PBL 2023 Playoff Picture: Who Needs What

As the Pioneer Baseball League enters its last week of the regular season, here's a guide to help you understand what each team needs to reach the playoffs.  

The week is highlighted by two series that will define the postseason spots, one in each division. In the South, Rocky Mountain and Grand Junction will battle for a place in the playoffs, with the series winner claiming the spot. This play-in series will put both teams in postseason mode, starting first with three games in Grand Junction from Monday to Wednesday (Sep. 4-6), and then finishing up in Colorado Springs between Thursday and Saturday (Sep 7-9). Meanwhile, up North, Glacier travels to Missoula for a Thursday to Saturday series (Sep 7-9) that will decide the second-half division winner, with Billings keeping a close eye on these games.  

Don't miss the pivotal, high-stakes last week of the regular season exclusively on FloBaseball. Click the link to experience the playoff chase, follow intense rivalries, and witness historic moments in the Pioneer Baseball League. 

North Division 

Missoula is already qualified. Billings may clinch a playoff spot if they win the division, but if Missoula emerges victorious it will be Glacier who takes the last spot in the North. Missoula hosts Glacier in a must-watch series to end the season and define the last playoff spot. Great Falls and Idaho Falls are both eliminated.  

Billings Mustangs (28-14): Must Win Division to Qualify 

Remaining Opponents: vs. Great Falls (3 games), @ Northern Colorado (3 games) 

Win and get in. It's a straightforward message to Billings, who must win the North Division to qualify for the playoffs. They host Great Falls, who are mathematically eliminated, and then travel to Northern Colorado, who might still be fighting for a playoff spot by the end of the week if they win all of their games. 

Missoula PaddleHeads (27-14 0.5 GB): Already Qualified 

Remaining Opponents: @ Boise (3 games), vs. Glacier (3 games) 

Missoula is already in the playoffs after winning the First Half in the North Division. They will play a major role in the definition of the second spot in the North, however, since they host Glacier in a three-game series to end the season. If the PaddleHeads win the division, Glacier will get a playoff spot. Missoula already has claimed the best overall record in the 2023 PBL season. 

Glacier Range Riders (22-22, 7 GB): Can Only Qualify Through Overall Standings 

Remaining Opponents: vs Idaho Falls (3 games), @ Missoula (3 games) 

Glacier has the second-best overall record, only behind Missoula who is already guaranteed in the playoffs, which may give them a path to the postseason. The Range Riders are seven games behind Billings in the Second Half, with six games remaining, so the only possible way for Glacier to reach the playoffs is if Missoula wins the Second Half in the North. Glacier must get as many wins as possible against Idaho Falls early in the week, but a playoff spot depends on the results of Billings and Missoula. If Billings drops games against Great Falls or in Northern Colorado, Glacier may qualify even with losses to Missoula. 

South Division 

Ogden is already qualified. Rocky Mountain and Grand Junction play a must-watch week-long series against each other. The Vibes have a game in hand and the advantage if the contest is split, but the Jackalopes would clinch a playoff spot if they win four games. In a way, the postseason has already started for both teams, as the series function virtually as a play-in. Northern Colorado and Boise are eliminated.  

Rocky Mountain Vibes (24-18): Must Win Division to Qualify 

Remaining Opponents: @ Grand Junction (3 games), vs Grand Junction (3 games) 

Rocky Mountain needs at least three wins in six games against Grand Junction, which would guarantee them to stay above the Jackalopes in the standings and the subsequent title in the South Division for the second half.

Grand Junction Jackalopes (23-19 1 GB): Must Win Division to Qualify 

Remaining Opponents: vs. Rocky Mountain (3 games), @ Rocky Mountain (3 games) 

Grand Junction needs four wins against the Vibes, as the Jackalopes must take the six-game series to clinch a playoff spot. If the series is tied or if Rocky Mountain wins it, the Jackalopes won't be able to win the division.