Division 2 has been rolling since late March, and we’re already at the 11th matchday. Only four rounds remain, including a reserve weekend: two postponed matches between Rouen and Valenciennes.
For Pool B, the dice are cast for the playoffs. Béziers and Clermont are first and second in the pool and should stay put. At worst, a swap between the two teams is still possible. Meyzieu and Eysines are comfortably in the middle of the table. La Rochelle and Anglet will battle to avoid relegation by then.
For Pool A, uncertainty is the name of the game, especially with Rouen 2 still in the mix for second or even first place. Clearly, the postponed match between Valenciennes and Rouen will settle things, especially since it’s followed by Rouen vs. Sénart in the 12th round. The other battle will be between Ronchin and Dunkerque to avoid joining La Guerche in potential relegation.
Looking at team stats, given the results and standings, it’s surprising to see Clermont only in 7th place (.261) and Meyzieu in 11th (.208). Sénart, Valenciennes, and Béziers are leading the pack (batting average above .300), which is expected given their results.
When looking at player stats, there’s a significant overlap between Division 1 and Division 2. Indeed, D2 leaders are also D1 players when the club has both teams, and they play for the reserve squad on weekends when possible. This makes it hard to read these stats, creating a gap between the two divisions. However, a few standouts emerge. Pilar Velasquez from Béziers has already hit 4 home runs with a .540 batting average. Swindling and Paten from Valenciennes are also power hitters. For pitchers, Paten from Valenciennes has an ERA of 1.23, while Dazell from Béziers has 1.42.
Another feature of this D2 championship is the high number of walks and strikeouts, showing weak pitching in some games and a significant skill gap between dominant pitchers and hitters in others. Three examples: 16 strikeouts for Béziers against Anglet last April, 32 runs scored by Sénart against Thiais in April as well, or six home runs by Béziers against Meyzieu in May.
It’s a championship of all possibilities. We’ll talk again at the start of July for the 12th round.
