HOME FINALE: Biscuits return for final homestand in typical position - fighting for playoff spot

Manager Morgan Ensberg has the Biscuits back in the playoff hunt, although he’s more concerned about his players being “Major League” ready. (Tim Gayle)

By GRAHAM DUNN

It should be no surprise that, as they approach the end of the regular season, the Montgomery Biscuits are in the hunt for a playoff bid.

It’s become old hat. Heading into the final homestand against Chattanooga this week, the Biscuits are on pace to reach the playoffs for an eighth-straight year. Their lead in the Southern League South Division sits at just one-half game ahead of Biloxi with 12 games to go.

But don’t tell manager Morgan Ensberg. At least, don’t make it a conversation piece since he’s still working the players into shape to move to the next level.

“I never look at the record,” Ensberg admitted. “I don’t do anything differently in these games. The concern is the individual player to acquire the skills that they will need in the big leagues. I know it might look like we are doing things to win games but nothing is different from decisions.

“If we do what we are supposed to do, the winning comes with it.”

The 2023 season has been a bit unlevel, considering the changes in the roster, which isn’t unusual for most seasons. But this year it seemed to have an affect unlike other seasons.

“(We’ve had) scoring inconsistencies… I don’t know,” stated outfielder Tristan Peters, who dealt with an injury early in the season. “Our bats have been pretty good this year. When we give up runs we give up a lot of runs.  We seem to not be able to come back from a big deficit.It’s hit and miss.”

The Biscuits have spent most of the year near the top in the offensive categories in the Southern League but many of those players have moved on to Durham and Triple-A.

Before moving up in mid-July, infielder Austin Shenton was having an MVP-type season, leading the league in several offensive categories.

Diego Infante had hit 11 home runs before being called up in late July.

Just recently, catcher Logan Driscoll was called up after a solid performance behind the plate. Ronny Simon has been consistent in his improvement after a permanent move to shortstop. He left the Biscuits in mid August.

But as players have moved up, a few have arrived or returned from injury to make a quick name for themselves.

After a long stint on the injured list, outfielder Alexander Ovalles is back, which has improved the lineup and the defense. First baseman Bob Seymour has made a quick assent to Double-A and is already making waves.

But the one newcomer that has invigorated the offense has been Junior Caminero, who has burst on the scene and become a terror on Southern League pitching. He came up at the end of May and quickly became a fan favorite. He enters this week’s series as the current SL Player of the Week, having hit four home runs, scoring nine runs and hitting .409 over the course of last week.

“You can see the talent when he walks into the batting cage,” stated Biscuits hitting coach Waurnner Rincones. “He has good work ethic and I expect him to continue to be a solid player as we continue the season.” 

There have been a few injuries, but the bottom line is the Biscuits have fought through it and are now in a position to reach the post season.

“I think it comes down to luck sometimes but the talent of the team and how it’s set up has something to do with it,” Peters said. “We’ve been playing well together the past few months. We’ve meshed well.”

Still, Ensberg is quick to point out that as the players improve, the team follows suit.

“Winning is a byproduct of doing things correctly,” Ensberg said. “We are trying not to lose a single game but potentially if that is what you are attempting to do, can get your eye off the ball.

“You can see the growth. When a team has more talented players, those things you can see. But you focus on the individual so they get better. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking on that. I am able to reflect talent levels on either team and rank them but I don’t do that.”

After the homestand against Chattanooga, the Biscuits will visit Biloxi for six games. More than likely, the post season berth will come down to that final series.

The final time to see the Biscuits during the regular season begins tonight with “Taco Tuesday.” Wednesday is the final Military Night and Thursday is the last chance to get a free T-Shirt and celebrate “Thirsty Thursday.” Friday will be “Fan Appreciation Night” and Saturday will be “Military Appreciation Night” plus the final fireworks event of the year. And on Sunday, fans will receive a 2024 Schedule poster plus it’s “Bark in the Park” day to end the season.