Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe 1871-Present

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 2009 World Series from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The date is Saturday, October 31:

Lineup Changes:

Yankees- Jorge Posada is back behind the plate and will bat fifth. Nick Swisher is back in right field and will bat seventh.

Dodgers- Ronnie Belliard moves up to second, Andre Ethier moves up to third, and Manny Ramirez moves up to the cleanup spot. Matt Kemp moves down to fifth, while Russell Martin moves up to eighth.

Weather: 76 degrees, fair skies, south wind at 5 MPH.

Yankees 1st: With one out, Johnny Damon doubled to right. Mark Teixeira walked to put two men on, and Alex Rodriguez's grounder to Rafael Furcal at short moved the runners up. But Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda caught Posada looking at strike three to retire the side with runners still at second and third. The Yankees have been held off the board; now let's hear from the Dodgers.

Dodgers 1st: Ethier drew a walk with two out, but was stranded when Manny grounded to second. We're scoreless after one.

Yankees 2nd: Cano led off the inning with a grounder to short that was bobbled and dropped by Furcal, allowing Cano to reach. Swisher forced Cano for out number one, Cabrera flew to Matt Kemp in shallow right center for out number two, and starting pitcher Andy Pettitte forced Swisher to end the inning. There's still no score after an inning and a half.

Dodgers 2nd: James Loney singled to right center with one out, but was forced by Casey Blake for out number two. Russell Martin's grounder to Teixeira at first ended the inning. We've played two in Game 3, and there's still no score.

Yankees 3rd: Derek Jeter led off with a single to left. Damon went down swinging for out number one, but Teixeira lined a Kuroda slider off the wall in left center for a double. Jeter scored easily, and the Yankees led 1-0. Teixeira was eventually stranded at second, as A-Rod went down swinging for the second out and Posada's popup was caught by Belliard behind second base to end the inning. The Yanks have drawn first blood thanks to a pair of hits, and they lead the Dodgers 1-0 after two and a half.

Dodgers 3rd: Pettitte enjoyed a one-two-three inning. We've played three, and it's Bombers 1, Bums 0.

Yankees 4th: Cabrera singled to left center with two out, but Pettitte was called out on strikes to end the inning. After three and a half, it's AL Champs 1, NL Champs 0.

Dodgers 4th: Ethier lined a leadoff single to right center. Manny walked to put two men on, and Kemp beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single to load the bases. The Yankees protested first base umpire Ted Barrett's safe call in vain, and Fox's replays showed that they were right; Cano's throw to first had beaten Kemp by half a step.

The inning eventually continued with Loney at the plate, and the Dodgers' first baseman lined a base hit to right center. Ethier and Ramirez scored, and the Men in Blue took a 2-1 lead. Kemp moved to third on the hit, and Blake walked on five pitches to load the bases again. Martin grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, with Kemp scoring to make it 3-1 and Loney moving to third. Kuroda ended the inning when his popup was caught by A-Rod, but the Dodgers have taken the lead with three runs on three hits, two walks, and a productive double play while stranding a runner at third. After four, it's now Dodgers 3, Yankees 1.

Yankees 5th: A one-two-three inning for Kuroda. Halfway through Game 3, it's Los Angeles 3, New York 1.

Dodgers 5th: Belliard lined a single to left center with one out. Ethier was next; here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"We'll see in this inning if Pettitte is finally over the disputed infield single by Kemp in the bottom of the fourth; he was one of the loudest and longest of the Yankees who protested, as he was the one who covered first bas and, according to Ted Barrett, lost the footrace to Kemp. Ethier walked in the first, singled in the fourth, and now here he is in the fifth with a count of one ball and one strike. Posada sets up a bit inside, and the one-one pitch IS HAMMERED TO DEEP RIGHT CENTER! CABRERA IS BACK, AT THE TRACK, AND THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS LONG GONE!.........A two-run homer from Andre Ethier, and it's evident that Pettitte hasn't calmed down yet, as it looked like he grooved that one right down the middle."

Tim McCarver: "I don't think that what happened last inning had anything to do with it, Joe. This was just a bad pitch by Pettitte, and Ethier, the hitter that he is, did what he could with it, which is hit it halfway to Mexico. (Yankees pitching coach) Dave Eiland's going out to talk to Pettitte, but Andy didn't look to me like someone who's angry about anything else except a bad pitch that got hit, which is more than enough to be angry about."

Buck: "Right center field is 385 feet away from home plate here at Dodger Stadium. According to our Tale of the Tape, Ethier's homer traveled 409 feet."

Ramirez almost made it back-to-back jacks with his fly ball to deep left center, but Cabrera made the catch at the warning track for out number two. Kemp's lined single to left center kept the Dodgers in business, and Loney was next to the plate. Here's Joe:

"Phil Hughes is just about ready in the bullpen for New York, so Loney figures to be Pettitte's las hitter. He homered off of A.J. Burnett back in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, so Pettitte has to be careful with him, even though he only hit thirteen homers during the regular season. He's already done plenty of damage tonight, as it was his two-run single that put the Dodgers in front last inning. They're now up 5-1 here in the fifth thanks to Ethier's two-run homer. Both Pettitte and Loney are ready, and the first pitch is CRUSHED TO DEEP LEFT CENTER! LONG RUN FOR CABRERA, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!......James Loney showing tape-measure power for the second game and a row, as his two-run homer has not only put the Dodgers up 7-1, but finished Andy Pettitte's evening, as Joe Girardi comes out of the Yankee dugout."

McCarver: "Pitchers all over the National League are watching with dread, as Loney, who was already a dangerous run producer, has all of a sudden turned into not just a home-run hitter, but one with upper-deck power. This ball lands about five rows up in left center field, and I can't wait to find out the Tale of the Tape on this baby."

Buck: "Ask and ye shall receive, sir. Left center field is 385 feet from home plate here at Dodger Stadium, the same as right center. Loney's home run traveled 422 feet. Wow!"

Blake's popup behind second was caught by Cano to retire the side. But the Dodgers have widened their lead considerably, scoring four runs on four hits. Two of them left the park courtesy of Ethier and Loney, and they're the reason that the Men in Blue lead 7-1 after five.

Yankees 6th: A-Rod drew a leadoff walk, but Posada struck out swinging and Cano grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

Dodgers 6th: Kuroda drew a one-out walk. He was forced by Furcal for out number one, but Belliard snuck a single past a diving Hughes and into center field to put runners at the corners. Ethier followed with a bloop single to center that scored Furcal to make it 8-1, and Manny followed with a bloop double to center that brought Belliard and Ethier home and put the Dodgers in double digits. Hughes' evening came to an end, and Joba Chamberlain made his first appearance of the series.

He was greeted by Kemp's lined single to left center, which brought Manny home and gave the Dodgers a ten-run lead at 11-1. Loney's single to right moved Kemp to third, and Blake followed with a line drive to left. Damon raced over, but the ball dropped too quickly and deflected off of his glove as he tried for a diving catch. Kemp scored easily, Loney moved to third, and Blake ended up at second as Damon was charged with an error. Johnny gloved Martin's shallow fly to left that retired the side, but the Dodgers have blown the game wide open with on five hits, a fielder's choice, a walk, and an error while leaving runners at second and third. After six, it's now LA 12, NYC 1.

Yankees 7th: Swisher led off against Kuroda. Here's Joe with the count no balls and one strike:

"For whatever reason, the Yankees have seemed to be off of their game so far in this series. Game 1 at Yankee Stadium was close, but the Dodgers were convincing winners in Game 2 and are ahead by eleven runs here in the seventh inning of Game 3. Unless the Yankees can pull a rabbit the size of Andre the Giant out of their hats over the next three innings, they'll go into Game 4 tomorrow night looking to avoid being swept in a World Series for the first time since 1976, when Sparky Anderson's Big Red Machine did the honors. No offense to the Dodgers, but I've seen the Big Red Machine, and these aren't them, as good as they are in their own right. One-strike pitch to Swisher.......HIT HIGH IN THE AIR TO RIGHT BACK IS ETHIER, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......A home run for Nick Swisher, and the Yankees show at least a glimmer of life, but they're still down 12-2 here in the seventh."

Tin McCarver: "I played against the Big Red Machine, Joe, and I agree with you. At any rate, Swisher takes advantage of a rare mistake from Hiroki Kuroda and hits it out, but I'm not sure how much life this can bring to the Yankees. They need a big inning of about five or six runs to really get back into the game, and that's going to be difficult with the way Kuroda's throwing tonight. It's not impossible with the hitters they have, but they may have to get pretty deep into the Dodgers' bullpen to pull it off."

Cabrera followed with a single to right center., and Kuroda departed in favor of Jeff Weaver, who got the next three outs with dispatch. Hughes batted for himself and struck out swinging, Jeter took a called third strike, and Damon flew to right to end the inning, The Yanks have scratched out a run on two hits, with the key blow coming on Swisher's leadoff homer. But as we stretch in the twilight of Southern California, the Dodgers still enjoy a 12-2 lead.

Dodgers 7th: With two out, Belliard rapped a double to left center. Ethier moved him to third and collected his fourth hit of the game by beating out a bouncer to short for an infield single, and Manny lined a double off the wall in right center to bring them both home and extend the home squad's lead to 14-2. Kemp followed with a single to left center that plated Ramirez with run number fifteen, and Loney's single to left put Dodger blue at the corners again. But Swisher caught Blake's fly to shallow right, and the side was retired. The National League champions have added three more runs on five hits while leaving runners at first and third, and as we head to the eighth they're routing the American League champions 15-2.

Yankees 8th: Teixeira led off with a single to right center. A-Rod erased him by grounding into a 6-4-3 double play, but Ethier unintentionally kept the inning alive when he dropped Posada's routine fly to left. The Yankees' catcher ended up at second as a result of the error, and Cano's single to left put pinstripes at the corners. Swisher lined a double off the wall in right to score Posada with the Yankees' third run, which ended the evening of Dodgers reliever Jeff Weaver. Vicente Padilla came in and walked Cabrera to load the bases, and Hideki Matsui came out of the dugout to bat for Chamberlain. Matsui's evening lasted exactly three pitches, as Padilla struck him out swinging to end the inning with the bases still loaded. The Yanks settle for a run on three hits, a walk, and an error; at the end of seven and a half, they trail the homestanding Dodgers by twelve.

Dodgers 8th: Martin drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by Padilla, who was in turn forced by Furcal. Belliard walked to put two men on, and Ethier finished his evening by blooping a double down the line in right for his fifth hit of the game. Both Furcal and Belliard scored, and the Dodgers led 17-3. Manny's liner was gloved by A-Rod to end the inning with Ethier still at second, but the Dodgers have added two more runs on a hit, two walks, and two productive force plays. As we go to the ninth, they lead the shell-shocked Yankees by two touchdowns.

Yankees 9th: Damon lined a single to left center with one out, but Teixeira's foul pop was caught by Loney in front of the first base dugout, and A-Rod went down swinging to end the game. Our final: Dodgers 17, Yankees 3, and the Dodgers lead the series three games to none.

Ethier and Loney were named Players of the Game by Fox. Ethier was five for five plus a walk with a home run, four runs scored, ad five runs batted in, while Loney finished five for five with a homer and four runs batted in. Kemp was four for five with three runs scored and two more batted in, Belliard was three for five plus a walk and scored four times, and Ramirez was two for five plus a walk with three runs scored and four more driven in. The Dodger offense was so potent that Furcal scored twice despite going 0 for 6. Swisher led the Yankees offense by going two for four with a home run and two RBIs, while Teixeira was two for four plus a walk and drove in a run. Damon was two for five, while Cabrera was two for three plus a walk. On the mound, Kuroda got the win, giving up two runs on six hits in six-plus innings while walking two and striking out six. He threw ninety-three pitches.

Final totals: Dodgers 17-19-2, Yankees 3-10-1.

W- Kuroda (1-0)
L- Pettitte (0-1)

HR- NYY: Swisher (1)
LAD: Loney (2), Ethier (1)

The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night here at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with C.C. Sabathia startig for the Yankees and Randy Wolf going to the hill for the Dodgers.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 2009 World Series from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The date is Sunday, November 1:

Lineup Changes:

Dodgers- Matt Kemp moves up to second, while Ronnie Belliard moves down to sixth. James Loney moves up to fifth and Russell Martin moves up to seventh, while Casey Blake drops to eighth.

Weather: 79 degrees. fair skies, south wind at 5 MPH.

Yankees 1st: Derek Jeter led off the game by beating out a bouncer to third for an infield single. Johnny Damon struck out swinging for the first out, but Mark Teixeira singled past Dodgers starting pitcher Randy Wolf and into center field to put runners at the corners. Wolf covered to strike Alex Rodriguez out swinging, but Jorge Posada walked to load the bases. Robinson Cano was next, but all he could manage was a fly to shallow right. Andre Ethier made the catch, and the side was retired with the bases still loaded. The Yankees have blown a big opportunity; how will the Dodgers fare?

Dodgers 1st: Rafael Furcal drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by Kemp. That brought Andre Ethier to the plate. Here's Joe Buck with the count no balls and a strike:

"After the game Ethier had last night, each Yankee pitcher was no doubt seeing him in his nightmares, including Sabathia. Ethier and Loney were the ringleaders of the beatdown that the Dodgers laid on the Yankees in Game 3, and it's not often that we see the Yankees so thoroughly embarrassed, especially in the postseason. They have no time to stew about it now, but if they lose tonight they'll have all winter. A one-strike count on Ethier, and Sabathia's next pitch is yanked down the line in right; is it fair of foul? Going over for a look is Swisher, he's at the wall, and.......they're calling it a fair ball and a home run! Right field umpire Brian Gorman makes the gesture, and Ethier continues to tear apart Yankee pitching, as his two-run homer has given the Dodgers a first-inning lead."

Tim McCarver: "This is the right call by Gorman, as the ball was fair all the way. Most balls hook foul at least somewhat, but this one was straight and true and over the fence in right. Swisher took his time on the ball thinking that it would go foul, which goes to show that you should never think on a baseball field. Do what your training and insincts tell you to do and hope that they steer you right."

Manny Ramirez's line drive was speared by Teixeira at first for the second out, and James Loney's liner was snagged by Jeter at short to end the inning. But the Dodgers have taken the lead thanks to Ethier's second home run of the series, which was set up by a walk and a productive force play. After one, it's Dodgers 2, Yankees 1.

Yankees 2nd: Nick Swisher led off against Wolf. Here's Joe with the count one ball and two strikes:

"Swisher homered last night in Game 3, but by then it was too late, as that homer only made it 12-2. He was the Yankees' main right fielder this year, but he also spent some time at first base to give Teixeira a rest and started four times in left field. He even pitched an inning on April 13 in St. Petersburg when the Yankees were on the receiving end of a 15-5 whipping by the Rays. He pitched the ninth inning and allowed a hit, walked one batter, and struck out another. The last time I checked, Mariano Rivera was losing no sleep whatsoever. One ball and two strikes on him, and Wolf ready with the next one.........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO LEFT, MANNY IS BACK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS ONE IS.......GONE!........We had to wait a minute to see if it would actually clear the fence or not, but it did, and this game is tied at two."

McCarver: "The Yankees are thankful that Swisher didn't ask to give up his day job, because they don't want to lose a bat that can do this type of damage. He didn't quite get all of it, which is why it hung in the air at the last moment, but there was enough momentum to get over the fence. Manny puts his glove over the wall just a second too late."

Wolf settled down and got the next three outs in order: Melky Cabrera bounced to short, while Sabathia and Jeter each grounded to second. The Yankees have tied the game on Swisher's home run, and we're even at two as we head to the bottom of the second.

Dodgers 2nd: With one out, Martin lined a base hit to right. Blake followed with a triple over Damon's head in left, which scored Martin and put the Dodgers up 3-1. Wolf went down swinging for out number two, but with Furcal at the plate Sabathia tried to pick Blake off of third. His throw went over A-Rod's head and down the line in left, which allowed Blake to score easily and gave the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. Furcal kept the inning going with a double off the wall in center, and Kemp followed with another to score Furcal and make it a 5-1 game. Ethier walked to put two men on one more, but Manny's grounder to short retired the side. The Dodgers have expanded their lead with three runs on four hits, a walk, and an error while leaving runners at first and second. After two in Game 4, it's Dodgers 5, Yankees 1.

Yankees 3rd: With two out, A-Rod hit a sinking line drive to left. Ramirez laid out to make the catch, but the ball bounced off of his glove and rolled away. By the time Manny got the ball back to the infield, Rodriguez was at second. Manny was charged with an error on the play, but no harm was done, as Posada's bouncer to Furcal at short retired the side. The Yankees have left A-Rod at second, and they trail the homestanding Dodgers 5-1 after two.

Dodgers 3rd: A one-two-three inning for Sabathia. We've played three, and it's Bums 5, Bombers 1.

Yankees 4th: Cano led off with a single to right center, but was forced by Nick Swisher. Melky Cabrera lined a single to left to put two men on, and Sabathia's fly to right for out number two was deep enough to move Cano to third. Jeter followed with a base hit up the middle, which brought Robbie home and cut the LA lead to 5-2. Damon was next, and he grounded one to third. Blake stepped on the bag for the force on the incoming Cabrera, and the inning was over. The Pinstripes have managed a run on three hits, a productive force play, and a productive fly ball while leaving runners at first and second. We've now played three and a half, and it's NL Champs 5, AL Champs 2.

Dodgers 4th: With one out, Wolf hit a fly ball to right that dropped on the warning track and bounced over the wall for a book-rule double. He held at second while Furcal struck out swinging, but scored on Kemp's single to center to extend the Dodgers' lead to 6-2. Ethier was called out on strikes to retire the side, but the Men in Blue have added a run on two hits, and they lead the Men in Stripes 6-2 as we go to the fifth.

Yankees 5th: Teixeira led off with a base hit to right. A-Rod followed with a double to right that put runners at second and third with nobody out. Posada took a called third strike for out number one, but Cano followed with a fly ball to right. In almost an exact replay of what had happened to Ramirez earlier, Ethier tried to make a diving catch, only for the ball to bounce off of his glove. Teixeira scored easily to bring the Yanks within 6-3, and Ethier was charged with an error that allowed Cano to take second. Curiously, A-Rod held up at third on the play, and it ended up costing the Yankees a run, as Swisher was called out on strikes and Cabrera flew to center to end the inning. Fox's replays showed Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson waving A-Rod home; regardless, the Yanks once again settle for a run on two hits and an error while leaving runners at second and third. Halfway through Game 4, it's Los Angles 6, New York 3.

Dodgers 5th: Belliard's two-out walk was wasted when Martin tapped to first. After five, it's NL Champs 6, AL Champs 3.

Yankees 6th: With one out, Jeter singled to left. Damon followed with a base hit to right that put pinstripes on the corners, and a walk to Teixeira loaded the bases. With A-Rod waiting on deck, Dodgers manager Joe Torre went out to talk to Wolf; after a long conversation, Torre decided not to go to his bullpen. That proved to be the wrong decision, as A-Rod made up for his baserunning gaffe of the previous inning by smacking the first pitch he saw into right center for a base hit. Jeter and Damon both scored to make it a 6-5 game, and Teixeira went to third. Torre had to make the walk to the mound once again, this time to end Wolf's evening. Ronald Bellisario came out of the LA bullpen to face Posada and Jorge grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. The Yanks have scored two runs on three hits and a walk while leaving the tying run at third, and as we go to the bottom of the sixth they only trail the Dodgers 6-5

Dodgers 6th: Blake led off by beating out a grounder to third for an infield single. Bellisario batted for himself, the idea being that he would bunt Blake over; instead, he hit a comebacker to Sabathia, who threw to second for the force on Blake. Furcal flew to left for the second out, and Kemp took a called third strike to end the inning. We've played six, and it's Hollywood Sign 6, Statue of Liberty 5.

Yankees 7th: With one out, Swisher stroked a single to right center. Cabrera's bloop single to right center moved Swisher to third, and Hideki Matsui came up to bat for Sabathia. Matsui swung at the first pitch and dumped a base hit into right. Swisher scored to tie the game at six, while Cabrera moved to third. That was all for Bellisario; Brian Wilson relieved and retired Jeter on a fly to left center that was deep enough to bring Melky home and give the Yanks a 7-6 lead. Damon's fly to shallow right center was caught by Kemp to end the inning, but the Yankees have taken the lead with two runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly. As we stretch in Tinseltown, the Yankees are enjoying a rare 7-6 lead.

Dodgers 7th: With one out against new Yankees pitcher David Robertson, Ramirez lashed a double into the left field corner. Walks to Loney and Belliard loaded the bases, and Martin followed with a fly to left center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. Manny and Loney were each awarded home plate, which put the Dodgers in front 8-7, while Belliard had to stop at third. Yankees manager Joe Girardi went back to his bullpen, this time for Phil Hughes. Blake's grounder to Teixeira at first held the runners at second and third, and Jim Thome came out of the Dodgers' dugout to bat for Wilson. He hit a high fly ball to deep center, but Cabrera made the catch right in front of the wall to end the inning with runners still at second and third. The Dodgers have the lead back thanks to two runs on two hits and two walks, with the key blow coming on Martin's book-rule double. We've played seven in a wild Game 4, and it's now Dodgers 8, Yankees 7.

Yankees 8th: Teixeira led off against new Dodgers pitcher George Sherill. Here's Joe:

"This has been without a doubt the most entertaining game of the series so far. Game 1 was fairly close, as the Dodgers won 5-3, but the National League champions have dominated the last two games. Tonight, it looked like they would cruise again with a 5-1 lead after two and a 6-2 lead after four, but the Yankees came back to take a 7-6 lead in the top of the seventh. The Dodgers promptly took the lead back in the last half-inning on Martin's two-run book-rule double, and now it's Teixeira leading off the eight against the new Dodger pitcher, George Sherill. First pitch is HIT DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE! BACK IS ETHIER, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.........Another homer hit down the line in right, this one for the Yankees, and this crazy game is tied at eight in the eighth."

McCarver: "This home run is almost a dead ringer for the one Ethier hit for the Dodgers in the first; it was never in danger of going foul, and it landed in almost the same spot. Teixiera got a little bit more of the pitch than Ethier did, because we didn't have to wait for the signal from Brian Gorman to know that it was gone. This is the kind of game we knew these two teams were capable of, and it's a shame that it took until Game 4 to get it."

Sherill shrugged off Teixeira's homer and got the next three outs in order: A-Rod went down swinging, Posada's line drive was gloved by Loney, and Cano also struck out swinging to end the inning. But the Yankees have tied the game thanks to Teixeira's home run, and we go to the bottom of the eighth even at eight apiece.

Dodgers 8th: Furcal drew a leadoff walk against Hughes. After Kemp and Ethier each struck out swinging, Furcal stole second, but he was stranded when Manny bounced to A-Rod at third. As we head to the ninth in Game 4, we're deadlocked at eight.

Yankees 9th: Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton retired the Yankees in order. We're still tied at eight after eight and a half.

Dodgers 9th: Loney led off by beating out a bouncer to short for an infield single against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Belliard followed with a sharp single to left. Damon cut the ball off and made a perfect throw to third, but Loney just beat it. Now there were runners at the corners for Martin. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"If this had been any other time than the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game, you can bet that Joe Girardi and Johnny Damon would have been all over (third base umpire) Gerry Davis on that throw to third. Our replays show that it was the right call, but just barely, as Loney's foot beat Rodriguez's tag by not even a half an inch. As it is, they have to deal with Russell Martin, and a base hit gives the Dodgers the sweep and their first world championship since 1991. There's one other piece of history on the line that we'll mention if it actually happens, as the man to whom it could happen asked us not to mention it until then. One ball and one strike on Martin, with Blake on deck. Next pitch from Rivera .....fly ball to left, going over is Damon, BUT IT DROPS IN! HERE COMES LONEY, AND THE DODGERS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!.........The Dodgers earn the sweep of the Yankees to take their first world title since 1991, and the Yankees have thus been swept for the first time since 1976, when the Reds did it. Russell Martin gets his second big hit of the night, as his two-run single in the seventh gave the Dodgers an 8-7 lead, and those two hits combined should be enough to get him series MVP honors. He was three for five tonight with three RBIs, including the one that won this series.

Elsewhere for the Dodgers, Kemp was two for five with a run scored and two RBIs, Loney was one for four plus a walk and scored twice, Ethier walked and hit a two-run homer, and Blake was two for four with a run scored and another batted in. For the Yankees, Teixeira was three for four plus a walk with a home run and two runs scored, while Jeter was three for four with a run scored and two more runs batted in. Swisher was two for five with a home run and scored three times, Rodriguez was two for five and drove in a pair of runs, and Melky Cabrera was two for five and scored a run.

Once again, our final score in a wild Game 4 at Dodger Stadium: the Los Angeles Dodgers 9, the New York Yankees 8. The Dodgers sweep the series four games to none, and to wrap up the trivia note we gave you a few moments ago, Joe Torre has just become the first manager to guide three different franchises to a world title. He won with the Braves in 1983, the Yankees in 1998 and '99, and the Dodgers this year. No other manager has ever done it, but he didn't want us to mention it while the game was going on so the focus could remain on his players, which is yet another example of the kind of man he is. Baseball will miss him whenever he retires, which hopefully won't be for quite a few years.

We'll be back with the presentation of the World Series trophy to the victorious Dodgers, the presentation of the Most Valuable Player award to Russell Martin, and interviews from the victorious Dodger clubhouse after these messages and a word from your local station. You're watching Fox Sports exclusive coverage of the 2009 World Series."

Final totals: Dodgers 9-13-2, Yankees 8-15-1.

W- Broxton (1-0)
L- Rivera (0-1)

HR- NYY: Swisher (2), Teixiera (1)
LAD: Ethier (2)

This is the Dodgers' tenth world championship as an organization and their seventh in Los Angeles.

We've now crowned a hundred and thirteen modern world champions by my unofficial count, and the American League's all-time lead is down to five at 59-54.

Next: Game 1 of the 2005 ALCS, as documented below.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I'm running a bit late today, so I'm going to put a bookmark in the 2009 World Series until I have more time. Instead, here's a recap of Game 1 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Jacobs Field in Cleveland on Tuesday, October 10:

Angels 11, Indians 4 (Fox: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver; ANA leads series 1-0)

The Halos scored three times each in the first, third, and ninth on their way to a lopsided victory. Right fielder Juan Rivera led the way offensively with five RBIs. The first two came on a double in the third, while the other three came on a ninth-inning home run. Catcher Bengie Molina was three for four and drove in two runs with a double in the first, and left fielder Garret Anderson drove in three runs, two of which came on a fourth-inning double. Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was two for four, scored twice, and drove in a run, while third baseman Chone Figgins was three for five and scored twice. Second baseman Ronnie Belliard was two for four for the Tribe while driving in one run and scoring another. On the mound, Jake Westbrook filled in for Kevin Millwood and lasted just two and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on eight hits. Angels starter Paul Byrd lasted seven innings, giving up four runs (only one of them earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out five.

Game 2 of this series will take place tomorrow night here at Jacobs Field. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Jarrod Washburn starting for the Angels and Scott Elarton taking the mound for the Indians.

Final totals: Angels 11-14-1, Indians 4-9-0.

W- Byrd (1-0)
L- Westbrook (0-1)

HR- ANA: Rivera (1)

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Jacobs Field in Cleveland. The date is Wednesday, October 12:

Lineup Changes:

Angels- Chone Figgins moves from third base to center field. Vladimir Guerrero gets the start in right field, while Bengie Molina will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup. Garret Anderson moves down to fifth and Darin Erstad to seventh. Bengie's brother Jose gets the start behind the plate and will bat eighth, while Robb Quinlan will start at third base and bat sixth.

Indians- Ben Broussard gets the start at first base and will bat seventh,

Weather: 59 degrees, cloudy skies, calm winds.

Angels 4th: With one out, Anderson came to the plate against Indians starter Scott Elarton. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Garret Anderson is the only Angel left from their 1995 team, which eliminated the powerhouse Indians led by Albert Belle among others in the Division Series, then dispatched the Red Sox in the ALCS before losing to the Braves in that classic seven-game World Series. He tired to downplay it before the game, but others around the team said he wants to atone for that loss this season, as it's the closest that the Angels have yet come to a world championship. He just missed a hundred RBIs during the regular year and hit seventeen home runs THANKS TO SWINGS LIKE THAT! HIGH IN THE AIR TO DEEP RIGHT CENTER, BACK IS SIZEMORE, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE! A TAPE-MEASURE HOME RUN FOR GARRET ANDERSON, AND THE ANGELS STRIKE FIRST IN GAME 2!"

Tim McCarver: "He looked like he wanted to get rid of ten years of frustration in one swing of the bat. An absolute no-doubter, and shades of the type of power he had when he hit thirty-five home runs for his career high back in 2000. He may not have that kind of power anymore, but he's still very dangerous with the bat in his hands, as Scott Elarton and the Indians just found out."

Buck: "Right center field is 375 feet away from home plate here at Jacobs Field, and that ball just traveled 400 feet exactly."

Elarton rebounded to retire Quinlan on a fly to Crisp in shallow left and Erstad on a roller to first that ended the inning, but Anderson's home run has given the visiting Angels a 1-0 lead after three and a half.

Angels 6th: With two out, Elarton faced Bengie. Here's Joe:

"Bengie walked in the first and chased Crisp back to the warning track with a fly ball in the fourth. This is a great time to be a Molina; Bengie and Jose share the catching duties with the Angels, and the third brother, Yadier, is the main catcher for the Cardinals, who are in the NLCS against the Astros at the moment. I'm not sure if there's ever been a World Series where three members of the same family have participated. There have been a few with two, but I'm not sure about three. First pitch to Bengie is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! CRISP IS BACK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......Bengie Molina goes deep for the Angels to add to Anderson's earlier home run, and it's 2-0 Anaheim in the sixth."

McCarver: "Of the two Molinas currently on this Angels team, Bengie's by far the more powerful, and he demonstrates that power here. Elarton hangs a curveball over so slightly over the outside part of the plate, but it's enough for Bengie to pounce on it and drive it out of here. Elarton's pitched a fine ballgame, only giving up four hits, but two of them have left the park and given the Angels their lead."

Anderson's popup was gloved by Broussard behind first base for the final out, but the Halos have extended their lead thanks to Bengie's dinger. After five and a half in Game 2, it's Angels 2, Indians 0.

Indians 6th: With one out, Jhonny Peralta stepped to the plate against Angels starter Jarrod Washburn. Here's Joe with the count two balls and no strikes:

"Washburn has held the Indians to just four hits over the first five and a third innings. Scott Elarton has done the same to the Angels; as Tim mentioned last half-inning, the difference is that two of Anaheim's hits have left the park, which is why they lead 2-0. speaking of two-and-nothing, this is the first time that Washburn has been behind that far to a Cleveland hitter tonight, and this isn't a hitter you want to be behind, as Peralta hit twenty-four home runs for the Indians on the regular season. Jose sets up a bit inside, and the two-ball pitch is LINED DEEP TO CENTER! OUT THERE IN A HURRY, BACK IS FIGGINS, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!........Peralta hits a bullet over the wall in straightaway center, and the Indians are on the board here in Game 2."

McCarver: "This ball was halfway out to center before you got the call out of your mouth, Joe. Peralta hits this with just a tiny flick of the wrist, which shows you how much power he has. You mentioned that Jose Molina set up a bit inside; if he'd set up down the middle and Peralta had hit it like that, it would have been halfway to either Pittsburgh or Buffalo by now, depending on how the wind blew. Just a tremendous home run by Jhonny Peralta."

Travis Hafner went down swinging for out number two, and Victor Martinez's grounder to Erstad at first ended the inning. But the Tribe has entered the home run derby thanks to Peralta, and at the end of six it's Anaheim 2, Cleveland 1.

Indians 7th: Ronnie Belliard led off with a single to left, but was forced by Broussard for out number one. Aaron Boone's foul pop was caught by Darin Erstad at first base for the second out, but a walk to Casey Blake put two men on, and Grady Sizemore followed with a single to right center that brought Broussard home to tie the game at two, with Broussard moving to third. That ended Washburn's evening; Scot Shields came out of the Anaheim bullpen and retired Coco Crisp on a grounder to first to end the inning with runners still at the corners. But the Tribe has tied the game thanks to two hits, a walk, and a productive force play, and we go to the eighth in Game 2 tied at two.

That was all the scoring in regulation, and there was only one serious threat by either team in extra innings. In the bottom of the eleventh, Haffner drew a one-out walk against Angels reliever Esteban Yan. After Martinez struck out swinging for out number two, Ronnie Belliard whacked a double off the wall in left. Hafner was waved around third by Indians third base coach Joel Skinner, but Anderson cut the ball off quickly and fired a strike to the plate. It was a close play, but Jose managed to get the tag down before Haffner's foot crossed the plate, and the inning was over.

Indians 14th: Hafner led off against new Angels pitcher Brendan Donnelly. Here's Joe:

"It's now 1:22 AM here in Cleveland as we get ready for the bottom of the fourteenth. with Hafner leading off against the new Angles pitcher, Brendan Donnelly. This park is still about 95% full, I'd imagine, maybe a little less. Hafner's been up five times and walked twice; the last time was in the eleventh, when he was thrown out by Garret Anderson trying to score on the double by Belliard. He's also struck out twice and flied out. Everybody's ready now, and the first pitch is LINED OUT TOWARD CENTER, COULD BE TROUBLE, BACK IS FIGGINS, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE! TRAVIS HAFNER WINS IT FOR THE INDIANS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FOURTEENTH!........Five hours and fifteen minutes of baseball end on one swing, as Hafner sends them home happy from the Jake."

McCarver: "This was an awful lot like the homer that Peralta hit earlier, a line drive that ended up getting out i a hurry. It didn't look to be high enough to clear the fence at first, but it rose a bit as it was traveling and cleared the fence with room to spare. Donnelly's night was short: one pitch, one homer, and he'll take the loss as we go to Anaheim tied at a game apiece."

Our final in fourteen innings: Indians 3, Angels 2.

Hafner was named Player of the Game by Fox. Belliard was three for five to lead the Tribe's offense, while Sizemore was two fir five plus a walk and drove in a run. Molina was two for five plus a walk for the Angels with his home run, and Anderson was two for six with his homer. On the mound, Elarton pitched nine full innings, holding the Angels to two runs on five hits while walking one, striking out three, and throwing a hundred and eight pitches.

Final totals: Indians 3-9-0, Angels 2-7-1.

W- Rhodes (1-0)
L- Donnelly (0-1)

HR- ANA: Anderson (1), B. Molina (1)
CLE: Peralta (1), Hafner (1)

The series will shift to Angel Stadium in Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Cliff Lee starting for the Indians and John Lackey starting for the Angels.

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The date is Friday, October 14:

Lineup Changes:

Angels- Chone Figgins moves back to third base. Garret Anderson moves up to the cleanup spot, while Bengie Molina is back behind the plate and will bat fifth. Darin Erstad moves up to sixth. Game 1 star Juan Rivera will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh, while Steve Finley gets the start in center field and will bat eighth.

Angels 4th: Vladimir Guerrero led off with a lined single to right. Anderson flew to Coco Crisp in center for out number one, but Bengie's single to left center put runners at the corners and brought Erstad to the plate. Here's Joe Buck with the count no balls and a strike:

"This is Erstad's second year exclusively as a first baseman for the Angels. Actually, I take that back; he also was a full-time first baseman for them in 1997. He spent the next six years primarily as an outfielder, then made first his full-time home again last season. He only hit seven home runs this year, so he's not known primarily for his power, although he hit a career-high twenty-five back in 2000. This is shaping up as another pitcher's duel here in the bottom of the fourth. One-strike pitch IS HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER! BACK IS CRISP, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.......Just as I finished talking about a pitcher's duel, Erstad absolutely crushes a hanging curve from (Indians starting pitcher) Cliff Lee, and it's 3-0 Anaheim here in the fourth."

McCarver: "It's rare that you see Lee throw a pitch with no movement on it whatsoever, but this pitch is totally flat as it enters the strike zone, and Erstad's all over it. As fast as Crisp is, that ball was beyond him almost from the time he started back to the wall. That'll teach you to talk about a player's lack of power, huh? (laughs)"

Buck: "Especially since this home run traveled 389 feet. Right center field is 361 feet from home plate at Angel Stadium."

Rivera followed with a fly to left center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. He held at second while Finley flew to Crisp in right center, but second baseman Adam Kennedy's base hit to right center brought Juan home to make it 4-0 Anaheim. Indians manager Eric Wedge had seen enough of starting pitcher Cliff Lee, and he surprised a great many observes by calling on Game 1 starter Jake Westbrook to face Figgins. After Kennedy stole second, Figgins walked to put two men on. But Westbrook recovered to strike shortstop Orlando Cabrera out swinging o a 3-2 pitch to retire the side The Angels have to "settle" for four runs on five hits, a walk, and a stolen base while leaving runners at first and second. After four, it's Angels 4, Indians 0.

Indians 5th: Victor Martinez led off with a base hit up the middle. Ronnie Belliard followed with a single to left center that put runners at the corners, and Martinez came home on Ben Broussard's bouncer to second to put the Tribe on the board. Belliard moved to second on the play, but he was stranded when Angels starting pitcher John Lackey struck Aaron Boone out swinging and Casey Blake out looking to retire the side. The visitors are on the board thanks to a pair of hits and a productive groundout, but they still trail the Angels 4-1 halfway through Game 3.

Indians 7th: Travis Hafner led off against Lackey. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"We all remember the home run Hafner hit to win Game 2. Cleveland fans aren't really known as boisterous, but that home run set off a celebration at Jacobs Field that hasn't been seen since the days of Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez. Some were undoubtedly still cheering as they left for work yesterday morning. Right now the Indians would settle for a hit to get something started, as they trail 4-1 here in the seventh. Lackey has held the Indians to one run on three hits, as he throws a one-one pitch.........HIGH FLY BALL HIT DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER! FINLEY'S BACK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.........Hafner leads off the seventh with a home run, and the Indians' deficit is now two at 4-2."

McCarver: "The last home run Hafner hit set off a celebration in Cleveland, but this one rekindled some hope, as Lackey put this one over the heart of the plate when he definitely didn't want to. He hasn't made many mistakes tonight, but we'll see if this one opens the door for that potent Indians offense. Finley almost got to it, but the ball cleared the fence about an inch above his glove."

V-Mart was next. Here's Joe, again with the count one ball and one strike:

"There's some serious activity in the Angels' bullpen now, as Scot Shields is getting ready. Ronnie Belliard is on deck for Cleveland, followed by Ben Broussard, so this could be the Indians' big chance to get back into the game. Martinez led off the fifth with a single to center and eventually scored the Indians' first run. Lackey ready now with the one-one pitch.......HIT HIGH IN THE AIR AND DEEP TO RIGHT, BLAKE GOING BACK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL AND THIS IS A ONE-RUN GAME!,,,,,,,,,,,Hafner and Martinez go back-to-back here in the seventh, and now we know for sure that Lackey's just about out of gas."

McCarver: "He made a better pitch here than he did to Hafner, but Martinez is sitting dead-red fastball and gets every bit of it. The ball's not carrying quite as well to straightaway right as it is to right center, but when you hit it the way Martinez just did, you'd have to be playing in a wind tunnel not to hit it out. The only question now is whether this is the end of the road for John Lackey."

That was indeed all for Lackey. Shields came out of the Angels' bullpen to strike Belliard out swinging for the first out of the inning, but Broussard followed with a double off the wall in left. He held at second while Boone grounded to short, but a walk to Blake put two men on. Grady Sizemore was next, but he grounded the first pitch he saw to Darin Erstad at first, who flipped to Shields covering to retire the side. The Tribe has scored two runs on three hits and a walk, which included back-to-back homers from Hafner and Martinez. But as we stretch at The Big A, the Angels still hold a 4-3 lead.

That was all the scoring. Our final: Angels 4, Indians 3, and the Angels lead the series two games to one,

Before I forget, here's our Defensive Play of the Night. It's the bottom of the first with Cabrera at second following a double. There are two outs, and Anderson's at the plate. Here's Joe:

"Bouncer to short, tricky hop for Peralta, knocks it down, has to hurry........GOT HIM AT FIRST!.......Peralta had to settle the ball down before he could pick it up and make the throw, and Broussard did a great job of keeping his foot on the bag while stretching for it. The Angels leave Cabrera at second, and there's no score after one in Game 3."

Erstad was named Player of the Game by Fox. He finished his evening two for four with a home run and three RBIs, and he was the only Angel with more than one hit. Martinez was the only Indian with more than one hit, he finished two for four with a home run. On the mound, the Angels' staff struck out twelve Cleveland hitters, with Lackey recording nine in his six-plus innings. He got the win, giving up three runs on five hits without allowing a walk.

Final totals: Angels 4-9-0, Indians 3-7-0.

W- Lackey (1-0)
S- Rodriguez (1)
L- Lee (0-1)

HR- CLE: Hafner (2), Martinez (1)
ANA: Erstad (1)

The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night here at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with C.C Sabathia starting for the Indians and Ervin Santana going to the hill for the Angels.

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The date is Saturday, October 15:

Lineup Changes:

Indians- Jose Hernandez replaces Ben Broussard at first base and will bat seventh.

Angels- Darin Erstad moves up to fifth. Casey Kotchman will serve as the designated hitter and will bat sixth. Finally, Bengie Molina moves down to seventh.

Indians 1st: With two out, Jhonny Peralta faced Angels starter Ervin Santana. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Santana's gotten the first two outs rather easily here in the top of the first, as you take a look back at Peralta's homer in Game 2. He hadn't shown a whole lot of power before this year, as he only hit four home runs in seventy-seven games two years ago and only played in eight games last year. But with the year he's had this year, he seems to have established himself as the Indians' shortstop of the future. Santana with the one-one pitch........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! BACK IS FINLEY, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......Jhonny Peralta starts this game off in style with a shot over the wall in left center to give the Indians a 1-0 lead."

Tim McCarver: "Santana tried for a strike low and outside, but that's exactly where Peralta started his swing, which means that he guessed exactly right. You have to do that quite a bit in order to hit twenty-four home runs in a season, and you also have to know how to hit, which Peralta definitely does. If these Indians are going to follow the model of the teams from a few years ago, they seem to have found their Omar Vizquel."

Travis Hafner kept the inning going by blooping a base hit to left, but Victor Martinez's bouncer to short ended the inning. The Tribe has scored first thanks to Peralta's second homer of the series; now let's hear from the hometown Halos,

Indians 3rd: Casey Blake drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by Grady Sizemore. Coco Crisp's single to right center put runners at the corners and brought Peralta back to the plate. Here's Joe with the count no balls and two strikes:

"Santana's been much more aggressive in pitching Peralta this time around, going right down the middle with the fastball and getting two big empty swings. He needs the strikeout now, with Blake at third and Crisp at first. A hit will extend the Cleveland lead by at least one, possibly two. There you see the runners, and Santana will work from the stretch. Bengie calls for another fastball, AND IT'S HAMMERED HIGH AND DEEP TO CENTER! BACK IS FINLE,Y, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE! TWO HOME RUNS IN TWO AT-BATS FOR PERALTA, AND THE INDIANS LEAD 4-0!.........That fastball didn't quite make it down the middle, Tim."

McCarver: "It sure didn't. It tailed outside, almost to the place where Peralta hit his homer in the first inning. The difference was that Jhonny straightened out his swing just a bit, which meant that the ball was hit to dead center. Otherwise, this was an exact replay of the first homer, right down to Steve Finley almost hitting the wall shoulder-first in an effort to catch it."

Hafner followed by lining a base hit to left center. Martinez's fly to the warning track in left center was caught by Finley for out number one, but Ronnie Belliard made it three straight balls hit to almost the same spot. The difference was that Ronnie's hit caromed off the wall for a double, allowing Hafner to score and put the Tribe up 5-0. Hernandez's fly chased Garret Anderson back to the wall in left, but the Angels' left fielder made the catch to end the inning with Belliard still at second. The Indians have widened their lead considerably in this inning, scoring four runs on four hits, a walk, and a productive fielder's choice, The big blow came on Peralta's three-run homer. He has two dingers for the game, and the Tribe has a 5-0 lead after two and a half.

Indians 4th: With two out, it was Sizemore against Santana. Here's Joe:

"Kelvim Escobar has been throwing in the Anaheim bullpen since the start of the inning and is just about ready should Santana get into any more trouble. We'll be back here tomorrow night for Game 5 at 8PM Eastern with the pitching matchup that we were scheduled to get in Game 1: Kevin Millwood for the Indians against Paul Byrd for the Angels. Jake Westbrook got the call in Game 1 for Cleveland when Millwood as scratched because of a stiff neck, and the Angels scored six runs on him in two and two-thirds innings on their way to 11-5 rout. This game is on the cusp of becoming a rout as well, with the Indians up 5-0 here in the fourth. First pitch to Sizemore is HAMMERED DEEP TO CENTER! ANOTHER LONG RUN FOR FINLEY, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.......Grady Sizemore goes deep for the first time in this series, and the Indians have hit three home runs in four innings against Ervin Santana, whose evening appears to be over as (Angels manager) Mike Scioscia makes his way out of the dugout with his team now trailing 6-0."

McCarver: "Sizemore is a lot like Jhonny Peralta, in that he's growing into his power. He only hit four home runs in forty-three games last year for the Indians, but he hit twenty-two this year, and a lot of them looked just like that. It was gone from the moment it left the bat, and for the third time tonight Steve Finley comes within inches of hitting either his head or his shoulder off the wall in center trying to make the catch."

Escobar retired Crisp on a grounder to second to end the inning, but Sizemore's homer has extended the Tribe's lead to 6-0 after three and a half.

Angels 4th: Vladimir Guerrero drew a leadoff walk. After Anderson struck out swinging, Indians starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia walked both Erstad and Kotchman to load the bases. Bengie unloaded them with a single to left center that scored Guerrero and Erstad to make it a 6-2 game, with Kotchman going to third. Finley went down swinging for the second out, but Adam Kennedy stroked a single up the middle to bring Kotchman home and bring the Halos within 6-3. Bengie went to third on that hit and came home on Chone Figgins' lined single to left to make it 6-4, with Kennedy moving to third. Figgins stole second to put two men in scoring position for Orlando Cabrera, but the Halos' shortstop grounded to his opposite Peralta to end the inning. The Angels have fought their way back into this game, scoring four runs on three hits, three walks, and a stolen base. At the end of four in Game 4, it's Indians 6, Angels 4.

Angels 5th: Guerrero led off against Sabathia. Here's Joe with the count no balls and a strike:

"Guerrero came here beflore last season after spending his first eight seasons with the Expos. His production was down a bit this year: he hit thirty-two home runs and had a hundred and eight RBIs, compared to thirty-nine home runs and 126 RBIs last year. He hit over forty home runs twice in Montreal, and his departure is one of the main reasons that the Expos are now the Washington Nationals. We could spend a day and a half on that subject, but we'll save it for another time. Meanwhile, Guerrero's down a strike, and here's Sabathia's next pitch........A LINE DRIVE HIT DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! BACK IS SIZEMORE, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......The Angels continue their comeback, as Vladimir Guerrero hits a bullet over the wall in left center to make this a 6-5 game."

McCarver: "However Vladimir Guerrero got here, the Angels are lucky to have him. This ball was hit so hard we barely had time to watch it get out of here. Watch Sizemore; he's just getting ready to go back on the ball when it sees it fly over his head. He makes up a lot of ground in a hurry to make it seem like a close play, but it's too little too late."

Anderson followed with a lined single to right center, but Sabathia settled down and got the next three outs in order: Erstad popped to Peralta at short, Kotchman popped to Boone at third, and Bengie struck out swinging. But the Angels have crept a run closer thanks to Vlad's leadoff homer, and the Indians' lead has dwindled to 6-5 after five.

Indians 6th: Belliard led off with a single to right center. After Hernandez struck out swinging, Aaron Boone lined a double into the left center power alley to bring Belliard home and put the Tribe up 7-5. After Blake flew to Finley in right center for out number two, Sizemore smacked a double off the wall in right center. Boone scored, and it was 8-5 Cleveland. Scioscia called on Brendan Donnelly to face Crisp, who tapped weakly to Erstad at first to end the inning. The Tribe has scored twice on three hits while stranding Sizemore at second, and after five and a half it's Cleveland 8, Anaheim 5.

Indians 8th: With one out, Boone faced Angels reliever Esteban Yan. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"After being out last year and being released by the Yankees, Boone has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts in Cleveland, hitting sixteen home runs with sixty RBIs this year and reestablishing himself as a solid major league third baseman. He's up right now with one out in the eighth against the new Anaheim pitcher, Esteban Yan. One ball and one strike to him, as there you see his brother Bret taking in the game. His father Bob is also here tonight, and we'll see if we can find him for you in just a moment. Yan ready with the one-one pitch......HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER FIELD! BACK IS FINLEY AGAIN, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, BUT THIS ONE'S HEADED FOR THE UPPER DECK!........A tape-measure home run for Aaron Boone, which makes four for the Indians tonight and gives them a 9-5 lead here in the eighth."

McCarver: "An impressive power display by the Indians tonight, and now Aaron Boone joins the party with a flourish, as this was the most impressive one yet. I've said a few times tonight that Steve Finley's almost hurt himself in an effort to get to the other home run balls, but he knew better than to go after that one, which is halfway to Los Angeles by now."

Buck: "Right center field is 361 feet from home plate here at Angel Stadium. According to our Tale of the Tape, that ball traveled 390 feet."

A walk to Blake extended the inning. Sizemore was next, and here's Joe again:

"Bartolo Colon, who was one of the Angels' main starter all year but who hasn't been seen yet in this series, is finally going to get some work in the Anaheim bullpen. We're not sure if he's just working to get ready for a start in one of the final two games or if he's available to pitch tonight. At any rate, it'll be Yan against Sizemore, who homer in the fourth and doubled in a huge insurance run in the sixth after the Angels had clawed their way to within a run earlier. We'll see how careful Yan is with him. First pitch is pulled down the line in right, Guerrero going over, ball still carrying, AND IT IS GONE!......Sizemore tucked that one neatly into the first row beside the foul pole, and that two-run shot makes it 11-5 Cleveland here in the eighth."

McCarver: "That's five home runs for the Indians tonight. and if they can keep up this kind of power they'll be impossible to beat going forward. This homer isn't majestic like some of the others we've seen tonight, but it certainly got the job done. It's been the new generation supplying most of the power for the Indians tonight, with Sizemore and Peralta supplying four of the five home runs. That doesn't bode well for the American League over the next five to seven years."

Crisp extended the inning by beating out a grounder to second for an infield single, and Peralta's base hit to left center put runners at the corners. But Hafner flew to Guerrero in shallow right for out number two, and Martinez's roller to first ended the inning with runners still at first and third. The visitors have added o their lead with three runs on four hits, and as we go to the bottom of the eighth they lead the Angels 11-5.

That was all the scoring. Our final: Indians 11, Angels 5, and this series is even at two games apiece.

Sizemore and Peralta shared Player of the Game honors from Fox. Sizemore was three for five with two home runs, three runs scored, and four runs batted in, while Peralta was four for five with two home runs and four runs batted in. Boone was two for five with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Belliard was three for five with a run scored and a run batted in. Crisp and Hafner were each two for five, and each man also scored a run. Figgins led the Anaheim offense by going three for five and driving in a run, while Guerrero walked, homered, and scored twice. Bengie drove in a pair of runs with his single in the fourth.

Final totals: Indians 11-16-0, Angels 5-8-1.

W- Sabathia (1-0)
L- Santana (0-1)

HR- CLE: Peralta 2 (3), Sizemore 2 (2), Boone (1)
ANA: Guerrero (1)

The series will continue with Game 5 tomorrow night here at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, and Joe gave us the pitching matchup earlier: Kevin Millwood (Indians) against Paul Byrd (Angels).

Next: We look at Game 5.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 5 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The date is Sunday, October 15:

Lineup Changes:

Indians- Ben Broussard replaces Jose Hernandez at first base and will bat seventh.

Angels- Garret Anderson moves from left field to center field and also moves up to third in the batting order, while Vladimir Guerrero moves down to the cleanup spot. Bengie Molina and Casey Kotchman switch places in the batting order; Molina will bat sixth while Kotchman bats seventh. Finally, Juan Rivera gets the start in left field and will bat eighth.

This was a scoreless pitcher's duel for the first five innings, with each team only managing a pair of hits. The Angels got a break in the top of the second. After Victor Martinez tripled into the left field corner with one out, Ronnie Belliard flew to Juan Rivera in left. Martinez misjudged how deeply the ball was hit and took off for home, and Rivera's throw to the plate arrived on one hop and in plenty of time for Bengie Molina to tag his counterpart and end the inning. The Tribe also put two men on in the fourth when Coco Crisp singled up the middle and moved to second on Jhonny Peralta's groundout. Travis Hafner walked to put two men on, but Martinez hit a weak bouncer to third, where Chone Figgins stepped on the bag for the force on Crisp to end the inning.

The Angels left runners at first and third twice in the first five innings. In the first, Figgins led off with a single to right, then stole second. After Orlando Cabrera popped to Belliard at second for out number one, Anderson's grounder to Belliard moved Figgins to third. Vladimir Guerrero extended the inning by walking on five pitches, but Erstad also grounded to second to retire the side. In the fifth, Kotchman stroked a leadoff single to left. Millwood got the next two outs, bur Figgins' lined single to right center put runners at the corners. Cabrera was next, and Millwood caught him looking at a curveball for strike three to end the inning.

Indians 6th: Grady Sizemore led off with a single to left against Angels starting pitcher Paul Byrd. Coco Crisp was next, and here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Broadcasters talk so often about how each game is different during a series or a season that it's become a cliche, and yet tonight's living proof. Last night at this time, the Indians had already hit three home runs and were up 6-0; tonight, they only have three hits of any kind, and we're in the middle of a scoreless pitcher's duel. Crisp singled up the middle his last time up in the fourth. Sizemore's a decent threat to run in this situation; he stole twenty-two bases in thirty-two attempts during the regular season. One ball and one strike to Crisp, and Byrd's next pitch is HAMMERED HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS RIVERA, AT THE TRACK AT THE WALL, AND GONE!......Coco Crisp goes deep for the first time in this series, and the Indians have now hit ten hone runs over the last three-plus games after not homering in Game 1. They lead 2-0 here in the sixth."

Tim McCarver: "Coco Crisp is known for his speed and outfield defense, but he also has a little pop in his bat, as he hit sixteen home runs this year. This ball is absolutely tattooed, and that's what has impressed me most about the home runs in this series for both teams: very few of them have been cheap. We're seeing some of the best young power hitters in the American League, and pitchers everywhere have to be sitting up and taking notice."

Byrd recovered to strike Peralta and Hafner out swinging, but Martinez kept the inning going with a single to left center. Belliard's bouncer to third retired the side, but the Tribe has broken the scoreless tie thanks to Crisp's two-run homer. After five and a half, it's Indians 2, Angels 0.

Angels 9th: Guerrero whacked a leadoff double off the wall in left. He held at second while Erstad bounced to third for the first out, Bengie followed with a bloop just over Aaron Boone's head at third and into left field. Guerrero scored easily to put the Halos on the board, but Bengie decided to try for a double. Crisp's throw to Belliard at second arrived at about the same time Bengie did, and it took several seconds for second base umpire Jerry Crawford to make his call: out. Angels manager Mike Scioscia came out of the dugout as fast as an old catcher's knees would et him, and the ensuing argument also involved third base umpire Doug Eddings, ho naturally agreed with Crawfiord's call. Scioscia stomped his way back to the dugout after a four-minute delay, and the game ended two pitches later when Steve Finley (batting for Kotchman) grounded to Boone at third. Our final: Indians 2, Angels 1, and the Indians lead the series three games to two.

Indians starting pitcher Kevin Millwood was named Player of the Game by Fox. He pitched a complete game, giving up just one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out two in a hundred and ten pitches. Byrd pitched a great game as well, giving up two runs on five hits in seven innings while walking two and striking out nine. He threw ninety-nine pitches. Crisp led the Cleveland offense; he was two for four with his two-run homer. Martinez was also two for four, and Sizemore had the other hit and scored the other run on Crisp's longball. Bengie drove in the Angels' only run and was two for four, while Figgins was three for four from the leadoff spot. Kotchman and Guerrero had the other Anaheim hits, and Guerrero also walked and scored their only run.

Final totals: Indians 2-5-0, Angels 1-7-0.

W- Millwood (1-0)
L- Byrd (1-1)

HR- CLE: Crisp (1)

The series heads back to Jacobs Field in Cleveland for Game 6 on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Jarrod Washburn starting for the Angels and Jake Westbrook going to the mound for the Indians.

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 6 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Jacobs Field in Cleveland. The date is Tuesday, October 18:

Lineup Changes:

Angels- Vladimir Guerrero will serve as the designated hitter and bat third. Garret Anderson moves from center field back to left field and will bat cleanup. Bengie Molina and Darin Erstad switch places in the batting order; Bengie will bat fifth while Erstad bats sixth. Juan Rivera moves from left field to right field and will bat seventh. Finally, Steve Finley is back in center field and will bat eighth.

Since there was no real-life Game 6, let's introduce tonight's umpiring crew:

Home Plate: Randy Marsh
First Base: Jerry Crawford
Second Base: Doug Eddings
Third Base: Ted Barrett
Left Field: Ron Kulpa
Right Field: Ed Rapuano

Weather: 53 degrees, fair skies, calm winds.

Angels 1st: Chone Figgins led off the game with a single to right center, stole second, and moved to third on Orlando Cabrera's fly to Coco Crisp in left center. Guerrero followed with another fly to left center that sent Crisp back to the wall before he could make the catch. That was deep enough to allow Figgins to score, and the Angels led 1-0. Anderson continued the inning with a bloop single to right center, but Bengie's grounder to short retired the side. The Halos have grabbed he early lead thanks to a pair of hits, a stolen base, and a pair of productive fly balls; now let's see how the Indians respond.

Indians 1st: With one out, Crisp lined a single to left. Jhonny Peralta followed suit to put runners at the crners, and Travis Hafner brought Crisp home when he fly to center chased Finley back to the warning track, Victor Martinez walked to put two men on, but Ronnie Belliard grounded to Erstad at first to end the inning. The Tribe has tied the game thanks to a pair of hits, a walk, and a sacrifice fly while leaving runners at first and second. After one in Game 6, we're tied at one.

Angels 3rd: Adam Kennedy stroked a leadoff double to right. Figgins took a called third strike for out number one, but Cabrera singled up the middle to score Kennedy and give the Halos a 2-1 lead. Cabrera was forced by Guerrero for the second out, but Anderson lined a single to right center, which put runners at the corners with Bengie at the plate. For the second time tonight, the Angels' catcher grounded to short, stranding the runners and ending the inning. But the visitors have taken the lead with a run on three hits, and as we go to the bottom of the third they lead the homestanding Indians 2-1.

Angels 5th: With one out, Cabrera singled to left center, then stole second. Guerrero lined a single to right center that brought Cabrera home and extended the Anaheim lead to 3-1. Anderson's single to left sent Vlad to third, and Bengie brought him home on a bouncer to Aaron Boone at third to make it 4-1. Anderson went to second on the play and scored when Erstad singled to left. It was now 5-1 Anaheim, and for the second time in this series the Angels had knocked Indians starting pitcher Jake Westbtook out of the game. Scott Sauerbeck relieved and got the final out of the inning on Rivera's shallow fly to Casey Blake in right. But the Angels have added to their lead, scoring three runs on four hits, a stolen base, and a productive groundout while stranding a runner at second. We're halfway through Game 6, and it's Anaheim 5, Cleveland 1.

That was all the scoring. The only major threat by the Indians came in the sixth, when Jhonny Peralta drew a leadoff walk and Martinez and Belliard each singled with one out to load the bases. The stage was set for Brousssard, but he grounded into a 3-6-3 inning-ending double play. Our final: Angels 5, Indians 1, and this series is tied at three games apiece.

Angels starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn was named Player of the Game by Fox. He pitched seven strong innings, holding the Indians to just one run on six hits while walking two and striking out four. He threw ninety-eight pitches. Anderson, Erstad, and Kennedy led the offensive attack for the Angels; Anderson was three for five and scored a run, while Erstad was three for four and drove in a run. Kennedy was three for four and scored a run, while Cabrera was two for five, scored a run, and drove in another run. Guerrero drove in two runs and scored another. For the Indians, Crisp was two for four and scored a run, while Peralta was two for three plus a walk.

Final totals: Angels 5-13-0, Indians 1-7-1.

W- Washburn (1-0)
L- Westbrook (0-2)

Bengie's run-scorinf bouncer in the fifth is also our Defensive Play of the Night. Here's how Joe Buck called it:

"Grounded to third, Boone has to charge, corrals it, throws to first......OUT!.......Great play by Boone making the pickup on the bouncing ball and getting off a good throw to first. Guerrero scores on the play, and the Angels lead 4-1 with Darin Erstad coming up."

The series will be decided in Game 7 tomorrow night here at Jacobs Field. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with John Lackey pitching for the Angels and Scott Elarton going to the hill for the Indians.

Next: We look at Game 7.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

While I have some extra time, I'm going to do the standings for 2019. We begin with the National League East:

Washington Nationals: 95-67 (+2)
Atlanta Braves: 91-71 - 4 GB(-6)
New York Mets: 86-76- 9 GB (0)
Philadelphia Phillies: 79-83 - 16 GB (-2)
Miami Marlins: 61-101- 34 GB (+4)

The big story here is the Braves' six-game nosedive, which allows the Nats to improve by two and take their fourth division title. The Mets stay exactly where they are to finish third, while the fourth-place Phils drop a pair. The Marlins show the most improvement in the division, but they still lose over a hundred games and finish eighteen games behind the Phils for fourth and thirty-four games behind the Nats.

Now the Central:

St. Louis Cardinals: 92-70 (+1)
Chicago Cubs: 90-72- 2 GB (+6)
Milwaukee Brewers: 81-81- 11 GB (-8)
Cincinnati Reds: 80-82- 12 GB (+5)
Pittsburgh Pirates: 68-94- 24 GB (-1)

The Central's calling card is big changes in the middle. The Cubs take a six-game leap up into second place, while the Brewers' eight-game nosedive lands them in at .500 and in third place just one game ahead of the Reds, who surge by five and just miss a .500 season of their own. On top, the division champion Cards improve by one; at the bottom, the last-place Buccos drop a game.

Finally, the West:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 107-55 (+1)
Arizona Diamondbacks: 88-74- 19 GB (+3)
(tie) San Francisco Giants: 71-91 - 36 GB(-6)
(tie( Colorado Rockies: 71-91- 36 GB (0)
San Diego Padres: 70-92- 37 GB (0)

The Men in Blue stomp their Western brethren flat, adding a game to make their margin over the second-place Snakes (who improve by three) a whopping nineteen games. Elsewhere, the Giants celebrate manager Bruce Bochy's final season with a six-game nosedive into a third-place tie with the stationary Rockies, while the Padres freeze where they are in the basement, thirty-seven games behind their SoCal neighbors. This is the Dodgers' twentieth division title, the most in MLB history.

Wild Card- The Braves are the first wild card by a game over the Cubs and will host them in the Wild Card Game at Sun Trust Park. The D-Backs finish third two games out, the Mets finish fourth four back. and the Brewers finish fifth nine games out.

The winner of the Cubs-Braves clash will meet the top-seeded Dodgers in one Division Series. In the other, the Nationals swept the Cardinals in three straight games to claim their spot in the NLCS.

Note: I took the Nationals-Cardinals result from the first three games of the real-life NLCS.

Next: We look at the American League.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for our look at the American League. We begin in the East:

New York Yankees: 99-63 (-4)
Tampa Bay Rays: 93-69 - 6 GB(-3)
Boston Red Sox: 87-75- 12 GB (+3)
Toronto Blue Jays: 71-91- 28 GB (+4)
Baltimore Orioles: 60-102- 39 GB (+6)

The division champion Yanks dip by four games and lose their hundred-win season, but they still finish six games ahead of the second-place Rays, who subtract three. The defending world champion Red Sox improve by three, but can't get out of third place. The two teams at the bottom feature the biggest improvements: the fourth-place Jays improve by four, while the last-place Orioles spurt by six.

Now, the Central:

Minnesota Twins: 97-65 (-4)
Cleveland Indians: 93-69 - 4 GB (0)
Chicago White Sox: 69-92- 27.5 GB (-3)
Kansas City Royals: 64-98- 33 GB (+5)
Detroit Tigers: 49-112- 47.5 GB (_2)

The Twins, like the Yankees in the East, fall by four games and lose their hundred-win season. They finish four games ahead of the Tribe, who freeze in second. From there, it's all downhill. The White Sox fall off by three and lose ninety-two games, but that's still good enough for third place despite surges by the fourth-place Royals (five) and the last-place Tigers (two). The Royals avoid the embarrassment of losing a hundred games, but the Tigers' hundred and twelve losses is still the second-worst record in modern MLB history behind the infamous 1974 Padres.

Finally, the West:

Houston Astros: 107-55 (0)
Oakland Athletics: 97-65 - 10 GB(0)
Texas Rangers: 75-87- 32 GB (-3)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 72-90- 35 GB (0)
Seattle Mariners: 69-93 - 38 GB (+1)

The top two teams freeze, as the Stros match the Dodgers' hundred and seven wins and take the division by ten over the second-place Athletics. The Angels also freeze in fourth place with ninety losses. The third-place Rangers fall off by three, while the last-place Mariners manage a one-game improvement,

Wild Card- The A's are the first wild card by four games over the Rays and Indians, who will meet in a one-game playoff on Monday, September 30 to determine the second wild card. The Rays will host the playoff at Tropicana Field, as they won the season series between the two teams six games to one.

The only other team in serious wild card contention is the Red Sox, who finish fourth ten games out.

The wild card survivor will meet the top-seeded Astros in one Division Series. The other one saw the Yankees sweep the Twins in three straight games, just as they did in real life, to claim a spot in the ALCS.

Next: Back to Game 7 of the 2005 ALCS.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 7 of the 2005 American League Championship Series from Jacobs Field in Cleveland. The date is Wednesday, October 19:

Lineup Changes:

Angels- Chone Figgins moves from third base to center field. Vladimir Guerrero gets the start in right field and will bat third. Bengie Molina will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup. Garret Anderson moves down to fifth. Robb Quinlan gets the start at third base and ill bat sixth. Darin Erstad moves down to seventh, while Bengie's brother Jose will start behind the plate and will bat eighth.

Indians- Jose Hernandez replaces Ben Broussard at first base and will bat seventh.

Here are tonight's umpires:

Home Plate: Jerry Crawford
First Base: Doug Eddings
Second Base: Ted Barrett
Third Base: Ron Kulpa
Left Field: Ed Rapuano
Right Field: Randy Marsh

Weather: 59 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, north winds at 15 MPH gusting to 24 MPH.

We begin with our Defensive Play of the Night. It's the top of the first, and the Angles have runners at first and third with one out thanks to singles by Orlando Cabrera and Guerrero. Bengie's at the plate, and here's Joe Buck:

"Fly ball to left, not very deep. Crisp playing back at the track, now coming in, can he get there in time........DIVING CATCH BY CRISP!.........He was playing back toward the warning track so he could cut off a ball that might be hit to him, so he had a long run to make the catch, and he just did make it in time. The runners stay at first and third with two out, and here's Garret Anderson."

Indians 1st: With one out, Coco Crisp lined a double into the left center power alley. Jhonny Peralta walked to put two men on, but Travis Hafner struck out swinging for out number two. A wild pitch from Angels starter John Lackey moved both runners into scoring position, and Victor Martinez walked to load the bases. Ronnie Belliard was next, and he stroked a single to right that scored both Crisp and Peralta to give the Indians a 2-0 lead. Martinez moved to second on the hit, but both runners were stranded when Hernandez grounded to his Anaheim counterpart Erstad at first to retire the side. The Indians have jumped out in front with two runs on two hits, two walks, and a wild pitch, and they lead the Angels 2-0 after one.

Angels 4th: Anderson led off with a single to left center against Indians starter Scott Elarton. Quinlan's line drive was snared by Hernandez for out number one, and Erstad forced Anderson for the second out. That brought Jose to the plate, and here's Joe with the count one ball and no strikes:

"For those who are curious, Bengie is the oldest Molina brother, Jose's next, and Yadier's the baby. Bengie and Jose have been the catching tandem in Anaheim since 2001, when Jose was traded over from the Cubs. Jose's not much of a hitter, but he provides rock-solid defense behind the plate, as do each of his brothers. The talk is that Yadi is the real talent of the family, and he's beginning to come into his own in St. Louis, as we've seen in the NLCS. One ball pitch to Jose is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO CENTER! BACK IS CRISP, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!TIE GAME!........Jose Molina with a towering home run to straightaway center field, and to save time for when we do Tale of the Tape, that's 405 feet from home plate."

Tim McCarver: "Jose only hit six home runs this year, which is his career high, so you wouldn't expect a power display like this from him. The wind may have helped a little bit, but it was also an excellent swing at a good pitch from Elarton, whose stuff isn't all that different tonight than it was in Game 2, when he pitched nine superb inning against this same lineup. That just goes to show that every game is different in baseball, especially for a pitcher."

Buck: "That home run traveled 422 feet, according to Tale of the Tape."

Adam Kennedy's tapper to first ended the inning, but the Angels have tied the game thanks to Jose's dinger, which was set up by another hit and a productive force play. We're even at two after three and a half.

Indians 4th: Aaron Boone led off with a double off the wall in left center. Casey Blake followed with a comebacker that was dropped by Lackey, allowing Blake to reach and Boone to move to third. Grady Sizemore struck out swinging for the first out, and Crisp forced Blake for out number two. Boone scored on the play to give the Tribe a 3-2 lead. Peralta's liner was gloved by Quinlan for the final out, but the homestanding Indians have reclaimed the lead thanks to a hit, an error, and a fielder's choice. At the end of four, it's Tribe 3, Halos 2.
...
Angels 5th: With two out, it was Elarton against Guerrero. Here's Joe with the count one ball and two strikes:

"Guerrero singled to left in the first and was hit in the back by a pitch in the third. A reminder that the World Series will begin Saturday night at the home of tonight's winner, either Angel Stadium or right here at Jacobs Field. We'll be on the air at 8PM Eastern. We're not sure who these teams will start in Game 1 should they get there, but the Astros have confirmed that Roger Clemens will start for them. This is their first trip to the World Series since 1984, when they swept the Twins. One-two pitch IS HIT DOWN THE LINE IN LEFT! BACK IS SIZEMORE, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE! WE'RE TIED AGAIN!.......For most hitters, that would have been an ordinary fly ball out. For Vladimir Gyerrero, it's a game-tying home run."

McCarver: "I wondered what you were yelling about, Joe, since that ball didn't seem to be hit hard coming off the bat. But watch it fly once it gets in the air. Usually balls pulled down the lie like that one was start to curve, and a lot of them end up foul. That one flew out of here straight as the proverbial arrow, thanks mainly to the incredible strength of Vladimir Guerrero."

Buck: "That home run traveled 350 feet, according to our Tale of the Tape.. Not to impressive, until you realize that it's only 325 feet down the left field line here at Jacobs Field."

Bengie followed with a fly to deep center, but Sizemore caught it just in front of the wall to end the inning. The Angels have tied the game again on Vlad's homer, and halfway through Game 7 it's Anaheim 3, Cleveland 3.

Indians 8th: Hafner led off with a single up the middle. Martinez's fly to deep left center was caught by Figgins on the warning track for out number one, but Belliard followed with another single to center, which moved Hafner to third. Indians manager Eric Wedge sent Broussard up to bat for Hernandez, and Ben delivered with a single to left that scored Hafner and gave the Indians a 4-3 lead, with Belliard moving to third. That was all for Lackey; Scot Shields came out of the Angels' bullpen and got Boone to bounce into a force play. Belliard scampered home, and the Indians led 5-3. Blake went down swinging to end the inning, but the Indians have broken the tie with two runs on three hits and a productive fielder's choice. Closer Bob Wickman's coming out of the bullpen to get the last three outs and nail down the pennant for the Tribe; he'll face Kennedy, Figgins, and Cabrera with the crowd at The Jake going wild and the home squad in front 5-3.

With two out, Cabrera lined a single to right center, and Guerrero walked to put two men on. That brought Bengie to the plate, and here's Joe with the count two ball and no strikes:

"Plenty of speed on the bases for the Angels in Cabrera and Guerrero. A double could score them both and tie this game again. If that happens, the Indians have Sizemore, Crisp, and Peralta due up in the bottom of the ninth. Infield and outfield are both at normal depth with the Indians up by two. The crowd here at Jacobs Field wants that last out, which will give the Indians their first pennant in eight years. The stretch by Wickman, and the two-two pitch.....hit down the line in left, carrying well, over is Crisp, still going back but has it in his sights, AND MAKES THE CATCH! THE INDIANS ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!.........Ben Brossard with the game winning single in the bottom of the eighth against John Lackey, and the Indians are headed to the World Series for the first time since they went in back-to-back years in 1996 and 1997. In 1996 they lost to the Cardinals in five games, and in 1997 they lost that seven-game classic to the Marlins. This year they'll face th Houston Astros, and the series will begin on Saturday night here at Jacobs Field.

The Angels were led offensively by Cabrera, who finished three for five. Jose Molina was two for four with his home run, Guerrero was two for three plus a walk with his home run, and Anderson was two for three plus a walk. Only two Indians had more than one hit: Belliard, was was two for four and scored a run while driving in two with his fourth-inning single, and Crisp, who was two for four with a run scored and another run driven in.

Our final score here in Game 7: the Cleveland Indians 5, the Anaheim Angels 3, and the Indians win the series and the American League pennant four games to three. We'll be back here to Jacobs Field with the presentation of the American League championship trophy, plus the presentation of the series MVP award, which will go to the Indians' Jhonny Peralta thanks mainly to his three home runs in the series. First, a word from your local Fox stations. You're watching Fox Sports' exclusive coverage of the 2005 American League Championship Series."

Final totals: Indians 5-9-0, Angels 3-10-1,

W- Howry (1-0)
S- Wickman (1)
L- Lackey (1-1)

HR- ANA: Guerrero (2), J. Molina (1)

This is the Indians' tenth American League pennant so far in this timeline.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

We're getting the house spruced up for Thanksgiving (even though it's just my dad and me), so there may be a few one-paragraph summaries until then, and maybe even a day or two off. For today, here's a recap of the 2019 National League Wild Card Game from SunTrust Park in Atlanta:

Cubs 8, Braves 6 (MLB Network: Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Lauren Shehadi)

The Cubs scored five times in the first, then held off the Braves' furious ninth-inning rally. Catcher Willson Contreras' three-run homer was the key blow in the first; the other two runs had been driven in earlier by left fielder Kyle Schwarber's two-run double. Schwarber and Contreras also drove in runs in a three-run eighth that put the Cubs up 8-1. But center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.'s solo homer in the bottom of the eighth began a five-run Atlanta comeback over the final two innings, as the Braves scored twice in the eighth and three times in the ninth. First baseman Freddie Freeman's two-run single brought the Braves back to within 8-6, but Cubs closer Steve Cishek came on with runners at first and second and nobody out and got the final three outs.. The game ended when Cubs right fielder Nick Castellanos caught his counterpart Matt Joyce's fly ball at the warning track in right.

Freeman hit a first-inning homer for the Braves, but that run was the only one allowed by Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks over seven innings. He also held the Braves to five hits while walking one and striking out six. Dallas Keuchel took the loss for Atlanta ; after giving up the aforementioned five runs on four hits in the first, he shut the Cubs out on just three hits over the next six innings. He walked one and struck out eight in his seven-inning stint.

Final totals: Cubs 8-12-1, Braves 6-11-0.

W- Hendricks (1-0)
S- Cishek (1)
L- Keuchel (0-1)

HR- CHC: Contreras (1)
ATL: Acuna Jr. (1), Freeman (1)

The Cubs will take on the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers in the first National League Division Series, which will begin on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 1 of the first 2019 National League Division Series from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The date is Thursday, October 3:

Cubs 1st: First baseman Anthony Rizzo led off the game with a double to right. Right fielder Nick Castellanos followed with a bloop single to right center that scored Rizzo and gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead. But Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler shut down the visitors after that, as second baseman Ben Zobrist struck out swinging, left fielder Kyle Schwarber forced Castellanos, and catcher Willson Contreras took a called third strike to end the inning. The Cubbies have scored first thanks to a pair of hits; now it's time for the Men in Blue to weigh in.

Dodgers 1st: With one out, first baseman David Freese blooped a single to left. Third baseman Justin Turner walked to put two men on, and center fielder Cody Bellinger followed with a double into the left center power alley. Freese scored to tie the game at one, but Cubs center fielder Jason Heyward threw a perfect strike to the plate to cut down the incoming Turner for out number two. Bellinger was stranded at second when right fielder Chris Taylor's fly to the warning track in center was snagged by Heyward to retire the side. The Dodgers have answered the Cubs' run with one of their own; it came as the result of two hits and a walk. After one in Game 1, it's Cubs 1, Dodgers 1.

Cubs 2nd: After two out, shortstop Nico Hoerner hit a line drive to deep center. Bellinger temporarily lost the ball in the gathering twilight, and it went off of hos glove and rolled away from him. Hoerner ended up at second as a result, and Bellinger was charged with an error. Starting pitcher Jon Lester helped his own cause with a bloop single to left center that brought Hoerner home and put the Cubs up 2-1. Rizzo's line drive was gloved by Corey Seager at short to retire the side, but the Cubs have the lead again thanks to a hit and a costly two-base error by Bellinger. After an inning and a half, it's Cubbies 2, Bums 1.

Cubs 5th: Lester led off with a double off the wall in left center and scored on Rizzo's single to right to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead. Castellanos was next, and here's Bob Costas with the count one ball and one strike:

"One of the stories we'll be following as the series goes on is the drama that could be developing out in Anaheim. As most of you know, Mike Scioscia is retiring after his long and distinguished career as manager of the Angels, and the almost-universal first choice to replace him is right there in the Cubs' dugout. (Cubs manager Joe( Maddon doesn't have a contract for next season, he's rumored to be unhappy with the Cubs' growing reliance on analytics, and he cut his teeth in the Angels' organization as a manager. In fact, he served as interim manager of the Angels in both 1996 and 1999, so if it happens it would be more of a return than most people realize. Back to the game at hand, with Rizzo at the plate and a one-ball, one-strike count on Castellanos. Buehler's next pitch IS LAUNCHED INTO CENTER! BELLINGER'S GOING BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, REACHES UP......CAN'T GET IT!......A two-run homer for Nick Castellanos, who's been on fire since coming to the Cubs from Detroit, and it's 5-1 Chicago here in the fifth."

Jim Kaat: "On fire is right, Bob. He hit .321 on the regular season for the Cubs with sixteen homers and thirty-six RBIs in only fifty-one games. Now he's brought his hot bat to the postseason, as he cranks this Buehler fastball out of here to dead center. Walker got that pitch a bit more out over the plate than he wanted, and he certainly paid for it."

Buehler got the next three outs in order: Zobrist grounded to first, Schwarber took a called third strike, and Conteras went sown swinging to retire the side. But the Cubs have added to their lead with three runs on three hits, with the key blow coming on Castellanos' two-run homer. We're halfway through Game 1, and it's Chicago 5, Los Angeles 1.

Dodgers 6th: Bellinger led off against Lester. Here's Bob with the count no balls and a strike:

"For those who may be wondering, (Cubs closer) Craig Kimbrel is okay and ready to pitch tonight. Joe Maddon wanted Steve Cishek to have a chance to close a game in case he's needed later in the postseason, which is why he saved the Wild Card in Atlanta on Tuesday. Pedro Strop has also had closing experience, so the Cubs' bullpen is ready for anything. Bellinger doubled in the Dodgers' only run in the first, and it would have been two runs if not for a perfect throw to the plate from Heyward to cur down Turner. Now it's 5-1 Cubs here in the sixth, and Bellinger's looking to get his team up off the floor. THIS MAY BE A GOOD START! HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT, AND SCHWARBER CAN FORGET ABOUT IT! A long, loud blast from Cody Bellinger, and the Dodgers are back to within 5-2 here in the sixth."

Kaat: "Left field at Dodger Stadium is 335 feet, and StatCast has this ball going 363 feet. It might have been even further from that, as Bellinger got absolutely all of that pitch. We'll see if this is just one mistake for Lester, or if he's starting to get tired. They're already getting Tyler Chatwood ready in the bullpen just in case."

Taylor followed with a base hit to right center. and second baseman Max Muncy made it three straight hits by lining a base hit to left center. Dodger blue was now at the corners with nobody out, and Maddon went to his bullpen for Chatwood, who retired Seager and pinch hitter Joc Pederson (batting for Buehler) on flies to center and struck catcher Will Smith out looking in between. The Dodgers settle for a run on Bellinger's leadoff homer, but they've left runners at first and third, and we go to the seventh with the Cubs in front 5-2.

That was all the scoring. The Dodgers brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with two out after Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel walked pinch hitter Austin Barnes (batting for reliever Pedro Baez) and Freese, but third baseman Justin Turner hit the first pitch he saw right back to Kimbrel, who threw to Rizzo at first to end the game. Our final: Cubs 5, Dodgers 2, and the Cubs lead the series one game to none.

Castellanos was named Player of the Game by TBS. He finished two for five with his two-run homer in the fifth and three runs batted in. Rizzo was two for five and scored twice from the leadoff spot. On the mound, Lester got the win after giving up both Dodger runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out three in five-plus innings. He was also two for three at the plate, scored a run, and drove in another. The Dodgers were led offensively by Bellinger, who was two for four and drove in both Los Angeles runs, one of them with his sixth-inning home run. Freese was two for three, walked twice, and scored a run, while Muncy was two for three plus a walk.

Final totals: Cubs 5-8-0, Dodgers 2-8-2.

W- Lester (1-0)
S- Kimbrel (1)
L- Buehler (0-1)

HR- CHC:: Castellanos (1)
LAD: Belllinger (1)

The series will continue tomorrow night with Game 2 here at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after9:30 PM Eastern, with Jose Quintana starting for the Cubs and Clayton Kershaw going to the hill for the Dodgers.

Before we go, here's our Defensive Play of the Night. It's the bottom of the third with two out, Taylor at the plate, and Freese at first following a leadoff single. Here's Bob:

"Bouncer in the hole at short, diving stop by Hoerner, he'll have to hurry his throw.......GOT HIM!......Nico Hoerner stopped the ball and got to his feet almost in one motion, which is the only possible way to get Taylor at first. Mssion accomplished, the Dodgers leave one, and we go to the fourth in Game 1 with the Cubs in front 2-1."

Next: We look at Game 2.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's a one-paragraph recap of Game 2 between the Cubs and the Dodgers:

Dodgers 5, Cubs 1 (TBS: Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Lauren Shehadi; series tied 1-1)

The Dodgers used a devastating combination of pitching and offense to gain a split at home. Cody Bellinger's two-run homer kicked things off in the first, and the Men in Blue also got a solo homer from Corey Seager in the third and a two-run shot from Justin Turner in the fifth. The pitching part of the equation came from starter Clayton Kershaw, who pitched eight strong innings, giving up just one run on four hits and striking out ten while walking only one. Left fielder Tony Kemp drove in the only Chicago run with a third-inning single, and third baseman David Bote was the only Cub with more than one hit; he was two for four.

The series shifts to Wrigley Field in Chicago for Game 3 on Sunday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Hyun-Jin Ryu starting for the Dodgers and Yu Darvish going to the mound for the Cubs.

Final totals: Dodgers 5-7-0, Cubs 1-5-1.

W- Kershaw (1-0)
L- Quintana (0-1)

HR- LAD: Bellinger (2), Seager (1), Turner (1)

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the first 2019 National League Division Series from Wrigley Field in Chicago. The date is Sunday, October 6:

Lineup Changes:

Dodgers- Max Muncy moves up to second, while Justin Turner moves down to third. Corey Seager moves up to fifth, while A.J. Pollock slides to sixth. Second baseman Gavin Lux moves up to seventh, while Russell Martin gets the start behind the plate and will bat eighth.

Cubs- Tony Kemp moves from left field to right field. Ben Zobrist returns to second base and will bat second. Kyle Schwarber is back in left field and will bat third. Willson Contreras is back behind the plate and will bat cleanup. Ian Happ moves from right field back to third base and will bat fifth. First baseman Victor Caratini moves down to sixth. Finally, Nico Hoerner returns to shortstop and will bat seventh.

Weather: 61 degrees, cloudy skies, west-southwest wind at 10 MPH.

Dodgers 2nd: Pollock led off the inning by taking a fastball in the back from Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish. That brought Lux to the plate. Here's Bob Costas with the count two balls and no strikes:

"Darvish is a bit wild to start off the second, and he's now behind 2-0 to the rookie Gavin Lux. Lux is one of the Dodgers' blue-chip catching prospects, but with Will Smith and Russell Martin doing so well as a tandem this year they decided to give him a taste of the big leagues at a different position, and he did all right, hitting .240 with two home runs and nine runs batted in in just seventy-five at-bats. Darvish checking Pollock at first, he's not going, now comes home with the two-ball pitch........THAT ONE'S HAMMERED TO DEAD CENTER, ALMORA'S BACK, HE'S AT THE IVY, BUT IT'S GONE!......Gavin Lux puts the Dodgers on the board by hitting a ball halfway to Lake Michigan; it's 2-0 Los Angeles."

Jim Kaat: "Lux didn't show this kind of power during his regular-season stint with the Dodgers, but I'm sure they'll take it now. Darvish went right down the middle in an effort to get a strike, and Lux was waiting for it. There you see the swing, and it's just arm enough tonight for a ball to fly a long way if it's hit right."

Costas: "Center field is 402 feet away from home plate at Wrigley Field. According to StatCast, that home run traveled 424 feet."

Darvish shrugged off Lux's dinger and got the next three outs in order: Martin was called out on strikes, starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu went down swinging, and Joc Pederson's fly to deep center was caught by Albert Almora Jr. on the warning track to end the inning. The Men in Blue have drewn first blood thanks to Lux's two-run homer, and they lead the Cubs 2-0 after an inning and a half.

Dodgers 4th: With one out, it was Pollock against Darvish. Here's Bob with the count one ball and one strike:

"Darvish has settled down quite a bit since giving up the home run to Lux in the second, retiring the last seven Los Angeles hitters. Pollock set up Lux's home run by taking a Darvish pitch in the small of his back, but no damage was done, but no damage was done unless you count the home run, which put the Dodgers up by two runs instead of one. Pollock spent most of his time in center field this year, but so far in this series he's started in left while Cody Bellinger's started in center. One-one pitch.........THAT'S A HIGH, DEEP FLY BALL TO LEFT CENTER! ALMORA'S BACK, HE'S A THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!........The Dodgers have now hit six home runs in two-plus games, and they now lead Game3 3-0."

Kaat: "All of their runs in the last two games so far have come through the home run ball, Bob. Just like he did with Lux earlier, Darvish goes to the fastball down the middle of the plate in order to get a strike, and just like Lux did, Pollock timed it and hit it a long way."

Costas:: "375 feet, according to StatCast. Left center field is only 353 feet away from home plate at Wrigley Field,."

Kaat: "Pollock hit fifteen home runs in eighty-six games this year, but it's safe to say that the one we just saw was his biggest."

Lux walked on four pitches, then stole second. But he was stranded there, as Martin was retired on a comebacker and Ryu went down swinging to end the inning. The Dodgers have added to their lead thanks to Pollock's homer, a walk, and a stolen base while leaving Lux at second, and as we go to the bottom of the fourth they lead the Cubs 3-0.

Cubs 4th: Contreras led off with a single to left. Happ's single to left center put two men on, and Contreras moved to third when Caratini's foul ball was caught by Pollock in deep left. Hoerner uncorked another fly to deep left, and Pollock caught this one in fair territory, with Contreras scoring to put the Cubs on the board. Center fielder Albert Almora Jr. followed with a double off the wall in left that brought Happ home and cut the Dodgers' lead to 3-2. Darvish was next, and his lined single to left cashed Almora in to tie the game at three. Kemp's bouncer to third finally ended the inning, but the Cubs have fought back to tie the game with three runs on four hits, a sacrifice fly, and a productive foul ball. We've played four in Game 3, and we're tied at three apiece.

Dodgers 5th: With one out, Muncy faced Darvish. Here's Bob with the count one ball and two strikes:

"Muncy's one of those players who doesn't have a set position, but can play enough positions to be able to start somewhere almost every day. This year, he started sixty-two games at second base, forty-two games at first, and twenty-six games at third. Last year, he also filled in a bit in the left field, and he also made some start in right as a member of the A's in 2017. In this series, he's started Games 1 and 3 at first and Game 2 at second. Right now, he's down a ball and two strikes with one out in the second, and the next pitch from Darvish IS A HIGH FLY BALL TO RIGHT CENTER! ALMORA BACK, HE'S AT THE IVY, MAKES A LEAPING TRY AND......CAN'T GET IT!..........The Dodgers lead 4-3, and they've now scored their last nine runs on six home runs, including this blast by Muncy."

Kaat: "The main reason the Dodgers keep moving him around is that they need his bat in the lineup almost every day. He's hit thirty-five home runs in each of the last two regular seasons, and power like that will earn you a spot in the lineup if they have to use you as a mascot or a popcorn vendor. Not exactly the most majestic ball ever hit, and Almora makes a gallant effort to bring it back in, but it lands just beyond his glove."

Turner's line drive was gloved by his opposite Happ for the second out, and Bellinger's grounder to second ended the inning, but the Bums have reclaimed the lead thanks to Muncy's solo shot. Halfway through Game 3, it's Los Angeles 4, Chicago 3.

Cubs 5th: With one out, Ryu faced Schwarber. Here's Bob:

"For those of you unfamiliar with Schwarber, he's a lot like Gavin Lux in that he came through the minors as a catching prospect, but the Cubs had him change positions so they could get his bat in the lineup more often, and also to reduce his injury risk. Lux figures to go back to catching at some point unless he becomes a Gold Glover at second, but the Cubs have stated that Schwarber will be an outfielder for them going forward, most likely a left fielder. He can still catch in an emergency, but was only behind the plate for one inning this year. RYU'S FIRST PITCH IS HIT DEEP TO LEFT CENTER, AND THEY'LL HAVE A SOUVENIR IN WRIGLEYVILLE, BECAUSE IT'S WAY OUTTA HERE!......That's the kind of power that the Cubs moved Schwarber to the outfield to protect, and we're tied at four here in the fifth."

Kaat: "Why do organizations want to move power-hitting catchers? Look at the power Schwarber generates from his legs. You can't do that if you're squatting a hundred and fifty games a year, folks. This ball was crushed, and according to StatCast it traveled 386 feet."

Ryu recovered to strike Contreras out swinging and retire Happ on a fly to left that ended the inning, but Schwarber's blast has evened the game at four after five.

Dodgers 7th: Turner drew a two-out walk against new Cubs pitcher Steve Cushek. Bellinger's single to left put two men on, and Seager followed by lining a double into the right center power alley. Both Turner and Bellinger scored, and the Dodgers took a 6-4 lead. Pollok struck out swinging to retire the side, but the Dodgers have retaken the lead with two runs on two hits and a walk while stranding Seager at second. As we stretch at the Friendly Confines, the visiting Dodgers are now in front 6-4.

That was all the scoring. The Cubs put runners at the corners in the bottom of the ninth with two out against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, but Contreras' bouncer to short end the game with the tying run still at first. Final score: Dodgers 6, Cubs 4,, and the Doddgers lead the series two games to one.

Muncy was named Player of the Game by Fox. He finished three for five with his solo homer in the fifth. Lux walked twice and hit his two-run homer in the second, while Seager kocked in the fame-winning runs with his two-run double in the seventh. The only Cubs with more than one hit were Darvish, who was a perfect two for two with a run batted in, and right fielder Tony Kemp, who was two for five.

Final totals: Dodgers 6-8-0, Cubs 4-11-0.

W- P. Baez (1-0)
S- Jansen (1)
L- Cishek (0-1)

HR- LAD: Lux (1), Pollock (1), Muncy (1)
CHC: Schwarber (1)

The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night here at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Rich Hill starting for the Dodgers and Cole Hamels taking the ball for the Cubs.

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the first 2019 National League Division Series from Wrigley Field in Chicago. The date is Monday, October 7:

Lineup Changes:

Dodgers- Matt Beaty gets the start in left field and will bat sixth. Also, Will Smith is back behind the plate and will bat eighth.

Cubs- Nico Hoerner moves from shortstop to second base and will bat second. Ian Happ moves from third base to center field and will bat cleanup. Jonathan Lucroy replaces Willson Contreras behind the plate and will bat fifth. Addison Russell will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Finally, David Bote is back at third base and will bat eighth.

Weather: 59 degrees, fair skies, west-northwest wind at 5 MPH.

Cubs 1st: Tony Kemp led off with a lined single to right. Hoerner was next, and here's Bob Costas with the count one ball and one strike:

"The rookie Hoerner has only played in twenty major league regular-season games, but he was put on the roster to take the place of Kris Bryant, who's out with an injury. Hoerner's spent most of his time at shortstop; this is his second career start at second base, with the other one coming on September 28 against the Cardinals in St. Louis. He also made one start in center field the following day. The count is one ball and one strike, as Hill looks Kemp back to the bag at first, now comes to the plate...........high fly ball hit down the line in right, Pederson will have a long chase, although it could curve foul, still fair so far, and......GONE!.....The right field umpire Ted Barrett gives the home run sign, and it's 2-0 Chicago right out of the gate."

Jim Kaat: "There's not a lot of wind tonight, but what little there is may have aided this ball, as it keeps drifting away from Joc Pederson. It also stays fair somehow, though not by a whole lot. That's why we had to wait for the call from Ted Barrett. As for Hoerner, the Cubs may have quite the run producer on their hands; he drove in seventeen runs in just twenty games, which is pretty impressive."

Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill recovered to strike out both Kyle Schwarber and Happ out swinging, but Lucroy walked to keep the inning alive. Victor Caratini's fly to shallow center was caught by Cody Bellinger to end the inning, but the Cubs have jumped on top with two runs on two hits and a walk. The big blow came on Hoerner's two-run homer, which has given the Cubs a 2-0 lead after one.

Dodgers 5th: Gavin Lux led off with a single to right center. After Smith struck out swinging, Hill bunted Lux over to second. That brought Joc Pederson to the plate. Here's Bob with the count no balls and a strike:

"A perfect bunt by Hill, which sadly is a rare thing these days and is one of the things that's led to the call for the universal DH. Pederson took a called strike on the outside corner from Hamels while we were showing the replay; he struck out swinging to start the game and bounced to short in the third. Many people have called Pederson the odd man out in the Dodgers' outfield, but he's made three starts in this series and provided both key hits and great outfield defense. Hamels checks the runner at second, and here's the one-strike pitch........HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT CENTER FIELD! BACK IS HAPP, HE'S AT THE IVY, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......Pederson ties this game with one swing, and if the Dodgers don't have room for a bat like his, there are plenty of other teams who do."

Kaat: "You got that right, Bob. This isn't a bad pitch from Hamels, but Pederson's waiting for it and hits it a mile. The one knock against him is that he only drove in seventy-four runs this year, but if you're in the leadoff spot you won't drive in a lot of runs; that's just the way it is. Put him further down in the batting order and he'll drive in well over a hundred runs a year."

Max Muncy's shallow fly to right center was caught by Happ to end the inning, but the Dodgers have tied the game on Pederson's homer, which was set up by another hit and a sacrifice bunt. Halfway through Game 4, it's Los Angeles 2, Chicago 2.

Dodgers 9th: Bellinger led off against Cubs reliever Pedro Strop. Here's Bob:

"With Bellinger and Seager the first two hitters due up here in the ninth, it's fair to wonder why we're not seeing Craig Kimbrel. The answer is that he, like most closers, only pitch when their team has the lead. That being the case, the best scenario for the Cubs is that they win the game in the bottom of the ninth, thus eliminating the need for Kimbrel tonight. Besides, Strop has plenty of closing experience; he saved thirteen games for the Cubs last year and ten more this year. He's ready to face Bellinger, who's 0 for 2 plus a walk tonight. First pitch..........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER! BACK IS HAPP, HE'S AT THE IVY, BUT THIS BALL IS OUTTA HERE! THE DODGERS TAKE THE LEAD!.........Bellinger goes deep for the third time this series on Strop's first pitch, and there you see Kimbrel, who was a mere spectator as the Cubs' season just might have gone down the drain."

Kaat: "Bellinger's been on fire in this series, and he just destroys this pitch. It looked like a slider that hung over the heart of the plate just a little bit, and that was enough for Bellinger to get a good swing on it. That makes nine home runs for the Dodgers over four games, three for Bellinger, but none of them bigger than that one."

Corey Seager's fly to the warning track in center was caught by Happ for out number one. A.J. Pollock came out of the dugout to bat for Beaty, and here's Bob again with the count two balls and no strikes:

"Strop is obviously not having his best night, and it's a bit surprising that Joe Maddon is staying with him in this situation. He's already given up the go-ahead home run, Seager almost hit one out to dead center, and now it's two balls and no strikes on Pollock. Steve Cishek is throwing in the Chicago bullpen, but it may already be too late to save the season for them. Strop has to get a strike here; the two-ball pitch is hit down the left field line, Schwarber coming over, the ball's heading toward the foul pole........CLANGS OFF FOR A HOME RUN! Schwarber thought he had a play on it, but the ball hit the pole, which means that Pollock has gone deep for the second time in this series and the Dodgers lead 4-2. Look at Strop hanging his head in frustration."

Kaat: "The Dodgers have now hit ten home runs in this series, as Pollock plays target practice with the pole out in left field. Strop just didn't have it tonight, but I can't blame Maddon for staying with his best reliever outside of Kimbrel. You count on those guys to be at their best in the big games, and when they're not it costs you your season. That's the cruelty of baseball."

Lux's liner was gloved by Russell for out number two, which ended Strop's evening. Steve Cishek came out of the Cubs bullpen and struck Smith out swinging to retire the side, but Bellinger and Pollock have homered to put the Dodgers just three outs from the NLCS. Closer Kenley Jansen will try o get those outs as he faces Lucroy, Caratini, and Russell while trying to protect the Dodgers' 4-2 lead.

Anthony Rizzo batted for Caraitni and drew a one-out walk, but Russell took a called third strike for out number two. That left Bote as the Cubs' final hope. Here's Bob:

"Jansen just needs one more out, and that could come from David Bote, who's 0 for 3 and has struck out twice. The Cubs have hung in there throughout the series despite injuries to the likes of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Rizzo; it's not their bats that have let them down but their pitching staff. The Dodgers have hit ten home runs over the four games we've played so far, and although they've been held to just four hits tonight, three of them have left the park. The only one so far that hasn't is Lux's leadoff single in the fifth, and that led to Pederson's homer that tied the game at two. Rizzo's still in there despite the tender hamstring; the Cubs have no one else to play first base that we know of should they tie the game, although you can never underestimate the creativity of Joe Maddon. Right now they need something from Bote to keep things going. Jansen's first pitch is hit to right center, not very deep. Bellinger should have a play, AND HE MAKES THE CATCH! THE DODGERS MOVE ON TO THE NLCS!...........Bellinger still has the ball, and if there was such a thing as an MVP award in the Division Series, he'd win it, as he homered in three of the four games. Pollock homered twice, and as I just mentioned the Dodgers destroyed Chicago pitching to the tune of ten home runs over four games, including three each over the last three. If they can keep up that kind of power against the Nationals in the next round, they're going to be very hard to beat, as they were throughout the regular season.

Normally we'd be mentioning the major offensive stars for each team right about here, but we've already run down all of the offense for the Dodgers. The Cubs got two of their hits in the first on Tony Kemp's single and Nico Hoerner's home run; the other two hits came on Caratini's double to left in the fourth, which broke up a string of nine in a row retired by Rich Hill, and Nick Castellanos' pinch-hit single in the seventh, which put two men on with two out before Hill struck Kemp out swinging to end the inning. Both starting pitchers were superb; Hill pitched seven innings and gave up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out twelve. Cole Hamels also pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on just two hits and walking three while striking out ten. The Dodgers as a staff struck out fifteen Chicago hitters tonight, while the Cubs struck out eleven Dodgers.

That just about wraps it up from Wrigley Field in Chicago. Our final score: the Los Angeles Dodgers 4, the Chicago Cubs 2, and the Dodgers win the series three games to one. Stay tuned for The Postseason Show presented by Chrysler, with Matt Winer and all of our many analysts in our Atlanta studio. We'll have highlights, analysis, plus interviews from the winning Dodger clubhouse with Lauren Shehadi. We'll join you next from Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, as the NLCS gets underway with the Dodgers hosting the Nationals. Our pregame show will be on the air at 7:30 PM Eastern, with first pitch shortly after 8PM Eastern. Be sure to join us for what should be a whale of a series.

For Jim Kaat, Lauren Shehadi, and our tremendous Turner crew, I'm Bob Costas saying good night from the Windy City. We'll head back to Atlanta and join Matt Winer and company after this quick break. You're watching TBS' exclusive coverage of the National League postseason."

Final totals: Dodgers 4-4-0, Cubs 2-4-1.

W- Kelly (1-0)
S- Jansen (2)
L- Strop (0-1)

HR- LAD: Bellinger (3), Pollock (2), Pederson (1)
CHC: Hoerner (1)

Because the Nationals won their real-life Division Series with the Dodgers three games to two, we'll pick up our coverage of the NLCS with Game 6. The Nats' three games to two lead will carry over.

Next: A recap of Games 1-5 of the NLCS.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for a recap of Games 1-5 of the 2019 NLCS:

The series began on Wednesday, October 9 at Dodger Stadium, and the Dodgers showed why they won a hundred and seven games, blanking the Nationals 6-0. Second baseman Max Muncy led the offense, going two for three and driving in three runs, one of them on a bases-loaded walk in the second. The other two RBIs came on a two-run single in the seventh. The home run binge also continued, as Gavin Lux socked a pinch-hit dinger in the eighth, followed by another homer from Joc Pederson. On the mound, starting pitcher Walker Buehler gave up just one hit in six innings: left fielder Juan Soto's leadoff single in the second. The Nats' only other hit came on a ninth-inning double by second baseman Trea Turner. Nats starting pitcher Patrick Corbin took the loss despite giving just two runs on three hits over six innings. One reason may be the five walks he also surrendered.

Final totals: Dodgers 6-7-0, Nationals 0-2-2.

W- Buehler (1-0)
L- Corbin (0-1)

HR- LAD: Lux (1), Pederson (1)

The following night in Game 2, the Nats scored three times in the first two innings, then held on for a 4-2 win that evened the series at a game apiece. Second baseman Howie Kendrick singled in a run in the top of the first, and the Nats added a run in the second on a single by right fielder Adam Eaton, who subsequently scored on a double by third baseman Anthony Rendon. Eaton, Rendon, and Turner each had two hits for the visitors, while Max Muncy went deep for the Dodgers, who had now hit thirteen home runs in six postseason games. Nats starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg held the Men in Blue to a run on three hits over six innings while striking out ten, and Daniel Hudson pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save. The Nats' staff struck out seventeen Los Angeles batters on the night, and their total for the series stood at twenty-nine.

Final totals: Nationals 4-10-0, Dodgers 2-5-1.

W- Strasburg (1-0)
S- Hudson (1)
L- Kershaw (0-1)

HR- LAD: Muncy (1)

The series shifted to Nationals Park in Washington for Game 3 on Saturday, October 12, and the Dodgers showed off their offensive firepower, using a seven-run sixth to erase a 2-1 Nationals lead and coasting to a 10-4 victory. As usual, the home run was a big part, with Justin Turner's three-run homer the blow that finished the onslaught. Catcher Russell Martin added a two-run double, and Kike Hernandez added a two-run pinch-hit double of his own. Martin also hit a two0run homer in the ninth to give himself four RBIs on the night, and Muncy added a solo shot. Soto hit a two-run homer for the Nats in the first for the Nats. Patrick Corbin took his second loss of the series, this one in relief, as he gave up all six Dodger runs in the sixth on four hits and two walks.

Final totals: Dodgers 10-14-0, Nationals 4-6-0.

W- Ryu (1-0)
L- Corbin (0-2)

HR- LAD: Muncy (2), J. Turner (1), Martin (1)
WSH: Soto (1)

The following night, it was the Nats' turn to break out the bats, as they broke a 1-1 tie with a four-run fifth on their way to a 6-1 win. The big blow in the fifth was a three-run homer by first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and Anthony Rendon singled in the other runs and drove in three runs on the night. Trea was three for five and scored twice to lead the offense, and starting pitcher Max Scherzer cooled off the Dodgers' offense, holding them to jus one run on four hits in seven innings. Justin's first-inning homer was the only run the Dodgers could muster, and starting pitcher Rich Hill only lasted two and two-thirds innings.

Final totals: Nationals 6-10-0, Dodgers 1-5-0.

W- Scherzer (1-0)
L- Urias (0-1)

HR- LAD: J. Turner (2)
WSH: Zimmerman (1)

Game 5 on Monday, October 14 was the game of the series so far. The Dodgers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings on a two-run first-inning homer by Muncy and a second-inning solo shot by Hernandez. The Nats plated a run in the sixth on Soto's RBI single, then tied the game in the eighth when Kershaw, who was relieving Buehler gave up back-to-back home runs to Rendon and Soto as Nationals Park went wild. The game went to the bottom of the tenth, when Eaton drew a leadoff walk against Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly. Rendon doubled to put runners at second and third, and Soto was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kenley Jansen was ready and waiting in the Dodger bullpen, but manager Dave Robers decided to have Kelly pitch to Kendrick. He soon regretted that decision, as Kendrick belted a grand slam walkoff home run that gave the Nats a 7-3 victory and a three games to two lead in the series.

Final totals: Nationals 7-9-1, Dodgers 3-7-1.

W- Hudson (1-0)
L- Kelly (0-1)

HR- LAD: Muncy (3), Hernandez (1)
WSH: Soto (2), Rendon (1), Kendrick (1)

The series returns to Dodger Stadium for Game 6 on Wednesday, October 16. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 4PM Eastern, with Corbin starting for the Nationals and Hyun-Jin Ryu going to the mound for the Dodgers.

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I'm going to change course and do the American League Wild Card playoff game from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The date is Tuesday, September 30:

Here are today's umpires:

Home Plate: Cory Blaser
First Base: Eric Cooper
Second Base: Joe West
Third Base: Jeff Nelson
Left Field: Adam Hamari
Right Field: Laz Diaz
Replays: Tony Randazzo

Indians 1st: Shortstop Francisco Lindor led off the game against Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Here's Sean McDonough:

"Leading off for the Indians is the shortstop, Francisco Lindor. He's batting .284 with thirty-two home runs and seventy-four runs batted in. A reminder that today's stats count toward the player's regular season totals, as this is a real Game 163, with the winner headed to Oakland to take on the A's in the American League Wild Card Game tomorrow night. First pitch of the ballgame is SMOKED TO DEEP LEFT FIELD, TOMMY PHAM BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!........One pitch, one home run, and we're off to a wild start here at The Trop. Fans are still filing in, as you can see behind you, and they won't be happy that the Indians already lead 1-0."

Harold Reynolds: "Lindor's sitting dead fastball, and that's exactly what (Rays starting pitcher) Charlie Morton throws here. Right over the heart of the plate, and Lindor hit that ball really hard. This isn't the way Charlie wanted to start for sure, but it's only one pitch; he's got plenty of time to get it together."

Center fielder Oscar Mercado grounded to second for out number one, but first baseman Carlos Santana walked to keep the inning alive. Right fielder Yasiel Puig stroked a single to right that put runners at the corners, but second baseman Mike Freemen grounded into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. The Tribe has grabbed the early lead thanks to Lindor's leadoff homer, but they've also left a runner at third. Now let's hear from the hometown Rays.

Rays 1st: With one out, right fielder Austin Meadows faced Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber. Here's Sean with the count no balls and a strike:

"Meadows is having a breakout season this year after being acquired last year from the Pirates. He's spent time in both left field and right field this year, with fifty-five starts in right and thirty-two in ;eft. He can also play center, but (Kevin) Kiermaier has that spot locked down tight. This is his first full year in the big leagues, so he only figures to get better from here, which so far is thirty-three home runs and eighty-nine runs batted in. One strike pitch.........A WICKED LINE DRVIE HIT DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER, BACK IS MERCADO, HE'S AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.......The first batter for the Indians homered to give them the lead, and now the second batter for the Rays has homered to tie the game. This is homer number thirty-four for Meadows, and it looks like we're in for a slugfest at The Trop."

Reynolds: "The Pirates will regret giving up on this guy, as he has awesome power, which he just showed here. That ball was absolutely scalded, and there was nothing Bieber could have done differently. It was just an exhibition of pure power by a great young power hitter, and I have a feeling we'll see more just like it as this game goes on."
'
Pham drew a walk, then stole second. That brought up first baseman Ji-Man Choi, whose single to right center brought Pham home and out the Rays in front 2-1. Third baseman Joey Wendle lied a single to left to put runners at the corners, and shortstop Willy Adames' bloop double to left center scored both Choi and Wendle to extend the Tampa lead to 4-1. After a visit from Indians pitching coach Carl Willis, Bieber finally righted himself, as center fielder Kevin Kiermaier went down swinging and designated hitter Nate Lowe's fly to deep right center was caught by Mercado to end the inning. But the Rays have answered the Tribe's first-inning tally with four of their own, obtained on four hits, a walk, and a stolen base. We've only played one in this wild card playoff, and it's already Tampa Bay 4, Cleveland 1.

Rays 2nd: With one out, second baseman Eric Sogard faced Bieber. Here's Sean with the count one ball and two strikes:

"Sogard's been the starting second baseman for the most part since he came to the Rays from the Blue Jays at the trading deadline. He was the prototypical utility player in Toronto, spending time at short, second, third, and in the outfield corners. Second base is his primary position, though, and he took over for Brandon Lowe when he got here. He's down a ball and two strikes here, as Bieber looks to get back on track after giving up four runs in the first. One-two pitch......HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO RIGHT, PUIG IS BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, BUT THIS BALL IS GONE!.......The Rays lead 5-1 here in the second, as that's Sogard's fourth homer with the Rays and his fourteenth overall this season. Bieber's looking rattled out there, Harold."

Reynolds: "He sure does, as Sogard's waiting on the fastball, then sees the curve hanging over the plate and pounces on it. I've noticed that Bieber's curveball has no break on it today, so he's been turned into a fastball pitcher. Now we'll see how good he really is, since he's only able to get his fastball over and the Rays know it."

Meadows followed with a sharp single to left, but Pham struck out swinging and Choi's popup was caught by Lindor at short to end the inning. Sogard's homer has given the Rays another run, and they lead the visiting Indians 5-1 after two.

Rays 4th: Catcher Mike Zunino led off and took a pitch off of his wrist. The game was delayed for several minutes before Zunino finally was declared fit to continue and made his way to first. Sogard struck out swinging for out number one, which brought Meadows to the plate once more. Here's Sean with the count two balls and a strike:

"We all know what Meadows did his first time up; that might have been one of the hardest-hit balls of the season. Adam Plutko throwing in the Indians' bullpen, and it looks like he'll be ready for Tommy Pham if needed. Shane Bieber certainly hasn't been at his best in this game, as he's given up five runs on seven hits in three and a third innings, with two of the hits leaving the ballpark. Zunino won't be going anywhere at first, now the two-one pitch to Meadows.......HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO RIGHT! PUIG IS BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, BUT THIS ONE'S GONE!.......Two home runs today for Meadows gives him thirty-five on the season, and Terry Francona doesn't want to see any more from Shane Beber today. Adam Plutko's coming in to face Pham."

Reynolds: "The last one was a bullet, and this one is a work of art. It's soaring as it leaves the bat, and although Puig actually makes this a closer play than it should have been, it was pretty much a no-doubter. Bieber's leaving now, but he gave up seven runs on eight hits in three and a third innings, including three home runs. I guess you'd call him the ace of the staff with Trevor Bauer gone and Corey Kluber injured, and he sure didn't give the Indians an ace-like performance todayy."

Adam Plutko, who had started just two days before and given up eight runs on seven hits in an inning and a third against the Nationals, relieved and faced Pham, who lined the first pitch he saw right at Lindor for out number two. Choi hit a bouncer to Lindor, who juggled and dropped it, allowing Choi to reach on the error. The inning ended when Wendle struck out swinging, but the Rays have added two runs on Meadows' second homer of the day, a hit batsman, and an error. We've played four, and the Rays are now enjoying a 7-1 lead.

Rays 5th: Adames led off against Plutko. Here's Sean with the count one ball and no strikes:

"Plutko got out of the fourth inning, but Pham and Choi each hit the ball hard for their outs, and Wendle sent a ball down the left field line that would have been out of here by a mile if it had been fair before he eventually struck out to end the inning. Adames' batting average has dipped this year- he came into the game today batting .254, down from .278 last year- but he's increased his RBI production by over half from thirty-four to fifty-two as well as doubling his home run production from ten to twenty. He looks to be the shortstop of the future for the Rays, AND HE SENDS PLUTKO'S NEXT PITCH DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! MERCADO GOING BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, AND IT'S GONE!.......Number twenty-one this year for Adames makes four Tampa home runs today, as they're running away with this one to the tune of 8-1 here in the fifth."

Reynolds: "Power usually comes with experience, Sean, and it's clear that Adames has found his power stroke this year. The Indians need to find someone in their bullpen who can get outs in a hurry; they're down by seven runs now, and they only have four more chances against Charlie Morton, who's been terrific so far. It looks like Plutko's staying in for now, but they have Dan Otero warming up, and they have to go to him unless Plutko figures it out in a hurry."

Kiermaier followed with a double into the right field corner, and that was all for Plutko. Otero got Lowe to ground to short for out number one, with Kiermayer holding at second. Zunino's fly to the warning track in center was snagged by Mercasdo for out number two with Kiermaier moving to third, but Sogard's tapper to Santana at first ended the inning. The Rays have added a run on two hits and a productive fly ball, with the big blow coming on Adames' leadoff homer. At the end of five, it's Former Devil Rays 8, Former Naps 1.

Indians 8th: Mercado led off against Morton. Here's Sean with the count one ball and one strike:

"Morton's been cruising through the first seven innings. He's only allowed one run so far, and that was on the first pitch of the game when Lindor homered. He's only allowed four hits since then, walked two, and struck out ten. Mercado's the first to try and solve him here in the eight, and we have to wonder how much longer Morton will go today; he's already at ninety-nine pitches and ready to throw number one hundred.......hit down the line in left, Pham coming over, ball's carrying well, and IT'S IN THE SEATS FOR A HOME RUN!.......Number sixteen on the year for Mercado; it didn't look like trouble off the bat, but it lands in the first row of seats, and the Indians have their second run."

Reynolds: "Mercado's fooled on the pitch and pulls it with all of his strength. He just manages to get it over the fence, which shows you just how strong he really is. The question is: Was that just a mistake that could happen to anyone, or is Morton finally getting tired? That was his hundredth pitch, which is the limit that most managers put on their starting pitchers these days."

Santana followed with a single up the middle, and Puig walked to put two men on. Second baseman Mike Freeman followed with a routine double-play grounder to short, but Adames couldn't come up with the ball cleanly and had no play. Freeman reached on the error, and Jose Ramirez came out of the dugout to bat for designated hitter Franmil Reyes. Ramirez took a strike, then belted the next pitch he saw over Meadows' head in right. The bases cleared to bring the visitors within 8-5, and Ramirez chugged into third with a standup triple.

Morton's day was finally over, and Oliver Drake came out of the Tampa bullpen to face left fielder Jake Bauers, who walked. Indians manager Terry Francona then went back to his bench, as Roberto Perez batted for catcher Kevin Plawecki. Perez hit the first pitch he saw into the left center power alley for a double, which scored Ramirez to make it 8-6. Bauers stopped at third, and there was still nobody out. That quickly changed, as Drake struck out both third baseman Yu Chang and Lindor out swinging, then retired Mercado on a fly to right to strand the tying runs and end the inning. But the Tribe is back in the game after scoring five runs on four hits, two walks, and an error, and as we go to the bottom of the eighth it's Rays 8, Indians 6.

Indians 9th: With two out, Jason Kipnis batted for Freeman against Rays closer Emilio Pagan. Here's Sean with the count one ball and one strike:

"This is a real roll of the dice for Terry Francona. Kipnis hasn't played since turning his ankle back on September 15 against the Twins; he's been taking batting practice, but hasn't faced anything close to game-action pitching, and to make matters worse, he'll have to go in at second base if the Indians tie the game here in the top of the ninth."

Reynolds: "We'll see how good that ankle's feeling if he has to swing the bat. He didn't look too good coming up to the plate. Of course, neither did Kirk Gibson in 1988,"

McDonough: "The Indians are hoping for similar heroics here in 2019. Pagam gets the sign from Zunino, one-one pitch IS HIT DEEP TO CENTER! KIERMAYER GOING BACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE?.......NO! HOME RUN JASON KIPNIS!.........That's number eighteen this season for Kipnis. but he's really taking his time around the bases, so we'll see if he comes back out for a projected bottom of the ninth."

Reynolds: "He certainly put everything he had into that swing. The ball had to go at least 408 feet to clear the center field wall, and while this isn't exactly a tape-measure shot, it's an impressive feat for someone who hasn't played in two weeks because of a bad ankle. But the work's not done for Cleveland; they need at least one more."

Ramirez followed with a single to left that put the tying run on base and brought Bauers to the plate. Here's Sean with the count one ball and two strikes:

"A lot has been made of the supposed apathy of the crowds here in St. Pete, but they're on their feet now. The Rays are one strike away from a playoff berth, but the tying run is at first in Jose Ramirez. Pagan has saved twenty games this year, but number twenty-one will be his biggest if he can get it. Ramirez will be off on contact; the sign from Zunino, and the one-two pitch.......GOT HIM SWINGING! THE RAYS ARE HEADED TO OAKLAND!.........They led 8-1 heading into the eighth inning, than withstood a furious Cleveland rally, as the Indians scored five times in the eighth, then got the heroic homer from Kipnis here in the ninth, but they hold on for an 8-7 victory, and they'll be going to Oakland on Wednesday night to face the A's in the American League Wild Card Game.

Our Player of the Game is Austin Meadows, who hit two home runs off of Shane Bieber today and finished his day three for five with three RBIs. Willy Adames was three for four with a homer and three RBIs, Eric Sogard added a homer, and Kevin Kiermayer was two for four. The Indians spread their offense around, with Francisco Lindor, Oscar Mercado, and Jason Kipnis hitting home runs, and Jake Bauers going two for four. Jose Ramirez added a bases-clearing triple that was the big blow in the five-run seventh inning that got the Indians back into the game.

Once again, our final score from Tropicana Field: the Tampa Bay Rays 8, the Cleveland Indians 7. We'll take a break and come right back with interviews from the victorious Rays clubhouse from Buster Olney and a preview of the upcoming American League Wild Card Game. Back to The Trop in exactly sixty seconds."

Final totals: Rays 8-11-2, Indians 7-11-1.

W- Morton (17-6)
S- Pagan (21)
L- Bieber (15-9)

HR-CLE: Lindor (34), Kipnis (18), Mercado (16)
TB: Meadows 2 (35), Adames (21), Sogard (14)

The Rays went on to defeat the A's 5-1 in the Wild Card Game, but lost a thrilling five-game division series to the Houston Astros. The Astros went on to win their second American League pennant and fourth overall by defeating the New York Yankees in the ALCS four games to two. Jose Altuve's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 off of Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was the pennant-winning blow.

Next: Game 6 of the 2019 NLCS between the Nationals and the Dodgers.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

While I have a few extra moments, I'm going to do the standings for 2020. I'm going to stick with the sixty-game schedule instead of trying to play the lost games; doing so would mean either butterflying the virus away or magically giving it to certain players at random to make things more realistic, and I'm not comfortable doing either one.

Let's begin with the American League East:

Tampa Bay Rays: 36-24 (-4)
New York Yankees: 34-26- 2 GB (+1)
Toronto Blue Jays: 29-31- 7 GB (-3)
Baltimore Orioles: 28-32- 8 GB (+3)
Boston Red Sox: 25-35- 11 GB (+1)

The Rays shed four games, but still take first place by two games over the Yankees, who improve by one and finish five games ahead of the third-place Jays; Buffalo's adopted sons take a three-game slide and lose their winning season. The fourth-place O's improve by three, while the Red Sox' one-game improvement still keeps them in the cellar, eleven games behind the Rays.

Now, the Central:

(tie) Minnesota Twins: 36-24 (0)
(tie) Chicago White Sox- 36-24 (+1)
Cleveland Indians: 35-25 - 2 GB (0)
Kansas City Royals: 27-33- 9 GB (+1)
Detroit Tigers: 23-35- 12 GB (0)

The Twins and White Sox finish tied for first place thanks to the Chisox' one-game upgrade, but that doesn't mean a lot this year, as both teams will be going to the playoffs. They finish a game ahead of the third-place Indians, who freeze. The fourth-place Royals improve by one, while the Tigers hold fast in the basement, twelve games behind the leaders.

Finally, the West:

Oakland Athletics: 35-25 (-1)
Houston Astros: 30-30- 5 GB (+1)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 28-32- 7 GB (+2)
Seattle Mariners: 25-35- 10 GB (-2)
Texas Rangers: 21-39- 14 GB (-1)

The A's drop a game, but still finish five games ahead of the second-place Astros, who pick up a game. The Angels add a pair and finish third, while the fourth-place Mariners shed a pair. The last-place Rangers dip by one and end up with the worst record in the junior circuit.

Now let's begin to figure out the seeds. First, we have to break the tie for the Central title. In the Pythagorean universe, head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker. Each team won five games, but the Twins outscored the White Sox 54-42, so they're the Central champs. Now we have to break a tie for the top seed between the Twins and the East champion Rays. Division record is the first tiebreaker, and the Rays finished 27-13 against the East while the Twins finished 23-17 against the Central. Therefore, the Rays are the top seed.

Seeds:

1. Rays (Eastern Division first place): 36-24
2. Twins (Central Division first place): 36-24
3. Athletics (Western Division first place): 35-25
4. White Sox (Western Division second place): 36-24
5. Yankees (Eastern Division second place): 34-26
6. Astros (Western Division second place): 30-30
7. Indians (Central Division third place): 35-25
8. Blue Jays (Eastern Division third place): 29-31

Here are the Wild Card Series matchups:

(8) Blue Jays at (1) Rays (happened in real life; Rays swept two games to none)
(7) Indians at (2) Twins
(6) Astros at (3) Athletics (happened in real-life ALDS; Astros won first two games and are thus awarded the sweep)
(5) Yankees at (4) White Sox

Since there are so many potential extra games, I'll do the National League standings when we get there.

Next: Back to Game 6 of the 2019 NLCS.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Thanksgiving and we want to watch football, so here's a one-paragraph recap of Game 6 of the 2019 NLCS:

Nationals 4, Dodgers 0 (TBS: Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Lauren Shehadi; WSH wins series 4-2)

The Nats captured the first pennant in their history thanks to their whitewashing of the Dodgers, and they'll face the Houston Astros in the World Series. They got all the runs they needed in the top of the first, as Trea Turner led off with a single, stole second, and scored on a single by Adam Eaton. Anthony Randon forced Eaton, then moved to third on Juan Soto's base hit. That brought up Game 6 hero (and series MVP) Howie Kendrick, whose bloop double to left center scored Rendon and Soto. Rendon later put the game on ice with an upper-deck homer to left center in the eighth. Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin took care of the rest, tossing a seven-hit complete game shutout. He walked two and struck out eight while throwing a hundred and eleven pitches while also easing the pain of his two prior losses in the series.

Chris Taylor and David Freese were the only Dodgers with more than one hit. Hyun-Jin Ryu took the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits in eight innings. He struck out seven while not giving up a walk and threw a hundred and three pitches.

Final totals: Nationals 4-8-0, Dodgers 0-7-0.

W- Corbin (1-2)
L- Ryu (1-1)

HR- WSH: Rendon (2)

The Nationals went on to defeat the Astros in the World Series four games to three. This is the Expos/Nationals first-ever world championship and the first baseball world championship for the city of Washington since the original Senators (now the Minnesota Twins) won it in 1930.

We've now crowned a hundred and fourteen modern world champions by my unofficial count, and the American League's all-time lead is down to four at 59-55.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?