As Rouen takes flight at the top of the standings, everything is still to play for in the playoffs.

Tit-for-tat

It was undoubtedly the doubleheader of the season. What a clash between Metz and La Rochelle! The two teams traded blows, with two games ending in extra innings, a first this season, and an event that hadn’t happened since April 14, 2019, and a Montigny-Metz. These two games were marked by improbable turnarounds, in which it was not good to lead the score. In game No. 1, it was Metz who took the lead before 2-0 then 4-1 in the first two innings, before La Rochelle reacted, took command in the 6th inning 5-4. The Buccaneers were one out away from victory when Paula pushed Ruiz home to tie the game in the 9th. La Rochelle took the lead in the 10th and this time closed the door for good. Reverse scenario and just as incredible in game 2. This time it was La Rochelle who pulled ahead 1-0, then Metz came back to 1-1. The Buccaneers struck hard in the 5th inning, with a 4-run push, which could have been even more profitable without a double play by Johnston. Then La Rochelle went on to increase the lead: 6-1, 7-1. The double victory seemed within reach for Pablo Ossandon’s men. Not so fast, say the Messins, who came back to 5-7 in the 7th inning. That’s good, but not enough, one might think. But in the 9th inning, it was the bottom of the Metz lineup, namely Axel and Simon Hansch, who did the job and tied the game. In extra innings, it was an error that ended the debate. Faint-hearted beware…

The Trend Continues

Since the start of the season, we’ve been talking about a championship full of suspense. Well, before the summer break, it’s never been truer. 5 teams are within 2 games, and the battle for the playoffs has never been so intense.

Let’s look at each team to play the prediction game.

Rouen 16-6. To play: Metz, La Rochelle, Sénart. Given their current form, it’s hard to see the Huskies losing often. But for the suspense, let’s say the Huskies will split these three games. Projection: 19-9.

Savigny 12-10. To play: Sénart, Montpellier, Toulouse. The strong trend of the Lions is to split their doubleheaders. With the quality of their opponents, that’s what could happen. Projection: 15-13.

Toulouse 11-9. To play: La Rochelle, Montigny, Sénart, Savigny. The Stade is on a bad streak: 3 wins in their last 8 games. We could see Toulouse getting swept by La Rochelle, splitting with Montigny, Sénart and Savigny. Projection: 14-14

Metz 10-10. To play: Montigny, Rouen, Montigny, Montpellier. Metz could beat Montigny 3 out of 4 times and split with Rouen and Montpellier. Projection: 15-13

Montpellier 10-10. To play: Montigny, La Rochelle, Savigny, Metz. The Barracudas have not been convincing for a few games. They should split their next games. Projection: 14-14

La Rochelle 9-11. To play: Toulouse, Montpellier, Rouen, Montigny. The Buccaneers are in a position to finish the season as they started: like a cannonball. Two wins against Toulouse, splits in Montpellier and Rouen, and a double victory against Montigny to finish the schedule. Projection: 15-13

Sénart: 9-13. To play: Savigny, Toulouse, Rouen. In the best-case scenario, a triple split. Projection: 12-16.

Montigny 5-13. To play: Metz, Montpellier, Toulouse, Metz, La Rochelle. The Cougars are fighting with a lot of energy, but they risk paying the price for their competition: opponents all fighting for a playoff spot, and who won’t give them any gifts. Projection 8-20.

This would place Rouen, Savigny, Metz and La Rochelle in the playoffs. We agree, it’s a rather risky prediction. But it’s the pleasure of the exercise… So, it’s up to you to make your bets…

Double Duty

The player-coaches are numerous this season. With certain success for Ivan Acuna (Lions, .333, 4 HR, 18 RBI), probably the MVP of the season, as well as for the relievers Ozanich (Barracudas, 3-0, 0.68) and Priest (Cometz, 2-1, 2.33). Perez (Stade, 7.30) was effective at the start of the season, but it’s been more complicated for the last two games. D. Mayeux (Cougars, .239) is fighting bravely within a team that is struggling. Becquey (Huskies) allowed a sure hit in two at-bats. Only Ossandon (Buccaneers), but he could certainly pitch a few innings – by the way, his assistant Briones has returned to the mound – and the veteran of the group, Boutagra (Templiers), who could certainly hit a few more sure hits, haven’t taken the plunge. Several remarks on this fact: first, coaching and playing is very complicated. It requires energy, concentration, commitment, multiplied by two, even more. And those who are doing well deserve even more credit. Secondly, it’s encouraging, because these coaches are young, therefore called to progress, to improve, and it’s important for French baseball in general to have a pool of qualified managers in the Elite. It also proves that you can stay in baseball even when your playing career is on the decline, and keep your skills through internal promotion, which is essential. Finally, we can also see this phenomenon as a sign that the clubs do not have the means to go and get experienced, even renowned, coaches from abroad, as were the Mattison at PUC, Bétancourt at Sénart, Zeilstra at Toulouse, to name just a few examples.

Play It Like Pogacar

The Huskies are crushing the championship like the Slovenian crushed the Tour de France. 11 straight wins, that’s what makes a season. The Challenge de France undoubtedly marked a break in the Rouennais’ calendar. They wanted to win it, they crashed to the ground. Since then, they have been unstoppable. If we make a ranking since this competition, it illustrates even more the dominance of the Rouennais: 1. Rouen 11-1, 2. Montpellier and Savigny 6-4, 4. Metz 7-7, 5. Sénart 6-8, 6. Montigny 4-6, 7. La Rochelle and Toulouse 3-7. Since Quentin Becquey inserted his 3 foreigners, Defries, Masson and Smith in the top 3 spots of the lineup, the Rouennais’ offensive machine has been running. In 10 games, the trio has batted .342, scored 30 runs, driven in 26, with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 19 stolen bases. Rouen is leading practically all statistical categories, in all areas. The break comes at a bad time for the Huskies: in what state will they be in September? Will their momentum have been cut or will the batteries be even more recharged? If it’s the second version that prevails, the end of the season looks difficult for the Rouennais’ opponents.

The Podiums

Pitching

1. Evertz Orozco (Savigny). The more the days go by, the more we feel he is the best pitcher of the season. He once again delivered a masterful performance, coming in relief with two runners on base in the 2nd inning, then gave Montigny no chance.

2. Mathis Nayral (Sénart). Performer Sunday after Sunday, he was once again very dominant against the strong Montpellier attack: 7 innings, 1 earned run, no walks, 7 strikeouts.

3. Shane Priest (Metz). His longest outing of the season was decisive at the end of the game. He allowed his team to come back into the game and hold on. Good job coach.

Batting

1. Yoann Antonac (Montpellier). The Barracudas’ slugger joined the « 5 club, » those who have accumulated 5 RBI in a game (Kovacs, Masson, Acuna, L. Amoros, Doat).

2. Victorien Roze. Called in as a pinch hitter in game 1, he signs a big 3 for 4, before being just as productive in his team’s victory in game 2, 2 for 5 and 2 important RBI in the 7th inning.

3. Mattéo Pierre (La Rochelle). In line with his good U18 European Championship, inserted in the 3rd spot of the lineup, he did not disappoint with 4 for 10 and 3 RBI.