Path to the Playoffs

Thanks to Chris D for this nice little table that lets us all know what the Bulls need to do to go forward. Note that in all cases the Bulls need the Knights to lose game(s). So keep an eye on what's going on down at Harbor Park in Norfolk.

Since we hold the tie-breaker, our scenarios for making it are:
* Win 4 & Charlotte loses 1
* Win 3 & Charlotte loses 2
* Win 2 & Charlotte loses 3
* Win 1 & Charlotte loses 4

Durham Bulls Not Quite Out of Wild Card After All

• The Bulls swept Charlotte and now have a day off.
• They are [½] 1 game back of the Knights
• Knights have 4 games against the Norfolk Tides
• The Bulls have 4 games against the Gwinnett Braves, starting Friday
• Bulls need to win most; Charlotte need to lose most
• The Bulls are officially out of the IL South Division Race

Things still very interesting in the IL North

See Chris D's grid. & Thanks for edit.
... c

Durham Bulls Play Themselves Out of IL Wild Card

• Lost 10 of last 12 games
• 6 of 7 in this home stand
• Bulls play a couple of games in Charlotte and a couple more games against Gwinnett here at DBAP. 
• This has been a difficult month for players and fans

Durham Bulls Season — 11 Games Left — End of the Road?

Yesterday's Games

Charlotte Knights 3, Durham Bulls 0

Gwinnett Braves 6; Norfolk Tides 2

I'm not sure I can continue with this daily update. I confess that what I had hoped, and expected, to do was chronicle the Durham Bulls' rise into the lead of the South Division. Instead, what we've seen is a continuance of the Rays' callous regard for the Bulls and a slide into near-oblivion. These four games against the Knights was their chance, but a team with the 13th worst ERA in the International League has beaten them three games in a row. IL Standings.

It seems to me that the Rays gave up on the Bulls' potential as a team around mid-July. We talked about some of that here. But it has not let up, 15 transactions in the last week.

As a last sad comment, we talked about the importance of run differentials a while ago.

Here's the trend:

By the way, interesting end-of-season race going on in the International League North.

Durham Bulls — 12 Games Left

• Bulls lose 6 of last 7 games. 
• Sliding out of contention for anything.
• Opening pitcher goes to 1-5 with an ERA of 8.12. Why is he at AAA?
• Rehabbing Rays go 0 for 8 at bat

August 20 Results

Charlotte Knights 9; Durham Bulls 3

Gwinnett Braves 1; Norfolk Tides 5

Durham Bulls — 13 Games Left

• Drop a full game in wild card
• 3½ behind Gwinnett
• 10 games to go at the DBAP

August 19 Results

Charlotte Knights 13; Durham Bulls 11 — Box

Gwinnett Stripers 5; Norfolk Tides 6

Durham Bulls — 14 Games Left in Season

• Still tied with Charlotte for the wild card spot.
• 3½ games behind Gwinnett. 
• All games till end of season against either Charlotte or Gwinnett
• 11 games at the DBAP (4 v Charlotte, 7 v Gwinnett)
• Start with 7 home games, 4 v Charlotte, 3 v Gwinnett
• Bulls' fate is in their hands.

August 18 Results

Durham Bulls 10; Buffalo Bisons 7 — Box

Scranton/WB 9; Gwinnett Stripers 3
Columbus Clippers 2; Charlotte Knights 2

Note that the IL North race has suddenly gotten competitive. Standings.