128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Two Series 7-8

5-6 are here.

These two series wrap up Region 2 - two slots remain; who claims them?

18. 1944 St Louis Cardinals v. 111. 1914 Boston Braves

The '43 Cards are already safely in the next round; this is our initial look at a Boston Braves club. Both teams won the Series; one will move forward and claim the second to the last Region 2 slot.

Game One

Braves-George Stallings

2B Evers (32)       113    4.4

LF Connolly (30) 158    3.9

3B Smith (24)       148    2.7

RF Gilbert (22)    110     .6

1B Schmidt (27)   106    1.3

CF Cather (25)    115     .1

C Gowdy (24)      100     2.8

SS Maranville (22)  85   5.1

P James (22)        150     7.1

Bench:

RF Whitted (24)  105     1

CF Mann (21)      95       1.5

Game 2 SP: Rudolph (26)  121  6.3

Game 3 SP: Tyler (24)        106  2.4

Here's the Braves lineup against the right hander Cooper; they'll platoon in RF if the Cards throw a lefty in game 3; CF is up for grabs, they're benching their regular starter Mann to get a little more bat in game 1, but that's a decision to be revisited.  The Braves rotation is set for all games in the series.

Cardinals-Billy Southworth

CF Hopp (27)  150   5.2

RF Musial (23) 174  7.9

1B Sanders (27) 125  2.6

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

LF Bergamo (27) 117 1

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

P Cooper (31)    145  5.4

Bench: LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

Game 2 SP: Munger (25) 268  3.3 

Game 3 SP:  Lanier (28)  135  4

                      Wilks (28)    135  3.3

Here's the Cards lineup against the right hander James; they'll platoon in left, Litwhiler getting the start if the series goes 3 games. 40 year old Pepper Martin is on the bench; he won't get a start, but is a pinch hitting threat. They've got a lot of starting pitching on this Cardinal club; probably they go Munger/Lanier in games 2-3, but Wilks is here and I didn't even list Brecheen, who went 16-5 with a 2.85 ERA as a possibility.  Favored Cards have the WAR advantage at C-1B-3B-CF-RF

1st: 31 year old right hander Mort Cooper takes a 22-7 record with a 2.46 ERA into this one; he gets the first two, then Red Smith singles -- Larry Gilbert hit five homers on the season - but he gets ahold of one here; it goes to dead center and the Braves end the top of the first leading Braves 2 Cards 0

1st: 22 year old right hander Bill James takes a 26-7 record with a 1.90 ERA to the hill for Boston; Johnny Hopp leads off with a base hit - and then the great Stan Musial doubles to center - Hopp comes all the way around to score and now it's 2-1; Musial takes third on an errant throw and then scores the tying run on a Ray Sanders base knock.  A groundout moves Sanders up a base - and then Augie Bergamo singles him home - the inning will end Braves 2 Cardinals 3

2nd: 3 up, 3 down.

2nd: With two out, Hopp doubles - George Stallings isn't messing around with Musial again; they put him on intentionally - and it works out when James gets Sanders to line to first.  

3rd: Johnny Evers is in his first year as a Brave and he doubles with one out - Joe Connolly then singles to right - Evers scores and we're all knotted at 3. Red Smith singles - they're on the corners - Gilbert adds his third RBI of the day with a groundout. Braves 4 Cards 3

3rd: Whitey Kurowksi walks with two out - that's followed by a Marty Marion single, but James keeps the Cards there.

4th: Ted Cather is a reserve outfielder for the Braves, but he got the start in center today with a little extra bat against a right hander - that pays off here, he singles to center and then steals second; Hank Gowdy drives a single to right - Cather's going to score and now it's 5-3; Maranville grounds to the right side - that moves Gowdy up a base and then Bill James helps himself with a base hit to score him, goodness gracious the Braves have brought their bats to this one and it's 6-3. Connolly is going to draw a walk but the inning ends Braves 6 Cardinals 3

4th: With one out, Hopp gets his third hit of the day - Musial's also aboard for the third time - he singles to right, there are men on the corners with one out; I don't know if a slugfest was anticipated today.  Sanders walks.  Bases loaded.  One out.  Walker Cooper singles hard to center - now it's 6-4, still nobody out.  An out later - James walks Kurowski and it's 6-5 but that's as far as it goes.  Braves 6 Cardinals 5

5th: 3 up, 3 down. 

5th: Light hitting Emil Verban opens up with a base hit - Mort Cooper stays in the game, attempts to bunt him over, but Sanders crashes down, makes a helluva play to scoop up the bunt, fire on to second and get the lead runner. Johnny Hopp gets his 4th hit of the day - punching a ball to left; two on, one out and Musial comes to the plate.  James is super careful here - he walks Musial again, Stan's aboard 4 times today.  But now it's loaded with just one out.  Sanders grounds to second - they flip to short to get one...but can't make the turn, Cooper scores the tying run and it's 6-6 --- that brings Walker Cooper to the plate -- and he hits a 3 run jack -- the bats today - the bats today -- it is 9-6 Cardinals through 5 innings.  Finally James's day comes to an end, the Braves best pen arm is a 20 year old right hander Paul Strand and he ends the inning.  Braves 6 Cardinals 9

6th: Don't look now, but Cooper has settled in.  

6th: After two out - it's Verban again, tripling into the right field corner; but he's stranded (pun intended)

7th: With one out, Connolly's aboard on an error, Smith singles and then Gilbert walks.  So much for settling on - the Braves are in business, bases loaded with just one out. Do the Cards go to the pen?  Nah.  And Cooper gets out of it.  Gets Schmidt and Cather and it's still 9-6

7th: Sanders gets a two out single but that's all.  2 innings to go.

8th: With two out, Possum Whitted hits for Strand, he singles, but that's it.

8th: 24 year old right hander Dick Crutcher is on for the Braves, he gives up a one out single to Kurowski, but that's all.  We head to the 9th.

9th: There are a couple of strong bullpen arms for the Cards; one is a 30 year old right hander Blix Donnelly and he gets the ball with 3 outs to get; he gives up a leadoff walk to Donnelly, then gets the next two - just one out to go - Schmidt hits a ground ruled double - and now the tying run comes to the plate; Cather squirts a ball through the infield, Donnelly scores -- now it's 9-7 with runners on the corners -- but Donnelly gets Gowdy and it's done.

Braves 7

Cards 9

WP Cooper

LP James

For the Cards:

Hopp - 4 hits, with a double

Musial - on base 4 times with a double

Sanders - 2 hits

Cooper had that big 3 run home run; 4 RBI

Kurowski reached 3 times

Verban had two hits including a triple

For the Braves:

Connolly reached 3 times

Smith had 3 hits

Gilbert hit a 2 run homer and had 3 RBI

Cather had two hits

We're heading to Boston for game 2; right handers on the mound again, Munger for the Cards and Rudolph, needing a win, for the Braves.

CF Hopp (27)  150   5.2

RF Musial (23) 174  7.9

1B Sanders (27) 125  2.6

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

LF Bergamo (27) 117 1

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

P Munger (25) 268  3.3 

2B Evers (32)       113    4.4

LF Connolly (30) 158    3.9

3B Smith (24)       148    2.7

RF Gilbert (22)    110     .6

1B Schmidt (27)   106    1.3

CF Cather (25)    115     .1

C Gowdy (24)      100     2.8

SS Maranville (22)  85   5.1

P Rudolph (26)  121  6.3

No lineup changes at all, makes sense given how both teams hit the ball in game 1 - must win for the Braves back home.  

1st: Dick Rudolph went 26-10 with a 2.35 ERA for the Braves and he's needed to keep their hopes alive; Johnny Hopp had four hits in game one and he keeps it rolling with a leadoff double; Musial is next - he reached four times as well and also continues - singling to right, scoring Hopp - the Cards just keep pounding away.  Sanders walks - Walker Cooper had the big blow in game one, the 3 run homer - and he gets a base hit, Musial scores - it's 2-0 and there still aren't any outs, Rudolph gets the next 3 - but the Cards, just needing today to move on, are up Cards 2 Braves 0

1st: All the Cards rotation options are good ones; they go with 25 year old Red Munger today; 11-3 with a 1.34 ERA; he has an easy time of it and we head to the second.

2nd: Rudolph matches Munger.

2nd: With one out, Butch Schmidt doubles, but he can't advance.

3rd: Sanders singles with one out, but that's it.

3rd: 3 up, 3 down.  After three it remains Cards 2 Braves 0

4th: Whitey Kurowski reached three times in game one, he singles to open the 4th, Marty Marion follows with a single, Emil Verban tripled back in game one - he singles here, Kurowski scores, it's now 3-0 with nobody out and there's a pall cast over the South End Grounds. After an out - Johnny Hopp maybe wraps up the MVP Award - he hits a 3 run bomb - that's six hits for Hopp - it's now 6-0 and the champagne is on ice in the visitor's clubhouse. Musial follows with a single. but we head to the bottom of the 4th, Cards 6 Braves 0

4th: Connolly opens with a walk and after an out Gilbert singles - but nothing else.

5th: After an out, Kurowski singles again, but that's all.

5th: Easy 5th for Munger and it's 6-0 as we go to the 6th.

6th: After an out - Johnny Hopp singles, his 7th hit of the series, and then Musial singles for the 7th time he's reached base in the series.  The Cardinals are killin' suckers today.  A Sanders groundout scores Hopp, it's 7-0. Paul Strand comes on now for the Braves, he gives up a single to Cooper but that's all.  Cards 7 Braves 0

6th: 3 up, 3 down.

7th: Verban singles with 2 out, but that's all.

7th: Schmidt walks with 2 out, but the Braves can't get anything going against Munger today.

8th: 3 up, 3 down.

8th: That's it for Munger, terrific start - 24 year old Bud Byerly gets the call; after an out, he gives up a single to Maranville, Whitted hits in the pitchers spot - he grounds to third - Kurowski throws to second -- but throws it into right field for a 2 base error -- Evers then singles to right, Maranville scores and it's 7-1; that's it - we are going to the 9th, Cards 7 Braves 1

9th: 24 year old right hander Iron Davis takes the hill for the Braves - he walks Cooper, walks Bergamo, throws a wild pitch and the Cards have two in scoring position - Kurowski lines out, Marion grounds out - but that scores Cooper. Verban comes through again - he singles - they'll be headed to the exits now in Boston, it's 9-1.  Dick Crutcher gets the call from the pen - Pepper Martin, Cardinal hero, is sent to pinch hit, he flies to left, Cards 9 Braves 1

9th: 22 year old Al Jursich takes over to get the last 3 outs, he does.

Cardinals 9

Braves 1

WP Munger

LP Rudolph

Great outing for Munger, 7 innings, 2 hits. Musial reached base 7 times in the series; Cooper had 5 RBI in the series; Verban hit - Kurowski hit.  But the MVP is Hippity Hopp - 7 hits including 2 doubles and that 3 run homer today that was the knockout blow.  

The '44 Cards move on - there's one spot remaining in Region 1.

47. 1956 New York Yankees v. 82. 2019 Washington Nationals

The '52 Yankees are already through - the '56 World Series Champs meet, at the time of this writing, the most recent World Series Champions.

Nationals-Davey Martinez

1B Kendrick (35) 142  2.8

3B Rendon (29)   153   6.6

SS Turner (26)     113   3.6

LF Soto (20)        138    5.4

C Suzuki (35)      102    .9

2B Dozier (32)     95     1.1

RF Eaton (30)      101   2.5

CF Robles (22)    88     3.1

P Scherzer (34)    157  6.2

Bench: 

C Gomes (31)      78     1.4

1B Adams (30)    83     -.1

2B Cabrera (33)  143    1

Game 2 SP: Strasburg (30) 138  6.6

Game 3 SP: Corbin (29)  141      6.5

Probably, Adams/Cabrera are platooning at first and second and they'll face right handed Yankee starters the rest of the series (Adams is not going to play; if I don't have to, I'm not playing a negative WAR player in this tournament)  Gomes/Suzuki will be a play the hot bat situation for Martinez.            

Yankees-Casey Stengel

LF Cerv (31)  146   .6

C Berra (31)   142   6.1

CF Mantle (24)  210  10.8

1B Skowron (25) 142  4

SS McDougald (28) 127  5

RF Bauer (33)    102    1.2

2B Martin (28)  89    1.2

3B Carey (24)   74    .6

P Ford (27)      157  6.1

Bench

LF Howard (27)  80  -.1

Game 2 SP: Sturdivant (26) 118  3.5

Game 3 SP: Larsen (26) 119 2.6

Howard plays left if we get to game 3 (nope) and the Nats throw the lefty Corbin; not likely to see much change before then.  The Favored Yanks have the advantage at C-1B-2B-SS-CF; the Nats have the starting pitching advantage in each game

1st: Whitey Ford is a 27 year old lefty; 19-6 with a 2.46 ERA; he has an easy first.

1st: Max Scherzer is a 34 year old right hander, 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA; after two out, Mickey Mantle singles to left center, but that's all.

2nd: Juan Soto leads off with a walk but that's it.

2nd: Gil McDougald opens the Yankee second by hitting a ball that just barely clears the left field wall - the Yankee Stadium faithful let him know about it - the Bombers are up 1.  2  outs later, Andy Carey doubles, but it ends there.  Nationals 0 Yankees 1

3rd: After two out, Howie Kendrick gets the Nats their first hit of the day, a single to right center; Anthony Rendon then rips a base hit to right center - Kendrick's running on the pitch and he slides into third.  Trea Turner gets behind 0-2, fights off a couple of foul balls- and then hits a line drive right down the right field line --- everyone is going to score..the inning will end Nationals 2 Yankees 1

3rd: Yogi draws a one out walk, he's replaced on the bases by Mantle after a fielder's choice - and then Moose Skowron ties the game with a double over Robles' head in center - the Mick trucks all the way around to score the inning ends Nationals 2 Yankees 2

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Victor Robles singles to open the frame and moves over on a Scherzer sacrifice; Howie Kendrick singles again, driving a ball to right -- Robles never stops, sliding in under the tag after Bauer's throw to the plate, the inning will end Nationals 3 Yankees 2

5th: Whitey could swing the bat a little and he opens up with a single - Bob Cerv, who took Elston Howard's left field job for the tournament, then doubles to the right field corner -- New York takes a shot and sends Ford - challenging Adam Eaton - Eaton hits Dozier -- who throws home - and Suzuki swipe tags Ford, preventing the tying run and the Yankees won't score at all 

6th: Soto opens with a single, after an out, Brian Dozier singles, runners on the corners, but Ford gets an Adam Eaton double play to hold the Nats lead to one.

6th: Scherzer rolls through them.  

7th: Robles opens with a walk, Martinez decides to leave Scherzer in, his bunt attempt is unsuccessful and there's one away. An out later Rendon singles - the Nats have runners on the corners for Turner, who doubled home the Nats first two runs back in the third.  Ford gets him.  It remains 3-2.

7th: After an out, Stengel leaves Ford to hit for himself and he works a walk, he's replaced on the basepaths by Cerv after a fielders choice and with 2 away, Yogi singles.  So, here's the spot.  2 on  2 out.  Yankees down by a run.  Mickey Mantle comes to the plate.  And he hits a moon shot.  Deep into the right field seats -- a 3 run bomb - Mantle has brought the Yankees back and now they lead 5-3.  26 year old right hander Tanner Rainey comes on for Scherzer, who just went one batter two long today, he gives up a walk to Skowron and a single to McDougald, but that's it.  Nationals 3 Yankees 5

8th: With 2 out, Ford gives up a single to Dozier, but that's all.

8th: Andy Carey doubles with two out, Casey calls on 35 year old Eddie Robinson to hit for Ford -- Robinson's an interesting choice, he only hit .222 - but he had 5 homers in just 62 plate appearances and maybe Casey thinks he has a chance to catch one here.  And by god he does.  Eddie Robinson lines one into the right field seats -- pandemonium at Yankee Stadium, it's a two run that makes it 7-3 and probably ends this one.  Cerv follows with a double, that forces Martinez back to the pen, 27 year old right hander Wander Suero gets the call, he gives up a double to Berra - it's 8-3; Mantle walks and Suero's able to end it, but it sure looks ended; Nationals 3 Yankees 8

9th: 36 year old Tommy Byrne gets the call to nail it down, he gives up a pinch triple to Asdrubal Cabrera, but it doesn't change the scoreboard.  

Nationals 3

Yankees 8

WP Ford

LP Scherzer

For the Yankees -

Cerv had 2 doubles

Yogi reached base 3 times including a double

Mantle reached base 4 times including that 3 run homer than won the game

McDougald homers, Robinson homered

Carey doubled twice and Whitey Ford went 8, giving up 3

For the Nats-

2 hits each for Kendrick/Rendon/Dozier.

We're heading to DC for Game 2 - Stephen Strasburg in the must win game for the Nats; Tom Sturdivant for the Yanks, both right handed.  

Yankees-Casey Stengel

LF Cerv (31)  146   .6

C Berra (31)   142   6.1

CF Mantle (24)  210  10.8

1B Skowron (25) 142  4

SS McDougald (28) 127  5

RF Bauer (33)    102    1.2

2B Martin (28)  89    1.2

3B Carey (24)   74    .6

P Sturdivant (26) 118  3.5

Nationals-Davey Martinez

2B Cabrera (33)  143    1

LF Soto (20)        138    5.4

3B Rendon (29)   153   6.6

1B Kendrick (35) 142  2.8

RF Eaton (30)      101   2.5

SS Turner (26)     113   3.6

CF Robles (22)    88     3.1

C Gomes (31)      78     1.4

P Strasburg (30) 138   6.6

Yankees roll out the same lineup; Cabrera and Gomes slide in for the Nats in the must win game 2 at Nationals Park.  One Region 2 spot remains.

1st: Must win game for the Nats and Stephen Strasburg, 18-6, 3.32 ERA, takes the ball.  Bob Cerv reaches on an error, but that's all.

1st: Tom Sturdivant is 16-6, 3.30 ERA and looks to send the Yankees into the next round; he walks Asdrubal Cabrera to open the game and then gives up a base hit to Juan Soto putting men on the corners.  After an out - Howie Kendrick singles and the Nats are on the board in the first.  Adam Eaton follows with a single - Soto will score - and after the second out, Victor Robles hits one high off the left field foul pole - a majestic 3 run homer -- that's 5 runs; Sturdivant then hits Gomes - almost certainly out of frustration, that's all but the Nationals open up a must win game by batting around; Yankees 0 Nationals 5      

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Better inning for Sturdivant.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Eaton draws a one out walk and goes all the way to third on a Trea Turner single - Turner then swipes second and the Nats have two in scoring position. Victor Robles then comes through again - lacing a single to right center -- everyone scores.  Washington's up 7-0 and it sure looks like we'll be headed to Yankee Stadium for a showdown.  Yankees 0 Nationals 7

4th: With one out, Yogi gets the Yankees first hit, but that's it.  

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Gil McDougald opens with a double - and after groundouts by Bauer and Martin, he crosses the plate. Strasburg then walks Carey - and Casey turns to the bench, bringing in Eddie Robinson to hit for Sturdivant - and Strasburg strikes him out.  Yankees 1 Nationals 7

5th: 27 year old lefty Mickey McDermott gets the call; he has an easy inning.

6th: Yogi singles again with one out but that's it.

6th: Robles singles again - but he's cut down attempting to steal (with a 6 run lead, that might get some attention) and they're down in order.

7th: McDougald opens up with a single - but nothing else.  

7th: Rendon singles with two out - Kendrick gets his 4th hit of the series with a single - and then Eaton drives Rendon home with a base hit.  This inning ends Yankees 1 Nationals 8

8th: 28 year old Billy Hunter hits in the pitchers spot - and he triples to right -- Bob Cerv follows by dumping a ball into the left field seats - New York makes loud contact for the first time all day and it's 8-3. Two outs later, Moose Skowron singles but the inning ends there.  Yankees 3 Nationals 8

8th: 24 year old lefty Rip Coleman takes the mound, he gives up Robles' fourth hit of the day - and again Robles is looking to run, but again he's gunned down - Coleman throws up and in to Gomes, brushing him back, perhaps as a response to young Robles continuing to look to swipe bags - but Gomes was hit earlier in the day; and now he's jawing at Coleman -- and on the next pitch, Gomes lines a homer to left center -- and now the entire Nationals dugout is out - they are in full celebration; this stadium is rocking - it is 9-3 Washington and we are almost certainly going back to New York and this series has some real edge to it now.  The veteran Ryan Zimmerman gets the call to hit for Strasburg - he singles - and an out later, Juan Soto drives a double to the wall -- Zimmerman rumbles all the way around - slides in under the tag - Washington's 10-3, they are in full fist pumping mode right now in feels like all of DC is celebrating.  The Yankees best bullpen arm is 26 year old right hander Bob Grim, he comes on, Rendon singles -- Soto scores and it's 11-3.  Kendrick then singles - but the damage ends there, Yankees 3 Nationals 11

9th: 32 year old Daniel Hudson only threw 25 innings for the Nats this season, but they were exceptional, he had a 1.44 ERA, he comes on to finish this one, he gives up a single to Bauer - but that it.

Yankees 3

Nationals 11

WP Strasburg

LP Sturdivant

For the Nats:

Soto had two hits, including a double

Rendon had two hits and now has four on the series

Kendrick had 3 hits and he's got 5 on the series

Eaton had two hits and two RBI

The big day belonged to Robles; 4 hits, including that HR, and 5 RBI

Gomes added a HR

And Strasburg came up strong, 8 innings, 3 runs.

For New York:

Cerv followed up his 2 double game with a HR

Yogi had two hits and has reached base 5 times

McDougald followed his HR in game one with two hits including a double.

Mantle went 0-4

We head to Yankee Stadium for our last round 1 game in Region 2.  The Nationals will go to a lefty, Patrick Corbin - and the Yankees counter with a man who threw a perfect game in the '56 Series - the right handed Don Larsen.

Nationals-Davey Martinez

2B Cabrera (33)  143    1

LF Soto (20)        138    5.4

3B Rendon (29)   153   6.6

1B Kendrick (35) 142  2.8

RF Eaton (30)      101   2.5

SS Turner (26)     113   3.6

CF Robles (22)    88     3.1

C Gomes (31)      78     1.4

P Corbin (29)    141      6.5

Yankees-Casey Stengel

LF Cerv (31)  146   .6

SS McDougald (28) 127  5

CF Mantle (24)  210  10.8

1B Skowron (25) 142  4

C Berra (31)   142   6.1

RF Bauer (33)    102    1.2

2B Martin (28)  89    1.2

3B Carey (24)   74    .6

P  Larsen (26) 119 2.6

Winner take all.  One spot left in Region One.  Nats/Yanks.  Let's go

1st: 26 year old right hander Don Larsen takes the hill for the Yankees. He was 11-5 with a 3.26 ERA; he gives up a 1 out walk to Juan Soto, there will not be a perfect game today, but that's all.

1st: 29 year old lefty Patrick Corbin was 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA and he's on the mound for the Nats; he sets the Yanks down in order.

2nd: Trea Turner draws a two out walk and then steals second, giving the Nats a runner in scoring position, but that's it.

2nd: Moose Skowron leads off with a walk and moves to second on a ground ball; and out later Billy Martin draws a walk.  2 on - 2 out - and that's it.  

3rd: Yan Gomes earns a leadoff walk, Corbin bunts him over - but that's as far as it goes.  Larsen's yet to give up a hit.

3rd: After an out, Bob Cerv's aboard with a walk, but that's all.  We are through 3 innings in this winner take all game - Nats 0 Yankees 0 

4th: Anthony Rendon drives the first pitch of the 4th inning down the left field line and it sneaks over the wall - the Nats take the lead.  Howie Kendrick follows with a single and that's all.  Nats 1 Yankees 0

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Andy Carey walks, but that's it.  Don't look now - the Yankees don't have a hit.  

6th: After an out, Larsen walks Rendon - Casey isn't waiting a second, he goes to the pen, despite Larsen throwing a two hitter - 36 year old lefty Tommy Byrne takes the ball; he gives up a single to Kendrick, runners on the corners, just one out, one run game -- Adam Eaton hits a fly ball to Cerv...it's too shallow for Rendon to take a shot.  And there are 2 outs.  Trea Turner is next...and he doubles to center...Rendon scores...Kendrick scores...man, oh man, the Nats are up 3-0 and the Yanks still don't have a hit.  Robles is next - he had 5 RBI in game two and he triples home Turner!  Now it's 4-0 Nats in this winner take all matchup. Intentional walk to Gomes to pitch to Corbin and that's it.  Big, big inning.  Nationals 4 Yankees 0

6th: McDougald flies out.  Mantle strikes out.  Skowron grounds out.  The Yankees do not have a hit.

7th: Cabrera and Soto open with singles - man, you have to think even one more run and this series is over; Rendon walks. Bases loaded.  Nobody out. And Howie Kendrick ends the series with a GRAND SLAM home run; I believe that to be the first of the tournament; it's 8-0 Nationals and folks, you can send them onto the next round.  McDermott comes on to pitch; he gives up a single to Robles but that's all. Nationals 8 Yankees 0

7th: Berra grounds out.  Bauer strikes out.  And Billy Martin breaks it up with a double.  Helluva outing for Corbin - he goes 6 2/3 before allowing a base hit; Andy Carey follows with a run scoring double, this inning will end Nationals 8 Yankees 1

8th: Juan Soto singles with two outs, that's all.

8th: Mantle gets his first hit since game one, a two out single, but that's it.  We head to the 9th.

9th: Kendrick and Eaton open with singles, an out later Robles walks to load them up - an out later Ryan Zimmerman comes on to hit for Corbin - he singles home two runs; there's a huge party back in DC as Yankee stadium starts to clear out, Nats 10 Yankees 1

9th: Daniel Hudson comes on - 1-2-3.

Nationals 10

Yankees 1

WP Corbin

LP Larsen

Soto had a couple hits today; Rendon homered, Robles followed up a 4 hit game 2 with two more hits, including a triple - and you can't forget the great Patrick Corbin outing - just totally shutting the Yankees down on the road in a winner take all spot.

But the MVP is Howie Kendrick; 9 hits in the series; which I think is the tournament high to date. And he hit the grand slam today that wrapped this whole thing up.

Here's how it will look when we come back to Region 2 for Round 2 (5 game series)

1967 St Louis Cardinals v. 1948 Cleveland Indians

2017 Los Angeles Dodgers v. 1952 New York Yankees

1937 New York Yankees v. 1912 New York Giants

1944 St Louis Cardinals v. 2019 Washington Nationals

When we come back  - it's off to Region 3, for the current remaining top overall seed, the 1906 Chicago Cubs.  

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Two Series 5-6

Series 3-4 are here

15. 1937 New York Yankees v. 114. 1928 Philadelphia Athletics 

The '29 A's have moved forward; the '31 A's got bounced.  The '39 Yankees lost, but both the '41 and '43 Yankees have advanced.  Joe McCarthy's World Champions against a 98 win second place Connie Mack squad.  Let's take a look at the game 1 matchup.

Athletics - Connie Mack

2B Bishop (28)    127   4.75

C Cochrane (25)  122  4.1

LF Simmons (26) 145  4

1B Foxx (20)        148   4.7

CF Miller (33)      117   2.9

RF Cobb (41)       112    1.3

3B Hale (31)        106    1.9

SS Dykes (31)      93      1.2

P Grove (28)        155    6.6

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

RF Selkirk (29)    156    3

LF Henrich (24)   141   1.8

CF DiMaggio (22) 166  9.2

1B Gehrig (34)     176    7.4

C Dickey (30)       144    7.3

2B Lazzeri (33)    86      1.9

3B Rolfe (28)       86       2.7

SS Crosetti (26)   73       1.9

P Gomez (28)      193      8.2

Holy hell, look at this matchup.  5 men in the A's lineup are in the Hall of Fame and a 40 year old Tris Speaker is on the bench.  Also on the bench is Joe Hauser; he'll play first against a right handed starter with Foxx shifting to third.  For the Yanks, neither Selkirk or Henrich got the lions share of the at bats in their respective spots, but both are clearly the better options, even against a lefty. This Yankee lineup is likely to be the lineup going forward.  Yankees have the WAR advantage at C-1B-SS-3B-CF-RF and with today's starting pitcher

1st: Couple of pitchers named Lefty going at it in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium; Gomez won 21 games for New York with a 2.33 ERA. After an out, he walks Mickey Cochrane and after a second, he walks Jimmie Foxx - but thats it for the A's.

1st: Grove was 24-8 with a 2.58 ERA; after an out, he walks Tommy Henrich, but that's it for New York.

2nd: 3 up, 3 down.

2nd: With one out, Lazzeri singles between short and third; but nothing else.

3rd: 3 up, 3 down. The A's are hitless through three.

3rd: With one out, George Selkirk hits a ground ruled double to right, an out later, Joe DiMaggio singles him home and the Yankees hit the scoreboard first. Athletics 0 Yankees 1

4th: With an out, Jimmie Foxx singles to right center, that's it.

4th: Easy inning for Grove.  

5th: Sammy Hale leads off with a single, but Dickey guns him down on a strike him out, throw him out, and Gomez hasn't allowed a runner in scoring position since the first.

5th: Gomez helps himself with a one out walk, but nothing else.  The pitcher's duel continues, Athletics 0 Yankees 1

6th: With one out, the A's get back to back singles from Cochrane and Simmons - that brings Foxx to the plate with the go ahead run on base, and he comes through.  Foxx singles to right center, Cochrane scores, Simmons goes to third and now the A's have them on the corners with the score tied -- Bing Miller hits what looks like an inning ending double play grounder to short - but Frankie Crosetti kicks it - Simmons scores, everyone's safe -- it's 2-1 Athletics. 

6th: Grove gets DiMaggio-Gehrig-Dickey in order.

7th: With one out, Jimmy Dykes doubles - Mack makes a big move here; lifting Grove for Joe Hauser, who is a big lefty bat off the bench today - but Gomes escapes it and the Yankees remain within one.

7th: Eddie Rommel is the A's best bullpen arm; won 13 games, he's a right hander and he comes on; he gives up a one out walk to Red Rolfe but thats all.  We go to the 8th.  Athletics 2 Yankees 1

8th: Simmons singles with one out - but Gomez gets a Foxx double play and thats it.

8th: Tommy Henrich leads off with a single - so here comes the heart of the Yankee order, down 1 in the bottom of the 8th.  Rommel sets them down 1-2-3.

9th: Bing Miller leads off with a single and he's bunted over by Ty Cobb (Ty Cobb!) Hale hits a fly ball that Selkirk misplays -- he's safe on the error and Miller's at third - and then Jimmy Dykes gets the big blow, a double to left center that clears the bases - it's 4-1 A's. 

9th: 35 year old Bullet Joe Bush wasn't great; ERA over 5 - but he gets the call to finish off the Yankees; with one out, he gives up a walk to Rolfe - and then a bleeder to Crosetti.  Tying run comes to the plate - Myril Hoag split time in right with Selkirk during the season and he gets the call; Bush gets a ground ball - they knock off the runner at second and New York as men on the corners and two out - Mack goes back to the pen to get his 5th starter; Howard Ehmke, a solid right hander -- and he gives up a double to Selkirk.  Rolfe scores - Hoag's help up at third; and now with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th, the tying runs are in scoring position for the Yankees.  Ehmke then walks Henrich -- bases loaded.  2 out.  Yankees down by two and DiMaggio comes to the plate.  And he walks.  4-3 A's.  Bases still loaded.  Still 2 out and now it's Gehrig at the plate -- what a spot here in this tournament - Gehrig works the count to 3-2.....and then he grounds to second - easy flip to first and the Athletics have held on.

Athletics 4

Yankees 3

WP Grove

LP Gomez

Simmons, Foxx and Dykes all had two hits - both of Dykes's hits were doubles, that big shot in the 9th gave the A's what turned out to be needed insurance runs. Terrific outing for Grove - 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run.  Selkirk had two hits for New York; Henrich reached three times.  Gehrig and Dickey went 0-9.

We're headed to Shibe Park for Game 2; Philadelphia is going with another lefty, 17 game winner Rube Walberg -- the Yankees have 20 game winner Red Ruffing, right handed, looking to extend their tournament run.

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

RF Selkirk (29)    156    3

CF DiMaggio (22) 166  9.2

1B Gehrig (34)     176    7.4

C Dickey (30)       144    7.3

LF Henrich (24)   141   1.8

2B Lazzeri (33)    86      1.9

3B Rolfe (28)       86       2.7

SS Crosetti (26)   73       1.9

P Ruffing (32)     150     5.6

Athletics - Connie Mack

2B Bishop (28)    127   4.75

C Cochrane (25)  122  4.1

LF Simmons (26) 145  4

3B Foxx (20)        148   4.7

1B Hauser (29)    128    1.9

CF Miller (33)      117   2.9

RF Cobb (41)       112    1.3

SS Dykes (31)      93      1.2

P Walberg (31)   113     3.5

1st: 17-12 with a 3.55 ERA, Rube Walberg gets the ball against the Yankees; he gets the first two, then Gehrig gets his first hit of the series, a single to right center, but that's it for New York.

1st: Ruffing's 20-7 with a 2.98 ERA; he needs a win to save the Yankees hopes; with two out, Al Simmons hits a bomb, deep into the left field seats and the A's have a 1-0 lead. Foxx walks - Joe Hauser gets the start at first today against the right hander and he pays off immediately with a two run shot to right center.  Philadelphia has scored 3 in the first. 

2nd: The Yankees are down a game and now down 3 runs; Tommy Henrich hits the first pitch of the second for a double, Lazzeri grounds to the right side to move him up a base and Red Rolfe grounds to first.  Hauser takes it to the bag, Henrich scores and it's 3-1. Frankie Crosetti singles on a 3-2 count, but that's it.  Yankees 1 Athletics 3

2nd: With one out, Jimmy Dykes singles to left but that's all.  

3rd: Selkirk leads off with a walk - DiMaggio hits ball that looks like its headed for left - Jimmy Dykes makes a diving stop - but his throw pulls Hauser off the bag at first - the official scores it an error, which is a tough decision, but regardless, the Yankees have first and second and nobody out. After an out - Dickey blasts one off the wall - everybody scores - New York has tied the game. Yankees 3 Athletics 3

3rd: Cochrane leads with a single, Simmons hits a sinking liner to center that's snagged in a nifty play by DiMaggio and that's it for the A's.  We head to the 4th all knotted at 3.

4th: Rolfe opens with a walk, after two outs, Selkirk draws his second free pass of the day, but that's all.

4th: Dykes singles with two out and Walberg helps himself with a base hit - but Ruffing gets out of that.  

5th: Gehrig hits a rocket - just a full rocket - it clears the scoreboard in right center and it's 4-3 Yankees. After an out, Henrich hits his second double of the day and now the Yankees have the go ahead run in scoring position - but Walberg gets out of that. Yankees 4 Athletics 3

5th: Cochrane leads with a base hit, his second, Al Simmons walks and after an out, Joe Hauser walks and Ruffing's in it now; bases loaded, just one out -- and Ruffing gets Bing Miller 6-4-3, for the huge inning ending double play and we're headed to the 6th.

6th: With two out, Selkirk walks for the 3rd time today and then the great DiMaggio lines one over the wall in left - New York has gone up 6-3. 

6th: With two out, Mack makes the move to pull Walberg in favor of Sammie Hale, he's aboard with a single but that's all.  We go to the 7th - Yanks up 3.

7th: 30 year old right hander Eddie Rommel comes on for Mack; he has an easy inning.

7th: Cochrane opens with his 3rd hit of the day - and with Simmons and Foxx next, this sure feels like a pivotal spot today.  Simmons singles and Foxx walks -- and now, now Ruffing has loaded the bases, there are no outs - Hauser homered back in the first and he's coming to the plate.  Does McCarthy go get Ruffing?  He doesn't.  Hauser hits a bullet right at Gehrig for the first out and then it happens again to Bing Miller - a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.  The Yankees bounce off the field - we're headed to the 8th inning and it's still Yankees 6 Athletics 3

8th: Another easy inning for Rommel.

8th: Dykes gets a one out base hit, but that's it.  

9th: Hard to get George Selkirk out today, he leads off with a single, after an out, Gehrig singles him over the third - and then Dickey doubles them both home; that's going to wrap this up, it's Yankees 8 A's 3 and we'll be headed back to New York for a winner take all game 3.  

9th: Cochrane opens with a walk and maybe we spoke a little too soon as Al Simmons hits a 2 run shot to make it 8-5. Two outs later Miller singles - that's finally the end of Ruffing's day, 28 year old right hander Johnny Murphy comes on to close - he walks Ty Cobb, and that means the tying run is at the plate - but Murphy strikes out Dykes and it's done.

Yankees 8

Athletics 5

WP Ruffing

LP Walberg

Big homers in this one by DiMaggio and Gehrig, Gehrig added a couple of singles. Selkirk reached base 4 times on a single and 3 walks. Dickey and Henrich had two doubles each; Henrich had 4 RBI.  

2 homers today for Al Simmons; Hauser had one; 3 hit days for both Cochrane and Dykes. 

And so we turn to game 3; The Yankees will turn to 28 year old right hander Monte Pearson, 9-3 with a 3.17 ERA.  The A's - well they have a former Yankee; 44 year old right hander Jack Quinn started his career in New York back in 1909 - he's done two stints as a Yankee and he returns to Yankee Stadium with an 18-7 record and a 2.90 ERA looking to close his former club out.  

A's.  Yankees. Winner take all.

Athletics - Connie Mack

2B Bishop (28)    127   4.75

C Cochrane (25)  122  4.1

LF Simmons (26) 145  4

3B Foxx (20)        148   4.7

1B Hauser (29)    128    1.9

RF Cobb (41)       112    1.3

CF Speaker (40)  95      .3

SS Dykes (31)      93      1.2

P Quinn (44)       138     3.4

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

LF Henrich (24)   141   1.8

RF Selkirk (29)    156    3

CF DiMaggio (22) 166  9.2

1B Gehrig (34)     176    7.4

C Dickey (30)       144    7.3

3B Rolfe (28)       86       2.7

2B Lazzeri (33)    86      1.9

SS Crosetti (26)   73       1.9

P Pearson (28)     142     2.8

The big move is pulled by Mack; after Bing Miller's two bases loaded inning ending double plays in game 2 - he decides to go with Speaker; Speaker in 1928 is not really Speaker anymore than Cobb is really Cobb - but there they are, combined age of 81, playing together in the OF of a winner take all game.  

1st: Couple of right handers to end this series; Monte Pearson only won 9 games but has the third best ERA for Yankee starters (you need a min of 100 IP to start in the tournament, making Spud Chandler ineligible) so he gets the ball. After an out, Mickey Cochrane who had three hits in game two, doubles, Simmons singles to left - that puts men on the corners and then Jimmie Foxx deposits one in the left field seats.  Just as they did in Game 2 - The Athletics have busted out with 3 in the first.  Athletics 3 Yankees 0

1st: Jack Quinn was born in 1883; spent four years with the Yankees, a year with the Braves, jumped to the Federal League where he won 26 games one year and lost 22 the next.  Left for two years, perhaps for WWI, I'm not going to look it up, spent a year with the White Sox, three more with the Yankees, four with the Red Sox and then in '25 became an Athletic.  Four straight years all he did was get better - each year a little better than the one prior.  Now he's 44 (he pitches until he's 49 and dies at 62) back in Yankee Stadium in a winner take all showdown. He gives up a leadoff single to Tommy Henrich - George Selkirk reached four times in game two and he lines a double right down the right field line - Henrich comes all the way around and the Yankees are on the board.  Quinn gets an out - then Gehrig laces a single to center - men on the corners; Dickey follows with a single - Selkirk scores and we're going to head to the 2nd; Athletics 3 Yankees 2

2nd: Much better for Pearson.  3 up, 3 down.

2nd: Quinn matches.

3rd:  8 straight for Pearson.

3rd: 8 straight for Quinn.

4th: With two out, Cobb leans into a breaking ball, taking it off the leg - 10 straight was enough for Cobb and if he has to get hit to break that up, he does. 41 year old Ty Cobb stole 6 bases in '28...but he swipes one here.  And that brings up 40 year old Tris Speaker; he hit .267 as a spare part - and in this spot he doubles to right center.  Tris Speaker has come through - Cobb has come through - he comes around to score and it's 4-2 A's. There's a walk to Dykes and that's all.  Athletics 4 Yankees 2

4th: Gehrig leads off the 4th with a walk but that's all - Quinn hasn't given up a hit since the 1st.

5th: Max Bishop leads off with a single, but Pearson gets Cochrane/Simmons/Foxx.

5th: Crosetti leads off with a single and McCarthy goes to the bench; the right hander Myril Hoag will hit for Pearson and he comes through with a single to right and the Yanks have them on the corners. Henrich then singles -- Crosetti scores, Hoag to third - now it's 4-3 A's and there's still nobody out. Quinn gets Henrich - but then he's got to face DiMaggio/Gehrig/Dickey.  DiMaggio slaps a base hit to right - Hoag scores the tying run; Henrich to third.  Still men on the corners for Gehrig.  And Lou Gehrig hits a 3 run homer into the seats in right.  Jubilation at Yankee Stadium - New York has scored 5 runs; it's 7-4 Yankees. 

6th: The right hander Johnny Murphy comes on; he's greeted by a ground ruled double by Hauser - but that's all - the inning ends with a tremendous diving stop by Rolfe that guns out Dykes with Hauser standing on third.  

6th: The right hander Eddie Rommel hits the mound - and gives up a first pitch home run to Lazzeri - the Yanks are now up 8-4. 

7th: Murphy gives up a 2 out walk, but that's all.  And now the A's are running out of outs.

7th: 3 up, 3 down.  Let's go to the 8th.

8th: 34 year old right hander Pat Malone did not have a strong season, he comes on for New York - with two out - he gives up a base hit to Cobb.  Then gives up a base hit to Speaker.  And then Jimmy Dykes hits a 3 run home run.  Oh man, oh man -- Cobb and Speaker just keep the inning alive and Jimmy Dykes has cut the lead to 8-7 and Yankee Stadium is stunned.  Ivy Andrews had a solid year at the back of the Yankee pen and he comes on; he gives up a base hit to Rommel - who Mack leaves in to hit for himself.  The tying run is now on base for Bishop - but he flies to center.  Still...Athletics 7 Yankees 8. 

8th: Dickey leads off with a single and then Rommel walks Rolfe - man, these Yankees just keep pressing; a groundout moves Dickey to third and a Crosetti groundout brings him home and the Yankees have some insurance. Athletics 7 Yankees 9

9th: 27 year old right hander Frank Makosky enters, looking to end the series - but he's got to go through some big bats to do it.  Cochrane leads off with a single.  Simmons grounds to third - there's no play at second, but they get the out at first.  Two to go.  Makosky, understandably, is very cautious with Foxx - and he loses him.  The tying run is on base and Hauser comes to the plate.  And he singles to load the bases.  Do you know what that means?  Cobb and Speaker are next  All time legends in the twilight of their careers given this start by Mack, both have come through already today.  Cobb works the count to 3-2...and then lines a single to left.  Cochrane scores - now it's 9-8 Yankees and the bases are still loaded for Speaker.  And Tris Speaker - Tris Speaker who didn't see any action at all in the first two games - gets his third hit of the day - he laces a single to right center -- Foxx scores the tying run...here comes Hauser...DiMaggio hits the cut off man Lazzeri - Lazzeri throws home -- SAFE - Hauser slides under Dickey's tag and the A's have come all the way back to take a 10-9 lead and they are jubilant.  Lefty Kemp Wicker got 10 starts this year and he comes on for the Yankees - he gets Dykes to hit a shallow fly to right - a younger Ty Cobb almost certainly would have dared Selkirk to throw him out - but the 41 year old version stays at third.  Bing Miller hits for Rommel, grounds out and the inning is over but the proverbial damage has been done.  We head to the bottom of the 9th Athletics 10 Yankees 9

9th: 35 year old Bullet Joe Bush gets the call.  3 outs away.  Tommy Henrich leads off with a single - and then Wood has one get away, he hits Selkirk.  Tying run in scoring position.  Winning run at first.  And here come DiMaggio/Gehrig/Dickey.  DiMaggio grounds to short - they get Selkirk, but DiMaggio beats it out.  Men on the corners.  1 out.  Yankees down a run.  Gehrig.  And he singles to left - Henrich scores -- DiMaggio was running all the way and he slides in under the tag at third - Gehrig's tied the game, runners still on the corners for Dickey.  Dickey hits a fly to left - Simmons catches it - DiMaggio tags - there's going to be a play at the plate - Cochrane blocks the plate - DiMaggio goes in spikes high --- 

Safe.  

Athletics 10

Yankees 11

WP Wicker

LP Bush

Maybe my favorite game of the tournament so far; Cobb and Speaker just do everything they possibly could; 5 hits, 4 RBI, and when the A's most needed them, they came through.  It just wasn't enough. 

 

In the last two games of the series; a half dozen RBI for Dickey - a half dozen hits for Gehrig, including two homers with that monster 3 run shot today.  Gehrig and Dickey are co MVPs.

The '37 Yankees move on.  They'll meet the winners of this series:

50. 1912 New York Giants v. 79. 1993 Atlanta Braves

It's the NL West Champs, 104 game winning Braves against the NL pennant winning Giants.  The '97 Braves lost in Region 1; both the '08 and the '11 Giants lost in Region 1.  One of these franchises is about to place its first representative into the next round.

Game One

Braves-Bobby Cox

SS Blauser (27) 125  5.9

LF Gant (28)     126  4.7

RF Justice (27)  131  5.2

1B McGriff (29) 165  2.8

CF Sanders (25) 105  1.2

3B Pendleton (32) 91  2.3

2B Lemke (27)    82    2

C Berryhill (29)   79   .9

P Maddux (27)    170 7.5

Bench:

CF Nixon (34)     81   2.6

C Olson (32)        65   .1

Game 2 SP: Avery (23)  136   4.7

Game 3 SP Glavine (27) 126   3.5

                     Smoltz (26) 111    3.4

Giants-John McGraw

2B Doyle (25)     132  5

C Meyers (31)    147  4.5

1B Merkle (23)  121   2.4

CF Becker (25)  101   1.2

RF Murray (28) 97     2.1

LF Devore (24) 103     .7

SS Shafer (23)   99      1.3

3B Herzog (26)  90      3.4

P Mathewson (31) 161 7.6

Bench:

SS Fletcher (27) 89  3.3

LF Snodgrass (24) 96  1.1

Game 2 SP: Tesreau (24) 173  3.8

Game 3 SP: Marquard (25) 133  5.7

                      Ames (29) 138  2.4

Right handers going for both teams, so we've got lineups to account for that; when lefties start, Otis Nixon will move into center; Greg Olson will catch for Atlanta - and Art Fletcher and Fred Snodgrass will play for the Giants. Jeff Tesreau will pitch for New York in Game 2; he'll match up against Steve Avery.  If there's a game 3; the Giants will choose between Rube Marquard and Red Ames and the Braves will have both Glavine and Smoltz ready to fire. The Giants have a WAR advantage at C-2B-3B-and with their all time Hall of Fame game 1 starting pitcher, just edging the Braves all time Hall of Fame starting pitcher. CF is a push, unless Nixon plays, in which case the Braves have the advantage. The Braves will have the pitching advantage in game 2, likely, the Giants would in game 3.

Let's do it.

1st: Mathewson's 23-10 with a 2.12 ERA; he's one of the truly great pitchers who ever lived and he gets the ball in game 1.  He throws 8 pitches and is out of the inning.

1st: Maddux is 20-10 with a 2.36 ERA, he's one of the truly great pitchers who ever lived and he gets the ball in game 1. After an out, he gives up a single to Chief Meyers, but that's all.

2nd: 3 up. 3 down.

2nd: Red Murray opens up with a single and then steals second; Josh Devore hits a bleeder that just reaches the outfield and there are men on the corners. Tillie Shafer hits a fly ball to center for a sac fly and the Giants are on the board. A second out follows, then Christy Mathewson helps himself by lacing a double down the left field line - Devore scores - Braves 0 Giants 2. 

3rd: The Braves get baserunners - Mark Lemke and Damon Berryhill get back to back leadoff singles; Maddux bunts them forward - and then Blauser punches a single to right - Lemke scores - they send Berryhill - Red Murray guns him down; there is a full blow up at the plate with Berryhill and Meyers; he holds on for the out, both catchers are down for a couple of minutes. Blauser winds up at second base with two outs and that's all they get.  Braves 1 Giants 2

3rd: Meyers made that great play to hold onto the ball the inning before - and opens up here with his second single of the day. He moves a base forward when Fred Merkle hits a grounder to the right side; and then Beals Becker laces a triple over Deion's head in center - Meyers scores - and this inning will end Braves 1 Giants 3

4th: After an out, Fred McGriff singles, he's replaced on the bases by Deion Sanders after a fielders choice - Deion steals second and then scores on a Terry Pendleton liner to right. Braves 2 Giants 3

4th: Easy inning for Maddux.

5th: Easy inning for Matty.

5th: After an out, Meyers gets his third hit of the day; McGraw's aggressive on a hit and run - but it's a strike em out, throw em out to end the inning.

6th: With 2 out, McGriff singles again, but that's all.

6th: Becker hit that triple in the third - he doubles here to lead off the inning; after two outs he's sitting at third base - McGraw decided to go with his utility man, Tillie Shafer at short today - he gets his second RBI of the day with a base hit.  Braves 2 Giants 4

7th: Pendleton opens up with a single - but he's erased on a double play, the Braves go down in order and now Mathewson's 6 outs from a complete game victory.  

7th: Mathewson opens with his second hit of the day but is erased on a double play - Chief Meyers gets his 4th single against Maddux but that's all and we head to the 8th.

8th: Sid Bream hits for Maddux; he lines out - Blauser follows with his second hit, and then another double play ends the Braves inning and they are down to their final 3 outs. 

8th: 26 year old  right hander Greg McMichael was excellent in short relief for the Braves with a 2.06 ERA; with two out, he walks Devore - Devore steals second and then scores when Tillie Shafer, playing on a hunch from McGraw instead of Art Fletcher, doubles to left, it's his 3rd RBI of the day and now it's 5-2 and we're sure looking like a Giants win today.  Braves 2 Giants 5

9th: 3 up.  3 down.  and it's done.  

Braves 2

Giants 5

WP Mathewson

LP Maddux

For the Giants:

Meyers - 4 hits

Becker - double/triple

Shafer - double/single/3RBI

Mathewson had two hits and threw a complete game.

For the Braves:

Blauser, McGriff, Pendleton all had two hits, Pendleton had a double.

Off to Atlanta for game 2 - 24 year old right hander Jeff Tesreau going for the Giants - 23 year old lefty Steve Avery gets the ball for the Braves.

Game 2

Giants-John McGraw

2B Doyle (25)     132  5

C Meyers (31)    147  4.5

1B Merkle (23)  121   2.4

RF Murray (28) 97     2.1

LF Snodgrass (24) 96  1.1

3B Herzog (26)  90      3.4

SS Fletcher (27) 89  3.3

CF Becker (25)  101   1.2

P Tesreau (24) 173  3.8

Braves-Bobby Cox

CF Nixon (34)     81   2.6

SS Blauser (27) 125  5.9

LF Gant (28)     126  4.7

RF Justice (27)  131  5.2

1B McGriff (29) 165  2.8

3B Pendleton (32) 91  2.3

2B Lemke (27)    82    2

C Berryhill (29)   79   .9

P Avery (23)  136   4.7

1st: Cox has both Smoltz and Glavine, but turns to the lefty Avery, 18-6 with a 2.94 ERA. Braves need the win to force the showdown game.  Avery gives up a leadoff walk to Doyle, but that's all.

1st: Mathewson understandably got the ball in game 1 - but  fellow righty Tesreau had the better ERA, 1.96 with a 17-7 record. He cruises.

2nd: With two out, Buck Herzog doubles to right but thats it.

2nd: McGriff gets a one out walk, is erased on a double play.

3rd: Beals Becker rakes a double to lead off the 3rd - but again, that's all for the Giants.

3rd: Damon Berryhill gets a one out walk - erased on a double play; Tesreau's faced the minimum.

4th: Fred Merkle singles to lead off the inning - McGraw has him running and he steals second. Red Murray punches a single to right center- the Giants have pierced the scoreboard. That's their last baserunner, Giants 1 Braves 0

4th: Blauser gets the first Atlanta hit of the day with a leadoff single, Gant follows with a single - the Braves have two on and nobody out. Justice pops up - McGriff grounds to second, Doyle flips to Fletcher for 1 - but McGriff is just able to beat the throw.  2 away, men on the corners.  Pendleton gets ahold of one - it goes to the track in right - but dies in Murray's glove and it remains 1-0 Giants.

5th: After an out, Becker's aboard on a McGriff error - but Avery holds it there.

5th: Lemke's aboard on a Doyle error - and then erased on a Berryhill double play. Through 5 innings, it's going to remain Giants 1 Braves 0

6th: Chief Meyers hits Avery's first pitch into the seats in left - the Giant dugout is up and clapping - they've got a 2 run lead and now looking at ending this series today. After an out, Snodgrass bunts for a base hit in front of Pendleton and then steals second - but that's all. Giants 2 Braves 0

6th: After two out, Gant takes a page from McGraw's playbook - he bunts for a basehit and then steals second - but Tesreau strikes out Justice and the Giants are 3 innings away from the next round.

7th: Art Fletcher gets the Braves bullpen up with a hard double off the wall in left center - Becker then drills a ball that Lemke snabs in a fine play and the Giants aren't going to score.  

7th: Tesreau has an easy inning and the Giants are six outs from advancing.

8th: Greg McMichael comes on for the Braves, he gives up a one out single to Meyers, but that's it.

8th: Damon Berryhill laces a ball into the right field corner that rattles around and then shoots past Murray - Berryhill takes the turn from second and never stops - steaming, chugging, gasping all the way into third with a leadoff triple.  Really for the first time today the Fulton County crowd is alive; Francisco Cabrera gets the call to hit in the pitchers spot, he slaps one hard to short - Berryhill doesn't have a chance to go home and there's one out. Otis Nixon then hits one in nearly the same spot - Fletcher guns him out and Berryhill still stands at third.  And then Blauser hits a ball - that just gets by Fletcher - Berryhill scores, the Braves are alive.  Gant follows with a base hit - and now Atlanta's got the tying run in scoring position for David Justice.  And Justice rips a single to right center --Blauser comes around to score - Gant goes to third -- the Braves have tied it up at 2 and that's the end of the day for Tesreau.  24 year old Doc Crandall comes on for New York with the go ahead run 90 feet away - on the first pitch McGriff just rips a single to to right - Gant scores and that will be it for the Braves but they have come all the way back and now lead Giants 2 Braves 3

9th: Right handed Mike Stanton comes on to close; he had 27 saves, but was maybe the least effective man in the Brave pen with a 4.67 ERA; he gives up a leadoff ground rule double to Snodgrass and the Giants are now alive with the tying run in scoring position.  Herzog grounds to Pendleton for the first out -- Fletcher hits one to the track in center - but Nixon tracks it down; there are two away but Snodgrass tags and now stands at third.  So it's up to Becker.  Two out, tying run at third - Becker works the count full - and then hits a harmless fly ball - Nixon grabs it - and we're going to the Polo Grounds for a winner take all game 3.

Giants 2

Braves 3

WP McMichael

LP Tesreau

2 hits for Blauser

3 hits for Gant, and they both came through in that 9th inning comeback, so did Berryhill of course, with the biggest hit of the game that triple in the 9th.

Snodgrass had two hits for the Giants, including a double.

So - we're headed to the Polo Grounds; the Giants will go with a lefty for the first time, 26 game winner Rube Marquard -- for the Braves, their 22 game winning lefty, Tom Glavine.  

Game 3

Braves-Bobby Cox

CF Nixon (34)     81   2.6

SS Blauser (27) 125  5.9

LF Gant (28)     126  4.7

RF Justice (27)  131  5.2

1B McGriff (29) 165  2.8

3B Pendleton (32) 91  2.3

2B Lemke (27)    82    2

C Olson (32)        65   .1

P Glavine (27) 126   3.5

Giants-John McGraw

C Meyers (31)    147  4.5

1B Merkle (23)  121   2.4

RF Murray (28) 97     2.1

LF Snodgrass (24) 96  1.1

2B Doyle (25)     132  5

3B Herzog (26)  90      3.4

SS Fletcher (27) 89  3.3

CF Becker (25)  101   1.2

P Marquard (25) 133  5.7

Olson gets his first start, the Giants throwing a lefty - everyone else remains the same as game 2 other than order shuffling.  Game 3 - Polo Grounds, winner moves on to face the '37 Yankees.

1st: 26 wins and an ERA just a tick north of  two and a half - the lefty Marquard takes the hill in the winner take all game for the Giants. After an out, Blauser rips a double to right.  Marquard walks Gant, then gets Justice for the second out -- but McGriff beats him with a hard double to right center --- it clears the bases and then Pendleton follows with a single to right center - McGriff runs hard, coming around to just beat the throw to the plate -- the Braves jump all over Marquard. Braves 3 Giants 0

1st: 22 game winner Glavine is given a 3 run stake, McGraw moved Chief Meyers into the leadoff spot today, he hits the first pitch into the left field seats to get one back for the Giants. Two outs later Snodgrass singles - and the Giants are always aggressive - Snodgrass swipes second and then is running on the next pitch when Doyle punches one into right - Snodgrass scores - and the Giants have sliced two off the lead.  Braves 3 Giants 2

2nd: Greg Olson gets the start behind the plate for the Braves today, he opens with a single to left center  and Glavine bunts him over. Otis Nixon is in center again today and he singles to right - the Braves have men on the corners with just one out.  Blauser hits his second double in as many innings - Olson scores.  Nixon speeds his way all the way around to score.  The Braves onslaught continues and this inning ends Braves 5 Giants 2

2nd: Buck Herzog leads off with a base hit - and the then steals second.  Even down by 3 runs, McGraw is just daring the Braves to stop them on the basepaths in this winner take all game. Art Fletcher grounds a base hit to left - Herzog scores; you would not have suspected an absolute slugfest here in game 3 but here we are.  Glavine then walks Becker; Marquard, still in the game for New York, bunts both men over for the first out of the inning, Chief Meyers hits a slow grounder to Lemke - he decides to throw home -- but Fletcher is under the tag - everyone's safe and now it's 5-4 with men still on the corners.  Merkle hits a grounder to third - Pendleton throws to Lemke for one - but they can't make the double play - Merkle's safe; Becker scores -- and it's 5-5 Giants.  Merkle then steals second - New York's third stolen base of the day -- and he's driven home by a single by Red Murray -- the Giants are winning the game 6-5.  That ends Glavine's day - Mark Wohlers, 23 year old right hander, comes on and ends the inning.  Braves 5 Giants 6

3rd: It doesn't stop  McGriff opens with his second double - after an out, Lemke doubles.  What the hell is going on around here?  It's 6-6 when the inning ends.  

3rd: Wohlers gives up a base hit to Doyle - but Olson guns him down attempting to steal and the Giants are down in order.  

4th: At what point does Marquard's day end?  Otis Nixon gets his second hit, after an out - he steals second, after a second out, Justice walks - but that's all  The game remains tied.

4th: Wohlers gets the first two and Marquard is lifted for 22 year old OF George Burns who only had 60 plate appearances during the season; Burns gets a base hit - and of course, steals second - Meyers follows with his third hit of the day, it scores Burns and the Giants retake the lead, 7-6.  The Braves go to the pen - 25 year old lefty Kent Mercker had a 2.86 ERA and he comes on and ends the inning.  Braves 6 Giants 7

5th: The lefty Hooks Wiltse is the Giants 5th starter; he comes on now - and sets the Braves down in order.

5th: After an out, Snodgrass walks, but that's all.  

6th: Mercker hits for himself and is aboard on a Fletcher error; Nixon bunts him over - Wiltse then hits Blauser; two on - just one out - Gant grounds to short, they get Blauser but can't turn the double play and there are men on the corners - two out - Justice comes to the plate with the Braves still down a run.  He grounds to second.  

6th: Herzog leads off with a base hit -- and immediately steals second.  Fletcher drives him home with a single to right.  It's 8-6 Giants.  Mercker gets two outs and is lifted for Greg McMichael, who has pitched in each game of the series and McMichael ends the inning.  We are headed to the 7th, Braves 6 Giants 8

7th: With 2 out, Light hitting Mark Lemke hits his second double of the day; but that's it.  

7th: Easy inning for McMichael.  Let's go to the 8th.

8th: Deion Sanders will hit for McMichel to lead off the inning - Wiltse gets him, then gets Nixon - Blauser singles with two out, but that's all for the Braves.  That's four scoreless innings out of the pen for Wiltse.

8th: 37 year old right hander Jay Howell had a helluva year for the Braves with a 2.31 ERA and makes his first appearance of the series. He gives up a one out single to Herzog - he goes to second on a groundout; the Braves intentionally walk Becker to get to the pitchers spot.  McGraw calls on Josh Devore, who started back in game 1 - and Devore comes through with a run scoring single.  Is that the final blow?  Are the Giants moving on?  The inning ends Braves 6 Giants 9

9th: Doc Crandall enters; the Giants need 3 outs.  Justice greets him with a base hit; McGriff grounds to Crandall - they get the lead runner.  Two outs to go.  Pendleton flies to center.  One out to go.  Lemke flies to center and it's done.

Braves 6

Giants 9

WP Wiltse

LP Wohlers

8 hit series for Chief Meyers with 3 RBI today - including the homer in the first.  He's the MVP.

The Giants move on - they'll meet the '37 Yankees in the next round and we're down to our final two series of region 2.  

2020 MLB Draft Big Board (top 100)

MLB Draft is this week; heres my top 100.

(edit - I've added in the selections from round one and in bold are players remaining; all 37 day one players were in my top 100)

1. S.Torkelson 1B Ariz St  (1-Tigers)

2. A.Martin 3B Vandy (5-Jays)

3. A.Lacy LHP A&M (4-Royals)

4. N.Gonzales 2B/SS N Mex St (7-Pirates)

5. Z.Veen OF HS (FL) (9-Rockies)

6. E.Hancock RHP UGA (6-Mariners)

7. M.Meyer RHP Minn (3-Marlins)

8. R.Detmers LHP Louisville (10-Angels)

9. H.Kjerstad OF Ark  (2-Orioles)

10. R.Hassell OF HS (TN) (8-Padres)

11. G.Mitchell OF UCLA (20-Brewers)

12. M.Abel RHP HS (Ore) (15-Phillies)

13. P.Bailey C NC St (13-Giants)

14. P.Crow-Armstrong OF HS (CA) (19-Mets)

15. A.Hendrick OF HS (PA) (12-Reds)

16. N.Bitsko RHP HS (PA) (24-Rays)

17. T.Soderstrom C HS (CA) (26-A's)

18. C.Cavalli RHP Okla (22-Nationals)

19. C.Wilcox RHP UGA (80-Padres)

20. D.Dingler C Ohio St (38-Tigers)

21. E.Howard SS HS (Ill) (16-Cubs)

22. T.Burns RHB Aub (36-Indians)

23. J.Kelley RHP HS (TX) (47-White Sox)

24. B.Jarvis RHP Duke (18-DBacks) 

25. G.Crochet LHP Tenn (11-White Sox)

26. C.Mlodzinski RHP SCarol (31-Pirates)

27. C.McMahon RHP Mia (46-Rockies)

28. CJ Van Eyk RHP Fl St (42-Jays)

29. JT Ginn RHP Miss St (52-Mets)

30. J.Westburg SS Miss St (30-Orioles)

31. J.Walker 3B HS (GA) (21-Cardinals)

32. B.Miller RHP Louisville (29-Dodgers)

33. A.Wells C Ariz (28-Yankees)

34. S.Cecconi RHP Mia (33-DBacks)

35. C.Beeter RHP TTech (66-Dodgers)

36. J.Foscue 2B Miss St (14-Rangers)

37. A.Williams SS Ariz St (37-Rays)

38. A.Sabato 1B UNC (27-Twins)

39. N.Loftin SS Baylor (32-Royals)

40. C.Martin SS Ark (87-Phillies)

41. J.Shuster LHP Wake (25-Braves)

42. J.Lange RHP HS (TX) (34-Padres)

43. C.Montgomery RHP HS (FL) 

44. L.Allen LHP FIU (56-Indians)

45. D.Fulton LHP HS (OK) (40-Marlins)

46. M.Winn RHP/SS HS (TX) (54-Cards)

47. K.Parada C HS (CA) 

48. N.Swiney LHP NC St (67-Giants)

49. T.Witt RHP HS (TX) 

50. D.Romo C HS (TX) (35-Rockies)

51. T.Mace RHP Fla 

52. C.Collins C HS (GA) 

53. C.Tucker SS HS (AZ) (23-Indians)

54. A.Santos RHP HS HS (NY) (72-Astros)

55. D.Cabrera OF LSU (62-Tigers)

56. C.Henry RHP LSU (55-Nats)

57. H.Haskin OF Tulane (39-Orioles)

58. B.Jordan 1B HS (Miss) (89-Red Sox)

59. J.Jones RHP HS (CA) (44-Pirates)

60. P.Halpin OF HS (CA) (95-Indians)

61. B.Carraway LHP Dallas Baptist (51-Cubs)

62. N.Garcia RHP Chapman (79-Pirates)

63. T.Hence RHP HS (Ark) (63-Cards)

64. C.Horton RHP/SS HS (OK) 

65. D.Bowser 3B HS (CA) 

66. S.Weatherly LHP Clem (81-Rockies)

67. D.Calabrese OF HS HS (Can) (82-Angels)

68. Z.DeLoach OF A&M (43-Mariners)

69. C.Brown RHP HS (TX) 

70. K.Harrison LHP HS (CA) (85-Giants)

71. Z.McCambley RHP CCarolina (75-Marlins)

72. S.Lonsway LHP Ohio St 

73. K.Nicolas RHP Ball St (61-Marlins)

74. I.Bedell RHP Missouri (122-Cards)

75. J.Eder LHP 241 Vandy (104-Marlins)

76. I.Greene OF HS (CA) (69-Mets)

77. J.Criswell RHP Mich (58-A's)

78. G.Workman 3B Ariz St (102-Tigers)

79. R.Tiedemann LHP HS (CA) 

80. J.Miller C HS (FL) (65-Reds)

81. C.Roa RHP A&M (48-Reds)

82. C.Davis OF HS (CA) 

83. O.Caissie OF HS (Can)  (45-Padres)

84. J.Vogel OF HS (CA) (100-Dodgers)

85. J.Bohrofen OF HS (OK) 

86. T.Gentry OF Ala (76-Royals)

87. B.Birdsell RHP San Jacinto 

88. C.Keith 3B HS (MS) (132-Tigers)

89. C.Phillips RHP McLennan CC (64-Mariners)

90. G.Williams RHP ECArol 

91. I.Seymour LHP Va Tech (57-Rays)

92. S.Thompson OF HS (FL)

93. T.Hauver OF Ariz ST (99-Yankees)

94. N.McLean RHP/3B HS (NC)

95. D.Susac C HS (CA)

96. J.Nwogu OF Mich (88-Cubs)

97. R.Hagenow RHP HS (TN)

98. D.Fowler LHP NW Miss CC

99. N.Yorke SS HS (CA) (17-Red Sox)

100. C.Schmitt 3B/RHP San Diego St (49-Giants)

 

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Two Series 3-4

The '67 Cards and '48 Indians move forward in the top half of Region 2; let's see who joins them.  

31. 1912 Boston Red Sox v. 98. 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 1 age/OPS+/ERA+/WAR

Dodgers-Roberts

SS Seager  (23)    126    5.2

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

1B Bellinger (21) 143   4.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

C Grandal  (28)   101   3.8

CF Pederson (25) 96    .2

2B Utley      (38)   93    .95

P Kershaw  (29)   179   6.1

Red Sox-Stahl

3B Gardner (26)   134  5.9

1B Stahl       (33)   125  2.1

CF Speaker (24)   189  9.7

LF Lewis      (24)   112  2.1

SS Wagner   (31)   102  2.9

RF Hooper   (24)   84    .5

C Cady         (26)   99    1.3

2B Engle      (28)    82    .4

P Wood        (22)    177  9.5

The Sox might go with all right handers and so Roberts might stick with this group, but Austin Barnes and Logan Forsythe are ready if they see a lefty. Andrew Toles might swap in for Joc Pederson and Kike Hernandez might play instead of Forsythe.  LA will almost certainly go with all lefties, the Sox are sitting both Carrigan and Yerkes with a desire to get a little more offense in the lineup. The Dodgers are the underdogs by seed, but they have a WAR advantage in 4 of 5 infield spots and two of three outfield spots.  

Sox.  Dodgers - let's head to Fenway for game one.

1st: Smoky Joe Wood went 34-5 with a 1.91 ERA; the Sox don't have as many good players as the Dodgers - but the Dodgers don't have Wood and Speaker. Wood gives up a two out single to Cody Bellinger, but that's all. 

1st: Clayton Kershaw was 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA; will his postseasons struggles continue here? He gets the Sox in order.

2nd: Yasiel Puig hits a sinking liner to left that takes a weird hop and gets by Duffy Lewis; it's scored a two base error; two outs later, Jake Stahl, both playing first and managing for the Sox - calls for an intentional pass to Chase Utley to bring Kershaw to the plate --- and Kershaw helps himself, he lines a single to right - Puig scores easily and how about that - the Dodgers go up 1-0

2nd: Lewis looks to make up for the error with a leadoff single, but he's then erased on a Heinie Wagner double play.  Harry Hooper follows with a base hit, and with two out, Hick Cady, getting the start behind the plate over Bill Carrigan, doubles to right center to tie the score. 1-1

3rd: Chris Taylor singles with two out, but that's all.

3rd: Kershaw maybe gets squeezed on a ball four to Wood; Roberts is aggravated from the Dodger dugout, but that's all and we head to the 4th, 1-1. 

4th: 10 pitch inning for Wood.

4th: Kershaw matches him.  Still 1-1. 

5th: Clayton Kershaw leads off with his second hit of the game - not only is he pitching well he's the hitting star so far.  Corey Seager follows with a single to center and LA has two on. But that's it - Wood gets a Justin Turner groundout and a Bellinger double play and he's safely through 5.

5th: Hooper gets his second hit of the day - but he's gunned down by Grandal; and Kershaw is cruising. 1-1

6th: Wood absolutely blows through the Dodgers; nothing but weak contact. 

6th: Kershaw has two hits - and Wood has now reached twice with a base hit to lead off.  Larry Gardner grounds to second - the flip to short gets the lead runner and the turn takes out Gardner for a double play. Kershaw gets the third out and it remains 1-1

7th: Utley gets a one out walk and moves to second on a Kershaw bunt - Corey Seager then drives a single to right - Utley has a great jump and scores easily and the Dodgers have broken through to take the 2-1 lead. 

7th: Tris Speaker gets his first hit of the day, a leadoff single and then moves to third with Lewis follows with his own single.  Big chance here, men on the corners and nobody out. Kershaw gets Wagner to pop up - and Hooper grounds to short - they flip to second to get one - and onto first...it's a bang bang play but they call Hooper safe, Speaker scores the tying run; Roberts is out of the dugout now, really, really angered at the call, but remains in the game. Hooper attempts to steal second - but Grandal nails him and we head to the 8th.  2-2

8th: With one out, Taylor singles and Puig works a very long at bat into a walk.  Go ahead run in scoring position for the Dodgers - after a second out, Joc Pederson walks and LA has the bases loaded with two out.  Wood takes a deep breath - and strikes out Chase Utley on three pitches to end the threat.

8th: Kershaw has just been tremendous today; what a pitchers duel - he sets the Sox down in order and we go to the 9th still all tied at 2

9th: Left handed bench bat Andrew Toles hits for Kershaw to lead off the inning and he rips a single to left; Seager follows with a single of his own and LA is threatening again, men on the corners with nobody out.  Wood then walks Justin Turner - you can see the Red Sox fans craning their necks toward the bullpen now.  Stahl leaves Wood in - he walks Bellinger.  3-2 Dodgers.  Stahl leaves Wood in - he gives up a base hit to Taylor, 4-2 Dodgers.  Stahl leaves Wood in - he gets Puig, but then gives up a sac fly to Grandal and it's 5-2 LA.  That's finally enough; 28 year old right hander Eddie Cicotte was not good in 1912, he comes on and ends the inning.  Dodgers 5 Sox 2

9th: 29 year old Kenley Jansen is a monster with a 1.32 ERA and he comes in to close for Roberts, Tris Speaker gets a two out single - but that's all and the Dodgers have taken game one in Fenway.

Dodgers 5

Red Sox 2

WP Kershaw

LP Wood

3 hits apiece for Seager and Taylor, Kershaw had two and of course was the star of the game with 8 innings of 2 run ball.  Speaker, Lewis and Hooper all had two hits for Boston.

We head to Dodger Stadium for game 2; it'll be another lefty, 16 game winner Alex Wood going for LA -- the Sox counter with 20 game winner Buck O'Brien.  

Red Sox-Stahl

3B Gardner (26)   134  5.9

CF Speaker (24)   189  9.7

1B Stahl       (33)   125  2.1

LF Lewis      (24)   112  2.1

SS Wagner   (31)   102  2.9

C Cady         (28)   85    1.5

RF Hooper   (24)   84    .5

2B Engle      (28)    82    .4

P  O'Brien    (30)   131  3.4

Dodgers-Roberts

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

1B Bellinger (21) 143   4.1

SS Seager  (23)    126    5.2

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

C Grandal  (28)   101   3.8

CF Toles     (25)   102   .4

2B Utley      (38)   93    .95

P Wood        (26)  152   3.8

Minor changes in game 2; the Sox swapping second basemen, the Dodgers center fielders. Must win for Boston.

1st: Alex Wood went 16-3 in the regular season, he gets the ball looking to close out the Sox; he gets them in order.

1st: Buck O'Brien went 20-13; the Sox need a win to stay alive another day. He gets LA in order.

2nd: Wood mows them down.

2nd: Yasmani Grandal singles with two out; Andrew Toles got the start in center in this one - and he drives a ball to the wall in right center; LA decides to be aggressive on the basepaths and send Grandal - he slides in under the tag and the Dodgers are on the board.  The Sox put Utley on intentionally to pitch to Wood - and he beats them with a single to right that scores Toles.  Sox 0 Dodgers 2

3rd: Clyde Engle moved into the starting lineup at second for this series; with one out he doubles to left - and then catches the Dodgers napping with a steal of third. The Sox play that old school small ball - O'Brien squeezes Engle home and it's 2-1. 

3rd: Easy inning for O'Brien.

4th: With two out, Duffy Lewis doubles to right center; but the Sox are unable to tie the score.

4th: 3 up, 3 down.

5th: Wood sets Boston down in order.

5th: Engle kicks a Chase Utley grounder, Wood  bunts him over, but that's as far as it gets.  Sox 1 Dodgers 2

6th: With two out, Tris Speaker laces a double down the left field line - and then Jake Stahl drives him home with a base hit and it's tied. Wood gives up back to back singles to Lewis and Wagner and now the Sox have moved in front. Sox 3 Dodgers 2

6th: Yasiel Puig hits a two out single, but that it.  3 innings to go, Sox up a run.

7th: Engle's aboard again with a one out walk, O'Brien bunts him over, but thats all.  

7th: Utley's aboard again with a one out walk; Joc Pederson hits for Wood - but O'Brien just continues to stone the Dodgers and we head to the 8th, Sox 3 Dodgers 2

8th: 32 year old right hander Brandon Morrow had a helluva year with a 2.06 ERA and he comes on; he gives up a one out single to Stahl, but nothing else.

8th: Nothin'.  Hats off to Buck O'Brien for this performance.

9th: 31 year old Josh Fields enters for LA; with a 2.84 ERA he's also a good option for Roberts; and he has an easy inning.  We're headed to the bottom of the ninth - Dodgers need a run or we're headed back to Fenway.

9th O'Brien strikes out Puig - one away; Grandal then doubles off the wall and LA has the tying run in scoring position.  A modern team would go to the pen for sure - but O'Brien stays in here, he gets Toles to fly to right for the second out, he then has an absolute war with Utley...but he loses him and now there are two on, two out - Logan Forsythe enters as a pinch hitter - and he hits a lazy fly to center to end the game.

Red Sox 3

Dodgers 2

WP O'Brien

LP Wood

Complete game 5 hitter for Buck O'Brien in a must win spot for the Sox. Stahl and Lewis both had a couple of hits for Boston; Grandal two for the Dodgers.

So - we head to Fenway for a winner take all game 3; Boston's going with a lefty in this one, 25 year old Ray Collins and the Dodgers throw their third straight lefty at the Sox, 37 year old Rich Hill.

Dodgers-Roberts

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

1B Bellinger (21) 143   4.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

SS Seager  (23)    126    5.2

C  Barnes  (27)    138    3.2

CF Hernandez (25)  92 1.3

2B Forsythe (30) 118    1.5

P Hill (37)            125    2.7

Red Sox-Stahl

SS Wagner   (31)   102  2.9

CF Speaker (24)   189  9.7

3B Gardner (26)   134  5.9

1B Stahl       (33)   125  2.1

LF Lewis      (24)   112  2.1

2B Engle      (28)    82    .4

RF Hooper   (24)   84    .5

C Carrigan   (28)   85    1.5

P Collins       (25)   132   4

Lot of Dodger changes against a lefty - Barnes/Hernandez/Forsythe all make their first starts of the series; Boston decides to go with their primary catcher, Carrigan, who sat in the first two.  

Sox.  Dodgers.  Fenway.  Winner take all.  

1st: The Sox have a third 20 game winner, Hugh Bedient, but chose Collins, who has a better ERA and is a lefty, and Stahl decides he wants to throw a different look at the Dodgers. Yasiel Puig opens with a groundout, Justin Turner follows by cracking a double to left center, Collins then balks him over to third - after a second out, Collins walks Taylor to put runners on the corners with two out - and then he gives up back to back singles from Corey Seager and Austin Barnes -- and it's 2-0 Dodgers.

1st: 12-8 Hill gets the call; it's really the only decision that makes sense for Roberts; Heinie Wagner leads off with a double on the first pitch - so maybe there was another decision to make -- but that's it for the Sox and LA is still up 2.

2nd: With one out Hill helps himself; he had one double all season - but lines one right down the right field line and he's into second standing. an out later Turner walks, but Collins strikes out Bellinger.

2nd: Clyde Engle singles with one out, then steals second - he moves to third on a ground ball - but Hill keeps them off the board.  

3rd: Chris Taylor hits a ball off the green monster...it takes a crazy hop and rolls to center - Lewis and Speaker are both chasing -- Taylor rounds second and heads for third -- and he's going to round third and keep going -- all the way ---- around for an inside the park homer!  The Dodger bench is really animated now as they've got a 3 run lead in the winner take all game. Dodgers 3 Sox 0

3rd: After two out, Speaker and Gardner hit back to back singles, but we are heading to the 4th, 3-0.

4th: 3 up, 3 down.

4th: Lewis singles to open up the inning, but that's all.

5th: Easy inning for Collins.

5th: 3 up, 3 down.  We're headed to the 6th, Dodgers 3 Sox 0. 

6th: With two out, Kike Hernandez singles to center and Logan Forsythe does the same - LA has them on the corners but Collins gets through it.

6th: 3 up. 3 down.  

7th: Bellinger draws a two out walk and then Taylor singles him to third.  Another shot for the Dodgers to put this series away - but they do not.

7th: 7th inning stretch; Sox are down to their final 9 outs. Engle's aboard on a Bellinger error -- but thats all for the Sox.  Big outing for Rich Hill and it's 3-0.

8th: Eddie Cicotte had a bad year but he gets the call - he gives up a leadoff double to Barnes who moves to third on a wild pitch; Cicotte walks Hernandez - and then Forsythe hits a sac fly.  It's 4-0 Dodgers and it sure looks like we've seen the end of this series. Larry Pape is next for the Sox, he also struggled during the season (there's a real bullpen advantage for LA) Hill stays in for LA and bunts Hernandez over; Puig bloops a single to center - Hernandez comes around to score...this one's all over, Dodgers take a 5-0 lead. 

8th: Hill has an easy 8th, including a Speaker strikeout - LA is about to claim a spot in the next round.

9th: Remember how I said 4th starters would never get a call since the simulation doesn't know what's happening?  20 game winner Bedient gets the ball for the Sox, so what do I know?  Bellinger opens up with a single to center - but that's all.  We go to the bottom of the 9th, 5-0 LA

9th: LA gives the ball to Brandon Morrow -- they don't even need Kenley Jansen here, Morrow goes 3 up and down and it's over.

Dodgers 5

Red Sox 0

WP Hill

LP Collins

Big homer for Taylor in this one, he added a base hit and added the 3 in the game one win - LA had big starts by both Kershaw and Hill; those two are co-MVPs.

The Dodgers move on - they meet the winners of this series:

34. 1952 New York Yankees v. 95. 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates

Couple of World Champions hooking up in this one; let's take a look at the Game 1 lineups.

Pirates - Danny Murtaugh

2B Cash (23)      98

3B Hebner (23)  126

LF Stargell (31) 185

RF Clemente (36)  143

1B Robertson (24) 135

CF Oliver (24)    113

C Sanguillen (27)  116

SS Alley (30)      79

P Blass (29)        121

Yankees - Stengel

LF Woodling (29)   148

C Berra (27)        137

CF Mantle (20)   162

1B Collins (29)   140

RF Bauer (29)     132

3B McDougald (24)  101

SS Rizzuto (34)   94

2B Martin (24)    90

P Reynolds (35)  161

Couple of right handers going in game one; Rennie Stennett is on the Pirate bench and he's appealing as a plus bat, but the Bucs decide to go with Cash's glove (Mazeroski is also on the bench) there's a thought to maybe catch Milt May against a right hander, but again, Sanguillen's glove gets preference.  The Yanks have a 39 year old Johnny Mize on their bench, but he's unlikely to see action other than pinch hitting.  

1st: Allie Reynolds is solidly the Yanks best option here; their only 20 game winner and by half a run the lowest ERA in the rotation.  He gives up a two out double to Willie Stargell, but that's it.

1st: Steve Blass gets the ball for the Pirates; 15 game winner, only Pirate starter with an ERA under 3.  If this series goes 3, Pittsburgh's got a challenge with a third starter. Blass gets the leadoff guy - but Yogi Berra hits a rocket over the right field wall and it's 1-0 Yanks. Blass gets Mantle, in his debut at bat in the tournament, Joe Collins and Hank Bauer single back to back but Blass is able to escape with no further damage. Pirates 0 Yankees 1

2nd: Bob Robertson leads off with a single, but that's it.  

2nd: Phil Rizzuto and Billy Martin open up with singles; but Blass gets Reynolds 6-4-3 to leave Rizzuto alone at third with two out; Gene Woodling walks to bring Berra up again with men on the corners, and Blass gets out of it.  

3rd: Easy inning for Reynolds. 

3rd: After two out, Bauer singles to right, McDougald follows with a single to right - but Blass escapes this one as well.  Three innings down.  Pirates 0 Yankees 1

4th: 3 up, 3 down. 

4th: Woodling singles with two out - but that's it, a relatively easy inning for Blass.

5th: Reynolds really cruising now.  11 straight.  

5th: After Mantle's second strikeout of the game, Collins doubles - and he's driven home by Bauer's third base hit of the day. McDougald then singles for the second time, New York's got men on the corners, and Rizzuto gets his second base hit, driving Bauer home and it's 3-0 Yankees.  Blass, who can get a little wild, drills Martin in the ribs - Martin stares hard at Blass but then goes down to first to load the bases with still just the one out. That's all though - Reynolds hits into his second double play of the game and it's Pirates 0 Yankees 3

6th: 14 straight for Reynolds.  

6th: After an out, Yogi slaps a single to left, another out and Collins singles for his third hit of the day, New York again has runners on the corners, Hank Bauer comes through again - his fourth base hit - Yogi scores it's 4-0 New York and that's it.  Pirates 0 Yankees 4

7th: After Reynolds gets his 15th straight, Stargell singles for the third Pirate baserunner of the day, but Reynolds strikes out Clemente and Robertson back to back - helluva game for Allie Reynolds and New York is six outs away from taking game one.

7th: Martin singles with one out and then Blass can't find the plate at all, walking Reynolds on four straight pitches.  After a second out, Yogi comes through again, singling home Billy. Pirates 0 Yankees 5.

8th: Manny Sanguillen gets Pittsburgh's 4th hit of the day after an out, but that's it.

8th: 32 year old Bob Miller only threw 28 innings in the regular season, but they were good innings, he had a 1.29 ERA and he comes on for the Bucs. With one out - Hank Bauer gets his 5th hit of the day, that's the high mark so far in the tournament, Miller gets a second out and then Nellie Briles enters for the Pirates. Briles had 14 starts on the year and pitched solidly with a 3.04 ERA, he gets out of the inning.  We head to the ninth, big Yankee lead.

9th: Reynolds gives up a leadoff single to Cash - then walks Hebner, for the first time all day Reynolds is in trouble - but Stengel doesn't budge in the dugout, Reynolds gets Stargell to groundout - but Clemente comes through with a base hit to score the Pirates first run. 2 on, still just one out, 5-1 now, 34 year old Johnny Sain had 16 starts for the Yankees, 4th most on the staff, but he comes in here to close the door (not a great pen for this Yankee team) he gets the second out - but then gives up an Al Oliver double that rattles around in the right field corner - both runs - both runs come around to score -- and look what we have here - it's now 5-3 Yankees and the tying run is coming to the plate.  But that's it - Sanguillen grounds to short and it's done.

Pirates 3

Yankees 5

WP Reynolds

LP Blass 

18 Yankee hits.  Berra had three, with that homer, Collins had 3, Hank Bauer had 5 - a 5 hit game! McDougald, Rizzuto, Martin all had two - every Yankee position player hit the ball except for Mantle, who went 0-5.  Strong outing for Reynolds, 8 1/3, 6 hits.  Stargell got a couple hits for Pittsburgh.

We'll head to Three Rivers for Game 2 - Pittsburgh's winningest pitcher was Dock Ellis, who won 19, he'll get the ball. New York's going to go with their lefty, Eddie Lopat, with his 2.53 ERA.

I neglected to include the WAR computation.  Added here for game 2.  

LF Woodling (29)   148   3.6

C Berra (27)        137       5.6

CF Mantle (20)   162       6.3

1B Collins (29)   140        3.1

RF Bauer (29)     132       3.6

3B McDougald (24)  101  3.3

SS Rizzuto (34)   94         3.8

2B Martin (24)    90         1.8

P   Lopat (34)      131       1.8

2B Cash (23)      98          2.5

1B Robertson (24) 135    3.6

LF Stargell (31) 185        7.5

RF Clemente (36)  143    6.5

C Sanguillen (27)  116     4.7

3B Hebner (23)  126        2

CF Oliver (24)    113       2.5

SS Alley (30)      79          .6

P Ellis (26)         113        3

1st: Who knows what illicit substances Dock Ellis might have tried prior to this one, a must win game for the Pirates. Whatever they are - they work in the first, as he sets the Yanks down in order.

1st: New York could have gone with 16 game winner Vic Rachi here, but he'll get the nod if we go back to Yankee Stadium.  Ed Lopat, a lefty, gets the ball. He sends the Bucs down in order.

2nd: 3 up, 3 down.

2nd: Back to back singles by Clemente and Sanguillen to start the inning - Hebner grounds to second; they get the lead runner, but can't quite make the turn and there are men on the corners with one away. Oliver grounds to short - Martin doesn't have a play at the plate, he gets the out at first and the Pirates have their first lead of the series. Yankees 0 Pirates 1

3rd: With one out - it's Billy Martin who gets New York's first base hit, Lopat bunts him over, but that's all.

3rd: Easy inning for Lopat.  Through 3 - Bucs up a run.

4th: Berra leads off with a walk, an out later, Collins singles to right center - but that's as far as it goes.

4th: 3 up, 3 down.  

5th: Rizzuto opens up with a single - he's going to move all the way to third on two groundouts - but thats where it ends.

5th: Gene Alley lines a one out single to right; Ellis bunts him over, but that's it.  5 innings down, Yankees 0 Pirates 1

6th: After an out, Mantle gets his first hit of the series, an out later Bauer doubles into the left field corner -- Mantle gets to third but doesn't really have a chance to go further; and so the tying run remains at third with 2 away.  Ellis pitches carefully now - walking McDougald - that brings up Phil Rizzuto -- and on a 3-2, pitch - Scooter doubles right down the right field line - clearing the bases - the Yankees go up 3-1 and that knocks Ellis out of the game.  35 year old Mudcat Grant, one of a host of mediocre bullpen pieces for the Pirates, enters - he gives up a single to Martin and now it's 4-1 Yankees. Yankees 4 Pirates 1

6th: Lopat strikes out Stargell and Clemente back to back - he's cruising and the Yankees are 9 outs away from moving on to meet the 2017 Dodgers.

7th: Yogi singles with one out; Mantle then drives a ball off the wall in right - Yogi takes a shot and Clemente shoots him down in a bang/bang play at the plate; Sanguillen swipe tagging him for the out. Collins then singles Mantle home, however, and it's 5-1 New York. 

7th: Sanguillen leads off with a single - Lopat gets the next two, but Casey's seen enough and brings in Johnny Sain to end the inning.

8th: Pirate lefty Bob Veale with an ERA near 7 is on in what sure looks like a hopeless spot; McDougald leads off with a walk and goes all the way to third on a Rizzuto single. Martin hits a ground ball the other way - they get the runner at second but now it's 6-1 Yankees. Bob Miller finishes the inning for the Bucs. Yankees 6 Pirates 1

8th: Sain gets the first two - then gives up back to back singles to Robertson and Stargell - Clemente can't hit a 5 run homer, so the spot isn't as big as it might be - but Sain gets a harmless fly ball and we head to the 9th.

9th: New York gets one out walks by Berra and Mantle but that's it.  3 outs away.

9th: Richie Hebner gives Pittsburgh one more with a one out homer but that's all.

Yankees 6

Pirates 2

WP Lopat

LP Ellis

New York never really had to sweat here; both Reynolds and Lopat gave them good outings; Rizzuto had 5 hits in the series, Martin and Berra 4 -- but Hank Bauer had that 5 hit game one; and in a two game series, that makes him the MVP.

We move on - the 2017 Dodgers will meet the 1952 Yankees in the next round.  

That settles the first half of Region 2:

1967 Cardinals v. 1948 Indians

2017 Dodgers v. 1952 Yankees.

We start filling the back half next - the '39 Yankees are gone -- but the '37 Yankees get a chance to enter the field when they face the '28 A's.  The winner of that series will face the winner of the 1912 Giants against the 1993 Braves.