The final two periods are shaping up to be the most competitive Regular Season finish in RDBL History as seven teams remain locked into a race for just six Playoff spots. The race for the Masters Division Title is a virtual lock entering Period 20 with the Spokane Fightin' Fish holding a 4.0 point edge of the Mission Viejo Maulers who are seeking their first Division Title in Franchise History.
The final two Wild Card spots remain separated by just 79.5 points with the Meinert Hops, Burlingame Blue Ducks and Lake Merced Goutfish moving up and down the standings over the last few weeks.
Here's a recap of how things shook out in Period 19.
State Farm Team of the Week: Meinert Hops, 414.5 Points
82-277, 277 AB, 9 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 36 R, 2 SB, 23 BB, 3 CS, 6 HP, 4 SF
61.2 INN, 43 HA, 15 BBI, 51 K, 13 ER, 5 W, 3 L
After posting just 265.0 points in Period 18, the Hops stormed back in Period 19 with a RDBL-high 414.5 points while moving back into 4th Place while pushing within striking distance of the Mission Viejo Maulers (65.5 back) and Spokane Fightin' Fish (69.5 back). Even without Mike Trout, who appears to be getting closer to his return, the Hops got major contributions up and down the roster led by Zac Gallen (71.0, more on him later), Shohei Ohtani (44.5 combined), Logan Webb (36.0), Cole Irvin (33.0) and Randal Grichuk (23.0).
Grichuk highlighted the savvy pickups of GM Garrett Shelley who received a combined 84.0 from recent acquisitions Grichuk, Bryan Reynolds, Thairo Estrada and Amed Rosario.
The pressure is hardy off the Hops with two periods to go with the Burlingame Blue Ducks and Lake Merced Goutfish still hot on their heels as they look to earn their first Playoff berth in Franchise History.
Pitcher of the Week: Zac Gallen, Hops, 71.0 Points
14.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 14 K, 3 BB, 2 W
Zac Gallen continued his emergence as a co-ace of the Meinert Hops with 14 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies in Period 19. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 2.94 with a 0.99 WHIP and is now on pace for a 534.0 point season at just $15. Gallen has been a key contributor to the Hops 3.04 Team ERA which would currently set a RDBL Record which was set by the St. Joseph Jokers in 2018 at 3.15.
Hitter of the Week: 3B Alex Bregman, Maulers, 36.5 Points
9-for-19, 4 HR, 2B, 6 BB
Bregman has been a monster since being acquired from the Idaho Taters, going 16-for-40 with seven home runs while posting 53.0 points in just 40 at-bats. While Josh Jung, the return from Bregman, has looked strong over the last week in his rehab, GM Chris Ferraro can rest easy with Bregman leading the way in their pursuit of their first Division Title in Franchise History.
Prospect of the Week: SS Jordan Lawlar, Grapes
Over the last 10 days, Lawlar has gone 13-for-28 with a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles while adding eight walks in a dominant stretch where he has posted 1.400 OPS. Lawlar has already reached High-A at 20 years old after being the 6th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 and looks to be on the fast track to potential stardom in the desert.
Life Insurance Player of the Week: St. Joseph Jokers
Things looked like they had bottomed out for the Jokers in Period 18 when the club posted a RDBL-low 114.0 points, but GM Rick Steen's club followed it up with a season record low 90.0 points in Period 19 which was capped off by -10.0 points on Sunday. The club managed just 40 hits in 174 at-bats while allowing 26 earned runs in 40.0 innings.
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