The Syracuse Mets (Triple-A) have a chance to be the lone New York Mets affiliate to make the playoffs. Fittingly, it comes down to the last day of the International League’s regular season.
Entering Sunday, Syracuse is a half-game back of a playoff spot. To clinch a berth, they will need to win their game and see Rochester lose their contest. Memphis, who has struggled in the second half, won the league’s first half and has already clinched a playoff berth.
Like most minor league structures, the International League is split up into two halves. Of the 20 International League teams, only two make the playoffs. The first-half winner and second-half winner; this is unrelated to divisional standings. For example, two teams from the same division (East or West) can make the playoffs.
Entering Sunday, Rochester (Washington Nationals affiliate) own a 44-30 record while Syracuse has a 43-30 record. As previously mentioned, the only way for the Mets to clinch the second-half International League title is if they win and Rochester losses.
Rochester is set to take on Buffalo at 12:05 pm ET. Buffalo is 68-78 overall and 33-38 in the second-half. The projected pitching matchup in that game is Connelly Early for Rochester and Josh Winckowski for Buffalo.
Syracuse’s game is set for a 1:05 pm ET first pitch. Xzavion Curry is set to start the game for Syracuse. Lehigh Valley’s starting pitcher is to be announced. The IronPigs are 32-41 in the second-half and are 3-7 over their last 10 games.
It has been a magical second half for Syracuse to say the least. The team has won five in a row and is 8-2 in their last 10 games. Their victory Saturday night may have been the most dramatic of the bunch as D’Andre Smith hit a walk-off two-run homer to give Syracuse life entering the last day of the regular season.
