Teams in the 'AA' Division are hoping to improve their playoff seeding this weekend

Saturday, July 20

Nassau Yankees (8-14-2) vs. Legit (9-12-2) - (11 a.m. @Kennedy HS)

The double-header between the Yankees and Legit is far and away the series with the highest stakes this weekend, as a Nassau sweep would vault the Yanks ahead of the youngsters for the 8th and final playoff berth in the 'AA' Division. 

The Yankees and Legit have played three times this season, with the Yanks getting the better of the series thus far with a pair of wins. But the last meeting between the ballclubs—a June 30 twin-bill—proved how evenly matched the two teams are, with each team winning a game by a single run. From that game on, both teams have played well, with Nassau splitting a pair of double-headers against the Indians and the Mud Hens and Legit earning two decisive wins over the NY Cubs and falling to the Railsplitters. 

The season finale will hinge on two factors; whether or not Legit has its top pitchers lined up for the series and if Nassau's Dan Dworkin can revert to his 2018 form. Dworkin's last outing was a step in the right direction, as he allowed 2 unearned runs and fanned 8 batters in a 6-inning victory over the Mud Hens.

Sunday, July 21

NY Twins (19-7-1) vs. Bronx Pirates (19-6) - (11 a.m. @Kennedy HS)

In what could well be a preview of the 2019 championship series, the division’s top two teams will be squaring off on Sunday with first place on the line. The Twins come into Sunday having won nine of their last 10 games and authoring back-to-back 3-0 weekends in July. The Pirates have not dropped a game since June 23, when a short-handed Buccos squad was swept by the New York Express.

Neither team has a ton to play for, as they are almost guaranteed to finish the regular season with a firm hold on the top two spots, but this rivalry showdown should be a fun one to watch nonetheless.

NY Cubs (0-25) vs. Too Hot (14-11-2) - (11 a.m. @George Washington)

Although there are no sure things in baseball, nobody has a better chance to improve their playoff standing this week than Too Hot, which drew a winless Cubs team for its final opponent.

Too Hot and the Cubs have already met five times this season, with Too Hot winning each contest, but the Cubs have managed to keep things close with Rico Aymat’s squad at times; two of games have been decided by just one run.

New York Express (11-13-2) vs. Yonkers Railsplitters (15-12-2) - (11 a.m. @Governors Field)

Although they have struggled somewhat down the stretch, the Express remain the type of team that nobody is excited to play come playoff time. With a chance to get their regular season record to .500 this week, they should prove a formidable obstacle to a Yonkers team with designs on a third-place finish.

The two teams met for a double-header on May 11, with the Railsplitters taking both games and outscoring the Express 19-3. The edge in pitching depth will once again go to the Railsplitters, but if Robert Negron (4-2, 1.18 ERA) pitches like the ace he has proved himself to be this year, he could be a difference-maker in this series.

Cross Bronx Indians (13-11-1) vs. NYC Mud Hens (13-10-1) - (2 p.m. @College Point)

Sunday’s meeting between the Indians and the Hens is an important one for both teams, as either could see their playoff stock rise or fall dramatically depending on the outcome. Both squads need strong showing after a tough two-week stretch that saw the Mud Hens drop four of six games and the Tribe lose five of seven.

The two teams split their first meeting last week, with the Indians orchestrating a come-from-behind walk-off win to down the Hens in Game 1 and the Mud Hens bouncing back to take the nightcap. Give the Indians the edge this weekend, as manager Matt Ortiz has been adept at managing his deep bench, which should come in handy during the heat wave. The Hens, on the other hand, have struggled with injuries and absences for over a month now, and may simply not have the legs to compete for a full 14 innings.