The journey has been long since June 12 and 13, the opening matchday of the D1 championship.
Slowly but surely, the 2021 logic has taken hold, relentlessly.
Group A has delivered two teams that are regulars in the playoffs: Rouen and Savigny. The Cougars have shaken up the hierarchy, but the Lions, with their winning culture, have held firm in second place and will face the Templiers in the semifinals.
First in Group A vs. Second in Group B: The Huskies, who you might think have the championship wrapped up given their historic dominance (15 titles! Since 2003, they’ve only lost twice, in 2004 and 2014… maybe we’ll have to wait until 2024…), might have to wait a bit longer. Only the PUC has done better with 22 titles. The Montpellier side, second in Group B, will have their work cut out for them. A chunk of their core has returned from across the Atlantic, much to the delight of the Normandy side, who are gaining momentum and aim to avenge their defeat in the Challenge de France. The pack has already secured two wins on the road in the semifinals (0-2 and 3-4). Well played. 
The veil has also been lifted for Group B, which reveals a similarly enduring French logic… When will there be an upset? When will there be a revolution in the hexagonal championship? That said, there’s not much to say about the final results. The Templiers, the Rouen side, the Savigny team are enormous, the Barracudas (currently struggling) have been nearly unbeatable during the regular season.
Well, the Barracudas still have a chance. They’re out of options now and must finish the weekend at Stade Yves Rolland with… three wins. You call that an upset?
First in Group B vs. Second in Group A: On the other side of the beautiful story of the D1 championship, which has been on repeat for 18 years, we have the Lions, who have one match in hand against the Templiers. Sénart has only won the national title once (2014), while the Lions have had the honor of lifting the trophy three times (2001, 2002, 2004). 
The mountain to climb is almost as colossal for Savigny. We remind our dear readers that a spot in the final is decided by three wins.
So, will the Templiers lose three games this weekend? Will the Huskies lose three games this weekend? Hmm…
So far this season:
Rouen: 14-4, AVG .269, ERA 2.57
Montpellier: 17-5, AVG .280, ERA 2.21
Sénart: 19-2, AVG .304, ERA 1.98
Savigny: 10-7, AVG .279, ERA 3.44
The key statistics paint a Templier-dominated picture. Historical statistics are overwhelmingly in favor of the Huskies. We all know that statistics don’t tell the whole story. But we can all see it coming…
Baseball has always taught us that it’s full of surprises, no matter the story we’re part of.
The rest, well, this weekend! Your predictions, please!
Bracamonte vs. Paz duel.
Photo credit: Glenn Gervot
Vincent Picard
