5. 1998 New York Yankees v. 124. 2004 St Louis Cardinals
We open the bottom half of the bracket with the current top overall seed, the '98 Yankees. 10 of the 32 teams which have advanced are Yankees; 3 Cardinal squads are moving forward. This Cardinal team won the pennant; the Yankees won the World Series.
Cardinals-Tony LaRussa
CF Edmonds (34) 171 7.5
1B Pujols (24) 173 8.6
3B Rolen (29) 158 9
DH Walker (37) 144 1
RF Mabry (33) 123 .6
LF Lankford (37) 100 .4
2B Womack (34) 91 2.9
SS Renteria (27) 88 2
C Matheny (33) 66 .6
SP Carpenter (29) 122 3.5
Bench:
C Molina (21) 78 .6
LF Sanders (36) 103 1.5
SP2 Marquis (25) 114 3.2
SP3 Suppan (29) 102 .8
Sanders/Lankford is a strict platoon; there's one lefty starter going for New York, Wells, and we'll see Sanders. Walker will move to right when the series shifts to St Louis. Molina has a little better bat than Matheny and that switch gets made if needed.
Yankees-Joe Torre
SS Jeter (24) 127 6.3
CF Williams (29) 160 5.6
RF O'Neill (35) 130 5.4
DH Strawberry (36) 132 1.5
1B Martinez (30) 124 3.6
3B Brosius (31) 121 5
C Posada (26) 115 3.4
LF Raines (38) 107 1.1
2B Knoblauch (29) 102 3.8
P Hernandez (32) 132 3.7
Bench:
LF Curtis (29) 90 2.9
SP2 Cone (35) 125 5.3
SP3 Wells (35) 127 5.2
The Cards throw all right handers, which probably means Curtis stays on the bench, but theoretically the Yankees might decide they need the glove. Strawberry might play left when we go to St Louis, that's TBD. Yanks have seed advantage; their WAR advantage is at C-2B-SS-sometimes LF-RF-all 3 SPs.
1st: It's Il Duque who gets the ball for Game One, 12-4, 3.13 ERA - 1-2-3
1st: The Cardinals are running uphill in all 3 pitching matchups in this series but this one is pretty close; 29 year old Chris Carpenter is their starter, 15-5 with a 3.46 ERA. Bernie Williams reaches on an error, but that's all.
2nd: Larry Walker walks to open the frame - after an out, Hernandez also walks John Mabry and Tony Womack. Bases loaded. One away. Hernandez escapes it.
2nd: Tino Martinez singles to open the inning and then Scott Brosius hits a two run homer down the left field line and the Yankees are on the board. Tim Raines singles with one out, but that's all. Cards 0 Yankees 2
3rd: Jim Edmonds leads off with a single - but Posada will gun him down trying to steal second. Albert Pujols singles, and after the second out, so does Larry Walker. 6 Cardinal baserunners in the last two innings. But they still can't score.
3rd: Darryl Strawberry singles with 2 out, there is something good about guys like Strawberry and Raines, long past their best days, in the starting lineup here (Chili Davis is on the bench, ready to pinch hit in the series)
4th: Ray Lankford singles to start the inning and then Womack draws his second walk. 8 baserunners in 3 innings; Reneria then singles - and once again, the Cards have loaded them up. This time they capitalize - Mike Matheny, sort of a questionable start over young catcher Yadier Molina, singles home two runs, Edmonds then walks - and a third run is scored on a Pujols ground out. That's all, but that's plenty, Cardinals 3 Yankees 2
4th: Jorge Posada doubles with one away, but that's it.
5th: 1-2-3
5th: After an out the Yankees load them up - Bernie Williams singles and Paul O'Neill and Strawberry walk. Tino Martinez played with most of the Cardinals, he was in St Louis in 2002-2003; but he's the Yankee first baseman in '98 and he rips a double that clears the bases. Brosius homered back in the second and he doubles here to score New York's 4th run of the inning and get into the Cardinal pen. 23 year old right hander Dan Haren comes on and he gets out of the inning. Cards 3 Yankees 6
6th: The Yankees go early to the pen with 31 year old lefty Mike Stanton; lot of strong arms in this Yankee pen but Stanton was not one of them in '98. He gives up a one out single to Matheny, but that's all.
6th: Bernie Williams reaches on a two out error and O'Neill follows with a base hit - thats it.
7th: Stanton hits Rolen with the first pitch of the inning and then puts Larry Walker on with four balls nowhere the strike zone. Torre goes back to the pen for 31 year old right hander Jeff Nelson, and he gets out of it.
7th: 1-2-3, nice outing for Haren.
8th: 1-2-3
8th: Raines singles to open it up, after two out, Williams singles and then O'Neill walks to load it up. 31 year old lefty Steve Kline had a helluva year, 1.79 ERA; and he gets through it. Let's head to the 9th.
9th: Even with a 3 run lead, Torre brings in the hammer. 28 year old Mariano Rivera had 36 saves and a 1.91 ERA, he gives up a one out single to Rolen, but that's all.
Cards 3
Yankees 6
WP Hernandez
LP Carpenter
New York takes this one, 4 scoreless innings from the pen. Offensively, Williams had two hits, O'Neill reached three times, Strawberry twice. Martinez had two hits and 3RBI, so did Brosius, who added a homer. Raines added two hits.
For the Cards, Edmonds reached twice, so did Rolen, Walker reached 3 times, Lankford and Womack twice. Matheny had 2 doubles.
SS Jeter (24) 127 6.3
CF Williams (29) 160 5.6
RF O'Neill (35) 130 5.4
LF Strawberry (36) 132 1.5
1B Martinez (30) 124 3.6
3B Brosius (31) 121 5
C Posada (26) 115 3.4
2B Knoblauch (29) 102 3.8
SP2 Cone (35) 125 5.3
CF Edmonds (34) 171 7.5
1B Pujols (24) 173 8.6
3B Rolen (29) 158 9
RF Walker (37) 144 1
LF Lankford (37) 100 .4
2B Womack (34) 91 2.9
SS Renteria (27) 88 2
C Matheny (33) 66 .6
SP2 Marquis (25) 114 3.2
1st: 25 year old right hander Jason Marquis stands on the Busch Stadium mound, can he keep the Cards alive another day? He was 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA; he gets the first out - but then Bernie Williams homers and New York is on the board right out of the gate. Paul O'Neill singles, but that's all Yankees 1 Cards 0
1st: 35 year old David Cone is the winningest Yankee pitcher in '98, 20-7 with a 3.55 ERA. 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Larry Walker opens with a double, that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Jason Marquis had a good year with the bat, hit .292; he singles with one out, that's all.
4th: 1-2-3; Marquis cruising, 11 straight.
4th: After an out Cone hits Walker, he then throws a wild pitch and Walker's at second - after a second out, Ray Lankford doubles and it's Yankees 1 Cardinals 1
5th: 1-2-3 -- man, Marquis is dealing.
5th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3 -- 17 straight Yankees are set down.
6th: Albert Pujols doubles to open the inning - an out later, Larry Walker walks, after a second out, Womack walks. Bases loaded with 2 out for Renteria -- and Cone gets him.
7th: 1-2-3 -- Jason Marquis has retired 20 straight Yankees. Just a remarkable effort.
7th: After an out, Jason Marquis, who LaRussa leaves in to hit for himself - has his second hit of the day; he's only given up 2 hits and he has two hits. Jason Marquis, ladies and gentlemen. But the Cardinals do not score and we head to the 8th inning.
8th: Tino Martinez hits the first pitch of the 8th off the left field foul pole - it breaks the tie and the Yankees are now up 2-1. That ends Marquis' day and 31 year old lefty Steve Kline enters, he gives up a single to Brosius and then an absolute bomb - a 2 run shot by Posada deep into right field - the Yankees are just tough to shut down, man. after two out, Jeter walks - that brings on 31 year old right hander Julian Tavarez with his 2.38 ERA, he gives up a Williams single, that's all. Yankees 4 Cardinals 1
8th: 1-2-3
9th: Martinez hits a one out single, 29 year old right hander Kiko Calero had a 2.78 ERA and he enters and gets out of the inning.
9th: Torre goes to Rivera - terrific outing for Cone, 8 innings, 5 hits, 1 run. After two outs, he gives up a Matheny double, but it's harmless.
Yankees 4
Cardinals 1
WP Cone
LP Marquis
Jeter was hitless in the series and the Yankees still swept it - Bernie Williams had 4 hits in the series with a homer; so did Tino Martinez - Cone was obviously great today; Rivera saved both games Let's say Williams and Martinez are co MVPs of this one.
The '98 Yankees are the first top seed to survive the first round; they'll face the winners of this one:
69. 1910 Chicago Cubs v. 60. 1930 Philadelphia A's
Two A's teams and one Cub squad advanced in the top half of the bracket; they meet here for the right to face the '98 Yankees. This Athletic team won the World Series - the Cubs lost the World Series - to the A's.
Cubs-Frank Chance
1B Chance (33) 131 2.9
CF Hofman (27) 154 5.1
RF Schulte (27) 137 3.5
3B Zimmerman (23) 111 1.1
2B Evers (28) 115 3.5
LF Sheckard (31) 114 3.5
C Kling (34) 109 2.8
SS Tinker (29) 110 4.2
P Brown (33) 153 5.2
Bench:
SP2 Cole (24) 158 4.1
SP3 Overall (29) 107 2.4
The Cubs are sitting their third baseman, Harry Steinfeldt, to get some added bat.
Athletics-Connie Mack
2B Bishop (30) 109 4.5
C Cochrane (27) 134 5.4
LF Simmons (28) 175 7.1
1B Foxx (22) 161 6.4
3B Dykes (33) 109 2.5
CF Haas (26) 86 1.1
RF Miller (35) 96 1.3
SS Boley (33) 74 .5
P Grove (30) 185 8.8
Bench:
SP2 Earnshaw (30) 106 4
SP3 Shores (26) 112 1.4
SP3 Walberg (33) 100 2.4
Just no chance there will be a change in the lineup for the A's, either the lefty Walberg or the righty Shores will pitch game 3. A's have the seed advantage and the WAR advantage at C-1B-2B-3B-LF-and the first SP
1st: Exciting pitching matchup in Game 1 - The great Lefty Grove is 30, he was 28-5 with a 2.54 ERA; he stands on the Shibe Park mound, 1-2-3
1st: Three Finger Brown takes the ball for the Cubs; 25-14 with a 1.86 ERA; After two out, Al Simmons and Jimmie Foxx single back to back, but that's all.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Joe Boley draws a two out walk, that's all.
3rd: Joe Tinker gets the Cubs first hit, a one out double, that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: The Cubs have taken the lead - Frank Schulte singles, Heinie Zimmerman doubles him home, and just like that - Chicago is up. After the first out, a Jimmy Sheckard single scores Zimmerman. Cubs 2 A's 0
4th: Jimmie Foxx walks to open it up - but no damage done.
5th: The Cubs keep hitting - Joe Tinker doubles, after two out, Mack decides to put Solly Hofman on - and it pays off, the Cubs don't score.
5th: Joe Boley singles, but that's it. We head to the 6th.
6th: Zimmerman doubled in the 4th - he ropes a triple to open the 6th, Zimmerman came off the Cubs bench, normally a utility man, Chance inserted him at third for this series, Johnny Evers singles him home, Cubs 3 A's 0
6th: Foxx singles with one out, he's been aboard three times after a second out Dykes walks, but the A's cant crack the scoreboard.
7th: 1-2-3
7th: Mack leaves Grove in to hit for himself, he singles with two away, but to no avail. Getting late here in Philadelphia.
8th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Grove, but might be too late.
8th: Cochrane opens with a base hit - but that is all. The Cubs are three outs away from heading home a victory in hand.
9th: After two out, Kling and Tinker single back to back -- Chance decides to leave Brown in to hit for himself -- and he singles home Kling, that should wrap it up, Cubs 4 A's 0
9th: Haas singles, Miller doubles - and the A's have a little life, Brown gets the next two and then walks Bishop. Bases loaded. Two out. The A's have 3 Hall of Famers coming up right in a row, can they get something going? They can't, Cochrane fly ball ends it.
Cubs 4
A's 0
WP Brown
LP Grove
Complete game shutout for Three Finger Brown, out dueling Grove. Zimmerman doubled and tripled for the Cubs, Tinker had three hits, including 2 doubles.
For the A's, Foxx reached 3 times, Boley twice.
We head to Wrigley - a Cub win moves them into the next round.
2B Bishop (30) 109 4.5
C Cochrane (27) 134 5.4
LF Simmons (28) 175 7.1
1B Foxx (22) 161 6.4
3B Dykes (33) 109 2.5
RF Miller (35) 96 1.3
CF Haas (26) 86 1.1
SS Boley (33) 74 .5
SP2 Earnshaw (30) 106 4
2B Evers (28) 115 3.5
RF Schulte (27) 137 3.5
CF Hofman (27) 154 5.1
1B Chance (33) 131 2.9
LF Sheckard (31) 114 3.5
3B Zimmerman (23) 111 1.1
SS Tinker (29) 110 4.2
C Kling (34) 109 2.8
SP2 Cole (24) 158 4.1
1st: 24 year old right hander King Cole stands on the mound at the West Side Grounds, looking to put the Cubs into the next round. 20-4, 1.80 ERA. He gets the first out, but then walks Cochrane, gives up a single to Simmons - and Jimmie Foxx doubles both men home. Bing Miller will walk with two out, but thats it Athletics 2 Cubs 0
1st: George Earnshaw, 30 year old right hander, is staked to a 2-0 lead; 22-13 with a 4.44 ERA; he gives up a one out triple to Frank Schulte, Solly Hofman then walks, Schulte scores on a Frank Chance groundout, Jimmy Sheckard then walks and the inning will end Athletics 2 Cubs 1
2nd: Joe Boley opens with a walk - that's it.
2nd: After an out - Johnny Kling ties the game with a homer; That's it. Athletics 2 Cubs 2
3rd: Foxx walks with one out, he's reached 5 times - Dykes singles and Miller walks and the A's have them loaded with only one away; Mule Haas singles to right - thats going to score one; but Schulte nails Jimmy Dykes at the plate for the second out. The A's have gone ahead again Athletics 3 Cubs 2
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: After an out, Bishop and Cochrane draw one out walks - Simmons singles again, it scores another run; Dykes grounds to Tinker - but he throws it away and the 5th Philadelphia run scores. Athletics 5 Cubs 2
4th: Zimmerman doubled and tripled in game one; his inclusion in the lineup continues to pay off as he hits a one out homer. Athletics 5 Cubs 3
5th: Haas singles, two out later, Bishop walks, Cochrane then walks to load them up - but Cole's able to slip through this one.
5th: Evers walks with one out, he's at second after a second out - and Hofman singles him home, the Cubs continue to slice into that lead. Chance singles, Sheckard walks -- the bases are loaded with two out, but that's all Earnshaw allows Athletics 5 Cubs 4
6th: 32 year old lefty Jack Pfiester was very effective in 13 starts for the Cubs, 1.79 ERA. He's the new Cubs pitcher - he gives up a 2 out double to Miller, that's all.
6th: Joe Tinker triples and the Chicago crowd is alive - the tying run just 90 feet away with nobody out. But Earnshaw strands him there - that's a big spot in this series.
7th: 26 year old right hander Lew Richie started 11 games for the Cubs and was 11-4; he comes on, he gives up a Boley single, that's all.
7th: 32 year old right hander Eddie Rommel comes in for the A's - can they hold this lead? 1-2-3
8th: Dykes walks - that's it.
8th: Tinker singles - but Cochrane guns him down trying to steal second and we head to the 9th.
9th: 24 year old right hander Orlie Weaver enters, 1-2-3. Bottom of the 9th.
9th: 1-2-3
A's 5
Cubs 4
WP Earnshaw
LP Cole
A's force a showdown back in Philadelphia - Eddie Rommel with a 3 inning save, only gives up one baserunner. Foxx has now reached 5 times, Boley 4 times; Bishop twice today, Cochrane three times today, Miller 3 times today, Simmons and Dykes and Haas twice.
For the Cubs - Zimmerman and Kling both homered, Tinker now has 5 hits including a triple. Hofman and Sheckard reached twice today.
One game for all the chips - who will advance to meet the '98 Yankees?
1B Chance (33) 131 2.9
CF Hofman (27) 154 5.1
RF Schulte (27) 137 3.5
3B Zimmerman (23) 111 1.1
2B Evers (28) 115 3.5
LF Sheckard (31) 114 3.5
C Kling (34) 109 2.8
SS Tinker (29) 110 4.2
SP3 Overall (29) 107 2.4
2B Bishop (30) 109 4.5
C Cochrane (27) 134 5.4
LF Simmons (28) 175 7.1
1B Foxx (22) 161 6.4
3B Dykes (33) 109 2.5
CF Haas (26) 86 1.1
RF Miller (35) 96 1.3
SS Boley (33) 74 .5
SP3 Walberg (33) 100 2.4
1st: Well, here we go. Winner take all. The A's send a lefty, 33 year old Rube Walberg, 13-12, 4.69 ERA. He walks Chance to open up - Cochrane, who threw two men out in game 2, then throws Chance out trying to steal here. But then Solly Hofman homers and the Cubs jump on top. After the second out, Zimmerman singles, and we will get it started Cubs 1 Athletics 0
1st: The Cubs go with another right hander, 29 year old Orval Overall, 12-6 with a 2.68 ERA; Simmons singles with two out - and then Chance makes a bold decision - he's going to walk Jimmie Foxx in the first inning. It doesn't pay off - Jimmy Dykes singles home the tying run. Cubs 1 Athletics 1
2nd: Sheckard and Kling open with back to back singles - Overall hit .122 on the season; he had one double -- here's his second - he clears the bases; a shocking double by Overall puts the Cubs back in front. Hoffman will later walk, but that's all. Cubs 3 Athletics 1
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Zimmerman singles, Evers walks - and maybe the Cubs are ending this one early - Sheckard doubles everyone home and now it's 5-1 and this Philadelphia crowd is stunned into silence. Cubs 5 Athletics 1
3rd: Bishop walks to open the inning, that's it.
4th: Chance opens with a single - two outs later he's standing at second, and then he's scoring on a Zimmerman base hit. That ends Walberg's unsuccessful day, Mack calls on his 5th starter, 26 year old right hander Ron Mahaffey, to end the damage Cubs 6 Athletics 1
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Sheckard opens with a single - an out later Tinker reaches on an error -- and would you believe what's happened here - Overall is going to double - again - and - again - everyone will score. Overall had 1 RBI all season and he has 4 today in a winner take all game. After the second out, Hofman singles him home. Turn out the lights, folks. Cubs 9 Athletics 1
5th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Cochrane walks and Simmons singles, Cochrane's going to score on a one out Dykes groundout but this game is all but over Cubs 9 A's 2
7th: It's still happening. Tinker walks with one out and Ginger Beaumont hits for Overall - maybe the magic is the 9th spot, Beaumont doubles - Tinker scores and Chance doubles to score Beaumont. They're filing out of Shibe Park, the Cubs are going to move forward. Eddie Rommel finishes the inning. Cubs 11 A's 2
7th: 23 year old lefty Rube Kroh takes the ball for the Cubs, 9 outs from winning this series, He walks Miller, that's all.
8th: Zimmerman singles, thats all.
8th: 24 year old right hander Orlie Weaver is next, he gives up back to back singles to Cochrane and Simmons - and then Foxx drives them both home with a triple. That's enough for Chance - he brings in Jack Pfiester who gets out of the inning Cubs 11 A's 4
9th: Chance singles with two out and then Hofman drives him home with a double; just some finishing touches for the Cubs. Schulte then doubles and now the Cubs have a baker's dozen. 46 year old (yes, 46 year old) right hander Jack Quinn comes on and we go to the bottom Cubs 13 A's 4
9th: Jimmy Moore pinch singles with one out, Bishop follows with a single and Cochrane doubles home a run. But thats all.
Cubs 13
A's 5
WP Overall
LP Walberg
The Cubs just pound the A's in the showdown game. 18 hits, 13 runs. Zimmerman homered in game 2 and had 4 hits today. Hofman reached twice in game 2, 4 times today including a homer and double, 3 RBI today; that's 7 times on base in the series. Sheckard is right behind him, reaching six times in the series. Overall was great today; gave up 4 hits in 7 innings and drove in 4 runs with 2 doubles. Chance had 3 hits today -- let's split it between Overall and Brown, who shut the A's out in Game 1.
Region 5 is underway - in Round 2 we'll see the 1998 Yankees take on the 1910 Cubs.
