30. 1904 NL Champion New York Giants v. 126. 2011 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies
And now we turn to Region 3 - whomever wins this series will be the road team in the Regional Final as the two highest seeds (the last Tinker/Evers/Chance team and a 50s Yankees squad) are facing off in the other semi-final. Huge disparity here in seeding and in time, nearly a hundred spots and over a hundred years.
Giants 106-47 (Pythag: 106-47) Mgr. John McGraw
Won NL Pennant
d. #99 1925 Pirates 2-1 (MVP-Mike Donlin)
d. #94 2017 Astros 3-2 (MVP-Joe McGinnity)
Hall of Famers: Roger Bresnahan, Dan Brouthers, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, John McGraw, Jim O'Rourke
The Giants won the pennant - but refused to play in the World Series, which had begun the prior season. Mathewson/McGinnity combined for 68 wins.
Phillies 102-60 (Pythag 103-59) Mgr. Charlie Manuel (4th in NL Mgr of Year)
1st in NL East
Lost NLDS 3-2 to Cardinals
d. #3 1906 Cubs 2-0 (MVP-Roy Halladay)
d. #62 1999 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Hunter Pence)
All-Stars: SP Roy Halladay (2nd in NL Cy Young) SP Cole Hamels (5th in NL Cy Young) SP Cliff Lee (3rd in NL Cy Young) 3B Placido Polanco, OF Shane Victorino
Hall of Famers: Roy Halladay
This was the Phillies 5th straight NL East title and the second straight year they had the best record in MLB. They won the division by 13 games. They lost game 5 of the NLDS 1-0 at home to St Louis.
Phillies
CF Victorino (30) (LH) 130 5.4
2B Utley (32) (LH) 110 3.5
1B Howard (31) (LH) 126 1.9
RF Pence (28) 159 2.1
LF Mayberry (27) 131 2
SS Rollins (32) (SH) 101 3.5
C Ruiz (32) 108 2.6
3B Polanco (35) 86 2.3
P Halladay (34) 163 7.8
Bench
LF Ibanez (39) (LH) 91
RF Brown (23) (LH) 98
3B Valdez (33) 74
RF Francisco (29) 94
3B Martinez (28) (SH) 48
C Schneider (34) (LH) 38
1B Gload (35) (LH) 65
Game 2 SP: Lee (LH) (32) 160 8.1
Game 3 SP: Hamels (LH) (27) 137 6.1
The Phils will look to throw out the same 8 each game; they have some corner OF flexibility; the Giants fire all RH starters and if Mayberry/Pence struggle in New York, there's a possibility of a platoon based swap. It'll be Worley, not Oswalt as the 4th starter if the Phils advance.
Giants
CF Bresnahan (25) 139 3.5
3B Devlin (24) 119 5.3
LF Mertes (31) 123 3.7
2B Dunn (31) 132 1.7
RF Donlin (26) (LH) 130 .6
1B McGann (32) (SH) 124 4.4
SS Dahlen (34) 100 5.2
C Bowerman (35) 83 1.6
P McGinnity (33) 170 7.5
Bench:
C Warner (31) (LH) 47 1.1
2B Gilbert (28) 94 3.3
CF McCormick (23) (LH) 110
RF Browne (28) (LH) 105 1.7
Gm2 SP: Mathewson (23) 134 7
Gm3 SP: Taylor (29) 117 3.8
McGraw is in the same spot as Manuel; his plan coming in is to roll out the same 8 every day - however, he's got multiple left handed bats sitting on the bench, ready to pop in game 4 if the RH don't hit Halladay the first time around. Also - Gilbert is the regular second baseman, but Dunn has more bat - that's a decision to be revisited when the series goes to Philadelphia. Wiltse, the lefty, will get the 4th slot over Ames should the Giants advance.
Lineups:
C-Ruiz, Bresnahan didn't catch a game all season, so he's staying in the OF for the Giants
1B-McGann
2B-Utley, he and Gilbert are very close in WAR, but Gilbert might not see the field as McGraw looks for some extra offense.
SS-Dahlen
3B-Devlin
LF-Mertes
CF-Victorino
RF-Pence, so, position players are deadlocked, the Giants have more aggregate WAR
SP1-Push
SP2-Lee
SP3-Hamels
Pen-Phils
Phils 7 Giants 4 -- The Giants have a strong rotation, but the Phils is a little better and the bullpen is significantly better - the best players in this series are all starting pitchers. Giants have a much better seed - man...we'll say by the narrowest of margins the Giants are favored here, but these Phillies starters have rolled through the region so far.
GAME ONE
1st: Region 3 begins with 33 year old Joe McGinnity standing on the Polo Grounds mound. He was MVP of the Giants Round 2 win over the Astros. 35-8, 1.61. McGinnity led the league in wins this year, in winning percentage, in ERA, in ERA+, in WHIP. He gives up a leadoff single to Shane Victorino; gets 2 then gives up a Hunter Pence single. John Mayberry then singles home a run and it's the Phillies who score the first run of the Region 3 Semi-Finals. Phillies 1 Giants 0
1st: Roy Halladay gets the call for the Phillies. These Phillies have yet to lose a game in the tournament; Halladay was their Round 1 MVP. 34 year old RH, 19-6, 2.35. Doc led the league in complete games, ERA+, FIP, BB/9, K/BB. He made the All Star team was 2nd in the Cy Young and 9th in the MVP. Art Devlin singles with one away, that's all.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Jack Dunn singles; he's a 31 year old utilityman, but McGraw thought the Giants could use all the bat they could muster against this Phillies staff. It's Dunn's final year in the big leagues, his OPS+ this year more than doubled his career average. That's all.
3rd: Victorino reaches on an error, an out later, Ryan Howard singles. The 31 year old Howard finished 10th in the NL MVP this year. A Pence sac fly scores the second run of the game. Phillies 2 Giants 0
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Placido Polanco singles with 2 away, the 35 year old third baseman made just the second All Star team of his career this year. He also won his third Gold Glove. That's it.
4th: Devlin singles again, again with one away. Devlin's a 24 year old rookie third baseman; he's McGraw's every day third baseman for 7 years. An out later Sam Mertes singles, that's all.
5th: 1-2-3
5th: Mike Donlin singles, the 26 year old RF played just 42 games for the Giants this year, acquired from the Reds during the season (much like the Phillies acquired their RF, Pence). That's all Halladay allows. Not surprising we have a tight, low scoring game in this one.
6th: John Mayberry singles with one away. Mayberry was hitless in 4 at bats in the '11 postseason and never gets another shot. An out later Carlos Ruiz walks - that's all.
6th: Roger Bresnahan walks with one away. Bresnahan had a 17 year big league career and in almost all of them he caught, 973 career games behind the dish; this year, he didn't catch a single game. An out later Devlin walks -- that's all. Halladay keeps that shutout.
7th: Shane Victorino singles with one away, his second hit. Victorino's 30, he made his second All Star team this year and led the league in triples. McGinnity strands him.
7th: You looked at this series and saw pitching - and that's been true so far. 1-2-3, just 5 hits allowed for Doc Halladay.
8th: McGinnity gets one -- and then Mayberry homers to left, is that the dagger? Phillies 3 Giants 0
8th: Bill Dahlen singles. The 34 year old shortstop led the league in RBI. Frank Bowerman reaches by error and after an out Halladay hits Bresnahan and the Giants have loaded the bases with just one away. Devlin singles -- scores a run. That's the end of the day for Halladay, Manuel turns to 24 year old RH Michael Stutes, 3.63. He gets out of it. Phillies 3 Giants 1
9th: 1-2-3
9th: The Phillies closer is 30 year old RH Ryan Madson; 32 saves and a 2.37 ERA.
Donlin grounds to Polanco. One away.
Dan McGann grounds to Rollins. Two away.
Dahlen grounds to Polanco -- easy inning for Madson and the Phillies get game one.
Phillies 3
Giants 1
WP Halladay
LP McGinnity
Sv Madson
The Phils swept the '06 Cubs and the '99 Yankees and they take game one here.
Victorino 2x
Howard 1x
Pence 1x
Mayberry 3x/HR
Ruiz 1x
Polanco 1x
Bresnahan 2x
Devlin 4x
Mertes 1x
Dunn 1x
Donlin 1x
Dahlen 1x
CF Victorino (30) (LH) 130 5.4
2B Utley (32) (LH) 110 3.5
1B Howard (31) (LH) 126 1.9
RF Pence (28) 159 2.1
LF Mayberry (27) 131 2
SS Rollins (32) (SH) 101 3.5
C Ruiz (32) 108 2.6
3B Polanco (35) 86 2.3
Game 2 SP: Lee (LH) (32) 160 8.1
CF Bresnahan (25) 139 3.5
2B Dunn (31) 132 1.7
LF Mertes (31) 123 3.7
3B Devlin (24) 119 5.3
1B McGann (32) (SH) 124 4.4
RF Donlin (26) (LH) 130 .6
SS Dahlen (34) 100 5.2
C Bowerman (35) 83 1.6
Gm2 SP: Mathewson (23) 134 7
GAME TWO
1st: The Phillies came into the tournament seeded #126 of #128 and they haven't lost since. 6 straight wins and looking to stop that run is the legendary Christy Mathewson. 23 year old RH, 33-12, 2.03. Mathewson led the league in Ks in '04, he'd do that 5 times in his 17 year career. 1-2-3
1st: Cliff Lee looks to send this series to Philly with the Phils just needing a game to advance. He's a 32 year old lefty, 17-8, 2.40. This is Lee's first year in Philadelphia; he led the league in shutouts and finished 3rd in the Cy Young. 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: After an out, Mathewson hits Polanco and the Phils have their first baserunner. After the second out, Shane Victorino gets the first hit of the day - but that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down for Lee.
4th: Ryan Howard doubles and Hunter Pence walks. Pence is 28, came over from the Astros during the season played in 54 games for the Phils. Struggled in the '11 postseason, he hit .211. Mathewson gets the next 3.
4th: Roger Bresnahan singles for the first Giants baserunner. He then swipes second and scores on a Jack Dunn single and the Giants take the lead. Sam Mertes then walks; Mertes gets the start in left today against the lefty Lee. He led the league in RBI last year. Lee sets down the next 3. Phils 0 Giants 1
5th: Cliff Lee helps himself with a one out single and then Victorino singles again - but that's all.
5th: 1-2-3, Lee's allowed just 2 hits.
6th: Pence walks with one out; Pence was the MVP of the Phils round 2 win. But that's all. Pitching - pitching - this series is about pitching.
6th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Lee - we head to the 7th, great pitchers duel again here at the Polo Grounds.
7th: Carlos Ruiz singles. The 32 year old catcher is a year away from his only ever All Star appearance. Polanco singles - the Phils are in business. Domonic Brown comes on to hit for Lee; he's throwing a 2 hitter but Manuel goes to the bench -- and Brown singles. And now we're in the big spot of the day - big spot of the series so far - bases loaded, nobody out - Phils down a run. Victorino hits a sac fly to tie the score at 1. Chase Utley, who has already advanced to the Elite 8 with the 2017 Dodgers, then singles and the Phils have taken the lead. Ryan Howard grounds out - it scores the third run of the inning. That's it for Mathewson; Billy Milligan is a 25 year old lefty with a 5.40 ERA - the big disadvantage the Giants have in the series is right here, it's the bullpen. And it comes into play on a Hunter Pence triple -- that scores the 4th run Phillies 4 Giants 1
7th: Michael Stutes again gets the call from the Philly pen. Mike Donlin singles with 2 away, but nothing else results.
8th: Jimmy Rollins walks. Double play partners Rollins and Utley are both 32; Rollins hit .450 against the Cards in the '11 NLDS. McGraw calls on his 5th starter, Red Ames, a 21 year old RH with a 2.27 ERA. Ames gets through it.
8th: The Phils are now 6 outs away from their 7 straight tournament win. Bresnahan walks after 2 are away and Manuel turns to the pen for 25 year old RH David Herndon. 3.32. He gives up a base hit to Dunn - but that's all.
9th: Utley singles with one out -- and then Ryan Howard ends this one with a 2 run shot -- it's the Phillies again - this team which didn't win a playoff round in 2011 is storming through the greatest MLB tournament ever created. Pence singles. Mayberry singles. Rollins singles and there's another run. Ames hits Ruiz; that's all - but that's enough -- Phillies 7 Giants 1
9th: Herndon gets 2 - gives up a Donlin single and that is all.
Phillies 7
Giants 1
WP Lee
LP Mathewson
Just 5 hits for the Giants in this one - the Phillies have won all 7 games they've played in the tournament and now head home for Game 3, looking to close out this semi-final. 3 RBI for Howard today.
Victorino 4x
Utley 3x
Howard 3x/double, HR
Pence 5x/triple
Mayberry 4x/HR
Rollins 2x
Ruiz 3x
Polanco 3x
Bresnahan 4x
Devlin 4x
Mertes 2x
Dunn 3x
Donlin 3x
Dahlen 1x
CF Bresnahan (25) 139 3.5
SS Dunn (31) 132 1.7
LF Mertes (31) 123 3.7
3B Devlin (24) 119 5.3
1B McGann (32) (SH) 124 4.4
RF Donlin (26) (LH) 130 .6
2B Gilbert (28) 94 3.3
C Bowerman (35) 83 1.6
Gm3 SP: Taylor (29) 117 3.8
CF Victorino (30) (LH) 130 5.4
2B Utley (32) (LH) 110 3.5
1B Howard (31) (LH) 126 1.9
RF Pence (28) 159 2.1
LF Mayberry (27) 131 2
SS Rollins (32) (SH) 101 3.5
C Ruiz (32) 108 2.6
3B Polanco (35) 86 2.3
Game 3 SP: Hamels (LH) (27) 137 6.1
GAME THREE
1st: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you want a rabid fan base? How about a Philly crowd whose team is now 7-0 in this tournament and a game away from the Region 3 Final? 27 year old lefty Cole Hamels is on the mound; 14-9, 2.79. Hamels made his second All Star team this year, finished 5th in the Cy Young. Won his only playoff start this year, going 6 scoreless. 1-2-3
1st: The Giants turn to Dummy Taylor. 29 year old RH, 21-15, 2.34. It's his only 20 game winning season. Shane Victorino triples. He's now reached 5 times. After an out, Ryan Howard walks, Taylor escapes.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Taylor gets 2 - then back to back singles by Polanco and Hamels. Victorino triples again - Victorino has triples in both the first and second innings of game 3 and now it's 2-0 and this crowd is frenzied. Giants 0 Phillies 2
3rd: Frank Boweman singles with one away; after the second out Roger Bresnahan doubles him home. Jack Dunn singles - Hamels stops it here. Giants 1 Phillies 2
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Mike Donlin singles with 2 away - Billy Gilbert's in the lineup for the first time in the series and he singles. Gilbert's OPS+ was 94 this year - best he'll ever have. Bowerman then singles again and the Giants have tied this score. Giants 2 Phillies 2
4th: Polanco hits a 2 out single and nothing results.
5th: Mertes singles with 2 out - and is stranded.
5th: Taylor gets one - walks Utley - gets the second - Pence singles - and then Mayberry singles and the Phils are back in front as we head to the 6th. Giants 2 Phillies 3
6th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3
7th: Bowerman singles with one away - after the second out Bresnahan walks. Dunn comes through with a base hit that ties the score and chases Hamels. Michael Stutes is on again, and gives up a Mertes single - that scores another run and it's the Giants who take a 4-3 lead. Giants 4 Phillies 3
7th: Victorino walks, Taylor gets a double play to wipe him off the bases -- but then gives up a towering game tying homer to Ryan Howard -- there's a curtain call by these Philly fans for the big first baseman and we are once again all knotted up. Giants 4 Phillies 4
8th: 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3
9th: Here we are in the 9th; 4-4, Phillies a run away from sweeping this series and advancing to the Region 3 Final. Stutes gets 2 - then gives up a Bresnahan double. There's the go ahead run in scoring position. Manuel calls on his closer Ryan Madson, who saved game 1. And he gets out of it.
9th: Billy Milligan is on again for McGraw - can the Giants bullpen hold on? Milligan gets 2 and then gives up a Victorino single. That brings McGraw out he goes with Joe McGinnity - great in game 1, scheduled to go in a Game 4 if the Giants get there -- but not anymore; McGraw uses that bullet here in the bottom of the 9th and McGinnity gets out of it.
10th: David Herndon is on again for the Phillies. 1-2-3
10th: 1-2-3
11th: 1-2-3, Herndon retires all 6 Giants he faces
11th: McGinnity gets the first and then Ruiz singles. That's the winning run. But McGinnity strands it.
12th: 33 year old RH Danys Baez is the least effective option in the Phillies pen, a 6.25 ERA - can the Giants take advantage? 1-2-3; the Giants have 1 hit in the last 5 innings.
12th: Red Ames for the Giants. He gives up a Victorino single, that's it.
13th: Mertes opens with a single, Baez gets the next 3.
13th: Mayberry singles with one away; he's erased on a Rollins fielders choice - Carlos Ruiz doubles to left -- Rollins running on the pitch -- Mertes hits the cutoff man - the throw home --
Safe.
Giants 4
Phillies 5
WP Baez
LP Ames
Absolute pandemonium here in Philly - Rollins comes all the way around from first on the Ruiz double to score the winning run here in the 13th inning - the Phillies complete the sweep - remaining perfect in the tournament - the Phillies dugout pours out atop Rollins at home plate; Rollins mad dash all the way from first base on the double to left - the 2011 Phillies advance to the Region 3 Final.
Victorino 9x/2 triples
Howard 5x/double, 2 HR
Mayberry 6x/HR
Ruiz 5x/game winning double
4 contenders for the MVP - Victorino reached the most, including 5 times today with the 2 triples; Howard had two homers, Mayberry homered, and Ruiz won today's game.
We'll say...Victorino is your MVP.
