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California League Mid-season Report

The first half of the California League season has come to a close, and a few questions have been answered. For one, could the San Jose Giants win without Lenn Sakata? Yes. Could Steve Decker replicate his success at Salem-Keizer. Yes. Did the Stockton Ports deserve all the hype? Yes. Was Lancaster going to replicate last season’s success? Yes…well kind of. Were the Storm going to follow up last season’s championship appearance with a strong season? Ah, well, yes…I guess…They finished the first half of the season tied second in their division anyway.

Come to think of it, one big question has emerged. What the heck is going on in the South Division? If not for a late season push by Lancaster, the first place team in the South would have had an equal or worse record than last place team in the North, which is exactly what we have seen for much of the season. The last place teams in the North Division, Modesto and Visalia (tied), would have been only 2 games behind Lancaster in the South. Meanwhile the San Jose Giants, who just a week before the mid-season finish appeared to be pulling away, stalled a bit before managing to hold off surging Stockton to take the first half title. The first place finish guarantees them a spot in the playoffs. For all its efforts, Stockton will have to wait until season’s end to see their post season hopes realized, although they are in great position. Meanwhile, Lancaster, with the only record above .500 in the South at 36-34, guaranteed themselves a place in the postseason.

The league has really become a league of two teams, San Jose and Stockton. Only the JetHawks (who have been hot of late) and surprising Bakersfield Blaze (who have cool of late) have better than .500 records, both at 36-34.

So here are our biggest surprises, disappointments, and what to look for in the second half of the season.

Biggest surprise: Bakersfield Blaze. These guys came close to taking the lead in the tough North Division a few weeks ago before fading as the first half came to a close, but with the third best record in the Cal League, they are a far cry from the team that went 57-83 through the entire season last year.

Biggest disappointment: The entire South Division. Only one team above .500, and that team is only one game above .500. 

What to look for: Stockton. With a playoff spot locked-up, San Jose doesn’t have as much to play for, while Stockton has something to prove. That doesn’t mean San Jose is going away. This team is so much better than the rest of the league right now, that they should continue to contend through the second half the season. In the South, look for the Lake Elsinore Storm, who have made a recent tradition of late season surges, to come on stronger and emerge as the best of the rest of the league.

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