While the Boise Hawks were eliminated early from the playoffs, Kane County and Daytona are still alive. Daytona has a chance to repeat as Florida State League Champions and Kane County is chasing a Midwest League Championship after dominating the league all season long.
Kane County, and the Cubs in general, created a mild controversy by sending Mike Olt on a rehab outing during the playoffs. That controversy was created by the Brewers not being happy about a MLB player contributing in a Class A playoff.
For second straight game, Mike Olt homers for Class A Kane County in playoffs vs. Wisconsin. #Brewers not real excited about him playing.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) September 5, 2014
Mike Olt participating was perfectly acceptable in the Midwest League, mind you. It was just as acceptable as the mediocre Wisconsin Timber Rattlers being allowed to participate after finishing the season 72-67, 18 games behind Kane County in a short, best of 3 series. The complaint lodged by the Brewers (privately, and disclosed by their beat writers) is note worthy whining (which may or may not be linked to the free fall happening at the MLB level). Tom Haudricourt, the Brewers’ beat writer for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel suggested, incorrectly, the the Cubs had two other teams above the Midwest League (in later deleted tweets) still in action. At that point, the only other affiliate the Cubs had was rainy Daytona, which is far away from Wrigley and not the best place to test a strained hamstring, but did not stop this garbage…
Cubs must really covet that Midwest League title. They have Mike Olt playing for Class A Kane County on a "rehab" assignment.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) September 4, 2014
Kane County was the runaway best team in that league. Furthermore, Olt’s 3 RBI in Game 1 did not change the outcome of a 7-3 win and if the Timber Rattlers had scored after the 4th inning of a 13 inning Game 2, Olt’s 8th inning HR would have been rendered meaningless, as well. A footnote of this discussion is that Mike Olt was scheduled to hit in the 9th inning of Game 2 with 1 out and the bases loaded. He was removed for a pinch hitter. But you stay classy, Brewers…
Boise Hawks Eliminated from playoffs in NWL South Division Round
The playoffs were a short endeavor for the Hawks this season, getting eliminated in 2 games. Jake Stinnett started Game 1, working 5 innings and allowing 2 hits and an unearned run. Young short stop Gleyber Torres finished the series 1-7. Overall, the Hawks finished the season with a 40-37 record.
Kane County Cougars Win West Division Championship Series 2-0
Kane County opened the playoffs with a 2-0 sweep over Brewers affiliate, Wisconsin. Mike Olt, on a rehab assignment, hit 2 HRs, the second tying Game 2 in the 8th inning, helping lead the Cougars to the sweep. In the West Division Championship Series, the Cougars scored 4 runs late to claim a 5-2 win over Cedar Rapids and a 1-0 series lead, and surged late in Game 2 to claim another 2-0 sweep to advance to the Midwest League Championship Series. Carlos Penalver went 3-4 with 2 RBI in the clinching game on Sunday night and Paul Blackburn threw 5 shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out 7.
Daytona Cubs Trail 2-1 in the Best of 5 Florida State League Championship Series
The D-Cubs won their first round, FSL North Division Championship Series 2-0, over Dunedin with 11-1 and 9-4 victories. Kyle Schwarber hit a grand slam in Game 1 to put the game out of reach early. In the FSL Championship Series, they fell down 2-0 early in the series on the road, before claiming Game 3. Game 4 was postponed by rain on Sunday night, and barring anymore weather delays, the Florida State League will crown a champion either Monday or Tuesday evening in Daytona.
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