The 2023 Roger Dorn Baseball League Playoffs have arrived with 14 games set to start Monday afternoon. As the scores reset to zero, the pressure builds as the RDBL looks to crown a Champion in their 10th season of play.
The Returnees
The Spokane Fightin' Fish and Mission Viejo Maulers the only teams to reach the Playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. The Fightin' Fish captured their second Regular Season Title on Sunday, capping off a dominant season that saw them lead the RDBL in both hitting and pitching. The Fish won their third consecutive Masters Division Title and fifth overall, setting a new RDBL Record.
A New Champion?
The Lunatic Fringe or Idaho Taters will need to accomplish the feat of going from Wild Card to RDBL Champion to avoid a repeat winner in 2023. The Spokane Fightin' Fish are the lone multi-Champion with Titles in in 2016 and 2018 while the Lake Merced Goutfish (2021), Mission Viejo Maulers (2017) and Mt. Diablo Devils (2015) each have one.
The Maulers (2017) and Burlingame Blue Ducks (2019) are the only Champions to be crowned from the Wild Card spot.
Who's Hot
Julio Rodriguez (Fish): Ranks second in scoring over last 28 days, slashing .404/.451/.663 with 15 extra base hits.
George Kirby (Goutfish): 2.48 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his last 32 2/3 IP.
Mookie Betts (Devils): Leads all RDBL Hitters in points over the last 28 days, slashing .464/.514/.814
Matt Olson (Fringe): Ranks fourth in scoring over last 28 days while launching eight home runs.
Spencer Strider (Taters): Fifth in Pitcher Scoring over last 28 days, posting a 2.37 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
Luis Castillo (Maulers): 2.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with 100.0 points over last 27.0 IP.
Who's Not
Dansby Swanson (Fish): Just 16-for-90 (.178) over last 28 days.
Clay Holmes (Goutfish): 12.46 ERA and 2.54 WHIP over last 21 days (4.0 IP).
Pitching Staff (Devils): Own a 5.17 Team ERA over last 14 Days
Jameson Taillon (Fringe): 6.08 ERA over last 26.0 IP
Taters Offense: Hitting just .234/.320/.407, ranking 13th in offense over last 14 Days.
Matt Chapman (Maulers): Hitting just .190 over last 28 days with four extra base hits while battling a finger injury.
The Money
The RDBL Champion will receive $500, 2nd Place is awarded $275 with 3rd Place receiving $100. The Spokane Fightin' Fish were the first team to cross $4,000 in career earnings and will enter the Playoffs at $4,715, seeking to be the first team to cross the $5,000 mark.
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