The Rochester Red Wings, who have the best overall record in Triple-A, are in the midst of a critical six-game homestand against the No. 2 team that could decide whether they make the playoffs.
After Monday's 3-1 win against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (New York Yankees affiliate), the Wings are in sole possession of first place in the second-half standings. The series also serves as Rochester's final homestand before closing the regular season with six games in Buffalo.
Where are the Rochester Red Wings in the standings?
Rochester (38-26) has a slim lead over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (36-26) for the top spot in the International League. Because Scranton/Wilkes-Barre wasn't able to make up two second-half rainouts, the two teams have differing winning percentages, .594 and .581 respectively.
The Red Wings have five more games to play against the RailRiders. After that, they hop on the New York state Thruway to close out the regular season with six games in Buffalo against the Bisons (30-31). After their Rochester visit, the RailRiders finish the season with six games against the struggling Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (27-35).
How does the split season format work?
The last game of the second half is Sunday, Sept. 20.
Winning the second half would guarantee the Red Wings a place in the International League Championship Series against the first-half winner, the Memphis RedBirds (St. Louis Cardinals). Memphis has home-field advantage in the best-of-three league championship because it was the first-half winner.
The winner of that series advances to the Triple-A National Championship Game in Las Vegas to face the Pacific Coast League champion.
The Red Wings haven’t been in this spot in years
The last time the Red Wings were in the playoffs (2013), “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke (featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams) was the No. 1 song in the U.S. After 13 years without postseason baseball, the Wings are closer than they have been in years.
Red Wings hold best record in Triple-A baseball
At 83-54, Rochester holds the best overall record among all teams in the International and Pacific Coast leagues. The Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, are second with an 80-57 record.
The Red Wings had a blistering 45-28 record in the first half, but finished second to the RedBirds, who were a notch better at 47-28.
Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 32 years.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Red Wings protecting razor-thin lead in playoff race as season winds down
