Minor League Showdown Between Mets and Yankees Affiliates

From the desks of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

EASTERN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

GAME ONE

Trenton

Thunder

vs.

Binghamton

Rumble Ponies

FROM
NYSEG STADIUM

Binghamton Rumble Ponies: New York Mets Upstate Club Set to Face Yankees Affiliate in (AA) Eastern League Semi-Finals.

It's not exactly the Subway Series; no crosstown rivalry here.  But because the Mets triple-A affiliate plays in the PCL, and the Yankees top farm club plays in the International League, the upcoming playoff match-up pitting the Binghamton Rumble Ponies against the Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League's division playoff is perhaps the next closest thing.

In fact, I'm looking forward to it.

On Wednesday, the post-season commences throughout the MiLB landscape.

As they say in Binghamton, 

The Road to Queens Runs Through Rumble Town

Only problem is, the road to the Eastern League championship series goes through Trenton.  With a 92-48 regular season record, the (AA-Yankees) Thunder won the Eastern Division handily, by six games over the second place (AA-Mets) Rumble Ponies, whom nonetheless posted a stellar 85-54 (.612) regular season record.

I timed my most recent road trip so as to catch last Sunday's game in Binghamton.  I thought the team's early-afternoon decision postponing the game was hasty.  It rained throughout the previous night and through the morning ... yes.  But as indicated by weather forecasts, all rain had ceased by mid-afternoon (considering a 6:35pm start time).  A sign posted at the ticket office stated the game was ultimately called due to unfavorable field conditions.

Plausible ... I guess.  At least the geese enjoyed themselves.

My initial plan was to catch Sunday's game in Binghamton, then trek again to New Jersey for Labor Day's 1pm game in Trenton.  With a planned overnight stay in a Binghamton hotel, we stuck around for Monday's 1pm game then headed home.

The division series starts on Wednesday in Binghamton, with Game Two on Thursday.  Friday's Game Three (Four, Five if necessary) will be in Trenton.  The winner moves on the Eastern League championships against the winner of Altoona Curve/Bowie Baysox series.

I'm looking forward to third baseman David Thompson and recently promoted 

first baseman Peter Alonso (pictured above alongside L.J. Mazzilli) competing against Trenton.

Affiliates: 2017 Mets vs. Yankees Comparison

AAA  Pacific Coast League: (NYM) Las Vegas 51s - last place.
AAA  International League: (NYY) Scranton/WB RailRiders - first place.

AA  Eastern League: (NYM) Binghamton Rumble Ponies - second place
AA  Eastern League: (NYY) Trenton Thunder - first place.

A+  Florida State League: (NYM) St. Lucie Mets - last place.
A+  Florida State League: (NYY) Tampa Yanks - first place.

A  South Atlantic League: (NYM) Colombia Fireflies - last place.
A  South Atlantic League: (NYY) Charleston River Dogs - first place.

A-  New York Penn League: (NYM) Brooklyn Cyclones - last place.
A-  New York Penn League: (NYY) Staten Island Yankees - first place.