.m. on Field 2. Also depending which bracket we come out of, we'll either have a 10:10 a.m. or 2:40 game on Sunday. Let me know your status for this weekend on the playoffs. Thanks!


Chris Wagnon
Weeklies Copy Desk Chief
Bay Area News Group-East Bay
925-943-8209
cwagnon@bayareanewsgroup.com