Nine-Inning Doubleheaders in the Pythagorean Universe, 2020-21

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the first American League Division Series from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The date is Sunday, October 10:

Lineup Changes:

Astros- Michael Brantley moves back to left field. Yordan Alvarez will serve as the designated hitter. Carlos Correa moves up to fifth, and Kyle Tucker moves up to sixth. Yuli Gurriel moves down to seventh. Jake Meyers returns to center field and will bat eighth.

Rays- Brandon Lowe moves up to the leadoff spot. Austin Meadows makes his series debut in left field and will bat third. Ji-Man Choi will start at first base and bat fifth. Randy Arozarena moves from left field to right field and will bat sixth. Kevin Kiermaier moves up to seventh. Joey Wendle gets the start at third base and will bat ninth,

Astros 1st: Yordan Alvarez led off against Rays starter Shane McClanahan, Here's Joe Buck:

"As we come back to you for the top of the second, a reminder that the Fox Sports Ticker will give you up-to-the-second NFL scores while you watch us here at the Trop, A special tip of the cap to our fill-in announcers: the legendary Dick Stockton, who came out of retirement for one day to call that tremendous overtime game between the Packers and the Bengals alongside Jonathan Vilma, and Curt Menefee, who's drawn the short straw and will babysit my buddy Troy Aikman today while his Cowboys host the Giants, which in turn means that Charissa Thompson got to play referee between Terry (Bradshaw) and Howie (Long) on the pregame show.

Now that we have all that straight, it's back to baseball and Yordan Alvarez with a count of one ball and one strike. He and Michael Brantley have switched back and forth between left field and the designated hitter slot in all three games so far, Next pitch from Shane McClanahan is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT! BACK IS AROZARENA, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.......Yordan Alvarez goes deep for the first time in this series, and the Astros grab an early 1-0 lead in Game 3."

John Smoltz: "The movement back and forth between left field and the DH spot isn't bothering Alvarez at the plate, as he tattoos this hanging slider from McClanahan, and (Rays manager) Kevin Cash can't afford to wait; he's got to get his bullpen going, even though it's his ace and they're down just a run. There's Shane Baz taking off his jacket and getting ready to throw."

Correa followed with a single to left, and Kyle Tucker lined a single up the middle to put two men on. But McClanahan managed to right himself, retiring Gurriel on a pop to short, Meyers on a pop to second, and Maldonado on a fly to Kiermayer in right center to end the inning. The Astros have taken the lead on Alvarez's homer, but they've also left runners at first and second. After an inning and a half, it's Astros 1, Rays 0.

Rays 3rd; With one out, Brandon Lowe stepped to the plate against Astros starter Luis Garcia. Here's Joe:

"Some early NFL scores as Lowe steps in. A big day for (Tom) Brady and the Bucs as they blow out the Dolphins at home 45-17; Brady threw for 411 yards and five touchdowns in that one. Davis Mills may be a find in Houston; he threw for over three hundred yards and three touchdowns in a losing cause as the Texans came up short against the Patriots 25-22. THAT BALL IS ABSOLUTELY HAMMERED DEEP TO RIGHT, AND IT IS GONE!.........Brandon Lowe has been more than a find for the Rays; he's one of their key men, and he just showed why by tying Game 3."

Smoltz: "Garcia tries to throw this one low and in the dirt to see if Lowe will chase, but he doesn't have to, as the ball tails out and over the plate and he can get right on it and drive it out of here over that short right field wall to tie the game."

Buck: "Right field is 322 feet away here at the Trop. Lowe's homer traveled 351 feet."

Franco followed with a double to left, but Meadows flew to right center and Cruz grounded to Correa at short to end the inning. Lowe's homer has tied the game, but the Rays have also stranded Franco at second. After three, it's Astros 1, Rays 1.

Rays 4th: With two out, Kiermaier cracked a double into the right center power alley, Zunino was next, and here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"Zunino has been quiet so far today, but he hit a home run in Game 1 of this series on Thursday in Houston, and he also hit one in what looks to be the final tiebreaker game in baseball history between the Rays and the Blue Jays here at the Trop a week ago tomorrow. It's expected that whatever form the new collective bargaining agreement takes, it will include a provision for expanded playoffs that will eliminate the need for tiebreaker games; ties would be settled with mathematical formulas similar to those employed by the NFL since the merger in 1970. One-one pitch is a HIGH FLY BALL TO CENTER! BACK IS MEYERS, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND IT IS GONE!......Mike Zunino hits this one practically into the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium in downtown Tampa, and the Rays lead 3-1 in the fourth."

Smoltz: "I know that they fire cannons to celebrate Buccaneers' touchdowns, and this ball was a pretty huge bang of its own. It's gone the second it leaves Zunino's bat, and it goes a long way, as center field is 407 feet away from center field here at the Trop. Jake Meyers makes an effort, but this ball is way beyond him."

Buck: "According to StatCast, that ball traveled 438 feet."

Wendle followed with a single to left center, but Lowe took a called third strike to end the inning. Zunino's two-run homer has given the home squad a 3-1 lead at the end of four.

Rays 5th: With one out, it was Meadows against Garcia, Here's Joe;

"In the NFL, we have two games that have already gone to the third quarter. The Browns lead the Chargers in Los Angeles 27-13, as Nick Chubb has just scored on a fifty-two-yard touchdown run, while in Las Vegas the Bears lead the Raiders 14-3. Two more games are at the half: the Cardinals lead the 49ers 10-0 at State Farm Stadium, and Troy's a happy camper in Arlington, as the Cowboys lead the Giants 17-10.

Here at the Trop, it's a one-ball count on Austin Meadows in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Garcia kicks and deals..........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER, BACK IS MEYERS, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND IT IS GONE!......That's three home runs for the Rays off of Garcia, and (Astros manager) Dusty Baker has seen enough; he wants the former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke out of the bullpen."

Smoltz: "Garcia's been in trouble high in the strike zone all afternoon; his pitches just won't stay down, and Meadows makes solid contact as this one moves out over the heart of the plate. Meyers thinks he has a play on it as he starts back, but he soon realizes he's out of room. The ball clears the fence, but not by much, and I wonder Meyers may have had a chance at the ball had he stayed with it, We'll never know, of course, but it would have been interesting to see one way of the other."

Cruz followed with a bloop single to right center, but Choi flew to right center for the second out, and Arozarena's liner was gloved by Bregman to retire the side. The Rays have added a run on Meadows' solo homer, and after five, it's Tampa Bay 4, Houston 1,

Rays 6th: With one out, Zunino was hit in the ankle by a pitch. Wendle struck out swinging for out number two, , and Maldonado tried to pick his counterpart off of first to end the inning, but his throw hit the first base bag and rolled partway down the right field line before it was retrieved. Zunino was held at second on the play, and Greinke turned his attention back to Lowe, who was ahead two balls and a strike. Here's Joe:

"All five runs in this game have been scored with home runs. The Rays have hit three, and the Astros have hit one. Greinke trying to keep the Rays where they are and hope that the Astros can get themselves together offensively. They've managed six hits, but only one run, Greinke checks Zunino at second, and the two-one pitch.....line shot down the right field line........FAIR BALL! IT'S HEADED FOR THE CORNER! ZUNINO SCORES EASILY! LOWE AROUND SECOND, HE'LL HAVE A TRIPLE, AND HE'S GOING FOR MORE! HE'S AROUND THIRD! TUCKER FINALLY READY TO THROW, BUT IT'S TOO LATE! AN INSIDE-THE-PARK TWO-RUN HOMER FOR BRANDON LOWE, HIS SECOND HOMER OF THE DAY! 6-1 TAMPA BAY!'

Smoltz: "Kyle Tucker just couldn't pick up that ball, Joe. I don't know whether it got lodged down in the corner or if he just kept missing it. It didn't bounce back.....no, there we see, it just kept rolling, and he had to wait to pick it up, By the time he finally does, Zunino scores easily, and Lowe gets the windmill from third base coach Rodney Linares. He crosses the plate without a throw, and that's all for Zack Greinke."

Ryne Stanek was the next pitcher out of the Houston pen, and Franco hit a grounder down to second that went through Altuve's legs. allowing Franco to reach. Meadows walked to put two men on, but Cruz was called out on strikes to end the inning. The Rays have added two runs on a hit batsman, a walk, two errors, and a two-run inside-the-park homer by Lowe while leaving runners at first and second. As we go to the seventh at the Trop, the Rays now enjoy a 6-1 lead.

Astros 7th: With two out, McClanahan faced Altuve, Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"McClanahan has done a great job keeping the Houston bats almost silent. He's scattered a few singles, but the closest they've come to a rally was last inning, when Bregman and Alvarez led off with back-to-back singles. McClanahan struck Correa out looking, retired Tucker on a fly to right center, and got Gurriel to bounce to third and end the inning. He's now even with Correa at a ball and a strike with two out in the seventh. We'll have a complete rundown of the NFL scores at the beginning of the next half-inning. One-one to Altuve IS CRUSHED DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS MEADOWS AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.........The Astros hit their second home run of the day, but both of theirs have been solo shots, and that's a big reason why they trail 6-2 here in the seventh."

Smoltz: "McClanahan might be running out of gas, Joe. This is a breaking ball with no break, and that's always dangerous, Altuve squares up, gets the head of the bat on it and drives it out of here over that short left field wall. I could be wrong, but I think if McClanahan can rebound and finish this inning, Kevin Cash will call it a job well done and go to his bullpen."

Brantley flew to Kiermaier in right center on the next pitch to retire the side. The Astros are back on the board thanks to Altuve's homer, but as we stretch in Game 3 they still trail the Rays 6-2.

That was all the scoring. Pete Fairbanks relieved McClanahan and allowed just one hit over the final two innings, Final score: Rays 6, Astros 2, and the Rays lead the best-of-five series two games to one.

Lowe was named Player of the Game by FS1. He was two for five with two home runs, one of them inside the park, and three runs batted in. Zunino was one for three plus a hit-by-pitch with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Kiermaier was two for four with a run scored, Franco was two for five, and Cruz was two for four, McClanahan got the win, giving up two runs on seven hits over seven innings while walking one and striking out four, He threw ninety-one pitches.

Tucker was three for four to lead the Astros' offense, and Alvarez was two for four with a home run. The Houston pitching staff struck out ten and issued only one walk (Meadows in the sixth). Wendle and Choi struck out twice each.

Our Defensive Play of the Night came with two on in the eighth, Meadows is facing Astros reliever Yimi Garcia, and the count is one ball and no strikes. Here's Joe:

"In the air to right, not very deep. Could be trouble for Tucker, starts to drop in, Tucker lays out AND MAKES THE CATCH! WHAT A DIVING PLAY BY KYLE TUCKER!......Not much has gone right for the Astros this afternoon, but that could be the catch of the series. We head to the ninth in Game 3 with the Rays leading by four,"

Final totals: Rays 6-12-0, Astros 2-8-2.

W- McClanahan (1-0)
L- Garcia (0-1)

HR- HOU: Alvarez (1), Altuve (1)
TB: Lowe 2 (2), Zunino (2), Meadows (1)

The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 7PM Eastern, with Lance McCullers Jr. starting for the Astros and Luis Patino going to the hill for the Rays.

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the first American League Division Series from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The date is Monday, October 11:

Lineup Changes:

Astros- Yuli Gurriel and Kyle Tucker switch places in the batting order. Gurriel will bat sixth, while Tucker bats seventh.

Rays- Randy Arozarena moves back up to the leadoff spot. Brandon Lowe moves back down to third. Jordan Luplow is back at first base and will bat fifth. Yandy Diaz is back at third base and will bat sixth. Austin Meadows moves down to seventh. Finally, Kevin Kiermaier moves back down to ninth.

Astros 3rd: With one out, Martin Maldonado faced Rays starter Luis Patino. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Maldonado may seem to be a curious choice as a starting catcher in this day and age; he only hit .186, although he had career highs in home runs with fifteen and RBIs with forty-five. But the pitchers swear by his game-calling, and he's phenomenal at blocking pitches in the dirt. Those factors and the occasional threat of some power are more than enough to keep him gainfully employed. Patino ready with the one-one pitch, AND THAT ONE IS HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! BACK IS KIERMAYER, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!......Martin Maldonado shows off that occasional power that we just spoke of a moment ago, and it's 1-0 Astros in the third."

John Smoltz: "Even weak hitters can jump all over mistakes, and Patino left that breaking pitch right out over the heart of the plate for Maldonado to get good wood on, It's not quite as majestic as some of the other homers that we've seen in these playoffs, but it's more than enough to get the job done,"

Jose Altuve followed with a double off the wall in left, but Michael Brantley's popup was caught by Luplow behind the bag at first, and Alex Bregman grounded to his counterpart Diaz to end the inning. The Astros have scored first in Game 4 thanks to Maldonado's homer, and they lead 1-0 after two and a half.

Astros 6th: Bregman led off with a single to right center, which brought Yordan Alvarez to the plate. Here's Joe:

"A reminder that Game 4 of the series between the Blue Jays and the White Sox will now take place tomorrow at 2PM Eastern here on FS1 from Chicago, If the White Sox win to tie the series, Game 5 will be in Toronto on Wednesday night with no off day for travel. If this series needs to go back to Houston for Game 5, we'll join you for the pregame show at 3PM Eastern on Wednesday, with first pitch a little after 4PM Eastern, Following a day off for both travel and Thursday Night Football, Game 1 of the ALCS will be Friday night at 8PM Eastern on the over-the-air Fox network, with Friday Night Smackdown moving to FS1.

Now that we have all that straight (we hope), here's Alvarez, who's struck out twice so far against Patino. The Astros want to break open this pitcher's duel as soon as possible AND THEY MAY HAVE JUST DONE IT! ALVAREZ WITH A DRIVE DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE AND.....GONE!........That's the second homer of the series for Yordan Alvarez, and the Astros lead Game 4 3-0 in the sixth."

Smoltz: "This was a bullet off the bat of Alvarez, and Arozarena didn't even really get to go back on the ball, By the time he was in position to play it, it was on its way over the wall. There's a look at Luis Patino; he's done a great job of holding the Houston offense down, but he's made two mistakes, and they've both left the yard,"

Correa walked on four pitches to continue the inning. Gurriel singled to right center to put two men on, and Tucker walked to load the bases. That was all for Patino; Ryan Yarbrough relieved and struck out Chas McCormick (batting for Jake Meyers) swinging. Maldonado was next, and he lifted a fly ball to right center. Arozarena made the catch, but his throw to the plate went up the first base line, allowing Correa to score the fourth Houston run, Gurriel moved to third and Tucker to second. Altuve took a called third strike to retire the side. but the Astros have scored three runs on three hits, two walks, and a sacrifice fly while leaving runners at second and third. After five and a half, it's Houston 4, Tampa Bay 0.

Rays 6th; Kiermaier drew a leadoff walk. Arozarena struck out swinging for out number one, but Franco belted a triple into the right field corner to score Kiermayer and put the Rays on the board. Lowe walked to put runners at the corners, but Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. recovered to strike out both Cruz and Luplow swinging to strand the runners and retire the side. The Rays have to settle for a run on a walk and two hits, and as we head to the seventh in Game 4 the Astros still hold a 4-1 lead.

That was all the scoring. Here's Joe with the final out, as Ryan Pressly faces pinch hitter Ji-Man Choi, batting for Luplow. The count is no balls and two strikes:

"If this score holds up, which is looking pretty close to certain, the Astros will host either the Blue Jays or the White Sox at Minute Maid Park on Friday night in Game 1 of the ALCS. There's a look at McCullers, who tried to talk (Astros manager) Dusty Baker into coming out for the ninth inning but was denied. He pitched eight masterful innings, giving up just one run on two hits, walking three and striking out thirteen, Now Pressly has Choi set up for a possible fourteenth strikeout that would end the Rays' season. The sign from Maldonado, the nod from Pressly, the two-strike pitch........CALLED STRIKE THREE! THE ASTROS WIN THE SERIES!..........The heroes tonight include McCullers. who's our Player of the Game; Alvarez, who hit the two-run homer that broke the game open; and Pressly, who saved all three Houston wins in the series.

Also contributing to the victory were Alex Bregman, who was two for four with a run scored, and Jose Altuve, who was two for five from the top of the order. Martin Maldonado hit a home run in the third to put the Astros on the board and drove in another run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly. The only hits that McCullers allowed were a pair of triples: Austin Meadows led off the third with a line drive off the top of the wall in left, and Wander Franco knocked in the Rays' only run with a shot into the right field corner in the sixth. There were a total of fourteen strikeouts by the combination of McCullers and Pressly; Randy Arozarena and Mike Zunino struck out three times apiece.

That does it for us here at the Trop. Stay tuned for our Chevrolet Postgame Show with Kevin Burkhardt and the gang back in Hollywood; they'll have highlights, interviews from the Astros' clubhouse with Ken Rosenthal, and a preview of tomorrow's Game 4 between the Blue Jays and the White Sox. We'll talk to you again from Minute Maid Park Friday night over on the main Fox network for Game 1 of the ALCS, and I'll be with Troy as usual on Thursday Night Football this week, as the Eagles host the Buccaneers. A belated thanks to Joe Davis for filling in last week.

Once again our final score: the Houston Astros 4, the Tampa Bay Rays 1, and the Astros win the best-of-five series three games to one. For John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal, I'm Joe Buck saying good night from St. Pete. You're watching FS1's coverage of the American League postseason,"

W- McCullers Jr. (2-0)
S- Pressly (3)
L- Patino (0-2)

HR- HOU: Alvarez (2), Maldonado (1)

Next: We look at Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Steven Matz gets the start for the Blue Jays, while Framber Valdez takes the ball for the Astros.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 1 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Minute Maid Park in Houston, The date is Friday, October 15:

Blue Jays 1st: With two out, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faced Astros starter Framber Valdez. Here's Joe Buck with the count no balls and a strike:

"Guerrero's first chance to shine on the postseason stage came in the Division Series against the White Sox, and he responded by hitting four home runs, three of them in the Jays' Game 3 victory. He also provided solid defense at first, including that spectacular play on the grounder hit by Leury Garcia in the eighth inning of Game 2. He spotted Garcia about thirty feet while waiting for a favorable hop and still beat him to the bag, which was incredible considering that he (Guerrero) weighs 250 pounds, Now he's down a strike to Framber Valdez.

Next pitch is hit down the right field line, Tucker goes over for a look, it's not hooking, he's back to the wall, and IT'S GONE!.......Everyone including Guerrero thought that the ball would hook foul, but it never did. Guerrero has his fifth homer of the postseason, and the Blue Jays have a quick 1-0 lead."

John Smoltz: "I have no idea how this ball stayed fair. It does hook slightly, but never all the way. Kyle Tucker certainly thinks it's going to go foul, so he takes his time getting to the ball, and by the time he's in position to make the catch, it's almost over the wall, There you see it disappear into the first row of seats in the right field corner, and the Jays have struck first."

Shortstop Bo Bichette and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez drew back-to-back walks to keep the inning going, and pitching coax Brent Strom came to the mound to calm down his starter. It didn't work, as catcher Alejandro Kirk smacked a base hit to right center to score Bichette and give the Jays a 2-0 lead while Hernandez moved to third, Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went down swinging to strand the runners at the corners and end the inning, but the Jays have scored twice on two hits and two walks, Now let's welcome the Astros to the ALCS.

Blue Jays 2nd: Center fielder Corey Dickerson drew a leadoff walk, Third baseman Breyvic Valera beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single, and designated hitter George Springer walked on five pitches to load the bases. Second baseman Marcus Semien followed with a two-hopper down to third, Alex Bregman made the stop and fired to the plate, where Martin Maldonado's tag just beat Dickerson's foot. (The Blue Jays challenged the call, but it was upheld on replay.) Guerrero was next, and his single to left brought home Valera and Springer to increase the Jays' lead to 4-0 while Semien moved to third. Bichette hit a chopper back to the mound that just eluded Valdez's glove, allowing Semien to sprint home and make it 5-0.

That was the end of the line for Valdez; Jake Odorizzi came out of the Houston pen and retired Hernandez on a fly to shallow left and Kirk on a fly to center to end the inning, But the Jays have scored three more runs on three hits and two walks while leaving runners at first and second. We've only played an inning and a half, and the visiting Jays already lead the Astros 5-0.

Blue Jays 4th: Springer led off against Odorizzi. Here's Joe:

"A reminder that we'll be here on Fox tomorrow afternoon for Game 2 as soon as our Big Noon Saturday college football game between Oklahoma State and Texas is over. Our pregame show will start at 3PM Eastern over on FS1; if the football game runs over, we'll begin Game 2 there as well. After we're done, it'll be a Pac-12 gridiron battle between UCLA and Washington coming to you from Seattle. A big day of sports tomorrow right here on Fox,

Springer singled in the first and walked in the second against Valdez. Here's the first pitch to him from Odorizzi........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO RIGHT! BACK IS TUCKER, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!..........The former Astro Springer goes deep against his old team in the postseason, and it's 6-0 Blue Jays here in the fourth."

Smoltz: "Odorizzi has nothing to be ashamed of, He made a good pitch, but Springer made a better swing, as he does often. Tucker was right on top of things this time, hustling back to the wall, but no one was going to make a play on that ball, and this place is absolutely silent right now."

Semien followed with a single to left center, but Guerrero hit into a 4-6-3 double play. Bichette's grounder to short ended the inning. The Jays have added to their lead on Springer's home run; after three and a half, it's Toronto 6, Houston 0,

Blue Jays 5th: Hernandez led off with a single to left center, then stole second, He held at second while Kirk bounced to short, but moved to third on Gurriel's tapper to first. Dickerson's base hit to right brought Teoscar home, and the Jays led 7-0. Valera's fly to shallow right center ended the inning, but the Jays have added another run on two hits, a stolen base, and an infield out, We're halfway through Game 1, and the Jays are on top by a touchdown.

Astros 7th: With one out, first baseman Yuli Gurriel lifted a fly ball to left. His little brother Lourdes sprinted back to try to make the catch, but the ball bounce into and out of his glove, allowing Yuli to reach. McCormick walked to put two men on, and Maldonando followed with a fly ball to center. This time it was Dickerson's glove that was slippery. and the bases were loaded, Second baseman Jose Altuve put the home squad on the board with a single to left that scored Yuli and McCormick, With his shutout bid ended, Jays starting pitcher Steven Matz departed in favor of Adam Cimber, who struck out left fielder Michael Brantley swinging and Bregman looking to end the inning, The Stros are on the board thanks to two errors, a walk, and Altuve's two-run single, but they still trail 7-2 after seven.

That was all the scoring. Our final: Blue Jays 7, Astros 2, and the Jays lead the best-of-seven series one game to none.

Guerrero was named Player of the Game by Fox. He was two for five with a home run and three runs batted in, Bichette was two for four plus a walk with a run batted in and a run scored. Dickerson was two for three, walked twice, and drove in a run, and Lourdes was two for five. Springer was one for three, walked twice, scored twice, and hit a home run, Matz pitched six and a third innings, giving up just two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out two, He threw ninety-three pitches. No Astros had more than one hit; as documented above, Altuve singled in both Houston runs in the seventh,

Flnal totals: Blue Jays 7-13-2, Astros 2-5-1.

W- Matz (1-0)
L- Valdez (0-1)

HR- TOR: Guerrero Jr. (1), Springer (1)

The series will continue with Game 2 tomorrow here at Minute Maid Park. As Joe noted earlier, first pitch is scheduled for shortly after 4PM Eastern, with Ross Stripling starting for the Jays and Luis Garcia going to the hill for the Astros.

Next: We look at Game 2.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 2 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Minute Maid Park in Houston. The date is Saturday, October 16:

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. moves up to sixth. Santiago Espinal gets the start at third base and will bat seventh. Reese McGuire replaces Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and will bat eighth, Jarrod Dyson gets his first start of the postseason in center field and will bat ninth.

Astros- Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez switch positions; Brantley will start in left field, while Alvarez serves as the designated hitter.

Blue Jays 1st:: With one out, Marcus Semien faced Astros starter Luis Garcia. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"The Big Noon Saturday postgame show is about at the midway point over on big Fox, so if the game continues at a normal pace, we should be joining the network sometime in the next inning. We'll also be with you here on FS1, so in the words of our friend Vin Scully. pull up a chair and enjoy what should be a tremendous Game 2. It's one ball and no strikes to Marcus Semien, and Garcia's ready with his next pitch........THAT ONE IS CRUSHED TO DEEP CENTER! BACK IS MCCORMICK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!........Marcus Semien hit forty-seven home runs in the regular season, and now he's hit his second of the postseason to give the Blue Jays a quick 1-0 lead here in the first."

John Smoltz: "Every homer hit to straightaway center here at Minute Maid Park is long, since center field is 435 feet away from home plate. But this one is a thing of beauty, as Marcus Semien catches the ball in just the right place. This has to be well over 460 feet, and Semien made it look easy, Garcia has nothing to be ashamed of; he made a good pitch, But sometimes that's not good enough, because the hitter makes a better swing."

Buck: "You were just a few feet short, John. StatCast says that the ball traveled 458 feet."

Garcia rallied to strike Vlad Guerrero Jr. out swinging for out number two, and Bo Bichette popped to Carlos Correa to end the inning. Semien's homer has staked the Jays to an early lead; let's see how the Stros respond.

Astros 1st: With one out, Brantley walked. Alex Bregman's single to right put two men on, but Alxarez went down swinging for out number two. Correa's single to right loaded the bases, and Kyle Tucker followed with another double, this one off the wall in right center, to clear the bases and give the Stros a 3-1 lead. Yuli Gurriel made it three doubles in a row with his shot into the left field corner, which brought Tucker home to make it 4-1. McCormick went down swinging to end the inning, which means that Jays starter Ross Stripling struck out the side. But he also gave up four runs on four hits and a walk, and after one the defending American League champions have a 4-1 lead.

Astros 5th; Altuve led off with a single up the middle against Jays reliever Tayler Saucedo. Brantley flew to right for out number one, but Bregman's bloop fell in front of Lourdes for a single that moved Brantley to third. Alvarez walked to load the bases, but he was forced by Correa for out number two, with Altuve scoring to put the Stros up 5-1. Bregman moved to third on the play, but Tucker's roller to first stranded the runners and retired the side.

Astros 7th: With one out, Brantley singled to right center. Bregman followed with another single to right center to put runners at the corners. Alvarez followed with a fly ball to left. Lourdes appeared to make the catch, but the ball fell out of his glove. He didn't notice at first, and by the time he did Brantley had scored the sixth Houston run and Bregman had been held at second. Correa's liner was caught by Semien for the second out, and Tucker's fly to shallow left was caught by Lourdes to end the inning. The Stros have added another run on two hits and an error, and as we go to the eighth in Game 2 they lead the Jays 6-1.

That was all the scoring. Our final: Astros 6, Blue Jays 1, and the best-of-seven series is even at a game apiece.

Tucker was named Player of the Game by Fox because of his first-inning triple that gave the Astros the lead for good. Bregman was three for four and scored a run, and Brantley was one for four plus a walk and scored twice. Garcia got the win; he pitched seven and a third innings, holding the Jays to a run on four hits while walking two and striking out four. He threw a hundred and four pitches.

Bo Bichette led the Toronto offense by going two for four, George Springer was held hitless in two official at bats but walked twice. Stripling walked only one batter and struck out eight in four innings. but gave up four runs on five hits and took the loss.

Final totals: Astros 6-10-1, Blue Jays 1-5-1.

W- Garcia (1-0)
L- Stripling (0-1)

HR- TOR: Semien (1)

The series shifts to Rogers Centre in Toronto for Game 3 on Monday night, First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM on FS1. with Jose Urquidy pitching for the Astros and Alek Manoah starting for the Blue Jays,

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto, The date is Monday, October 18:

Lineup Changes:

Astros- Jose Siri gets the start in center field and will bat eighth,

Blue Jays- Randal Grichuk gets the start in center field and will bat seventh, Brevic Valera is back at third base and will bat eighth, Finally, Danny Jansen replaces Reese McGuire behind the plate and will bat ninth.

Astros 1st: Jose Altuve led off the game against Jays starter Alek Manoah. As we pick up Joe Buck's call, he's giving a rundown of the umpiring crew:

"Bill Miller, who's been the replay coordinator for the games in Houston, joins the on-field crew tonight and will call balls and strikes. Dan Iassogna's at first, Jim Wolf at second, Alan Porter at third, with David Rackley down the left field line and Rob Drake down the right field line. Laz Diaz, who was on the field in Houston, moves to the replay center. First pitch to Altuve is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO CENTER! BACK IS GRICHUK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.........The fireworks stat early tonight, as Jose Altuve hits the first pitch of the game over the wall in center to give the Astros a 1-0 lead."

John Smoltz: "Most of the fans didn't even have a chance to buy their concessions and get to their seats before Jose Altuve tees off against Alek Manoah, Absolutely no doubt about this one whatsoever, as Altuve gets every bit of that pitch. Now Manoah has to reset and pitch as if the game was starting over from scratch, except that the Blue Jays have spotted the Astros a run. Playground rules, if you want to call it that."

Michael Brantley followed by lining a double over Grichuk's head and off the base of the wall. Alex Bregman walked to put two men on, and Yordan Alvarez's bouncer to third moved the runners up ninety feet. Carlos Correa also grounded to third for the second out, and Manoah struck Kyle Tucker out swinging on a three-two pitch to end the inning.. The Astros have taken the lead on Altuve's leadoff homer, but they've also left runners at second and third. Now it's the Hays turn to hit the bat rack,

Blue Jays 2nd: Teoscar Hernandez led off against Astros starter Jose Urquidy. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike;

"Hernandez has gone back and forth between left field and right field all through this postseason. Eventually the Jays want him to settle in as their everyday right fielder, but for now they're trying to find at-bats for Grichuk and (Lourdes) Gurriel in the outfield. George Springer is also in the mix, and out of all of the above, he's the one most suited to being a designated hitter, so he spends a lot of time in that role as well, This arrangement has them playing for an American League pennant, so it can't be all bad. One-one to Hernandez.......high fly ball deep to left, could be trouble for Brantley, he's at the track, at the wall, AND THIS ONE IS GONE!.......A surprise game-tying from Teoscar Hernandez here in the third, and I never thought it would leave the yard, John."

Smoltz: "This ball looked to be catchable at first, but it kept carrying and carrying, sort of like a ball hit at Coors Field or Chase Field. Even so, Brantley looked to have a play almost until the ball left the yard. He looks as surprised as anyone when he sees it go over the fence; there you see him shrug as if to say, 'What could I do?'"

Lourdes followed with a two-hopper to short. Correa made the stop, but his throw to first pulled Yuli off the bag, allowing Lourdes to reach, Grichuk's bloop single to right put two men on, and Lourdes moved to third on Valera's fly to right. Urquidy got Jansen to ground into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play, but Hernandez's home run has tied the game, and the Jays have left the potential go-ahead run at third. After three, it's Astros 1, Blue Jays 1,

Blue Jays 3rd: Springer led off with a double into the right center power alley. Marcus Semien's line drive was caught by Bregman for out number one, Vlad Guerrero Jr. bounced to third for the second out, with Springer holding at second. Bo Bichette was next, and he singled up the middle to score Springer and give the Jays a 2-1 lead. He then stole second, but Hernandez went down swinging to end the inning. The Jays have taken the lead thanks to a pair of hits; at the end of three, they're in front of the Astros 2-1.

Astros 8th: With two out, Yuli singled to left center. Chas McCormick batted for Siri and also singled to left center, moving Yuli to third. Jays manager Charlie Montoyo brought Rafael Dolis in out of his bullpen to face Martin Maldonado, and Dolis got ahead two strikes. Here's Joe:

"In the bottom of the eighth, it'll be the top of the Toronto order against Urquidy: Springer, Semien, and Vlad Guerrero, Right now, Dolis is one strike away from preserving the Blue Jays' 2-1 lead. Yuli Gurriel at third and McCormick at first; they'll be going on contact. If Maldonado reaches, it's Jose Altuve on deck, Dolis gets the sign from McGuire, his two-strike pitch IS HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT! BACK IS HERNANDEZ, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.......Martin Maldonado with perhaps the Astros' biggest home run to date this season, a three-run shot that gives them a 4-2 lead here in the eighth inning of Game 3,"

Smoltz: "Martin Maldonado is much better known for his defense than his bat, but he hit twelve home runs during the season and one in the Division Series against the Rays, so this isn't really a shock. Dolis' curveball doesn't break quite far enough and ends up where Maldonado can get hold of it, and he golfs it over the right field wall. Now the question becomes: Does (Astros manager) Dusty Baker trust Jose Urquidy to hold that lead, or does he go to the bullpen, which means three outs from whomever in the eighth and Ryan Pressly in the ninth?"

Altuve followed with a double into the left center power alley, but Brantley's grounder to Guerrero at first ended the inning. Maldonado's three-run bomb has given the visitors a 4-2 lead after seven and a half; now Urquidy has to run the gauntlet in the bottom of the eighth, Can he survive?

Blue Jays 8th: Urquidy got the first two outs easily, as Springer struck out swinging and Semien flew to right center. Now it was Vlad's turn, and here's Joe:

"As Vlad steps in, there's Ryan Pressly getting ready in the Houston bullpen, and you have to wonder again how much rope Dusty Baker is going to give Jose Urquidy."

Smoltz: "Pressly's ready, Joe, and quite frankly I'm not sure why he's not in the game already. This is the biggest of the Blue Jays; big guns, the one man that you can't let beat you. The only good thing for the Astros in that there's no one on base, so even a home run wouldn't cost them the lead. Still, you don't want Bichette and Hernandez to come up with runners on base, so it's important to get Guerrero out now,"

Buck: "It looks like that's going to be up to Jose Urquidy. First pitch to Vlad........HIGH FLY BALL GOING DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! MCCORMICK IS BACK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS IS A ONE-RUN GAME.........Vlad Guerrero now has two homers in this ALCS and six so far this postseason, and still no move to take Urquidy out of the game from Dusty Baker."

Smoltz: "You almost have to wonder if Ryan Pressly's hurt, Joe. I understand that Dusty's old-school, but in this day and age keeping your starter in the game in this kind of situation,,,,,I was going to say it isn't done, but Dusty's just done it, It's not recommended anymore, let's put it that way,. Especially when one of the game's best players has just finished taking him deep. Bo Bichette's not exactly a slouch with the bat, and he's next."

Urquidy proved to be up to up to the challenge, as Bichette struck out swinging on three pitches to end the inning. Guerrero's homer has brought the home squad closer, but as we go to the ninth they still trail the Astros 4-3.

Astros 9th: Bregman and Alvarez drew back-to-back walks. Correa's base hit to left loaded the bases with nobody out. Tucker followed with a lined single to right center that brought Bregman and Alvarez home to increase the Stros' lead to 6-3. That brought Adam Cimber out of the Toronto pen to face Alvarez. Here's Joe with the count two balls and a strike:

"Pressly's still ready in the Astros' bullpen, but if they score a couple of more runs here in the top of the ninth and get them out of save range, it's fair to wonder if they'd use him anyway so as not to waste him or go to someone else. Alvarez can help to answer that question; he's ahead two and one, with Correa at third and Tucker at first. McCormick is on deck, but Jake Meyers is still on the bench should Baker choose to use a more defensive option in center. Cimber now ready, and his next pitch is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT CENTER FIELD! BACK IS GRICHUK, HE'S AT THE TRACK, HE'S AT THE WALL, BUT THIS BALL IS GONE!........Yuil Gurriel might have just put Game 3 on ice for the Astros with a three-run homer here in the ninth, It's now 9-3 Houston, and Ryan Pressly has just sat down."

Smoltz: "This place has just gone completely silent, as Gurriel sat on the fastball, got the fastball, and hit it a ton. Grichuk takes two steps back, but he knows perfectly well that this ball is gone. The Astros have blown this game wide open with five runs here in the top of the ninth, and it looks like Dusty's going to give Urquidy a chance at a complete game; the towel's off of his arm, and he's starting to limber up a bit,"

McCormick continued the inning by lining a base hit up the middle, which ended Cimber's evening. Trent Thornton was the next arm out of the Jays' pen, and he retired Maldonado on a fly to shallow left center for out number one. McCormick stole second, but Altuve and Brantley each struck out swinging to retire the side, The Stros have exploded for five runs on four hits and two walks, and as Urquidy goes for the complete game in the bottom of the ninth he has a six-run cushion to fall back on, It's Houston 9, Toronto 3.

Urquidy gave up back-to-back two-out singles to Grichuk and Cavan Biggio (batting for Valera), but Jansen's grounder to Correa at short stranded the runners at first and third and ended the game. Final score: Astros 9, Blue Jays 3, and the Astros lead the best-of-seven series two games to one.

Urquidy was named Player of the Game by FS1. He went the distance, giving up three runs on nine hits and striking out five without allowing a walk, Maldonado's three-run homer in the eighth was the big blow on offense; Yuli was two for four plus a walk with two runs scored and another three-run homer. Tucker was three for five with two runs batted in and a run scored, while Altuve was three for six and homered to lead off the game. McCormick was two for two off the bench and scored a run, and Brantley was two for six. Bregman was held hitless in two official at-bats, but he scored a run and drew three of the team's five walks.

Grichuk was the only Jay with more than one hit; he was two for four. Toronto pitchers struck out eleven Astros hitters; Brantley, Tucker, and Siri all struck out twice,

Final totals: Astros 9-14-1, Blue Jays 3-9-1.

W- Urquidy (1-0)
L- Dolis (0-1)

HR- HOU: Altuve (1), Y. Gurriel (1), Maldonado (1)
TOR: Guerrero Jr, (2), Hernandez (1)

The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night here at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Zack Greinke starting for the Astros and Hyun-Jin Ryu going to the hill for the Blue Jays.

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto, The date is Tuesday, October 19:

Lineup Changes:

Astros- Chas McCormick replaces Jose Siri in center field and will bat eighth.

Blue Jays- George Springer moves to center field. Alejandro Kirk will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth. Corey Dickerson gets the start in left field and will bat seventh, Santiago Espinal is back at third base and will bat eighth. Reese McGuire replaces Danny Jansen behind the plate and will bat ninth.

Blue Jays 1st: With two out, Vlad Guerrero Jr. faced Astros starter Zack Greinke. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"We talk often about players who don't get a ton of publicity needing a proper postseason showcase for their skills; this postseason is it for Vlad Guerrero Jr. He's hit six home runs to lead the offense, made all the plays on defense, and has been a standup guy to the media whenever we've needed something. He was always well-known within the game, but hopefully this performance can get him some recognition in the wider world. One-one pitch IS A HIGH FLY BALL DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS BRANTLEY, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!........That's three home runs in this series, seven for the postseason, multiple standing ovations here at Rogers Centre, and a 1-0 Blue Jays lead here in Game 4."

John Smoltz: "Greinke threw one of his best pitches: a sharply0breaking curveball that most guys would probably take for a strike. Vlad reaches down, gets the pitch, and sand-wedges it out of Martin Maldonado's glove. That's not normally a home-run swing, but Vlad's powerful enough to pull it off, It looks for a moment like Brantley may have a play at the wall, but no such luck."

Buck: "The fans here at Rogers Centre want a curtain call, but the first inning's a little early for that."

Bo Bichette flew to center for the final out of the inning, but Guerrero's homer has given the home squad a 1-0 lead after one,

Astros 4th: McCormick led off against Jays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. Here's Joe with the count two balls and no strikes:

"McCormick and Jake Meyers have split time in center ever since Myles Straw was traded to the Indians at the end of July. Both men are right-handed hitters, so this isn't a platoon as much as is an offense/defense split. McCormick is the offensive half, Meyers is the defensive half. McCormick did his job well, finishing the regular season with fourteen home runs.

Ryu's had three tough innings, but he's gotten out of each jam and stranded seven Houston baserunners. He struck McCormick out swinging in the second inning. Right now, he's behind two balls and no strikes. McGuire sets up inside, and the two-ball pitch is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS DICKERSON, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS GAME IS TIED IN THE FOURTH!..........Hyun-Jin Ryu just stares off into the distance as McCormick circles the bases after evening this game at one."

Smoltz: "McCormick is a lot like Martin Maldonado. He's more of a home-run hitter than Jake Meyers, but he still has what most scouts would call occasional power. The good news is that he tends to go deep at the best possible times like this. He's sitting dead-red fastball because Ryu's behind in the count, and when he gets it he lands all over it. Dickerson, like Brantley earlier, thinks he might have a play for a step or two, but soon sees otherwise."

Ryu recovered to get the next two outs, as Maldonado struck out swinging and Jose Altuve popped to Bichette at short. Michael Brantley walked to continue the inning, and Alex Bregman's single to left put two men on. But Ryu recovered to strike Yordan Alvarez out swinging to end the inning. The Stros have tied the game on McCormick's homer, but they've also left runners at first and second. After three and a half, it's Astros 1, Blue Jays 1.

Blue Jays 7th: With one out, Greinke faced Teoscar Hernandez. Here's Joe with the count no balls and one strike:

"Ryu is done for the night, as he gets an embrace from (Blue Jays manager) Charlie Montoyo, He gave up one run on seven hits in seven innings, with his only blemish coming on McCormick's home run in the fourth. Now it's up to his offense to get him a run so he can get the win, Hernandez is 0 for 2 on the night, but he homered in Game 3 last night. Greinke's had a very efficient night so far; this is pitch number seventy-eight coming up. HERNANDEZ WITH A HIGH FLY BALL DEEP TO LEFT CENTER! BACK IS MCCORMICK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE!.........Teoscar Hernandez with his second home run in as many nights to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead here in the seventh, and it's Greinke's turn to stare blankly into the night."

Smoltz: "Greinke decides to throw a slider low and outside, trying to get Hernandez to chase, but the pitch didn't break like it was supposed to and ended up right in Hernandez's wheelhouse. This is probably the closest thing we've had to a no-doubter tonight, although McCormick does go back to the wall just in case."

Buck: "The fans won't be denied their curtain call this time; here comes Hernandez out of the dugout!"

Greinke recovered to strike Kirk out swinging, and Dickerson's fly to left was caught by Brantley along the left field line to end the inning, Hernandez's home run has given the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead after seven in Game 4.

That was all the scoring. The Astros were denied the tying run in the eighth, as Yuli Gurriel led off with a base hit to right center and attempted to score on Maldonado's double into the left field corner. Dickerson got to the ball quickly and fired a strike to cutoff man Bichette, who threw a second strike to McGuire at the plate for the out, In the ninth, Jays closer Jordan Romano gave up a one-out single to Bregman, his fourth hit of the night. Bregman was forced by Alvarez for the second out, and Correa's liner was speared by Bichette to end the game. Our final: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1, and this series is tied at two games apiece,

Hernandez was named Player of the Game by FS1 because of his game-winning home run, The only Jay with more than one hit was Guerrero, who was two for three with a home run of his own, Ryu got the win, pitching seven strong innings and giving up just one run on seven hits while walking three and striking out six. He threw 113 pitches.

Bregman led the Houston offense by going four for five; all four hits were singles. Alvarez was two for five, and both Yuli and Maldonado were two for four. Greinke pitched the Astros' second straight complete game in a losing cause, holding the Jays to two runs on five hits in eight innings and striking out six while not allowing a walk. He threw only ninety-three pitches.

Final totals: Blue Jays 2-5-1, Astros 1-12-0

W-Ryu (1-0)
S- Romano (1)
L- Greinke (0-1)

HR- HOU: McCormick (1)
TOR: Guerrero Jr. (3), Hernandez (2)

This series will continue late tomorrow afternoon with Game 5 here at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled shortly after 5PM Eastern, with Framber Valdez pitching for the Astros and Robbie Ray taking the ball for the Blue Jays.

Next: We look at Game 5.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 5 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto, The date is Wednesday, October 20:

Lineup Changes:

Astros- Jose Siri is back in center field and will bat eighth.

Blue Jays- Teoscar Hernandez will serve as the designated hitter. Corey Dickerson moves up to sixth. Santiago Espinal moves up to seventh. Alejandro Kirk will catch and bat eighth, Finally, Randal Grichuk will start in right field and bat ninth,

The format for this report is going to be a tad different. It's going to focus mostly on one man: Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray, who threw the first no-hitter in the history of the League Championship Series. The World Series has had one in this universe: Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown of the Cubs, who no-hit the Indians in Game 1 of the 1906 Series. The Division Series also has had one: Roy "Doc" Halladay's no-no for the Phillies against the Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS. (We'll see about the Astros' combined effort against the Phillies in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series in a short while when we cover 2022,) Our final score: Blue Jays 4, Astros 0, and the Blue Jays lead the best-of-seven series three games to two.

Ray walked two and struck out nine, and his masterpiece took 106 pitches to complete. The walks were drawn by Carlos Correa with one out in the second and Chas McCormick (batting for Siri) leading off the ninth. In the second, Ray retired both Kyle Tucker and Yuli Gurriel on flies to George Springer in left center to end the inning. We'll discuss the ninth in a few moments. In all, Ray faced just twenty-eight batters, one over the minimum.

Offensively, the Jays began their scoring with two runs in the second. With one out, Hernandez blooped a single to left, Dickerson beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single to put two men on, and Astros starter Framber Valdez threw a wild pitch to move the runners up, Espinal walked to load the bases, and Kirk's fly ball to center drove Siri back to the wall to make the catch. Hernandez scored, and the Jays led 1-0. Grichuk walked to load the bases, and Springer did the same on a disputed three-two pitch to force Dickerson in and make it 2-0. Marcus Semien's line drive was caught by Alex Bregman to end the inning; it was less than a foot away from being a bases-clearing extra-base hit.

The Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Springer led off with a line drive home run over the left field wall to give the Jays a 3-0 lead, and Semien followed with a scalding line drive that cleared the wall in center at what seemed like warp speed to extend the lead to 4-0.

Hernandez and Dickerson led the Toronto offense; they were each two for four, and they each scored a run, Springer was one for three plus a walk and drove in two runs. Kirk was hitless in his only official at-bat but walked twice and drove in a run. Valdez took the loss for the Astros, giving up four runs on six hits in seven innings while walking five and striking out three. He threw a hundred and seven pitches.

After walking McCormick to begin the top of the ninth, Ray fell behind Martin Maldonado two balls and no strikes before getting him to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. He then fell behind Jose Altuve a ball and no strikes. Here's how Joe Buck called the final out:

"Jordan Romano is now throwing in the Toronto bullpen, and if Ray loses the no-hitter, we'll most likely see him pretty quickly, Michael Brantley on deck for the Astros, and everyone in this place is on their feet, pleading for Robbie Ray to join the history books and put their Blue Jays one win away from the American League pennant. Pitch is grounded down to third, Espinal up with it, throws to first, AND THAT'S IT! A NO-HITTER FOR ROBBIE RAY!........They won't be able to celebrate the pennant with their fans, but the Blue Jays have given them the next best thing, as Ray's still being mobbed by his teammates, who can clinch the second pennant in Blue Jays history with a win on Friday night in Houston."

Final totals: Blue Jays 4-6-0, Astros 0-0-0,

W- Ray (1-0)
L- Valdez (0-2)

HR- TOR: Springer (2), Semien (2)

The series heads back to Minute Maid Park in Houston for Game 6 on Friday night, First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Steven Matz starting for the Blue Jays and Luis Garcia going to the mound for the Astros.

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 6 of the 2021 American League Championship Series from Minute Maid Park in Houston. The date is Friday, October 22:

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- George Springer will serve as the designated hitter. Teoscar Hernandez moves back to right field. Danny Jansen replaces Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and will bat eighth. Finally, Randal Grichuk moves from right field to center field.

Astros- Chas McCormick replaces Jose Siri in center field and will bat eighth.

Blue Jays 1st: Springer hit the first pitch of the game for a bloop single to center. A wild pitch from Astros starter Luis Garcia moved Springer to second, and Marcus Semien's double to left brought him home with the game's first run. Another wild pitch moved Semien to third, and Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s single to left center allowed him to score and made it 2-0 Toronto, Jake Odorizzi began throwing with purpose in the Houston bullpen, but Garcia still had to face Bo Bichette, who got under the first pitch he aw and flew to left for out number one. Hernandez was next, and he ripped a double off the wall in center, Guerrero trotted home, and the Jays led 3-0. Garcia came back to strike Corey Dickerson out swinging for out number two, but Santiago Espinal stroked a base hit to left center that cashed in Hernandez and extended the Toronto lead to 4-0.

Odorizzi was ready by then, so Astros manager Dusty Baker made a reluctant pitching change after just two-thirds of an inning. Jansen welcomed the new hurler with a lined base hit to left center that put runners at the corners. Grichuk walked to load the bases, and it was Cristian Javier's turn to get loose. Fortunately for the Stros, Springer bounced to Correa to finally end the inning. The Jays have sent ten batters to the plate and scored four runs on six hits, a walk, and a pair of wild pitches while leaving the bases loaded. The Astros have a huge hole to dig out of, and they'll start their night's work when we return.

Blue Jays 2nd: Semien began the inning with a fly ball to right that dropped on the warning track and bounced over the wall for a book-rule double. That brought Guerrero to the plate, and here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Ground ball......DIVING STOP BY CORREA! THROWS FROM HIS KNEES AND.......OUT AT FIRST!.......The defensive play of the series so far from Carlos Correa, and Guerrero had to hold at second since the ball was hit right in front of him. One out, and here's Bo Bichette."

Bichette struck out swinging for out number two, but a passed ball by Martin Maldonado moved him to third. Hernandez rapped a double off the left field wall to bring him home and make it 5-0 Jays. Dickerson lined a single to right center that scored Hernandez and made it 6-0. Espinal's fly to shallow right center ended the inning, but the Jays have added two runs on three hits and a passed ball, After an inning and a half, it's Blue Jays 6, Astros 0.

Astros 2nd: With two out, Yuli Gurriel singled up the middle. McCormick followed with a double into the left field corner that scored Gurriel home and put the home squad on the board. Maldonado took a called third strike to end the inning. The Stros scored a run on two hits, but they've also left a runner at second. At the end of two, it's AL East Champs 6, AL West Champs 1.

Blue Jays 3rd: Springer drew a two-out walk, Semien's fly ball to center fell in for a double, which scored Springer and extended the Toronto lead to 7-1. Guerrero grounded to short to end the inning, but the Jays have added a run on a walk and Semien's double. Marcus was stranded at second, but the Jays have reestablished their six-run lead after two and a half.

Blue Jays 5th: Espinal led off with a double into the right field corner. Jansen's single to left put runners at the corners, and Grichuk's single to right brought Espinal home with the Jays' eighth run, Springer's popup was caught by Alex Bregman for out number one, but Semien's single to left center loaded the bases and ended Odorizzi's evening, Javier proceeded to strike Guerrero out swinging, then retired Bichette on a comebacker to end the inning with the bases still loaded. But the visitors have added another run, and halfway through Game 6 they hold an 8-1 lead.

Astros 6th: Correa led off with a single to right center. Tucker hit a two-hopper to short that handcuffed Bichette, allowing Tucker to reach. Yuli's bloop single to right center loaded the bases, but McCormick's hot smash found Guerrero's glove for out number one. Next up was Maldonado, who took a fastball to the head courtesy of Jays' starter Steven Matz. Correa came home with the Stros' second run, and after a scary moment at home plate Maldonado got up and headed to first base. Jose Altuve lined a single to right that brought Tucker home to make it 8-3, and Jays manager Charlie Montoyo called on Adam Cimber to come out of the bullpen and stop the bleeding.

He wasn't successful at first; Michael Brantley's bloop found friendly turf in right, which scored Yuli and cut the Jays' lead to 8-4. But Bregman's fly to left center wasn't deep enough to score Maldonado, and Yordan Alvarez's bouncer to short retired the side. The Astros are back om the game thanks to three runs om four hits and an error while leaving the bases loaded. After six, it's Toronto 8, Houston 4.

Blue Jays 8th: Guerrero led off with a single to left. Bichette took a called third strike for out number one. Hernandez's base hit to left moved Guerrero to third. Dickerson beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single to bring Guerrero home and make it 9-4 while Hernandez stopped at third. Espinal followed with a lined base hit up the middle to score Hernandez with the tenth Toronto run, and it was time for the Astros to make another pitching change.

Righthander Phil Maton was next out of the Houston pen, and lefthanded Reese McGuire was sent up to bat for the righthanded Jansen, McGuire lined the first pitch he saw off the left field wall for a double to score Dickerson and Espinal, and the Jays led 12-4. Grichuk struck out swinging for out number two, but Springer's bloop single to left brought McGuire home with lucky run number thirteen. Semien went down swinging to end the inning, but the Jays have scored five runs in six hits, and they're in front 13-4 as we head to the bottom of the eighth.

Astros 8th: McCormick drew a leadoff walk against Jays reliever Tayler Saucedo. Maldonado's liner was caught by Espinal for the first out, but Altuve singled to left to put two men on. Brantley's bouncer to short moved the runners up with two out, and Bregman's base hit up the middle brought them home and cut the Jays' lead to 13-6. Alvarez's fly to shallow right was caught by Hernandez to end the inning, but the Stros have scored twice on two hits, a walk, and a productive groundout After eight, it's Lake Ontario 13, Gulf of Mexico 6.

Blue Jays 9th: Guerrero led off with a double to center against new Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu. Bichette grounded to third for out number one, but Hernandez beat out a grounder to third for an infield single to put runners at the corners. With Dickerson at the plate, Abreu uncorked a wild pitch that scored Guerrero and made it 14-6. Dickerson walked to put two men on, and Espinal lined a single to left center to bring Hernandez home with the visitors' fifteenth run, Dickerson moved to third, but McGuire was retired on a popup to Bregman at third for the second out, and Grichuk flew to McCormick in left center to end the inning. The Jays have added two runs on three hits, a walk, and a wild pitch, and as we head to the bottom of the ninth they lead 15-6.

Astros 9th: Correa led off with a single to left center against Jays reliever Tim Mayza. Tucker took a called third strike for out number one, but Yuli walked to put two men on. McCormick whacked a double off the center field wall to score Correa with the seventh Houston run and move Yuli to third, Maldonado went down swinging for the second out, but Brantley smacked the first pitch he saw into the right center power alley. Bregman followed with a lined shot off the wall in left to bring Brantly home, and just like that the Astros were within 15-11. Rafael Dolis was called on to face Alvarez and quickly got ahead of him one ball and two strikes, Here's Joe:

"The Blue Jays are just one strike away from the pennant, but they're also one swing away from having to bring (closer) Jordan Romano into a game that they led by nine runs on two different occasions, There he is getting loose in the Blue Jays' bullpen.

The most amazing thing about this offensive outburst is that no home runs have been hit, and that's out of forty combined hits, No triples either; the count is twenty-seven combined singles and thirteen combined doubles. Right now the Astros are looking for a hit of any kind to keep their pennant defense alive. Dolis ready, the one-two pitch.......GOT HIM SWINGING! THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

It took four hours and forty-one minutes to play, but there were few dull moments in this one. Let's begin our rundown with the Astros. Brantley was their offensive leader; he was three for six, scored a run, and drove in four, Three of them came on the bases-clearing double that we just saw in the bottom of the ninth. Alex Bregman was three for six and drove in three runs, and Chas McCormick was three for four plus a walk, scored twice, and drove in two more runs, Altuve was three for four, walked twice, scored twice and drove in a run, Yuli Gurriel was two for four plus a walk and scored three times, while Carlos Correa was two for five and scored twice, Houston pitchers tallied eleven strikeouts, and Bo Bichette was hitless in six at-bats and struck out three times.

Our Player of the Game is Teoscar Hernandez, who was four for six, drove in three runs, and scored four more to lead the Tprpnto offense. Santiago Expinal was four for six, drove in three runs, and scored twice. Semien was four for six, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Springer was three for five plus a walk, drove in a run, and scored twice. Vlad Guerrero was three for six, scored three times, and drove in a run. Corey Dickerson was two for five plus a walk, scored a run, and drove in two, Jansen and McGuire combined to go three for six with two runs batted in and a run scored. The Blue Jays outhit the Astros 24-16.

On the pitching side, the Blue Jays recorder ten strikeouts, but only three hitters were struck out: Yordan Alvarez was hitless in six at-bats and struck out four times. Kyle Tucker was hitless in five at-bats and struck out three times, and Martin Maldonado was hitless in four official at-bats and struck out three times. Tucker scored a run, Maldonado was hit by a pitch and drove in a run,

Before we go, the Most Valuable Player of this ALCS is Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray, who as most of you know no-hit the Astros in Game 5 Wednesday night at Rogers Centre, Over his last fourteen and two-thirds postseason innings, he's given up just three baserunners: a hit and two walks, If he keeps that kind of dominance going in the World Series, it will go a long way toward giving Toronto its second world championship and its first since 1993.

That wraps it up from Minute Maid Park for the moment. Our final score once again in Game 6: the Toronto Blue Jays 15, the Houston Astros 11, and the Blue Jays win their second American League pennant four games to two, When we come back from this commercial break, they'll be ready for the presentation of both Robbie Ray's MVP trophy and the American League championship trophy down on the field. Our own Ken Rosenthal will host those ceremonies, and they'll begin right after this here on FS1. Stay with us."

Final totals: Blue Jays 15-24-1, Astros 11-16-0,

W- Matz (2-0)
L- Garcia (1-1)

Next: We turn our attention to the National League, beginning with the Wild Card Game on Wednesday, October 6. The Giants will host the Cardinals at Oracle Park in San Francisco, with first pitch just after 8PM Eastern on MLB Network, Adam Wainwright will start for the Cardinals, while Logan Webb takes the hill for the Giants,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for the 2021 National League Wild Card Game from Oracle Park in San Francisco, The date is Wednesday, October 6:

Weather: 60 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, west wind at 13 MPH.

Giants 1st: With one out, first baseman Wilmer Flores doubled to center. A wild pitch by Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright moved him to third. Shortstop Brandon Crawford followed with a single to left center that scored Flores and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead. Catcher Buster Posey and right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. each flew to Dylan Carlson in right to end the inning, but the home squad has used two hits and a wild pitch to get their first run, and they lead 1-0 after one,

Giants 4th: With one out, left fielder Kris Bryant singled to right. Center fielder Mike Yastrzemski followed with a double off the wall in right to bring Bryant home and extend the Frisco lead to 2-0. Third baseman Evan Longoria was retired on a bouncer to second for out number two, which moved Yastrzemski to third. Pitcher Logan Webb followed with a fly ball to center. The Cardinals' Harrison Bader had a bead on the ball, but lost it in the setting sun; it ticked off of his glove and bounced away, allowing Yastrzemski to score and make it 3-0. Second baseman Tommy LaStella was next, and his fly ball to the warning track in right was caught by the Cardinals' Dylan Carlson to end the inning. The Giants have scored twice on two hits, an error, and a productive groundout, and they lead the Redbirds 3-0 at the end of four,

Cardinals 8th: With two out, Bader singled to right center against Giants reliever Taylor Rogers. Paul DeJong batted for Wainwright and singled up the middle to put runners at the corners. Second baseman Tommy Edman lined a single to right center to score Bader and put the Cards on the board while moving DeJong to third. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt flew to Yastrzemski in shallow left center to end the inning, The Cards are on the board thanks to three consecutive hits, but they've also left runners at the corners and trail 3-1 after seven and a half.

That was all the scoring. I lost the call of the final out and the totals due to a technical difficulty.

W- Webb (1-0)
S- McGee (1)
L- Waiwright (0-1)

The rest of the National League playoffs happened as they did in real life. In the Division Series, the wild-card Giants pushed the Dodgers to the limit before falling in five games, while the Braves eliminated the Brewers in four. The Braves then defeated the Dodgers in a six-game NLCS to win the National League pennant,

Next: Game 1 of the 2021 World Series from the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Tuesday, October 26. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Charlie Morton pitching for the Braves and Robbie Ray starting for the Blue Jays.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 1 of the 2021 World Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto, The date is Tuesday, October 26:

Braves 1st: With two out, second baseman Ozzie Albies faced Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"The story here in Toronto ever since (Jays manager) Charlie Montoyo announced that Robbie Ray would start this game has been whether he can confound the Braves like he did the White Sox and Astros. Most baseball fans know that there's only one man who's ever thrown back-to-back no-hitters: Johnny Vander Meer of the 1938 Reds, and he did it in the middle of June, not in the postseason. Montoyo and the Jays would be happy with seven strong innings, especially against a lineup as powerful as the Braves' is. Ray ready with the one-one pitch to Albies, AND THAT'S DRIVEN TO DEEP LEFT CENTER! BACK IS GRCHUK, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!.......So much for history, as any chance of a Robbie Ray no-hitter just disappeared over the wall in left center, and it's 1-0 Atlanta."

John Smoltz: "Albies is one of the Braves' best hitters, but this is his first homer of the postseason after thirty in the regular season, This one was a no-doubter, and if he gets hot along with the rest of the Atlanta offense, the Blue Jays' pitching staff is in for a rough time in this series. That's why the Braves are ovewhelmiing favorites despite the Blue Jays' superior regular-season record."

Third baseman Austin Riley followed with a lined single to left, but left fielder Eddie Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning. Albies has put the Braves on the board with his homer, but here come the hometown Blue Jays.

Blue Jays 1st: A one-two-three inning for Braves starter Charlie Morton, After one, it's Braves 1, Blue Jays 0,

Braves 2nd: With two out, right fielder Joc Pederson doubled off the wall in center, but shortstop Dansby Swanson took a called third strike to retire the side. It's still 1-0 Braves after an inning and a half.

Blue Jays 2nd: Another perfect inning for Morton: shortstop Bo Bichette and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez went down swinging, and catcher Alejandro Kirk flew to right center to end the inning. Morton has retired the first six Toronto hitters in order, and after two the National League champions lead 1-0,

Braves 3rd: Designated hitter Jorge Soler led off against Ray. Here's Joe with the count no balls and two strikes:

"Soler started three games in right field in the Division Series against the Brewers, but was limited to a pair of pinch-hit appearances against the Dodgers in the NLCS. He's the designated hitter here tonight, but (Braves manager) Brian Snitker wouldn't commit to using him in the role for all four games under American League rules in this series. Right now he's down two strikes against Ray here in the third, AND HE SENDS THE NEXT PITCH HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS HURRIAL, AT TE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!......Jorge Soler parks Ray's third pitch of the inning in the second row of the left field seats, and it's 2-0 Braves."

Smoltz: "Ray tried to paint the outside corner for strike three, but the ball doesn't break an end up belt-high down the middle, which makes easy for Soler. He hit twenty-seven homers this year when you combine his time with the Royals and Braves, and he's another hitter that the Blue Jays don't want to see get hot."

First baseman Freddie Freeman lined a base hit to right center to continue the inning, but Albies took a called third strike for out number one. That brought Riley to the plate, and here's Joe:

"Riley was brought along slowly by the Braves; he was primarily a left fielder when he came up in 2019, and he's also spent time at first base and in right field. He's decent defensively, but he's mainly a starter because of his bat. He hit thirty-three home runs in the regular season and one in each of the team's playoff series. FIRST PITCH IS HAMMERED DEEP TO RIGHT! BACK IS HERNANDEZ, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND GONE!,,,,,,,,,,Two home runs in the inning for the Braves, three for the game, and they lead 4-0 here in the third."

Smoltz: "The Braves are teeing off on Ray, and I'm wondering if he's suffering from some kind of no-hitter hangover. He's nowhere near as sharp as he was against the White Sox and Astros, and while none of the Braves' homers have been gimmes, they might not have happened if Ray was totally on his game, He may pitch his way out of it, but he'll have to do it quickly before the game gets away from the Blue Jays,"

Rosario walked on a three-two pitch to keep the inning alive and moved to second on center fielder Adam Duvall's grounder to short, but catcher Travis d'Arnaud grounded to Valera at third to end the inning. The visitors have extended their lead on homers by Soler and Riley, but they've also left Rosario at second. After two and a half in Game 1, it's Dixie 4, Great White North 0,

Blue Jays 3rd: Center fielder Randal Grichuk drew a one-out walk. Third baseman Breyvic Valera was called out on strikes for the second out, which brought designated hitter George Springer to the plate. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"High popup behind first, drifting toward the Atlanta dugout, Freeman going over, reaches in AND MAKES THE CATCH! WOBBLES FOR A SECOND, BUT KEEPS HIS FEET!.......If he'd fallen into the dugout, it would have been a dead ball and Grichuk would have been at second, but he managed to right himself while keeping the ball in his love, and the Blue Jays are done in the third. We go to the fourth with the Braves in front 4-0."

Braves 4th: Soler singled to left with two out, but Freeman went down swinging to retire the side. We've played three and a half, and it's 4-0 Braves.

Blue Jays 4th: With two out, Bichette hit a fly ball to left that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a ground-rule double. Hernandez singled up the middle to bring Bo home and put the Jays on the board. Kirk's fly to left retired the side, but the Jays have scored a run on two hits, and after four they trail the Braves 4-1.

Braves 5th: Riley lined a single to right center with one out, but Rosario took a called third strike for the second out, and Duvall went down swinging to end the inning. We're halfway home in Game 1, and it's Atlanta 4, Toronto 1.

Blue Jays 5th: With one out, Grichuk singled to left. He moved to second on Valera's bouncer to second, and Springer walked to put two men on. That brought up second baseman Marcus Semien, who took a called third strike to retire the side. The Jays have left runners at first and second, and we head to the sixth with the Braves in front 4-1.

Braves 6th: Pederson drew a one-out walk. Swanson's popup was caught by Valera behind the third base bag for out number two. Soler was next, and here's Joe with the count one ball and no strikes:

"Pederson no threat to run at first with the Braves up by three and Soler, who's already homered once tonight, at the plate. Tayler Saucedo warming up in the Toronto bullpen, as Ray has had a tough night here in Game 1. He's given up four runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in five innings while Charlie Morton has held the Blue Jays to a run on three hits. Ray's just trying to hold the Braves down for one more inning and hoping that the Toronto bats come alive. Next pitch is hit a ton down the left field line. Gurriel over for a look, BALL STILL CARRYING, AND IT'S GONE!........It just cleared the wall by inches, but that's enough for Soler's second homer of the night and a 6-1 Atlanta lead in the sixth."

Smoltz: "From a no-hitter to allowing four home runs in a game; talk about the fortunes of baseball! This one doesn't look like it's going to get out until the very lar second, Gurriel fully expects to make the catch, but the ball's hit just a tad harder than he thought, and there it goes into the first row of seats in left."

Buck: "All six Atlanta runs tonight have come via the home run."

Freeman went down swinging to retire the side, but Soler's second homer of the night has increased the Braves' lead to 6-1 after five and a half.

Blue Jays 6th: Hernandez lined a single to right center with two out, but Kirk went down swinging to end the inning. After six, the visitors maintain a five-run lead,

Braves 7th: A one-two-three inning for new Jays pitcher Tayler Saucedo. As we stretch north of border, the Braves are still in control 6-1.

Blue Jays 7th: Grichuk lined a single up the middle with one out, but Valera and Springer each flew to Duvall in right center to end the inning. We've played seven, and it's NL Champs 6, AL Champs 1.

Braves 8th: With two out, Pederson doubled into the left center power alley. Francisco Berrios came out of the Jays' pen to face Swanson, who it a high fly ball to deep center. Grichuk made the catch with his back to the wall, and the inning was over. The Braves have left Pederson at second, but they still lead the Jays 6-1 after seven and a half.

Blue Jays 8th: Semien drew a leadoff walk, which brought first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the plate against Braves reliever Luke Jackson. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"What a postseason so far for this man., and this is the kind of showcase that he's needed to show the world the kind of player he is, He, Mike Trout, and Shohei Otani are the players that jump to the minds of most fans when they talk about players who should be with higher-profile teams, which these days means either the Yankees or the Dodgers. But they love him here in Canada BECAUSE OF SWINGS LIKE THAT! HIGH AND DEEP TO CENTER AND GONE!.......Eight postseason homers for Vlad Guerrero Jr., and it's 6-3 here in the eighth,"

Smoltz: "This ball is up a bit too high, and Guerrero just lays waste to it, He knows it's gone, but with his team down five runs he doesn't do a bat flip or stand around admiring it, Still, the Blue Jays have a bit of life and some more heavy hitters due up, so let's see if they can take advantage of it."

That was all for Jackson; A.J, Minter relieved him and retired the next three batters: Bichette struck out swinging, Hernandez was called out on strikes, and Kirk flew to Duvall in left center. Guerrero's eighth postseason homer has brought the Jays back into the game, but as we go to the ninth they still trail the Braves 6-3.

Braves 9th: Soler flew to right center, and Berrios struck out both Freeman and Albies swinging. Closer Will Smith is on his way on, and he'll face left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Grichuk, and Valera in the bottom of the ninth. It's Braves 6, Blue Jays 3.

Blue Jays 9th: Gurriel bounced to second, Grichuk's popup was caught by Riley, and Santiago Espinal (batting for Valera) flew to Duvall on the warning track in left center to end the game. Final score: Braves 6, Blue Jays 3, and the Braves lead the best-of-seven series one game to none,

Soler was named Player of the Game by Fox; he was three for five with two home runs and three runs batted in, Riley was three for four with a home run and two RBIs, and Pederson was two for three plus a walk and scored a run. Morton got the win, holding the Jays to a run on five hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out ten. He threw a hundred and one pitches. Smith earned the save by retiring the Jays on seven pitches in the ninth. The Braves' pitchers combined for twelve strikeouts; Bichette struck out three times.

Hernandez and Grichuk were the only Jays with more than one hit; Hernandez was two for four and drove in a run, while Grichuk was two for three plus a walk, Guererro had a two-run homer in the eighth, his eighth of the postseason, Toronto pitchers combined for thirteen strikeouts, with Freeman and Rosario striking out three times apiece.

Final totals: Braves 6-10-0, Blue Jays 3-6-0.

W- Morton (1-0)
S- Smith (1)
L- Ray (0-1)

HR- ATL: Soler 2 (2), Riley (1), Albies (1)
TOR: Guerrero Jr. (1)

The series will continue tomorrow night with Game 2 here at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Max Fried starting for the Braves and Steven Matz pitching for the Blue Jays.

Next: We look at Game 2.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 2 of the 2021 World Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto. The date is Wednesday, October 27:

Lineup Changes:

Braves- Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario change places in the batting order; Rosario will lead off, while Soler bats fifth. Joc Pederson moves up to sixth, Adam Duvall moves down to seventh, and Travis d'Arnaud moves down to eighth,

Blue Jays- Corey Dickerson will start in center field and bat sixth. Breyvic Valera moves up to eighth. Reese McGuire replaces Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and will bat ninth,

Braves 1st: With one out, Freddie Freeman hit a slow roller to first. Vlad Guerrero Jr. tried to make the stop, but couldn't pick up the ball in time to throw to pitcher Steven Matz for the out. Freeman reached. and Guerrero was charged with an error. Ozzie Albies flew to center for the second out, and Vlad handled Austin Riley/s grounder cleanly to end the inning, The Jays have survived Guerrero's error; now let's see what they do at the bat rack,

Blue Jays 1st: Braves starter Max Fried retired the Jays in order. After one, it's Braves 0, Blue Jays 0.

Braves 2nd: With one out, Pederson doubled off the wall in center. Duvall took a called third strike for the second out. but d'Arnaud's single up the middle brought Pederson home and gave the Braves a 1-0 lead. Dansby Swanson's fly to shallow right ended the inning, but the Braves have scored first thanks to a pair of hits. After an inning and a half, they lead Game 2 1-0.

Blue Jays 2nd: Teoscar Hernandez walked with one out. Dickerson's single to left put two men on. but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. struck out swinging for out number two, and Valera forced Dickerson to retire the side. The Jays have left runners at first and second, and it's 1-0 Braves after two.

Braves 3rd: Albies walled with two out, but McGuire threw him out trying to steal second, ending the inning. After two and a half, it's still NL Champs 1, AL Champs 0,

Blue Jays 3rd: McGuire's fly ball to left center dropped in the power alley for a leadoff double. He held at second while George Springer flew to Dickerson in left center but moved to third on Marcus Semien's grounder to first. Braves manager Brian Snitker decided to walk Guerrero intentionally even though it was only the third inning, and Bo Bichette made him pay for his gamble by whacking a double off the wall in center. Both Springer and Guerrero scored, and the Jays took a 2-1 lead. Hernandez walked on five pitches to put two men back on, but Dickerson's foul pop was caught by Riley in front of the Atlanta dugout to end the inning. The Jays have scored two runs on two doubles, two walks, and a productive groundout, and as we go to the fourth they've taken a 2-1 lead.

Braves 4th: A one-two-three inning for Matz. We've played three and a half in Game 2, and it's Jays 2, Bravos 1.

Blue Jays 4th: Gurriel led off with a fly ball to left center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a ground-rule double. He moved to third on Valera's fly to deep left center, but McGuire grounded to Freeman at first and Springer flew to right center to end the inning, The Jays have left a runner at third, but as we go to the fifth, they lead the Braves 2-1.

Braves 5th: Swanson walked with two out, but Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning. Halfway through Game 2, it's Toronto 2, Atlanta 1.

Blue Jays 5th: Semien lined a leadoff single to left, then stole second. Guerrero's foul pop was caught by Riley for the first out, and Bichette struck out swinging for out number two. Hernandez walked to put two men on, and Dickerson's lined single to right center scored Semien to make it 3-1 Toronto. Hernandez moved to third and subsequently scored on Gurriel's base hit to put the Jays up 4-1. Dickerson moved to third, and he scored on Valera's base hir to left to give the home squad a 5-1 lead. McGuire bounced to short to retire the side with runners still at first and second, but the Jays have extended their lead with three runs on four hits, a walk, and a solen base. We've played five, and the Jays have opened up a 5-1 lead.

Braves 6th: Freeman led off with a double off the wall in right center. Albies took a called third strike for out number one, but Riley slapped a base hit to right center that scored Freeman with the second Atlanta run. Soler popped to Bichette at short for the second out, and Pederson grounded to first to retire the side. The Braves have gotten back on the board thanks to a pair of hits, but they still trail the Jays 5-2 after five and a half.

Blue Jays 6th: Springer grounded to third, Semien was retired on a comebacker, and Guerrero struck out swinging. At the end of six, the Jays have a 5-2 lead.

Braves 7th: Duvall took a pitch off of his knee. Matz struck d'Arnaud out swinging for out number one, but Swanson's single to left put two men on. Rosario forced Swanson for out number two, with Duvall moving to third. Freeman followed with a single to left that brought Duvall home and moved Rosario to third; the Jays' lead was now 5-3. Albies forced Freeman to end the inning with runners still at the corners, but the Braves have scored another run thanks to a pair of hits, a fielder's choice, and a hit batsman. It's stretch time at Rogers Centre, and the Jays still lead by a pair.

Blue Jays 7th: Braves reliever Luke Jackson had a perfect inning: Bichette flew to shallow center, Hernandez went down swinging, and Dickerson grounded to short. We've played seven, and the Blue Jays lead 5-3.

Braves 8th: Riley led off with a double into the right center power alley. Soler's grounder just managed to avoid reliever Adam Cimber's glove and trickle into center field for a base hit to put runners at the corners. Pederson's lined single to left center scored Riley and narrowed the Toronto lead to 5-4. Duvall struck out swinging for out number one, and d'Arnaud launched a fly ball to left center that looked for all the world like a home run, It died just before the wall, and Dickerson made the catch for out number two, with Soler moving to third. Swanson's grounder to third ended the inning with runners still at the corners, but the Braves have scored another run on three hits and a productive fly ball. We head to the bottom of the eighth with the Jays clinging to a 5-4 lead.

Blue Jays 8th: Gurriel drew a leadoff walk against Jackson, Santiago Espinal batted for Valera and struck out swinging for out number one, but McGuire's bouncer to second moved Gurriel to second. A.J. Minter came out of the Atlanta bullpen to face Springer, who promptly doubled to left to bring home Gurriel and give the Jays a 6-4 lead. Semien was called out on strikes to end the inning, but the Jays have added an insurance run on a walk, a productive groundout and a hit. The home squad will head to the ninth with a 6-4 lead and Jordan Romano coming in from the pen to a standing ovation. He'll face Rosario, Freeman, and Albies.

Braves 9th: Jays closer Jordan Romano needed just nine pitches to finish off the Braves. Rosario popped to Semien at second, Freeman flew to shallow right, and Albies' liner was gloved by Guerrero to end the game. Final score: Blue Jays 6, Braves 4, and this best-of-seven series is tied at one game apiece.

Matz was named Player of the Game by Fox. He pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four, He threw exactly one hundred pitches. Dickerson and Gurriel led the Jays' offense with two hits apiece; Dickerson was two for four with a run scored and another run batted in, while Gurriel was two for three plus a walk with one run scored and another one driven in, Bichette drove in a pair of runs with his double in the third. Hernandez was hitless in his only official at-bat, but walked three times and scored a run.

For the Braves, Freeman was two for five with a run scored and a run batted in, while Riley and Pederson were each two for four with a run scored and another run batted in. Fried took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in six innings while walking four and striking out three, He also threw exactly one hundred pitches.

Final totals: Blue Jays 6-9-1, Braves 4-9-0,

W- Matz (1-0)
S- Romano (1)
L- Fried (0-1)

The series shifts to Truist Park in Atlanta for Game 3 on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Hyun-Jin Ryu starting for the Blue Jays and Ian Anderson taking the ball for the Braves.

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 2021 World Series from Truist Park in Atlanta. The date is Friday. June 29:

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- In the absence of the designated hitter, the following batters all move up one spot: Marcus Semien (second to leadoff), Vlad Guerrero Jr, (third to second), Bo Bichette (fourth to third), and Teoscar Hernandez (fifth to fourth). Alejandro Kirk is back behind the plate and will bat fifth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. moves up to sixth. Randal Grichuk starts in center field and will bat seventh. Finally, Santiago Espinal is back at third base and will bat eighth,

Braves- Jorge Soler will start in right field and bat fifth. In the absence of the designated hitter, the following batters all move up one spot: Adam Duvall (seventh to sixth), Travis d'Arnaud (eighth to seventh), and Dansby Swanson (ninth to eighth).

Blue Jays 1st: Bichette singled to left with two out, but Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning. After half an inning, it's Blue Jays 0, Braves ready to hit,

Braves 1st: Ozzie Albies walked after two out, then stole second. Austin Riley followed with a base hit to right that brought Albies home and gave the home squad a 1-0 lead. Jorge Soler's fly to right looked like a home run off the bat, but Hernandez made the catch at the wall to end the inning. The Braves have struck first in Game 3 thanks to a pair of hits, a walk. and a stolen base; after one, they lead the Blue Jays 1-0.

Blue Jays 2nd: Gurriel lined a single to left with one out, but Bichette flew to right and Espinal flew to Duvall in shallow left center to end the inning. We're scoreless after an inning and a half.

Braves 2nd: d'Arnaud's bloop fell in left center field for a one-out double, but Blue Jays starter Hyun-Ji Ryu struck both Swanson and mound opponent Ian Andrson out swinging to end the inning, There's still no score after two,

Blue Jays 3rd: Semien walked with one out, but Guerrero grounded into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play. It's still 1-0 Braves after two and a half.

Braves 3rd: Eddie Rosario drew a leadoff walk but was thrown out trying to steal second. Freeman's liner was gloved by Guerrero for the second out, and Albies' fly to left was caught at the wall by Gurriel to retire the side. After three, it's NL Champs 1, AL Champs 0.

Blue Jays 4th: Bichette led off with a single to left, then stole second. Hernandez beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single to put runners at the corners, and Kirk singled to left to bring Bichette home and tie the game at one. Gurriel walked to load the bases, but Anderson came back to strike out the side; Grichuk, Espinal, and Ryu all went down swinging. The Jays have tied the game on three hits and a walk, but they've also left the bases loaded. We've played three and a half, and it's Ontario 1, Georgia 1,

Braves 4th: Riley led off with a single to left, but was stranded: Soler struck out swinging, Duvall's fly to left was caught by Gurriel in foul territory, and d'Arnaud flew to shallow right center. We've played four, and it's Bravos 1, Jays 1.

Blue Jays 5th: Guerrero drew a one-out walk. Bichette's fly to the warning track in left center was caught by Duvall for out number two, and Hernandez's fly to deep left was caught by Rosario to end the inning. Halfway through Game 3, it's Atlanta 1, Toronto 1.

Braves 5th: Jays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu retired the Braves in order. We're tied at one after five.

Blue Jays 6th: Gurriel lined a one-out single to left. Grichuk went down swinging for out number two, but Espinal's base hit to left center put runners at the corners. The pitcher's spot was next, and manager Charlie Montoyo decided to let Ryu, who had only thrown sixty-seven pitches to this point and had major-league experience at the plate, bat for himself. Anderson finished his own evening's work by striking Ryu out on three pitches to retire the side, The Jays have blown a golden opportunity to take the lead by leaving runners at the corners, and we're still tied at one after five and a half.

Braves 6th: Freeman led off with a single to right. Albies' popup was caught by Semien for out number one. Riley forced Freeman for out number two. Soler's fly ball to right dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double, which moved Soler to third. Duval's grounder to short retired the side, The Jays have left runners at second and third, and we still have a 1-1 tie after six,

Blue Jays 7th: Semien led off with a single to left center against Braves reliever A.J. Minter, but was stranded: Guerrero went down swinging, Bichette took a called third strike, and Hernandez bounced to second to end the inning. It's stretch time in Georgia, and the Jays and Braves are tied at one,

Braves 7th: d'Arnaud led off with a bouncer to short that was bobbled by Bichette, allowing d'Arnaud to reach. Swanson followed with a double into the left center power alley to score d'Arnaud and put the Braves in front 2-1. Guillermo Heredia batted for Minter, and his grounder to second moved Swanson to third. Rosario was next, and he banged a double off the right field wall to bring Dansby home and make it 3-1. Montoyo made the call to the bullpen, and Freeman greeted new pitcher Trevor Richards with a bloop single to right center that scored Rosario and made it 4-1 Atlanta. Albies' pop fly was caught by Semien for the second out, and Riley took a called third strike to end the inning. The Braves have broken the tie with three runs on three hits, an error, and a productive groundout. We've played seven in Game 3, and th Braves lead 4-1.

Here's how Joe Buck called Swanson's RBI double:

"Ryu checks d'Arnaud at first, gets the sign from Kirk, here's the one-one pitch.......RIPPED INTO LEFT CENTER, AND IT'LL GET DOWN IN THE ALLEY! D'ARNAUD AROUND THIRD, AND HE'LL SCORE WITHOUT A THROW! IT'S 2-1 BRAVES HERE IN THE SEVENTH!......Dansby Swanson's RBI double means that Ryu's on a short leash, as Guillermo Heredia steps in to bat for Minter."

Blue Jays 8th: Kirk led off with a single to left center against Braves reliever Tyler Matzek. Gurriel flew to Pederson in shallow right for out number one, but Grichuk walked to put two men on, Espinal's pop behind first base was caught by Freeman for the second out, and Matzek struck out George Springer (batting for reliever Trevor Richards) swinging to end the inning, The Jays have left runners at first and second, and after seven and a half they trail the Braves 4-1.

Braves 8th: Soler led off with a double into the right center power alley against new Jays pitcher Trent Thornton, who rebounded to strike Duvall out swinging. d'Arnaud flew to Gurriel in shallow left for out number two, and Swanson's fly ball was caught by Springer (the Jays' new center fielder) in left center to end the inning, Will Smith will attempt to earn his second save of the series in the top of the ninth. but to get it he'll have to retire Semien, Guerrero, and Bichette. After eight, it's Braves 4, Blue Jays 1,

Blue Jays 9th: Semien drew a leadoff walk. Bichette singled to right to put two men on, and Bichette's single up the middle loaded the bases. Hernandez's liner was gloved by Freeman for out number one, Kirk forced Bichette, which allowed Semien to score the second Toronto run and Guerrero to move to third. Gurriel singled to right to bring Vlad home and cut the Braves' lead to 4-3. Reese McGuire batted for Thornton and hit a fly ball to deep center that looked at least like extra bases, but Duvall made the catch at the wall to end the game. Our final: Braves 4, Blue Jays 3, and the Braves lead the best-of-seven series two games to one,

Here's Joe's call of Hernandez's liner, which was the Defensive Play of the Night:

"Line drive, rising, STABBED BY FREEMAN! ONE OUT!..........That ball was headed for the right field corner, but Freeman's glove was in just the right place. Here's Alejandro Kirk with one out."

Swanson was named Player of the Game because of his game-winning hit; it was his only hit and only RBI of the game. Freeman and Riley were each two for four and drove in a run apiece. Soler was also two for four. Atlanta pitchers struck out eleven batters; Guerrero and Grichuk each struck out twice. Anderson got the win, holding the Jays to a run on seven hits over six innings while walking three and striking out eight, He threw a hundred and five pitches.

Bichette was the offensive star for the Blue Jays; he was three for five and scored a run, Gurriel was three for four and drove in a run. Kirk was two for five with two RBIs, and Semien was one for three, scored a run, and walked twice.

Final totals: Braves 4-9-0, Blue Jays 3-12-1.

W- Anderson (1-0)
S- Smith (2)
L- Ryu (0-1)

The series will continue tomorrow night with Game 4 here at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM. with Alek Manoah starting for the Blue Jays and Drew Smyly pitching for the Braves.

Next: We look at Game 4,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 2021 World Series from Truist Park in Atlanta. The date is Saturday, October 30:

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- Corey Dickerson starts in center field and will bat fifth. Danny Jansen replaces Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and will bat seventh,

Braves- Joc Pederson replaces Jorge Soler in right field and will bat fifth. Adam Duvall and Travis d'Arnaud switch places in the batting order; d'Arnaud will bat sixth, while Duvall bats seventh.

Blue Jays 1st: After one out, Guerrero came to the plate against Braves starter Drew Smyly. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"it's difficult these days for two teams to play two whole games without hitting a home run, but we haven't had one since the bottom of the eighth in Game 1, when Guerrero teed off against Luke Jackson. If there's one hitter in this park that's most likely to break the streak, he's front and center right now. Smyly now ready with the one-one pitch, AND I THINK THE STREAK IS OVER! THAT BALL IS CRUSHED TO DEEP LEFT CENTER, AND IT WILL LEAVE THIS PARK IN A HURRY! VLAD GUERRERO JR. WITH HIS NINTH HOME RUN OF THE POSTSEASON, AND THE BLUE JAYS TAKE A QUICK 1-0 LEAD HERE IN THE FIRST!"

John Smoltz: "The Braves didn't figure to keep Guerrero down much longer, and this pitch was right out over the heart of the plate. Duvall takes a step back, then watches it go, and it went a long, long way. What a pleasure it's been to watch this postseason performance."

Buck: "According to StatCast, this home run traveled 402 feet. Left center field is 375 feet from home plate at Truist Park."

Bichette was retired on a comebacker for the second out, and it was Hernandez's turn at the plate. He hit a 2-0 pitch over the right center field wall to make it 2-0 Toronto. Dickerson bounced to Dansby Swanson at short to retire the side, but the Jays have used a pair of longballs to grab a quick 2-0 lead. It's up to the Braves to respond,

Braves 1st: A one-two-three inning for Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah, After one, it's Blue Jays 2, Braves 0.

Blue Jays 2nd: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. led off with a single to left center, but Jansen grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Espinal's foul pop was caught by Austin Riley behind third base to end the inning. We've played two and a half, and it's 2-0 Blue Jays.

Braves 2nd: Pederson singled to right with one out. but d'Arnaud struck out swinging and Duvall flew out to shallow left. After two, it's AL Champs 2, NL Champs 0.

Blue Jays 3rd: Braves starter Drew Smyly retired the Jays in order. The visitors still lead 2-0 after two and a half.

Braves 3rd: Dansby Swanson and Smyly each struck out swinging, and Rosario's foul pop in back of home plate was caught by Jansen to retire the side. After three, the visitors still have a 2-0 advantage.

Blue Jays 4th: Bichette led off with a base hit to left center. Hermandez flew to center for the first out, but Dickerson hit a bouncer to first, then outraced Freeman to the bag for an infield single. Gurriel followed with a double into the right center power alley that scored both Bichette and Dickerson to extend the Toronto lead to 4-0. Jansen's fly to shallow left was caught by Rosario for the second out, but Espinal stroked a base hit to left that brought Gurriel home to make it 5-0, Manoah's liner was speared by Swanson to end the inning, but the Jays have added three runs on four hits, and they lead the Braves 5-0 after three and a half.

Braves 4th: Freeman grounded to Guerrero at first, and Albies and Riley each struck out swinging. Manoah has held the Braves to one hit through four innings and retired the last eight hitters in a row, and after four his Jays lead 5-0.

Blue Jays 5th: Semien struck out swinging, Guerrero flew to Rosario in shallow left. and Bichette's liner was caught by Freeman. Halfway through Game 4, it's Toronto 5, Atlanta 0.

Braves 5th: Duvall walked with two out, but Swanson took a called third strike to end the inning. The Jays lead 5-0 after five.

Blue Jays 6th: With one out, Dickerson faced a tiring Snyly. Corey blasted a 2-0 curveball four rows into the left field stands to extend the Jays' lead to 6-0 .Gurriel grounded to third for the second out. Jansen kept the inning alive with a base hit to left, but was picked off to end the inning, The Jays have added a run on Dickerson's homer, and after five and a half they lead the Braves 6-0.

Braves 6th: Rosario walked with one out and moved to second on Freeman's grounder to first. Albies' bouncer to third retired the side. The Braves leave a runner in scoring position, and their deficit remains six after six.

Blue Jays 7th: Espinal led off with a bloop that dropped on the left field line and scooted into the corner for a double. Braves reliever Dylan Lee's wild pitch moved him to third. and he came home when Manoah stroked a base hit to left center. Semien went down swinging for out number one, but Guerrero's single to left put two men on. Lee's second wild pitch of the inning moved the runners up. Bichette's base hit to left center allowed them both to score, and it was 9-0 Toronto.

Hernandez also singled to left center to put runners at the corners, but Dickerson's liner was gloved by Swanson, and Gurriel's bouncer was also handled by Swanson to retire the side. The Jays have added three runs on five hits and two wild pitches while leaving runners at first and third. As we stretch at an almost-silent Truist Park, it's Blue Jays 9, Braves 0.

Braves 7th: Pederson walked with one out, but d'Arnaud grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. After seven, it's Jays 9, Bravos 0.

Blue Jays 8th: Alejandro Kirk batted for Jansen and beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single. Braves reliever Chris Martin got the next two outs, as Espinal's popup was caught by Freeman and Manoah flew to center, but a wild pitch moved Kirk to second. Semien was retired on a comebacker to end the inning. After seven and a half, it's the Blue Jays by nine.

Braves 8th: After two out, Martin singled to left center. That brought Rosario to the plate. Here's Joe with the count one ball and one strike:

"Tonight's performance by Manoah is one of the most dominant performances we've seen by a pitcher in quite a while. He's not only pitched brilliantly, but he's also fielded his position, and handled himself at the plate, even driving in a run. It's the kind of performances that my partner Mr. Smoltz delivered on a consistent basis throughout his career."

Smoltz: "It's the kind of performance that used to be expected of pitchers every time out, Now it's kind of a novelty. especially in the postseason."

Buck: "The Blue Jays are just glad that they got one like it tonight. Pitch to Rosario is hit deep to right center. Dickerson goes back, he's at the wall, BUT IT'S GONE!........The Braves are on the board thanks to a two-run homer from Eddie Rosario here in the eighth, but they still trail 9-2."

Smoltz: "This isn't a bad pitch by Manoah, it's just a good swing by an Atlanta hitter, which they haven't had too many of tonight. Robbie Ray's no-hitter in Game 5 turned the ALCS around; it'll be interesting to see how Manoah's performance tonight affects the series going forward."

Freeman struck out swinging to end the inning, but Rosario's two-run homer has ended Manoah's shutout bid. As we go to the ninth, the Jays' lead is now 13-2. (Right center)

Blue Jays 9th: With one out, Bichette and Hernandez drew back-to-back walks. Dickerson's double down the right field line scored both runners, and the Jays led 11-0. Gurriel grounded to third for the second out, but Kirk walked on five pitches to keep the inning alive. Martin's wild pitch, the Braves' third of the game, moved the runners up, and Espinal rapped a double off the wall in center to score both of them and make it 13-2.

Martin threw another wild pitch to move Espinal to third. and Manoah came within inches of a home run when he lifted a fly ball to deep left. Rosario made the catch at the wall, and the Braves were out of the inning. But the Jays have scored four more runs on two hits, three walks, and a pair of wild pitches. As we head to the bottom of the ninth, Manoah will try to finish his complete game by retiring Albies, Riley, and Pederson. After eight and a half, it's Blue Jays 13, Braves 2.

Braves 9th: Manoah finished his evening in style: Albies and Riley were each called out on strikes, and Pederson's popup was caught by Guerrero to end the game, Final score: Blue Jays 13, Braves 2, and the best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece.

I lost the sim while I was writing up the home runs, but I remember that Manoah was named Player of the Game. He pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out twelve. If my memory serves me correctly, he threw a hundred and eight pitches.

W- Manoah (1-0)
L- Smyly (0-1)

HR- TOR: Guerrero Jr. (2), Hernandez (1), Dickerson (1)
ATL: Rosario (1)

Note: I'm not totally sure about the final totals, so I've decided not to record them. The score is correct.

The series will continue with Game 5 tomorrow night here at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Robbie Ray starting for the Jays and Charlie Morton pitching for the Braves.

Next: We look at Game 5.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 5 of the 2021 World Series from Truist Park in Atlanta. The date is Sunday, October 31:

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. moves up to fifth. Breyvic Valera is back at third base and will bat sixth. Randal Grichuk is in center field and will bat seventh, Reese McGuire is back behind the plate and will bat eighth,

Braves- Jorge Soler gets the start in right field and will lead off. Eddie Rosario moves down to fifth, and Adam Duvall moves up to sixth. Chase d'Arnaud moves down to seventh.

Blue Jays 1st: Bo Bichette singled to left center with two out, Teoscar Hernandez followed with a double off the wall in left center to bring Bichette home and put the Jays in front 1-0. Gurriel bounced to Dansby Swanson at short to retire the side. The Jays have scored first on two hits, but they've also left a runner at second, Now it's the Braves' turn to hit the bat rack.

Braves 1st: Soler led off against Jays starter Robbie Ray. Here's Joe Buck with the count one ball and one strike:

"Soler sat out Game 4 after starting the first two games as the designated hitter and Game 3 in right field. He had two home runs in Game 1, but has been largely quiet since. He's back in the lineup tonight primarily because he was so effective against Robbie Ray last Tuesday night. There you see our ticker, which will give you today's final scores in the NFL along with updates on the ongoing Sunday Night Football game. One-one pitch is HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! BACK IS GURRIEL, AT THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND IT IS GONE!.......Jorge Soler homers off of Robbie Ray for the third time in this series, and this game is tied at one."

John Smoltz: "Ray tries to snap off a curveball that will hit the outside corner, but this ball doesn't break quite far enough, and Soler is able to time the pitch and clobber it. For whatever reason, he's been able not just to hit Ray, but to take him deep three times. That's something no other hitter can say in this postseason, where he's pitched so well for the most part."

Ray got the next two outs, but Austin Riley kept the inning alive with a bloop single to center. Rosario lined a single to left center to put runners at the corners, but Duvall struck out swinging to end the inning. The Braves have tied the game on Soler's leadoff homer, but they've also left runners at the corners. After one, it's Blue Jays 1, Braves 1,

Blue Jays 2nd: Valera's fly to left was juggled and dropped by Rosario, allowing Valera to reach. Grichuk flew to center for the first out, and McGuire grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. We're still tied at one after an inning and a half.

Braves 2nd: A one-two-three inning for Ray. After two, it's Jays 1, Bravos 1.

Blue Jays 3rd: Marcus Semien drew a one-out walk, but Vlad Guerrero Jr. was called out on strikes and Bo Bichette grounded to short. After two and a half, we're still deadlocked at one.

Braves 3rd: Soler grounded to third, Freeman tapped to first, and Albies' fly was caught by Gurriel along the left field line to retire the side. We've played three in Game 5, and we're tied at one.

Blue Jays 4th: Braves starter Charlie Morton retired the Jays in order. We're still tied at one after three and a half.

Braves 4th: Riley bounced to third, and Rosario and Duvall each struck out swinging. Ray has retired ten in a row, and we're even at one after four.

Blue Jays 5th: Grichuk bounced to short, McGuire's fly to right was caught by Soler on the warning track, and Ray took a called third strike, We're halfway through Game 5, and it's Toronto 1, Atlanta 1,

Braves 5th: Dansby Swanson drew a leadoff walk. Morton's squibber was fielded by McGuire, who threw to second for the force on Swanson. Soler struck out swinging to end the inning. We've played five, and it's still Blue Jays 1, Braves 1.

Blue Jays 6th: Semien and Bichette each struck out swinging. In between, Guerrero flew to Duvall in short left center. Morton has now retired eleven in a row, and we're still even at one after five and a half.

Braves 6th: Freeman drew a leadoff walk but was forced by Albies. Riley lined a single to left to put runners at the corners, and Rosario walked to load the bases. Ray then walked Duvall on four pitches to force in Freeman and give the Braves a 2-1 lead. d'Arnaud hit into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play, but the Braves have the lead thanks to a single and three walks while leaving runners at second and third. After six in Game 5, it's Braves 2, Blue Jays 1.

Blue Jays 7th: After two out, Valera hit a groundball just past Morton's outstretched glove and into center field for a single to end Morton's streak of consecutive hitters retired at thirteen. Grichuk followed with a deep fly to center that was caught at the wall by Duvall to retire the side. As we stretch for the final time this year in Atlanta, the homestanding Braves hold a 2-1 lead.

Braves 7th: Soler doubled off the wall in left center with two out, but Freeman struck out swinging to retire the side. The Braves have left a runner at second, but they still lead 2-1 after seven.

Blue Jays 8th: Semien drew a two-out walk. Guerrero was hit in the shin by a Morton curveball to put two men on, but Bichette bounced to Riley at third to end the inning, The Jays have left the potential tying run at second and the potential go-ahead run at first, and they still trail 2-1 as we go to the bottom of the eighth,

Braves 8th: Albies led off with a single to right against new Jays pitcher Adam Cimber. Riley struck out swinging for out number one. Albies then stole second and moved to third on Rosario's fly to deep center, which was caught at the wall by defensive replacement George Springer for the second out, Duvall bat out a bouncer to second for an infield single, which allowed Albies to score the third Atlanta run.

d'Arnaud followed with a double to left that brought Duvall home to make it 4-1. Swanson's liner was speared by Bichette to end the inning, but the Braves have added on three hits, a stolen base, and a productive fly ball/ Now it's up to closer Will Smith to protect the lead; he's due to face Hernandez. Gurriel, and Valera with the Braves now leading 4-1.

Blue Jays 9th: Smith retired the Jays in order: Hernandez and Gurriel each struck out swinging, and pinch hitter Santiago Espinal (batting for Valera) popped up to Albies at second to end the game. Final score: Braves 4, Blue Jays 1, and the Braves lead the best-of-seven series three games to two,

Morton was named Player of the Game by Fox. He pitched eight innings, holding the Jays to a run on three hits while walking two and striking out six, He threw a hundred and two pitches. Soler led the offense; he went two for four with a home run. Riley was also two for four, Duvall was one for three plus a walk and drove in two runs, and Albies was one for four and scored twice.

Ray pitched well in a losing cause, holding the Braves to two runs on five hits in seven innings while walking four and striking out ten, The Jays' pitchers combined to strike out eleven Atlanta hitters. Freeman, Duvall, and d'Arnaud each struck out twice.

Final totals: Braves 4-8-1, Blue Jays 1-3-0.

W- Morton (2-0)
S- Smith (2)
L- Ray (0-2)

HR- ATL: Soler (3)

The series moves back to Rogers Centre for Game 6 on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Max Fried starting for the Braves and Steven Matz taking the ball for the Blue Jays.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for Game 6 of the 2021 World Series from Rogers Centre in Toronto. The date is Tuesday, November 2:

Lineup Changes:

Braves- Eddie Rosario moves up to the leadoff spot. Jorge Soler will serve as the designated hitter and bat second. Freddie Freeman moves down to third. Adam Duvall moves up to fifth. Joc Pederson is back in right field and will bat sixth. Ozzie Albies moves down to seventh, Travis d'Arnaud to eighth, and Dansby Swanson to ninth,

Blue Jays- George Springer will lead off and serve as the designated hitter. Marcus Semien moves down to second, Vlad Guerrero Jr. to third, Bo Bichette to fourth, and Teoscar Hernandez to fifth. Corey Dickerson is back in center field and will bat sixth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. moves down to seventh and Breyvic Valera to eighth. Finally, Danny Jansen is back behind the plate and will bat ninth.

Braves 1st: Blue Jays starting pitcher Steven Matz retired the side in order, Now it's the Blue Jays' turn to bat.

Blue Jays 1st: Braves starter Max Fried had a one-two-three inning of his own, We're scoreless after one.

Braves 2nd: Austin Riley lined a leadoff double off the wall in left center. Duvall took a called third strike for out number one. Pederson's fly to deep left center was caught by Springer on the warning track for the second out, with Riley moving to third. Albies was next, and he hit the first pitch he saw down the right field line and into the seats for a two-run homer that gave the Braves a 2-0 lead.

d'Arnaud restarted the rally with a lined single to left. Swanson followed with another lined single to left to put two men on. Rosario was next, and he bashed a triple off the top of the wall in deep center field to score both d'Arnaud and Swanson and extend the Braves' lead to 4-0. Soler's lined single to left scored Rosario, and it was 5-0. Francisco Berrios bore down on his pitches in the Toronto bullpen, but Jays starter Steven Matz retired Freeman on a fly to Hernandez in shallow right to end the inning. The Braves have scored five runs on six hits and a productive fly ball, and after an inning and a half they lead the homestanding Jays 5-0,

Blue Jays 2nd: Bo Bichette drew a leadoff walk, but Teoscar Hernandez hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Dickerson's grounder to first ended the inning. After two in Game 6, it's Braves 5, Blue Jays 0.

Braves 3rd: Riley drew a leadoff walk. Duvall went down swinging for out number one. Pederson's bloop single to right put runners at first and second. Albies followed with another bloop single, this one to left center, to score Pederson and make it 6-0 Atlanta, with Pederson moving to third. Jays manager Charlie Montoyo couldn't wait any longer, and Matz was excused in favor of Berrios.

d'Arnaud's fly to shallow right center was caught by Dickerson for the second out while the runners held. Swanson was next, and his lined single to right brought Pederson home with the seventh Atlanta run, Albies moved to third, and he came home on Rosario's base hit to left center to give the visitors an 8-0 lead. Swanson stopped at third, and he sprinted home when Soler's bloop fell in left field for a third consecutive single.

Rosario was now the runner at third, and Freeman's base hit up the middle cashed him in and put the Braves in double digits. Soler moved to third, but the Jays finally got out of the inning when Riley, the tenth man to bat in the inning, took a called third strike. The Braves have scored five runs on six singles and a walk while leaving runners at the corners, We've only played two and a half innings, and the Braves now lead 10-0.

Blue Jays 3rd: Gurriel took a called third strike, Valera grounded to short, and Jansen struck out swinging. After three, it's NL Champs 10, AL Champs 0.

Braves 4th: Albies and d'Arnaud drew back-to-back walks with two out, but Swanson struck out swinging to end the inning. After three and a half, the Braves still lead 10-0.

Blue Jays 4th: Springer led off with a lined base hit up the middle. Semien slapped a base hit to left to put two men on, and Braves starting pitcher Max Fried threw a wild pitch to move the runners up. Guerrero's liner was caught by Swanson for the second out, but a walk to Bichette loaded the bases. Hernandez forced Bichette, which allowed Springer to score and put the Jays on the board. Semien moved to third on the play, but Dickerson's popup behind first base was caught by Freeman to end the inning. The Jays are on the board thanks to a pair of hits, a walk, a wild pitch, and a force play, but they've also left runners at the corners. We've played four in Game 6, and the Jays trail the Braves 10-1.

Braves 5th: Rosario led off with a walk against new Jays pitcher Ross Stripling. Soler lined a double into the right center power alley to score Rosario and put the Braves up by ten. Freeman's bouncer to second moved Soler to third. Riley's triple into the right field corner brought Spler home to make it 12-1. Duvall's double off the right field wall scored Riley with lucky run number thirteen.

Pederson walked to put two men on, and Albies singled to left to score Duvall and make it 14-1, d'Arnaud forced Albies, which allowed Pederson to score number fifteen. Swanson's double off the wall in center moved d'Arnaud to third. but Rosario's fly to shallow left retired the side. The Braves have tacked on five more runs on five hits, two walks, a fielder's choce, and a productive groundout, and they've also left runners at second and third. Halfway through Game 6, it's Atlanta 15, Toronto 1,

Blue Jays 5th: Jansen lined a single to left with two out, but Springer flew to left to end the inning. After five, it's Bravos 15, Jays 1.

Braves 6th: Soler led off with a double to right. Freeman's fly to right center was caught by Hernandez, who then fired a strike to third to double off the incoming Soler. Riley's grounder to second ended the inning. The Braves are now twelve defensive outs away from a world championship, and they lead the Blue Jays by fourteen.

Blue Jays 6th: Bichette doubled off the wall in left with two out, but Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning. We've now played six, and it's still 15-1 Braves.

Braves 7th: With one out, Pederson lined a single up the middle. Albies whacked a double to right that brought Joc home with the sixteenth Atlanta run. d'Arnaud grounded to third for the second out, and Swanson's liner was grabbed by Valera for the final out. The Braves have added another run on two hits, and as we stretch in the funereal atmosphere of the Rogers Centre, the Braves now lead the Jays 16-1.

Blue Jays 7th: Dickerson beat out a grounder to third for a leadoff infield single. He was forced by Gurriel, who was in turn forced by Santiago Espinal (batting for Valera). Alejandro Kirk batted for Jansen, and his popup was caught by Riley to retire the side. At the end of seven, the Jays trail 16-1.

Braves 8th; Rosario led off with a single to right against Jays reliever Tayler Saucedo. Soler and Freeman each walked to load the bases. and that brought Riley to the plate. Saucedo fell behind three balls and no strikes, and most observers expected Riley to take the next pitch for a strike. Instead, he blasted it high over the wall in right center for a grand slam that extended the Atlanta lead to 20-1.

Saucedo got the next two outs easily, as Duvall flew to Hernandez in shallow right and Pederson popped to Bichette at short. Albies kept the inning alive with a lined single to left, but d'Arnaud's grounder to second ended the inning. The Braves have added four more runs on Riley's grand slam, and as we head to the bottom of the eighth they're on the right end of a 20-1 blowout.

Blue Jays 8th: Springer drew a leadoff walk against new Braves pitcher Tyler Matzek. Semien's hot smash was grabbed by Riley for the first out, and Guerrero's sizzler was stabbed by Swanson for the second out. Bichette's single to right put runners at the corners. but Hernandez struck out swinging to retire the side. The Jays have left runners at first and third, and as we go to the ninth they trail the Braves 20-1.

Braves 9th: Swanson's bloop fell in left center for a leadoff double. He moved to third om Rosario's grounder to first. but Soler and Freeman each struck out swinging to end the inning. The Braves need just three outs to sew up their third world championship in Atlanta, and they hold a 20-1 advantage, Due up for the Jays: Dickerson, Gurriel, and Espinal.

Blue Jays 9th: Dickerson lined to third, Gurriel grounded to short, and Espinal flew to Soler in right to end the game. Final score: Braves 20, Blue Jays 1, and the Braves have claimed their third world championship in Atlanta and their sixth as a franchise, four games to two,

Albies was named Player of the Game by Fox. He finished five for five plus a walk with two runs scored and five RBIs. His main contribution was the two-run homer that started the scoring in the second. I lost the rest of the stats, the totals, and the home run calls due to technical difficulties. (My computer has developed the nasty habit of unplugging itself at the worst possible times.)

W- Fried (1-1)
L- Matz (1-1)

HR- ATL: Albies (1), Riley (1)

Soler's three home runs won him the Most Valuable Player award.

Here's Joe Buck's call of the final out:

"Here are the Braves, one strike away from their first world championship since 1995. Who would have thought they'd win it with one of the most through blowouts in World Series history, though? They scored five runs in the second and kept pouring it on all the way through Austin Riley's grand slam in the eighty. Noe Matzek is ahead one and two on Espinal, The sign from d'Arnaud, and the one-two pitch.....fly ball to right, not very deep, Soler is under it and MAKES THE CATCH! FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1995, THE ATLANTA BRAVES ARE BASEBALL'S WORLD CHAMPIONS!"

That's all, folks. Thanks for reading!

Thoughts?