The playoffs kick off in three competitions:

Division 1 Baseball

Playoffs

Four teams advance to the semifinals, facing off over two weekends in a best-of-five series. The first two games are this weekend, with Toulouse hosting Rouen and Montpellier welcoming Savigny. We’ve already analyzed the potential of all four teams, and it seems Rouen has the best chances based on their season performance, especially since they’ll host the remaining games next weekend.

The matchup between Savigny and Montpellier is tighter based on their regular season performances. The JFL rules are slightly different from the championship: 10 innings must be pitched by a JFL, and only two games must be started by a JFL. Clearly, foreign pitchers will see more action in these final stages.

Note that Toulouse and Rouen play their first game on Saturday and the second on Sunday, while Montpellier and Savigny face off all day Sunday.

Editor’s prediction: Split among all teams

Relegation

No playoff down this year; only the seventh and eighth-placed teams face off, with the loser earning a ticket to Division 2. Clearly, Montigny has an advantage with their foreign pitchers against Sénart, plus a second advantage as they start at home.

Editor’s prediction: Split between the two teams

Division 2 Baseball

Playoffs

First, the third and second-placed teams from both pools face off this Saturday and Sunday in a best-of-three series. It starts with Nice against the PUC in southern France. First time these two teams meet since Division 1 last year when they faced off. Next, Clermont-Ferrand travels to Bréal sous Monfort. Another first meeting between these two teams.

Béziers and Valenciennes, first in their pools, will wait until next weekend to enter the semifinals.

Editor’s prediction: Bréal qualifies, and Nice does too in the third game.

Relegation

Several matches still to play before the final standings are known on the weekend of October 5th to determine the relegated teams, knowing that Anglet has already withdrawn and will compete in Division 3 next year.

Division 1 Softball

In a best-of-five series, it’s the final between Evry and Saint-Raphaël. The first two games are this weekend in Evry. The two teams met four times in the regular season, and each time, the Comanches of Saint-Raphaël won. They also faced off twice in the France Challenge, where Evry dominated both games. Next weekend will reveal the French champions.

Editor’s prediction: Split between the two teams

It’s highly likely, barring surprises, that no matches from these competitions will be broadcast.