3. 1906 Chicago Cubs v. 126. 2011 Philadelphia Phillies
Couple of teams that didn't win the World Series in this one; the Cubs won the pennant and are the top remaining overall seed; the Phils got bounced in the NLDS.
Phillies-Charlie Manuel
CF Victorino (30) 130 5.4
2B Utley (32) 110 3.5
1B Howard (31) 126 1.9
RF Pence (28) 159 2.1
SS Rollins (32) 101 3.5
LF Mayberry (27) 131 2
C Ruiz (32) 108 2.6
3B Polanco (35) 86 2.3
P Halladay (34) 163 7.8
Game 2 SP: Lee (32) 160 8.1
Game 3 SP: Hamels (27) 137 6.1
No bench for the Phillies - regular LF Ibanez has a negative WAR, so does Domonic Brown, who might be the next choice to hit against a right hander - so, Mayberry plays every day; pitching is also easy, Oswalt did not have nearly the season that Lee or Hamels had - Phillies are locked in for each game.
Cubs-Frank Chance
3B Steinfeldt (30) 151 7.1
1B Chance (29) 158 8
RF Schulte (23) 119 3.4
LF Sheckard (27) 114 3.3
C Kling (30) 136 4.9
2B Evers (24) 89 3.4
CF Slagle (32) 84 1.2
SS Hofman (23) 99 1.2
P Brown (29) 253 6.7
Bench
SS Tinker (25) 77 4.2
Game 2 SP: Pfiester (28) 174 3.3
Game 3 SP: Reulbach (23) 159 2.9
These are the saddest of all possible words, Hofman to Evers to Chance. So - we're going to sacrifice some defense against a right handed Halladay to add a little bat by swapping shortstops - Tinker will play the rest of the series. The Cubs have nothing but good choices for starting pitching - Lungren, Taylor, Overall could all get the game 3 call, but since they're all right handed and so is Reulbach, and his numbers are a tick better, it's his ball if we get there. The lack of bullpen (and lack of ways to get unused starters into the game in relief) may show up here for the Cubs.
Real battle of starting pitching in this series. Let's see how it turns out.
1st: Three Finger Brown takes the ball for the Cubs; 26-6 with a 1.04 ERA; he gets the first two, the gives up a Ryan Howard single and walks Hunter Pence - but no damage is done.
1st: Roy Halladay is on the mound for the Phillies; 19-6 with a 2.53 ERA; he sets the Cubs down in order. We're expecting some real starting pitching duels in this series.
2nd: Charlie Manuel replaced Raul Ibanez for John Mayberry for the tournament - Mayberry leads off with a single, the Cubs also made a swap - Solly Hofman at short against the right handed Halliday - unfortunately he airmails a throw to first on a Carlos Ruiz grounder and the Phils have men on second and third with no one out. Brown walks Polanco. Bases loaded. No one out. Brown gets the next two - and looks to have an inning ending groundout by Utley -- but Hofman makes his second error of the inning, Mayberry scores. The inning ends Phillies 1 Cubs 0
2nd: After an out, Johnny Kling bloops a single to left - he'll be thrown out trying to steal second, so again the Cubs are down in order.
3rd: After an out, Jimmy Rollins walks - moves to second on a groundout - Ruiz drives a single to right - Rollins speeds around third and scores, the Phils are now up 2-0.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Shane Victorino singles with one out; we've definitely seen modern teams have an advantage over pre-war teams in the tournament and you can't say that's indefensible, Utley follows with a single, but Brown will hold the Phillies there.
4th: Harry Steinfeldt singles to lead off, but he'll get caught attempting to steal and Halladay has still faced the minimum.
5th: 1-2-3
5th: Johnny Evers singles with two out, but that's all.
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Two outs in, Steinfeldt gets his second single of the day and then Frank Chance walks - tying run on base -- but nothing else. We expected a tight well pitched game and we sure have seen one. Phillies 2 Cubs 0
7th: Ryan Howard singles with one out and Jimmy Rollins matches him after a second out, and then Mayberry comes through again - singling to right center, Howard trucks around to score -- we leave this one Phillies 3 Cubs 0
7th: An out in, Johnny Kling doubles, an out later, Jimmy Slagle walks - Cubs bring the tying run to the plate - but Halladay shuts it down.
8th: Placido Polanco singles to open the frame - but Brown keeps it there.
8th: Doc Gessler hits in Brown's spot - and leads off with a single; Halladay gets one, but then gives up a base hit to Chance. Okay - now this seems like the big spot. Only one out, tying run comes to the plate - Halladay gets Schulte. 2 away...but Jimmy Sheckard comes through with a single, Gessler scores and its 3-1 and now the tying run is on base. Halladay gers Kling and we go to the 9th. Phillies 3 Cubs 1
9th: The Cubs have a bullpen challenge; 26 year old right hander Fred Beebe gets the call; he walks Howard on four straight - after two out gives up a base hit to Mayberry - heck of a game for Mayberry - but Beebe keeps the Cubs alive in this one.
9th: 1-2-3. Just nothing at all. Halladay nails it down.
Phillies 3
Cubs 1
WP Halladay
LP Brown
The Phillies did what you'd expect - complete game win for Halladay; he outduels Brown.
For the Phils:
Howard had two hits, reached three times.
Mayberry had 3 hits
For the Cubs:
Steinfeldt had two hits
Kling had two with a double
We're heading to Philadelphia for game 2; both clubs throwing lefties; Cliff Lee looks to end the series and Jack Pfiester looks to extend it.
Cubs-Frank Chance
C Kling (30) 136 4.9
1B Chance (29) 158 8
3B Steinfeldt (30) 151 7.1
RF Schulte (23) 119 3.4
LF Sheckard (27) 114 3.3
CF Slagle (32) 84 1.2
2B Evers (24) 89 3.4
SS Tinker (25) 77 4.2
P Pfiester (28) 174 3.3
Phillies-Charlie Manuel
RF Pence (28) 159 2.1
LF Mayberry (27) 131 2
CF Victorino (30) 130 5.4
1B Howard (31) 126 1.9
C Ruiz (32) 108 2.6
2B Utley (32) 110 3.5
SS Rollins (32) 101 3.5
3B Polanco (35) 86 2.3
P Lee (32) 160 8.1
Tinker takes his spot back in the Cub lineup; there's some shuffling to match up against lefty starters - we are headed to Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies look to close this out.
1st: Cliff Lee's 17-8 with a 2.40 ERA and he's looking to close this one down; he has an easy first.
1st: Jack Pfiester's 20-8 with a 1.51 ERA, he's looking to preserve the Cub hopes; he also goes 1-2-3.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Ryan Howard opens the Phils second with a single, but that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Johnny Kling opens with the first Cub hit of the day, a groundout moves him over - and Harry Steinfeldt singles him home - the Cubs have their first lead of the series. Cubs 1 Phillies 0
4th: John Mayberry rips a double on the first pitch - and that's followed by a Shane Victorino single, Mayberry scores - Ryan Howard walks; the Phils are in business now with nobody out; Ruiz hits a ball to the track and that allows Victorino to advance to third - Utley grounds to second, that scores the go ahead run, the inning will end Cubs 1 Phillies 2
5th: Lee gets the first two and then Johnny Evers singles, Joe Tinker's in the lineup today - he singles, and the Cubs have the go ahead runner on base with the pitcher coming to the plate. Lee gets him.
5th: Polanco takes a fastball off the knee to open the inning; Lee attempts to bunt him over, but Polanco's a step slow and they get him at second, Lee's able to beat the throw - and when Hunter Pence singles, the Phillies have them on the corners. Mayberry hits a sac fly - the Phils add a run; Victorino will single before the inning ends Cubs 1 Phillies 3
6th: Kling doubles to open the inning - and then scores when Frank Chance triples him home. Two outs later, Jimmy Sheckard singles, the Cubs have tied the score. Cubs 3 Phillies 3
6th: Utley rips a triple to lead off the inning; Pfiester strikes out Rollins, but Polanco singles to left - Utley scores and once again, the Phillies have taken the lead. Pence gets his third single of the day after a second out, but it ends there. Cubs 3 Phillies 4
7th: Lee cruises.
7th: Victorino opens with his second hit of the day, but that's all. We head to the 8th - Philadelphia is two innings from advancing.
8th: After an out, Frank Chance singles - he then steals second, big spot for the Cubs as the player manager Chance puts himself in scoring position. Lee gets Steinfeld to fly deep to right - deep enough for Chance, still aggressive on the basepaths, to get to third. 2 out, Cubs down a run - they need a run - it's 90 feel away. Frank Schulte comes through with a big base hit - this innings going to end Cubs 4 Phillies 4
8th: After an out - Jimmy Rollins drives a ball that just clears the left field wall - absolute pandemonium in Philadelphia - the Phillies are out of the dugout - full celebration, Jimmy Rollins has put the Phillies ahead again. Pfiester gets the next two out - but now we go to the 9th inning, Cubs 4 Phillies 5
9th: 1-2-3.
Cliff Lee, like Roy Halladay in game one has thrown a complete game and the Phillies have knocked of the top remaining seed in the tournament.
Cubs 4
Phillies 5
WP Lee
LP Halladay
Pence and Victorino each had 3 hits today - Rollins had the big blow, that game winning homer in the 8th; both starters threw complete games, we're going to say that Halladay is the MVP for that complete game 3-1 win in game 1.
Another top seed gets bounced - the 2011 Phillies advance. They'll move on to face the winner of the next series:
62. 1999 New York Yankees v. 67. 2001 Oakland A's
World Champion Yankees take an an Oakland team that the Yankees knocked off in the ALDS.
Athletics-Art Howe
DH Je. Giambi (26) 124 1.2
1B Ja. Giambi (30) 199 9.5
3B Chavez (23) 129 5.8
RF Dye (27) 139 1.6
LF Long (25) 98 1.8
SS Tejada (27) 110 4
CF Damon (27) 83 2.1
C Myers (35) 90 .7
2B Menechino (30) 99 3.5
P Hudson (25) 129 6
Bench:
C Hernandez (25) 91 3.1
Game 2 SP: Mulder (23) 126 7.8
Game 3 SP: Zito (23) 125 5.1
Lidle (29) 121 3.4
Hernandez/Myers are platooning at catcher; if the Yankees throw a lefty (probably will not) Oakland makes that swap. There's a defensive drop with Myers, so that will be considered. Both game 2 and game 3 starters are TBD, but the expectation is Mulder/Zito in some order, both of whom are lefties, game one starter Hudson is a right hander.
Yankees-Joe Torre
CF Williams (30) 149 6.1
SS Jeter (25) 153 7.1
DH Davis (39) 108 1.4
RF O'Neil (36) 107 2.7
1B Martinez (31) 104 2.9
LF Ledee (25) 110 .8
2B Knoblauch (30) 118 4.3
C Posada (27) 91 1.3
3B Brosius (32) 84 1.4
P Cone (36) 136 4.5
Bench:
LF Curtis (30) 100 1
Game 2 SP: Hernandez (33) 114 3.9
Game 3 SP: Clemens (36) 102 3.4
Pettitte (27) 100 2.8
Strawberry is a dangerous bench bat for the Yankees, but didn't have enough at bats in the regular season to get a shot at starting; Curtis/Ledee is a strict platoon in left; Oakland probably throws lefties in games 2 and 3 so Torre will make that swap. Both remaining pitchers are TBD for the Yankees - unlikely that Clemens isn't scheduled to at least pitch in game 3. Pettitte is the only left handed option.
First series of the tournament where every game will have a DH; Yanks are favored, they have the WAR advantage at C(unless Hernandez starts, which will be considered) 2B-SS-CF-RF; Oakland most likely has a pitching advantage in every game.
1st: Couple of right handers dueling in Game 1; David Cone is 12-9 with a 3.44 ERA, he's the only Yankee starter with an ERA under 4. He gets the A's in order.
1st: All four possible Oakland starters in the series have ERAs below 4; Hudson was 18-9 with a 3.37 ERA. He sets the Yankees down in order.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: After an out, Tino Martinez gets the game's first hit, a single to right, but Hudson gets Ricky Ledee 6-4-3 and so has still faced the minimum.
3rd: Johnny Damon leads off with a walk - Oakland, always looking for some kind of edge, went with a left handed bat behind the plate today - and it was a good decision, Greg Myers homers to right; this inning will end A's 2 Yankees 0
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Derek Jeter singles with one out, but Hudson gets a Chili Davis double play and so he's still faced the minimum.
5th: Miguel Tejada leads off with a walk - Damon then singles to right and Oakland's in business, first and second and nobody out already leading 2-0. After an out - Cone walks Frankie Menechino on a tough, tough 3-2 call to load the bases, and then he follows with an even tougher call on a 3-2 count to Jeremy Giambi. Torre is really barking now from the Yankee dugout, clearly close to an ejection - the Yankees are now down 3 and Cone walks his 3rd consecutive batter, Jason Giambi, this time on four pitches that were not close - Cone apparently rattled by the back to back really tough calls - the bases are still loaded, Eric Chavez hits what sure looks like an inning ending double play - but Knoblauch kicks it -- everyone is safe and now it's 5-0 Oakland. Cone then hits Jermaine Dye - it's 6-0 and the wheels have just fallen off here in the 5th. Oakland still only has one hit in the inning - until Terrence Long bloops a single to right - that's going to score 2 runs, the boos are filling Yankee Stadium and now it's 8-0. That ends Cone's day; he didn't give up any loud contact at all, but this game is out of hand, 28 year old lefty Allen Watson had a really nice 34 innings pitched for the Yankees this season and he comes on to end the frame. A's 8 Yankees 0
5th: Martinez doubles with one out, but dies at second.
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Bernie Williams gets a two out single and moves to second on a Chavez error, but that's it. Time to pack for Oakland.
7th: Jason Giambi leads off with a walk, and after an out Jermaine Dye reaches on Knoblauchs second error of the day. Oakland still hasn't hit a ball hard, but New York's third pitcher enters, 27 year old righthander Ramiro Mendoza. He gives up a soft single to Terrence Long that loads the bases - Tejada flies to right, that brings home the 9th run - A's 9 Yankees 0
7th: Hudson gives up a leadoff single to O'Neill, but another double play sends New York down in order. Hell of a start for Hudson in what appears an easy Oakland road win.
8th: Menechino bloops a one out single, after an out, Jason Giambi lines one to left center that puts men on the corners - but that's all.
8th: 1-2-3
9th: 1-2-3
9th: Jeter walks with one out and then Chili Davis rockets a ball down the left field line, Jeter is standing up at third after the double, but Hudson doesnt allow either man to cross and it is over.
A's 9
Yankees 0
WP Hudson
LP Cone
Easy complete game shutout for Hudson, took him less than 100 pitches to vanquish the Yanks.
Long had two hits, 2 RBI
Myers hit that two run homer to get things going.
For the Yanks, Martinez had a two hit day, including a double.
We head to Oakland - the A's a game from advancing. Mark Mulder gets the ball for Oakland - El Duque, Orlando Hernandez, for New York.
Yankees-Joe Torre
CF Williams (30) 149 6.1
SS Jeter (25) 153 7.1
2B Knoblauch (30) 118 4.3
DH Davis (39) 108 1.4
LF Curtis (30) 100 1
C Posada (27) 91 1.3
RF O'Neil (36) 107 2.7
1B Martinez (31) 104 2.9
3B Brosius (32) 84 1.4
P Hernandez (33) 114 3.9
Athletics-Art Howe
DH Je. Giambi (26) 124 1.2
1B Ja. Giambi (30) 199 9.5
3B Chavez (23) 129 5.8
RF Dye (27) 139 1.6
LF Long (25) 98 1.8
SS Tejada (27) 110 4
CF Damon (27) 83 2.1
C Hernandez (25) 91 3.1
2B Menechino (30) 99 3.5
P Mulder (23) 126 7.8
Curtis moves into the Yankees lineup against the lefty Mulder; Oakland decides to go with the better glove behind the plate for game 2.
1st: Mark Mulder's the first lefty we've seen get a start in the series; 21-8, 3.45 ERA, more WAR than any pitcher on either club. He looks to advance Oakland forward. He gives up a first pitch single to Bernie Williams, after an out, Chuck Knoblauch walks, after a second out - Chad Curtis, in the lineup against the lefty, comes through, he singles to right - Williams scores - and it's Yankees 1 A's 0
1st: Tough decision here for Torre - he has Clemens and Pettitte, but goes with Il Duque with the series on the line. 17-9, 4.12 ERA. He gives up a leadoff walk to Jeremy Giambi - his brother Jason hits into a double play, but then Eric Chavez walks and Jermaine Dye rips a base hit to center; 2 on - 2 out - but Hernandez holds it here.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: With one out, Johnny Damon doubles to right; but that's all.
3rd: Bernie Williams doubles to open the third, his second hit, but that's all.
3rd: After an out, Jason Giambi walks and after a second out, Jermaine Dye has his second single of the day, Oakland's had men in scoring position in every inning - but again, do not score. We head to the 4th. Yankees 1 A's 0
4th: Jorge Posada draws a one out walk, Paul O'Neill follows with a base hit - Mulder gets the second out but then longtime Oakland A third baseman Scott Brosius singles to left to load the bases.and then Bernie Williams - not to be stopped today - singles to right, that scores 2 runs and this inning will end Yankees 3 A's 0
4th: Miguel Tejada opens up with a walk, after two out, Frankie Menechino singles, and once again, Il Duque is living dangerously, but once again, Oakland can't capitalize.
5th: After Mulder gets the first two, Chad Curtis has his second hit of the day, but that's all.
5th: Hernandez gets the first two - but then it's Jermaine Dye - lining a ball over the right field fence - Oakland's on the board Yankees 3 A's 1
6th: Paul O'Neill singles to open the 6th, he's erased on a double play and the Yanks are down in order.
6th: Il Duque has his first perfect inning - and we head to the 7th.
7th: Bernie Williams hits an absolute monster - a first pitch homer to dead center - the Yankees are up 4-1. That's where the inning ends Yankees 4 A's 1
7th: Menechino opens with his second hit of the day; you'd have to think Torre will be looking at that bullpen soon, after two out, Eric Chavez singles - the tying run comes to the plate for the A's - it's Jermaine Dye getting his 4th hit of the day, a run scoring single to center. Now the tying run is on base with 2 out, but Hernandez gets Terrence Long to end the inning. Yankees 4 A's 2
8th: The A's have multiple bullpen options; 31 year old right hander Jim Mecir lost 8 games, but had an ERA under 3.50 and he takes over; he gets the Yankees in order.
8th: The Yankees also go to the pen for a 31 year old right hander, Jason Grimsley, he was solid this year with a 3.60 ERA. New York needs to get the next 6 outs to get this series back to New York. Tejada singles to open it up, but that's all - we are going to the 9th, Yankees 4 A's 2
9th: Mecir sets down the Yankees again. Let's go to the bottom of the 9th.
9th: Mariano Rivera is 29 years old, he's got a 1.83 ERA and 45 saves. He gets the ball - after an out, Jeremy Giambi bloops a single to right, but that's all.
Yankees 4
A's 2
WP: Hernandez
LP: Mulder
Bernie Williams is the star for the Yankees today, 4 hits, including a HR/double and 3 RBI.
Curtis and O'Neill each had two hits and Il Duque went 7, giving up just 2 earned.
Jermaine Dye had a big day for Oakland, 4 hits, with a homer, both Oakland RBI, Menechino added two hits.
So - it all comes down to a showdown game at Yankee Stadium. The A's will go with another lefty, Barry Zito - and New York turns to the greatest modern pitcher in baseball history, the Rocket, Roger Clemens.
Athletics-Art Howe
DH Je. Giambi (26) 124 1.2
1B Ja. Giambi (30) 199 9.5
3B Chavez (23) 129 5.8
RF Dye (27) 139 1.6
LF Long (25) 98 1.8
SS Tejada (27) 110 4
CF Damon (27) 83 2.1
C Myers (35) 90 .7
2B Menechino (30) 99 3.5
P Mulder (23) 126 7.8
Yankees-Joe Torre
CF Williams (30) 149 6.1
SS Jeter (25) 153 7.1
2B Knoblauch (30) 118 4.3
DH Davis (39) 108 1.4
LF Curtis (30) 100 1
C Posada (27) 91 1.3
RF O'Neil (36) 107 2.7
1B Martinez (31) 104 2.9
3B Brosius (32) 84 1.4
P Clemens (36) 102 3.4
1st: The legendary Rocket takes the ball for the Yankees; he's 14-10 with a 4.60 ERA. Jeremy Giambi leads off with a walk and then Jason Giambi hits a bomb - a two run shot deep into left field; the Oakland A's jump on top. Two outs later Terrence Long singles, but we finish up A's 2 Yankees 0
1st: Oakland's third member of the big 3 stalwarts of their rotation is lefty Barry Zito; 17-8 with a 3.49 ERA and he takes the ball. 1-2-3.
2nd: Clemens gets the first two, but then Frankie Menechino lines a double to right, but that's all.
2nd: Zito walks Chili Davis to open the 2nd then walks Chad Curtis - Jorge Posada singles to left center; Chili comes around to score - and the Yanks halve the deficit. Zito gets the next three and we head to the third A's 2 Yankees 1
3rd: Clemens gets the first two - then Jermaine Dye stays hot with a single, it's followed by Terrence Long's second hit of the game - but Clemens works through it.
3rd: Bernie Williams had four hits in game two and he opens the third with a triple - New York making some loud contact; Derek Jeter doubles him home to square the game. Zito gets the next two and has an 0-2 count on Curtis, but he walks him again, and that allows Posada his second RBI single, Jeter scores, the Yankees go up 3-2 and then go up 4-2 when Paul O'Neill singles. This is not working out for Zito today; Tino Martinez doubles - everyone is going to score, the Yankees now have 6 and Zito's day is over. 26 year old right hander Luis Vizcaino enters and gets out of the inning. A's 2 Yankees 6
4th: Clemens gets one, but then walks Menechino and Greg Myers back to back - he gets a second out and that means it's Jason Giambi at the plate, two on, two out, the A's just desperate to get something back. They do. Giambi singles and a run scores. A's 3 Yankees 6
4th: Jeter opens with his second hit, after an out, Chili Davis singles --- and then Chad Curtis maybe ends this series - a 3 run jack to left - it is 9-3 Yankees and they are dancing in the Bronx. On the next pitch - Posada homers - it's 10-3; back to back and belly to belly the Yankees are likely moving forward. 28 year old Erik Hiljus comes on for Oakland to finish up. A's 3 Yankees 10
5th: Jermaine Dye opens with a double - Clemens then hits Long in the helmet - Oakland's center fielder is tended to but stays in the game, Clemens gets the next two but then Greg Myers gives Oakland a flicker of hope with a 3 run homer of his own and it's 10-6. That's the end of the day for Clemens, he doesn't go 5 -- Allen Watson comes on - he walks Menechino and Jeremy Giambi -- that brings Jason Giambi back to the plate -- 2 on, 2 out -- and Watson strikes him out. A's 6 Yankees 10
5th: 1-2-3
6th: After an out, Dye singles; he had four hits in game 2 and now has 3 in game 3, but that's all.
6th: Nothing will even go wrong in Chad Curtis' life ever again! He singles with two out, but that's all and we are headed to the 7th inning, A's 6 Yankees 10
7th: 1-2-3; nice outing for Watson
7th: 1-2-3; really nice outing for Hiljus
8th: A's down to their final 6 outs. Jason Grimsley enters for the Yankees. Menechino had two hits yesterday and he leads off with his second today, a single to left - Jeremy Giambi then rips a double, Menechino is held up at third -- but now Jason Giambi comes to the plate, men on second and third and nobody out. Grimsley walks him. And that means Eric Chavez is the tying run - he hits a fly ball, shallow, to right - O'Neill gathers it in - Oakland doesn't test him and theres one out. Jermaine Dye comes to the plate. 4 hits yesterday. 3 hits today. He grounds to short here - Jeter flips to second for one - throw on to first -- Dye just beats it out, the run scores, it's 10-7 but now there are two outs. Grimsley gets Long to ground to second. That might be the last best chance for Oakland. A's 7 Yankees 10
8th: Bernie Williams has his second hit of the day, he opens with a single, an out later, Knoblauch singles and the Yankees have them on the corners, an out later, Curtis walks. Bases loaded - two out - sure feels like it's the end for Hiljus but he's left in to face Posada --- and he hits a three run double - Posada hits a bases clearing double - New York is up 13-7 and we will see the Yankees in the next round. Chad Bradford comes on to end it. A's 7 Yankees 13
9th: Grimlsey stays on - 1-2-3.
A's 7
Yankees 13
WP Watson
LP Zito
2 more hits for Bernie giving him 7 for the series. Jeter and Chili both had two hit days. Posada didn't have a hit in either the first two games - but today he came up huge, 4 hits with a homer, double, and 6, count them 6 RBI - that's the biggest RBI day of the tournament so far. Curtis homered and reached base 5 times today, that followed his 2 hits in game 2. Let's say Posada and Curtis are your co-MVPs.
The 1999 Yankees move on where they will meet the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies.
In the next matchups - we'll see the 1904 Giants meet the 1925 Pirates and the 1950 Yankees face the 2017 Astros.
