Playoffs Races, Junio 17 — Clinching scenarios

As expected, the decisive week of this 63rd National Series of Cuban baseball has arrived. So soon we hope to answer our questions about who will make the playoffs. You probably have as many questions as one for each team with even the slightest chance of ranking. Remember that we are in Play off Races, so I will answer everything you need to know.

Team: Artemisa (33-36)

Current place in the standings: 11th

What is the most likely scenario for qualifying for the playoffs?: The Hunters have six games left to play. If they win them all, 39 is the most wins they could achieve. To aspire to qualify with that number of victories they would have to be tied with Ciego de Ávila, Villa Clara or Industriales, against whom the Hunters won this year's series. Obviously, for that to happen, the Pirates would have to sweep Industriales. And, if that were not enough, Camagüey would also have to sweep Ciego de Ávila, which seems quite unlikely. Otherwise, if they are tied with Matanzas, Guantánamo or Sancti Spíritus, the Hunters will be eliminated.

The six games left for Artemisa?: Three this week against Pinar del Río at home, and three (which will be rescheduled) against Las Tunas at the Julio Antonio Mella stadium.

Team: Villa Clara (36-36)

Current place in the standings: 10th

What is the most likely scenario for qualifying for the playoffs?: Villa Clara has to sweep Holguín and finish the regular season with 39 wins. The next combination is for teams like Industriales, Guantánamo and Sancti Spíritus—who lost this year's series against Villa Clara—to finish with 39 wins. Villa Clara has won its last five games and, even if it manages to sweep Holguín, it will still not be guaranteed a place in the playoffs. The Leopards will be forced to wait for the results of their contenders.

After 12 seasons, this has been the closest the Indians have come to making the playoffs. Photo: Radio Bayamo.

Team: Guantánamo (37-35)

Current place in the standings: 9th

What is the most likely scenario for qualifying for the playoffs?: They are in ninth place for having lost the series (4-1) against the Sancti Spíritus this season. So, to break the 13-year drought without reaching the playoffs, Guantánamo needs two key results this week: first, sweeping Santiago de Cuba in its last series of the year. And, at the same time, that their three victories are combined with at least one defeat for Sancti Spíritus against Cienfuegos. Either way, if Guantánamo fails to make the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, there is no doubt that they have been the “surprise” team of the year.

Team: Sancti Spíritus (37-35)

Current place in the standings: 8th

What is the most likely scenario for qualifying for the playoffs?: After winning nine of their last 10 games, the Roosters have the best chance of taking one of the last tickets to the postseason. If they sweep Cienfuegos, they will be unreachable by Artemisa, Villa Clara and Guantánamo.

If they manage to reach 40 victories, Industriales (39-33), Ciego de Ávila (39-33) and Matanzas (39-33) would be unattainable by Artemisa and Villa Clara, who could only reach 39 successes if they win all their remaining games . The other interesting point here is that Pinar del Río has not yet secured first place in the standings. The Leñadores de Las Tunas, current national champions, are 2.0 games backs Pinar del Río (46-24), but have 11 games left to play. It is also valid to remember that the Granma vs Las Tunas series is 1-1, and the Alazanes can still climb to second place in the standings of this regular season.

After this midweek, weather conditions permitting, we will know who the eight qualifiers are for the playoffs. Perhaps we will still have to wait for the rescheduled games to define the places of each team, but this will be a key week in the 63rd National Series of Cuban baseball.

I hope you have a great week, and keep coming back to our column. Remember: baseball doesn't stop.