DOWN THE STRETCH: Biscuits in good shape to earn another playoff berth
Newcomer Jadher Areinamo has recently given the Montgomery Biscuits a lift. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Twelve games remain as the Montgomery Biscuits make their final push in an effort to grab their 10th consecutive Southern League playoff berth, including this week’s series at second-place Columbus and next week’s six-game series at home against Knoxville.
The Biscuits (33-24 in second-half play) own a four-game lead over Columbus, a remarkable rally for a team that was 6.5 games out of first in early August and spent 10 days in last place in the league standings during the second-half division race.
“That our guys are in this is pretty impressive because we had a tough stretch,” Montgomery manager Kevin Boles said. “We were eight or 10 games under .500 for the year at one point and now these guys have put themselves in position. They’re hungry, they’ve made a lot of adjustments throughout the year. The clubhouse has changed and their work has changed.”
The Biscuits lost eight of 10 games in a late July stretch that threatened to eliminate them from playoff consideration. During the second-half race, Montgomery has suffered 13 one-run losses (19 for the season), but is currently one of the hottest teams in baseball with a nine-game winning streak.
“I think there’s something to just things averaging out,” said the Biscuits’ hottest hitter, Homer Bush Jr. “There were a lot of really close losses (earlier in the season). I think it’s tough to lose that many close games throughout the entire season.
“Just in general, we’re a bit young for a Double A team. We have a ton of guys, like myself, that this was their first time spending a full year in Double A. I think the longer we’ve gotten to spend here, you make adjustments and get used to the level you’re playing at. There are times, especially at the beginning of the year, when things kind of speed up on you. I think we’ve played a lot cleaner, a lot more disciplined baseball and that’s what has led to (more wins). Some of those early losses might have had some rookie mistakes in them.”
Montgomery continues to be a team that struggles at the plate, ranking sixth in the eight-team Southern League in batting average at .229, but the Biscuits rank second in the league over the last 30 days, an indication that they are playing their best baseball at the right time. Montgomery overcomes its hitting struggles with a squad that ranks first in the league in stolen bases, second in drawing walks and second in pitching with a 3.44 earned run average.
“We’re not a team that scores a lot of runs,” Boles noted, “but we’ve found ways to manufacture them, whether it’s hit and runs or bunts. We’re doing different things from an offensive standpoint. We’ve been successful stealing bases this year. That’s one thing that’s been consistent with us. And now that our pitching has really picked up -- our starting pitchers are doing great -- we’ve got some strength at the end of our bullpen with (closer Derrick) Edington.”
Boles also gave a little credit to recently acquired Jadher Areinamo for providing a much-needed spark. Areinamo was part of a trade in late July between the Brewers and the Rays and the minor-league infielder was promptly sent to Montgomery, where he had at least one hit and one RBI in each of his first three games with the Biscuits, coinciding with their rise from the bottom of the division standings to the top.
“The dugout’s a different atmosphere,” Boles said. “We have guys that had a real tough start to the season and they’ve never handled that before. They’ve never been through it. Now, they understand that when they go 0-for-4, it shouldn’t carry over to the next three games.
“And no one can sell short how Areinamo (has impacted the team). Areinamo has done a great job since he joined us from the Brewers. He has really brought some life to this clubhouse. Guys have gravitated to him and it’s pretty impressive what he’s done.”
If the Biscuits can maintain their hold on first place through the final 12 games, the 2025 squad will be one of the more remarkable postseason teams in team history, joining the 2017 team that finished in second place but earned a postseason berth after Chattanooga won both halves and the 2021 team that rallied late and nipped Birmingham by a half-game as the second team in the Covid-shortened Double A South race.
The Biscuits currently own the Southern League record for most consecutive playoff berths (nine), a record they would like to extend this month.
“Just being in the Rays’ organization, that’s kind of the standard, making the playoffs,” Bush said. “The team I was with (in the Padres’ organization), we just weren’t great, then I got traded over here and we were really, really good, winning a lot of ballgames. I think everyone is trying to play to the best of their abilities and that leads to the total team effort and that’s how the wins come. Everyone is trying to be the best versions of themselves.”
The best-of-three Southern League Division Series pits the second-half winner against Biloxi, with the first game on Sept. 16 and the second game at Biloxi on Sept. 18. A third game, if necessary, will be played at Biloxi on Sept. 19.
The best-of-three Southern League Championship Series will be played at the North Division winner on Sept. 21 and the South Division winner on Sept. 23. A third game, if necessary, will be played at the South Division winner on Sept. 24.