The Perils Of A Pennant Race in Affiliated Ball

With two weeks to go, the Potomac Nationals are within striking distance of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Again.

This is the 3rd straight season these two teams have been in the running in the 2nd half for the final berth. In 2007, it was an 11-game win steak that brought the PNats within inches of a playoff berth. Last year, the two teams met in the final series of the year but with Potomac having won the 2nd half, it was mostly a matter of who would play where and when

For more than a week now, Potomac has been down a position player, thanks to the promotion of Chris Marrero. What's been so frustrating is that there seems to be no urgency to make sure this team, the only one in contention for a playoff spot, as strong as it should be. Of course, I'd prefer to have the team drop down a guy from AA, but I'm not so blind as to see that the more likely option is to promote someone from Low A.

But the answer appears to be "neither," despite Vermont having at least three players old enough to get the "social promotion" to Hagerstown.

And once again, I am reminded that rooting for an affiliated team to make the playoffs is an afterthought. Again.