The field is set for the 2021 Playoffs as the Regular Season came to an end on Sunday with the Lake Merced Goutfish capturing their first Regular Season Title in Franchise History and their second Peninsula Division Title.
The Asti Grape Stompers and Spokane Fightin' Fish captured the East Bay and Masters Divisions while the Alamo Short Stacks, Honolulu Hammerheads and Las Vegas Aristocrats rounded out the Playoff group with Wild Card berths.
It was quite a competitive year across the RDBL with the Playoff race going down to the final week for eight teams. In the end, two teams from each Division would go on to receive pennants and a chance at the ultimate prize of the Roger Dorn Baseball League Championship Trophy.
*Stats/Rankings reflect numbers entering play Sunday
Lake Merced Goutfish
Peninsula Division Champions
Overall: 1st | Hitting: 1st | Pitching: 1st
Top Hitter: Cedric Mullins, 414.5
Top Pitcher: Freddy Peralta, 412.0
The Goutfish posted one of the most dominant seasons in Roger Dorn Baseball League History, controlling the standings from Period 7 on while winning the Regular Season by an eye-popping 550 points. The club enters with some concerns however, as they have failed to post a 300+ period in each of the last four weeks while posting a 4.30 Team ERA over that span.
Who's Hot:
Yordan Alvarez (Slugging .659 Over Last 28 Days)
Tommy Edman (.303/.364/.465 over Last 28 Days)
Matt Chapman (Slugging 679 over Last 21 Days)
Who's Not:
Manny Machado (Slugging .276 Over Last 21 Days)
Jose Berrios (8.76 ERA, 2.35 WHIP, -25.0 Points over last three starts)
Lance Lynn (5.57 ERA over last 21.0 IP)
Activations
The Goutfish held off on both Yordan Alvarez and Dylan Cease this season, confident their current roster had enough firepower to take them to the Playoffs. The move paid off though injuries have Atkinson anxious to make the move and get the duo into their lineup.
Health
Outside of some lingering effects to Fernando Tatis, Jr. as he manages a recurring shoulder issue and some leg soreness to Tim Anderson, the Goutfish offense is fully healthy. The Pitching Staff is another story as the club has six pitchers on the IL including standout Freddy Peralta. The bullpen took a major hit when multi-inning threat Tejay Antone lasted just five pitches in his return from the IL last week and will miss the remainder of 2021 and all of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. All eyes will be on Peralta who threw a bullpen on Friday and is expected back, possibly at the end of this week.
X-Factor
Return of Freddy Peralta to form a dynamic 1-2 punch with Lance Lynn at the top of the Goutfish rotation.
Outlook
The addition of Alvarez and Cease to the lineup will be significant, giving Atkinson more flexibility across both units to play matchups over the final five periods. The club remains the favorite in the Playoffs, but a shaky pitching staff over the last month will need to button things up or the club will face some heat at the top of the standings.
Asti Grape Stompers
East Bay Division Champions
Overall: 2nd | Hitting: 6th | Pitching: 4th
Top Hitter: Cedric Mullins, 414.5
Top Pitcher: Freddy Peralta, 412.0
The Grapes have sat steadily in the top three since Period 12, driven by a deep pitching staff led by baseball's best pitcher Walker Buehler and an offense that is returning to health and quite dangerous. While Buehler and Shohei Ohtani have stolen the headlines, Robbie Ray has been as good as anyone in the American League while ranking third in all of baseball with 192 strikeouts to pair with a 2.72 ERA and 452.0 points.
Who's Hot:
Walker Buehler (Leads All Pitchers with 589.0 Points, 105.0 over last 4 Outings)
Robbie Ray (1.59 ERA, 126.0 Points over Last 34.0 IP)
Ketal Marte (.315/.370/.554 Over Last 28 Days)
Who's Not:
Joey Gallo (Hitting .159 Over Last 28 Days)
Lou Trivino (10.12 ERA Over Last 14 Days)
Nick Ahmed (Hitting .111 Over Last 14 Days)
Activations
Short of a Bobby Witt, Jr. late season promotion, the Grapes look to be set for the Playoffs with their current Active Roster and are not expected to dip into their Minor Leagues for help.
Health
Big off-season addition George Springer has appeared in just 49 games this year, but his return to the lineup couldn't be more timely for GM Terry Shelley as the slugger is expected to be available Monday. With Springer back, the attention turns to Clayton Kershaw who is expected to throw an an extended bullpen session in the coming days and could make an impact late in the Playoffs. Trevor Rogers (personal) just completed his second rehab start and could be back as soon as this weekend for the Grapes. Catcher Yasmani Grandal made his long awaited return to the lineup Friday, slugging three home runs over the weekend and is fully healthy for the stretch drive.
X-Factor
Workload of Shohei Ohtani down the stretch, especially on the mound for a non-playoff Angels club.
Outlook
If Ketal Marte and Springer can drive the offense alongside Freddie Freeman, the Grapes have as dangerous of a roster as any in the RDBL thanks to the best rotation going (3.18 Team ERA leads the RDBL). Buehler, Ray, Ohtani, Rogers and Marcus Stroman can easily bridge the gap to a Kershaw return with the Grapes having eyes on making up for a flop in the 2019 Playoffs and capturing their first RDBL Title.
Spokane Fightin' Fish
Masters Division Champions
Overall: 3rd | Hitting: 5th | Pitching: 2nd
Top Hitter: JD Martinez, 348.0
Top Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, 443.0
The Fightin' Fish have found a way to battle through significant attrition to the top of the pitching rotation to capture their third Division Title and come within 6.0 points of a 2nd place finish. The club has their current arms buzzing at the right time while deadline acquisitions have boosted the offense into a steady force. With $484 in total salary on the roster, pending injury returns could have GM Michael Tirabassi juggling with the in-season salary cap weekly to field the best roster.
Who's Hot:
Giancarlo Stanton (Slugging .632 Over Last 28 Days)
Gerrit Cole (1 ER over last 3 starts and 17 2/3 IP)
Jordan Romano (0 ER last 10 IP with 16/2 K/BB)
Who's Not:
Trevor Bauer's Eligibility
Trevor Story (.182/.297/.345 Over Last 55 ABs)
Craig Kimbrel (7.84 ERA, 0.0 Points Over Last 28 Days)
Activations
Sources close to the club indicate their current plan is to hold back on third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes who is surprisingly hitting just .220/.290/.319 over 91 at-bats this season and left Sunday's game with a bruised hand.
Health
The IL list for the Fish looks like a potential All-Star team with Jesse Winker, Trevor Bauer, Shane Bieber and Pablo Lopez among the players on the shelf. Winker (ribs) has resumed baseball related activities and figures to be back in the early portion of the Playoffs while Lopez (shoulder), Bieber (shoulder) and Bauer (suspension) are all question marks to return.
X-Factor
Return dates for injured stars Bieber and Winker
Outlook
The Fightin' Fish did a terrific job of loading up on depth as Charlie Morton, Luis Castillo and Kyle Freeland are getting hot at the right time behind ace Gerrit Cole. If the club can get Winker back into the lineup, a rejuvenated Giancarlo Stanton and breakout infielder Jonathan India could be enough to keep this club in the hunt for their third RDBL Championship. All eyes internally will be on Trevor Story, who was acquired for a 1st Round Selection and pitching prospect Casey Mize on Draft night, but has been an overall disappoint to date.
Alamo Short Stacks
Wild Card Winners
Overall: 4th | Hitting: 3rd | Pitching: 5th
Top Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 452.0
Top Pitcher: Brandon Woodruff, 499.0
The Stacks enter the 2021 Playoffs quietly confident as the club has led the RDBL in scoring since the All-Star Break with recent returns of Eloy Jimenez and Alex Bregman to the lineup. Mid-Season acquisition John Means has posted just three quality starts for the club since moving over from the Meinert Hops, leaving their starting rotation with less depth than the club had anticipated.
The Stacks are all-in on this season, trading each of their first three rounds of picks for 2022 as well as multiple well-regarded prospects in search of their first League Title.
Who's Hot
Frankie Montas (14 IP, 4 H, 0 ER in last 2 Outings)
Bryce Harper (2nd in Hitter Scoring Since the All-Star Break)
Ty France (.343/.382/.569 Over Last 28 Days)
Who's Not
Yu Darvish (6.32 ERA over Last 3 Starts)
John Means (5.61 ERA over Last 5 Starts)
Trey Mancini (Hitting .213 in Last 89 ABs)
Activations
Despite a home run Sunday and some improved at-bats, Jarred Kelenic is expected to serve as simply an emergency option for the Stacks in the Playoffs. The same goes for Logan Gilbert who's promising campaign has been sidetracked by a trio of shaky starts that have left him on the outside looking in for a Playoff activation.
Health
The Stacks were dealt a blow with the season-ending core injury to Rhys Hoskins who had provided valuable power throughout the year. The early reports on right-hander Jon Gray don't appear promising after leaving his start Saturday in Los Angeles which could be a dent to the club's starting depth.
X-Factor
Young lefties Tarik Skubal and Julio Urias will need to be cornerstones of the rotation with recent shaky production from Yu Darvish and John Means.
Outlook
The Stacks boast the league's top offense following their deadline additions, pacing the RDBL in scoring over the last 28 days at the plate. With threats up and down the lineup, the pressure falls on the pitching staff to keep pace if the Stacks are going to stay in the hunt for the RDBL Title over the next five periods.
Honolulu Hammerheads
Wild Card Winners
Overall: 5th | Hitting: 7th | Pitching: 3rd
Top Hitter: Austin Riley, 386.0
Top Pitcher: Corbin Burnes, 431.0
The Hammerheads internally expected to be here at the start of the 2021 season but there's unquestionably a sense of "what if" inside the building as the club has been dealt a series of injuries that has tested their depth over the last two months. There was no bigger blow across the RDBL than the loss of Jacob deGrom who has now had more MRI's in 2021 than games started, yet still managed to produce 412.0 points in a mind blowing 92.0 innings of work.
The club is far from hanging their heads and reinforcements like Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Rodon, Sean Manaea, Kolten Wong and Matt Boyd have solidified a roster with a slew of IL returnees (Byron Buxton/Ian Anderson) giving the Heads a dangerous group heading into the Playoffs.
Who's Hot
Austin Riley (.368/.402/.579 Over Last 28 Days)
Wade Miley (2.05 ERA over last 30.0 IP)
Corbin Burnes (1.67 ERA over last 27.0 IP)
Who's Not
Sean Manaea (9.90 ERA, -40.0 Points Over Last 28 Days)
Joc Pederson (Hitting .125 Over Last 21 Days)
Liam Hendricks (9.45 ERA, 3.0 Points Over Last 21 Days)
Activations
The Hammerheads utilized a deep crop of talented prospects to bolster their big league roster, but still have some available options heading into the Playoffs. With Willson Contreras on the shelf, Top 10 catcher Tyler Stephenson is a good bet to receive his 1R/$1 contract on Monday while Jarren Duran could serve as a mid-Playoff option if the club needs depth in the outfield.
Alex Kirilloff would have been perfectly positioned for a Monday activation but a wrist injury has ended his season.
Health
The Heads have 12 players currently on the IL, but all eyes on are deGrom who threw earlier in the week. It's hard to envision multiple starts from the right-hander given the injury and position the New York Mets find themselves in, but even one start to end the season could be a major boost for the Heads.
Willson Contreras (knee) and Adbert Alzolay (hamstring) appear to be the closest to returning while Kenta Maeda (elbow) and Patrick Sandoval (back) are done for the year.
X-Factor
Byron Buxton was playing at an MVP-level prior to injuries derailing his season yet again. He's finally back in the Heads lineup but is 0-for-11 since returning from the IL Friday and will need to be a force for a lineup lacking some thump from the outfield position.
Outlook
A red-hot Corbin Burnes and Wade Miley coupled with the return of Ian Anderson and Carlos Rodon have the Heads confident they can make some noise in the coming weeks. That will shift the attention to the offense which ranks 8th in scoring over the last month. If that unit can turn up the heat, the Heads could be the club that duplicates the Mission Viejo Maulers run of 2017 and claim their first title in Franchise History.
Las Vegas Aristocrats
Wild Card Winners
Overall: 6th | Hitting: 4th | Pitching: 8th
Top Hitter: Marcus Semien, 383.0
Top Pitcher: Max Scherzer, 461.0
The Aristocrats were hesitant to dive into the trade market in the weeks leading up the deadline, but jumped in with both feet to acquire Max Scherzer in a move that proved to be the difference maker in beating out the Cloverdale Clovers for the final Wild Card spot. The 'Crats have been a steady force at the plate all season, with a deep roster of veteran hitters with seven different players projected for 375+ seasons.
The club has been driven by Marcus Semien who has a team-high 383.0 points and has been the league's best bang for the buck for the last two seasons of RDBL play at just $3. With Max Fried rolling alongside Joe Musgrove and Zack Greinke, the 'Crats are ready to make some noise in September with hopes of a return from co-ace Chris Bassitt.
Who's Hot:
Starling Marte (.337/.358/.471 Over Last 28 Days)
Max Scherzer (1.55 ERA, 109.0 Points Over Last 28 Days)
Max Fried (1.36 ERA, 125.0 Points Over Last 28 Days)
Who's Not:
Mark Canha (.152 AVG Over Last 28 Days)
Nolan Arenado (.208 AVG Over Last 28 Days)
Adam Frazier (.172 AVG, 7.0 Points Over Last 21 Days)
Activations
The 'Crats could lean on Carter Kieboom who has had steady playing time since the All-Star Break in Washington with mixed results.
Health
Already without Stephen Strasburg (neck) for the season, the 'Crats were dealt another big blow as a line drive in Chicago sidelined Chris Bassitt (eye) who was among the hottest pitchers in baseball. There's some hope Bassitt will return in September with James McCann (back), Cavan Biggio (neck) and Kole Calhoun (hamstring) all appear close to returns.
The club will get a boost in the outfield Monday as Raimel Tapia (toe) is expected back in the lineup.
X-Factor
The pitching staff has taken over as the strength of the club in recent weeks with seven offensive starters hitting .200 or under over the last 21 days. That will need to change starting Monday for the 'Crats to make an impact in September.
Outlook
The 'Crats have a balanced roster on paper and a veteran offense seems ready to turn up their production with the lights getting brighter in the final five periods of the season. The duo of Fried and Scherzer have been arguably the best in the baseball over the last month. If the 'Crats can get Bassitt back in the fold and a hot streak from Musgrove or Greinke, they will be a team to watch over the next month.
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