128 Team MLB Tournament - Regional Semi-Final: 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 1953 World Champion New York Yankees

 Giants v. Phillies

14. 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 19. 1953 World Champion New York Yankees

The 2011 Phillies await the winner of this one; the final Tinker/Evers/Chance Cubs team against our first Round of 32 look at one of Casey's Yankees squads.  The Cubs just beat the '78 Yankees in the previous round.  Whichever team wins this series will have home field advantage in the best of 7 Regional Final against a Phillies team that is now 8-0 in the tournament.  

Cubs 104-49 (Pythag: 109-44)  Mgr. Frank Chance

d. #115 2004 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Ed Reulbach)

d. #78  1978 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Orval Overall)

Hall of Famers: Three Finger Brown, Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker

This Cub team had a 109-44 pythagorean record and finished in 2nd in the NL, 6 1/2 behind the Pirates. The Cubs won the pennant in '06, '07, '08, '10.  The pitching staff had a 1.75 ERA. This team was looking to three-peat, the Cubs having won the World Series in '07 and '08. 

Yankees 99-52 (Pythag 101-50) Mgr. Casey Stengel

Won AL Pennant

d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series 

d. #110 1998 Astros 2-0 (MVP-Joe Collins)

d. #46   1971 Orioles 3-1 (MVP-Yogi Berra)

All-Stars OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra (2nd AL MVP) OF Mickey Mantle, 1B Johnny Mize, RP Allie Reynolds, SS Phil Rizzuto, RP Johnny Sain

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, Phil Rizzuto, Casey Stengel

Fifth consecutive World Series win for the Yankees.  

Yankees

LF Woodling (30) (LH) 146  3.8

C Berra (28)  (LH)      141   5.6

CF Mantle (21) (SH)  144   4.8

1B Collins (30)  (LH)   120   1.3

RF Bauer (30)     130   3.9

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

P Lopat (LH) (35)       152     3.9

Bench: 

LF Renna (28) 132

1B Bollweg (32) (LH) 142

OF Noren (28) (LH) 103

1B Mize (40) (LH) 101

Gm2 Ford (LH) (24)   123     3.4

Gm3 Raschi (34) 111    2.6

Probably Casey rolls the same 8 out every day, but Renna and Bollweg had strong years with the bat, and if Woodling or Collins doesn't hit in Chicago, maybe there's a swap.  McDonald is the 4th starter should the Yanks advance.

Cubs

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

P Brown (32)     193      8.5

Bench:

C Archer (26)   71   .7

2B Zimmerman (22)  93  .1

1B Howard (31) (LH) 63

SP2: Overall (28) 179   8.5

SP3: Reulbach (26)  143  5

Archer and Moran are the same guy, light hitting RH catchers, if Chance can get one of them to hit, he'll play.  Kroh will get the nod over Pfiester as the 4th starter if the Cubs move on.

Lineups:

C-Berra

1B-Chance

2B-Evers

SS-Tinker

3B-McDougald

LF-Woodling

CF-Mantle

RF-Bauer, Yanks 5-3 advantage in position players, with a stronger bench, with Yogi, the top position player

SP1-Brown

SP2-Overall

SP3-Reulbach - the Cubs sweep all 3 starting pitchers; the Cubs are pretty similar to that Phillies team, veteran infielders who played together forever and some huge arms.

Pen-Push, Hagerman from the Cubs is the best pen arm, but the Yanks have more depth

Cubs 6 Yanks 5 -- so, Cubs have the home field and the WAR advantage really pushed by those two top starting pitchers who can throw twice.  We'll say its the Cubs who are favored here.

GAME ONE

1st: Lot of unlikely teams still alive in the tournament; neither the '77 Yankees nor the '17 Dodgers were favored to reach anywhere near the Final 8 - and the '11 Phillies came in as the 126th overall seed.  That's not true with these two teams; this matchup was favored at the outset of the tournament.  Throwing for the Cubs is Three Finger Brown; 32 year old RH, 27-9, 1.31. Brown also added 7 saves, leading the league.  1-2-3.

1st: The Yanks go with Eddie Lopat, 35 year old lefty, 16-4, 2.42. Lopat led the league in ERA, ERA+, WHIP and K/9. Harry Steinfeldt singles with one away, nothing results.  

2nd: Gil McDougald singles after 2 outs. McDougald has been the Yanks every day third baseman each year of his 4 year career, he shifts to second next season.  Phil Rizzuto follows with a base hit. Billy Martin reaches via error and the Yanks are on the board.  Lopat comes through with a base hit of his own - and now it's 2-0. Yankees 2 Cubs 0

2nd: 1-2-3, Lopat spent the first 4 years of his career with the cross town White Sox, so he's used to pitching in Chicago.

3rd: Yogi Berra singles to right. Yogi was MVP of the Yanks Round 2 win; he's advanced already to the Final 8, part of Billy's coaching staff with the '77 Yanks. 28 year old Berra has been an All Star 6 straight seasons and finished 2nd in the AL MVP. From '50-56, Yogi was in the top 5 every season.  That's it. 

3rd: Pat Moran doubles with one out - the Cubs have two light hitting right handed catchers, Moran gets the first shot in the series. He's 33, in his final season with the Cubs; they sell him to the Phillies.  That's all Lopat allows.

4th: Billy Martin singles with 2 away; Billy's 25, in his 4th season - he'll play 7 more, but never had more than 500 at bats in any year but this one. That's all Brown allows.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Jimmy Sheckard walks, he's 30 - led the league in sacrifices.  He steals second - Lopat gets two, then Moran singles him home and the Cubs are on the board.  Three Finger Brown helps himself with a double - and that's where it ends.  Yanks 2 Cubs 1

6th: Joe Collins walks; the Yankee first baseman was MVP of their round one win.  Collins realy scuffled in the '53 Series, hitting .167. Brown stops it here.  Tight game 1 here at the West Side Grounds.  

6th: Player/manager Frank Chance singles. With a 110 OPS+, this is Chance's lightest year offensively since 1899 when he was 22. Chance steals second - then scores on a Harry Steinfeldt base hit and the Cubs have evened this up.  Johnny Evers singles - Cubs have something going now - after an out, Joe Tinker singles and the Cubs have the lead.  Lopat gets Frank Schulte to ground out - but it scores another run.  That ends Lopat's day, 28 year old RH Tom Gorman is on - he's got a 3.39 ERA. He gets out of it.  Yankees 2 Cubs 4

7th: 1-2-3, Brown's allowed just 5 hits and the Cubs are 6 outs from taking game 1

7th: Solly Hofman doubles with one away. He's 26, been in the league since he was 20 and this is his best year so far with the bat, with a 115 OPS+. That's all Gorman allows.

8th: Gene Woodling singles. Woodling's 30, it's his 11th year - in Woodling's 17 year big league career he led the league in one category one time -- it's this year, in OBP.  Yogi walks - Yanks in business -- Brown toughens through it and now is 3 outs from game one.

8th: Sheckard walks with one away - after the second out Schulte singles - Moran then walks and the bases are loaded.  Henie Zimmerman comes on to hit -- he reaches on an error - there's the insurance run.  Yankees 2 Cubs 5

9th: 27 year old RH Irv Higginbotham has a 2.19 ERA -

McDougald lines to short.

Rizzuto singles.  Billy walks.  Tying run to the plate.

Andy Carey comes on to hit and he grounds out.

And so does Woodling and it's over.

Yankees 2

Cubs 5

WP Brown

LP Lopat 

Sv Higginbotham

8 innings, gave up 6 hits, Brown stops the Yankees in game 1.

Hofman 1x/double

Chance 1x

Steinfeldt 2x

Evers 1x

Sheckard 2x

Tinker 1x

Schulte 1x

Moran 3x/double

Woodling 1x

Berra 2x

Collins 1x

McDougald 1x

Rizzuto 2x

Martin 2x

LF Woodling (30) (LH) 146  3.8

C Berra (28)  (LH)      141   5.6

CF Mantle (21) (SH)  144   4.8

1B Collins (30)  (LH)   120   1.3

RF Bauer (30)     130   3.9

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

Gm2 Ford (LH) (24)   123     3.4

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

SP2: Overall (28) 179   8.5

GAME TWO

1st: Like the '11 Phillies who await the winner of this Regional semi-final, starting pitching has carried the day for the 1909 Cubs. 28 year old RH Orval Overall, MVP in the Cubs round 2 win, is on the hill today. 20-11, 1.42. Overall led the league in Ks and K/9. It's the best year he'll ever have.  1-2-3.

1st: Whitey Ford looks to even the series for New York; 24 year old lefty, 18-6, it's his first year back after 2 spent in the military. Solly Hofman starts with a single and he scores when Frank Chance doubles on the next pitch.  After an out, Johnny Evers doubles and the Cubs are up 2-0. Evers is 27 and it's his 7th year as Chicago's every day second sacker. Yankees 0 Cubs 2

2nd: Joe Collins doubles. New York's first extra base hit of the series. He doesn't score.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Hofman singles again, two outs later Steinfeldt walks, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Overall. 

4th: 1-2-3

5th: McDougald singles with one out, just the second Yankee hit of the day and nothing happens.

5th: Pat Moran walks with one away, that's all.

6th: Woodling singles with one out, but the Yankees can't dent the scoreboard.

6th: 1-2-3, Ford hasn't given up a hit since the 3rd.

7th: Mickey Mantle singles, it's the first time he's reached. Mantle's 21, it's his third season, second All Star appearance. He'll make the All Star team each subsequent year until '66. Collins then singles and New York's in business - Hank Bauer grounds into a DP, it scores a run. Yankees 1 Cubs 2

7th: Evers walks, and out later Tinker walks - he's 28 in his 8th season as Cub shortstop, Frank Schulte singles and the Cubs get that run back. Ford walks Moran - an Overall sac fly makes it 4-1. Hoffman then doubles - it scores 2, the Cubs up 6-1 and it looks like they've won game 2. Yankees 1 Cubs 6

8th: 1-2-3

8th: 25 year old lefty Bill Miller for the Yanks - 4.76. Harry Steinfeldt doubles, an out later Jimmy Sheckard walks - that's all.

9th: Overall stays on to finish up - Woodling reaches on an error, two outs later Collins walks, and then Bauer singles to load them up.  McDougald reaches on another error - it scores a run - Chance goes to the pen for Higginbotham, and he ends it.

Yankees 2

Cubs 6

WP Overall

LP Ford

Sv Higginbotham

The Yanks get just 6 hits, like Brown in game 1, Overall is just too strong here in game 2 - Higginbotham saves both games.

Hofman 4x/2 doubles

Chance 2x/double

Steinfeldt 4x/double

Evers 3x/double

Sheckard 3x

Tinker 2x

Schulte 2x

Moran 5x/double

Woodling 2x

Mantle 1x

Berra 2x

Collins 4x/double

McDougald 3x

Bauer 1x

Rizzuto 2x

Martin 2x

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

SP3: Reulbach (26)  143  5

LF Woodling (30) (LH) 146  3.8

C Berra (28)  (LH)      141   5.6

CF Mantle (21) (SH)  144   4.8

1B Collins (30)  (LH)   120   1.3

RF Noren (28) (LH) 103

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

Gm3 Raschi (34) 111    2.6

GAME THREE

1st: Hard not to start thinking about a Phillies/Cubs Regional Final, given the similarities between those two squads, but 34 year old RH Vic Raschi stands on the Yankee Stadium mound looking to hold that matchup for another day.  13-6, 3.33. It's Raschi's last season in New York and his last good year. He walks Jimmy Sheckard with one away and nothing else.

1st: Cubs MVP in their round one win was 26 year old RH Ed Reulbach, 19-10, 1.78. Mickey Mantle singles with one out, time for the Mick to get it going if the Yanks are going to stick around. That's it.

2nd: Harry Steinfeldt draws a one out walk, Joe Tinker walks - and Pat Moran, unlikely hitting star, reaches for the sixth time in the series with a run scoring single.  Johnny Evers walks after the second out, That's all.  Yankees 0 Cubs 1

2nd: Gil McDougald walks with one out, that's all.

3rd: Solly Hofman singles - he's now reached 5 times.  2 outs later Steinfeldt walks, Raschi holds them.

3rd: The Yankees just haven't gotten things going at all in this series; after an out, Woodling and Berra single back to back, Mantle hits a sac fly that ties the score.  Joe Collins then singles - but that's it.  Yankees 1 Cubs 1

4th: Pat Moran doubles - again; Pat Moran!  Evers walks an out later and then a Sheckard sac fly puts the Cubs back on top.  Cubs 2 Yankees 1

4th: Scooter singles with one away, that's it.

5th: Frank Schulte singles with one away, that's all.

5th: Yogi singles with one away, an out later Collins walks - but the Yanks can't capitalize.

6th: 1-2-3, Raschi has allowed just 4 hits.

6th: 1-2-3, Reulbach maintains the lead, the Cubs 3 outs from a sweep.

7th: Tom Gorman on the mound for New York - 1-2-3, Yankee pitching giving their side a chance today.

7th: Woodling singles with one away - but again, New York does not score and now are 6 outs from elimination.

8th: Gorman hits Chance, then walks Schulte, but he gets the next 3, the Yanks are still in this thing.

8th: Collins and Noren walk.  Big spot here - Reulbach induces a big double play -- but then Rizzuto triples to score the tying run.  Irv Higginbotham comes on - gets out of it.  Cubs 2 Yankees 2

9th: 9th inning, deadlocked - Yanks need to win to stay alive; Evers hits a one out single, Casey goes to the pen for 36 year old RH Allie Reynolds, 13 wins, 13 saves, 3.41. He gets through it and we head to the bottom.

9th: 23 year old RH Rip Hagerman for the Cubs, 1.82 ERA - he's the best bullpen arm in the series - he walks Woodling with one out - then Mantle singles with two outs -- winning run in scoring position -- but they don't get it.

10th: The Yanks go with 35 year old RH Ray Scarborough, 3.29. 1-2-3

10th: Irv Noren singles - Noren got the start in place of Hank Bauer today, Casey looking to get another lefty bat in the lineup. Chance goes to the pen -- and he goes with the Game 2 winner Orval Overall - that's a big decision, that's going to knock Overall out of a potential game 5 winner take all start if the Yankees can get there.  Chance wants to knock New York out right now. Overall walks McDougald - winning run now in scoring position with nobody out -- and then Rizzuto walks.  

Bases loaded.  Nobody out.  2-2 game.  Martin fly ball to left -- Sheckard catches - Sheckard throws home -- Noren slides in under the tag -- ballgame.

Cubs 2

Yankees 3

WP Scarborough

LP Hagerman

The Yanks escape; taking game 3 in extras and forcing the series to go at least one more day. Chicago got just 5 hits - the Cubs don't score after the 4th inning.

Woodling 5x

Mantle 3x

Berra 4x

Collins 7x/double

McDougald 5x

Noren 2x

Bauer 1x

Rizzuto 5x/triple

Martin 2x

Hofman 5x/2 doubles

Chance 2x/double

Steinfeldt 6x/double

Evers 6x/double

Sheckard 4x

Tinker 3x

Schulte 4x

Moran 7x/2 doubles

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

P Brown (32)     193      8.5

LF Woodling (30) (LH) 146  3.8

C Berra (28)  (LH)      141   5.6

CF Mantle (21) (SH)  144   4.8

1B Collins (30)  (LH)   120   1.3

RF Bauer (30)     130   3.9

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

P Lopat (LH) (35)       152     3.9

GAME FOUR

1st: The Yankees are still alive and if they can force a game 5 - the Cubs will be without their scheduled starter, having used Overall out of the pen in game 3.  Eddie Lopat comes out to the mound for New York - He pitched in one game in the '53 Series and beat the Dodgers, complete game, 2 earned. 1-2-3

1st: Three Finger Brown's the best pitcher in this series, true in their respective seasons, true in this series. Woodling singles.  He's reached 6 times.  Nothing results.  

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Rizzuto hits a 2 out single. He's reached 6 times -- and he comes all the way around to score on a Billy Martin triple.  Martin had 6 triples all year - this one's bigger than all of them and gives New York a lead.  Cubs 0 Yankees 1

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down.

3rd: Another single for Woodling.  Again, nothing. 

4th: 1-2-3, 12 up, 12 down.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Sheckard singles with one out, the Cubs have a baserunner.  Lopat strands him.

5th: Lopat walks with one out - that's it.  

6th: 1-2-3, Eddie Lopat - what more can you say?  35 year old lefthander has given up just one baserunner in a must win game for the Yanks.  

6th: Joe Collins singles with one away - he's reached 8 times.  He doesn't score.  Helluva game.

7th: Can Lopat find 9 more outs and send this series back to Chicago? Frank Chance singles and a wild pitch sends him to second.  Lopat gets an out - then gives up a Johnny Evers triple and the score is tied at 1.  Lopat's done - Tom Gorman comes on for the Yanks - gets out of it.  Cubs 1 Yankees 1

7th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3, the Yankee pen was great in game 3 - Gorman leading the way and here he is again. Gorman's in his second season, they'll sell him to the A's in '55. 

8th: Yogi singles with one away; 6th Yankee hit of the day - after an out, Collins singles, but Brown ends the inning here and we're still all tied at 1.

9th: Hofman walks.  Yogi throws him out trying to swipe second; Gorman gets the second, then gives up a Steinfeldt single and hits Evers. 2 on.  2 out. All tied at a run.  Big spot.

Sheckard grounds to Collins - he takes it to the bag and Gorman holds on.  Big couple of days for Gorman.

9th: 1-2-3 -- Brown goes all 9 - and again we head to extras.  

10th: Allie Reynolds now gets the ball.  He's an All Star at the age of 36; next year is his final season. He gets one - but then Schulte reached on an error and, of course - it's Pat Moran who hits the big blow of the series; a double that scores the go ahead run. Ray Scarborough enters, finishes the inning.  The Cubs are 3 outs from the win.  Cubs 2 Yankees 1

10th: Irv Higginbotham comes on - is he about to end this series?

Don Bollweg is on to hit -- grounds to first - Chance keeps it.  

Woodling strikes out.

Yogi hits a screaming line drive -- Evers lays out and snares it and its over.  

Cubs 2

Yankees 1

WP Brown

LP Reynolds

Sv Higginbotham

Tinker jumps atop his double play partner - Moran runs to the mound - here come the Cubs from the dugout - the 1909 Cubs have won this series and move to the Region 3 Final.

Hofman 6x/2 doubles

Steinfeldt 7x/double

Evers 7x/double, triple

Moran 8x/3 doubles

Pat Moran played in 77 games this season; hit .220 -- but reached more than any other Cub, had more extra base hits than any other Cub, and won the series in the 10th today.

He's the MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Regional Semi-Final: 1904 NL Champion New York Giants v. 2011 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies

 Region 2 Final

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.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Regional Final: 1944 World Champion St Louis Cardinals v. 2017 NL Champion LA Dodgers.

 Cards v. Giants

18. 1944 World Champion St Louis Cardinals  v. 98. 2017 NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers 

And so, we reach the end of Region 2.  The 1977 Yankees won Region 1; one of these two teams is about to join them in the Final 8.  This was the Cards third straight pennant, they led the league in runs, fielding % and ERA.  This Dodger team was in the middle of a great, but unfulfilled run, the 5 of 8 straight postseason appearances (as of 2020). This was LAs first pennant since '88.  

Dodgers 104-58 (Pythag: 102-60) Mgr. Dave Roberts (2nd NL Mgr of Year)

Won NL West

d. Diamondbacks 3-0 in NLDS

d. Cubs 4-1 in NLCS (MVP: Chris Taylor/Justin Turner)

lost World Series 4-3 to Astros

d. #31. 1912 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Clayton Kershaw/Rich Hill)

d. #34  1952 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Chris Taylor)

d. #63  1948 Indians 3-0 (MVP-Clayton Kershaw)

All-Stars: 1B Cody Bellinger (NL ROY) RP Kenley Jansen (5th NL Cy Young) SP Clayton Kershaw (2nd NL Cy Young) SS Corey Seager, 3B Justin Turner, SP Alex Wood

This was the Dodgers 5th straight NL West champion, they won more games than any LA team ever.

Cardinals 105-59 (Pythag: 107-47) Mgr. Billy Southworth

Won NL Pennant

d. Browns 4-2 in World Series

d. #111 1914 Braves 2-0 (MVP-Johnny Hopp)

d. #82  2019 Nationals 3-0 (MVP-Walker Cooper)

d. #50  1912 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Stan Musial/Walker Cooper)

All Stars: C Walker Cooper, 3B Whitey Kurowski, SP Max Lanier, SS Marty Marion (NL MVP) SP Red Munger, OF Stan Musial (4th NL MVP)

Hall of Famers: Stan Musial, Billy Southworth

The Cardinals dominated WW2 baseball and this team remains in the tournament. They won the pennant in '43, the World Series this year, and finished 2nd in the NL in '45. 

Dodgers Lineup

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

C Grandal  (28)  (SH) 101   3.8 

CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96    .2 

2B Utley      (38)   (LH) 93    .95 

P Kershaw (LH) (29)   179   6.1

Bench

CF Toles     (25)  (LH) 102   .4

CF Hernandez (25)  92 1.3 

C  Barnes  (27)    138    3.2 

2B Forsythe (30)    1.5 

1B Gonzalez (35)  (LH) 70

LF Granderson (36) (LH) 73

SP2 Wood  (LH)  (26)  152   3.8

SP3 Hill (37) (LH)   125    2.7

SP4 Maeda (29) 98

Cardinals

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 1 SP: Munger (25) 268  3.3

Bench: 

LF Bergamo (27) 117 (LH) 1 

C O'Dea (31)  99 (LH)

UT Garms (37) 36 (LH)

UT Fallon (29) 55 

Game 2 SP: Lanier (28) (LH) 135

Game 3 Cooper (31)    145  5.4 

Game 4 Wilks (28)    135  3.3

Lineups:

C-Push, Cooper has the highest WAR, but LA's platoon combined is higher

1B-Bellinger

2B-Forsythe/Utley - Forsythe has the most WAR, then Verban, then Utley

SS-Seager, Marion is the NL MVP but Seager has the better year

3B-Turner

LF-Taylor

CF-Hopp

RF-Musial, LA has the stronger position players, they have more bench flexibility, Musial is clearly the best position player in the series.

SP1-Kershaw

SP2-Push

SP3-Cooper

SP4-Wilks, Cards have the better rotation, but Kershaw's the best starter in the series

Bullpen-LA, both clubs have deep pens, but LA's is extra deep and they have Jansen's 315 ERA+

Dodgers 7 Cards 4 - well, this is interesting; St Louis is easily the better seed and they have easily the best bat in the series (Musial) but the Dodgers win the WAR battle, they have the best starter, the best reliever, and their rotation is set up after their sweep in the last round.  LA is favored  

GAME ONE

1st:  Sportsman's Park, St Louis, Missouri.  The Region 2 Final is underway in a best of 7.  Red Munger, 25 year old RH, 11-3, 1.34 gets the ball in game 1 for the Cards.  Munger signed with the Cards in '37 after high school in Houston. His AAA manager was Pepper Martin, now his teammate with the big club, he came up in '43, had a 3.95 ERA; he made the All Star team in '44, but missed the entire second half, including the World Series, and all of '45 for military service. He gets the first, then walks Cody Bellinger.  He gets the second then Chris Taylor singles. Yasiel Puig and Yasmani Grandal single back to back to score runs, this Dodger team just keeps going.  Dodgers 2 Cards 0

1st: Co-MVP of round 1, MVP in round 3 - 29 year old lefty Clayton Kershaw is set to go today.  18-4, 2.31.  Munger's from Houston - Kershaw's from Dallas; in 2011, Kershaw led the league in wins, ERA, Ks, WHIP, H/9 and won the Cy Young.  In 2012, he led in ERA, ERA+, H/9 and finished 2nd.  In 2013 he led in ERA, Ks, ERA+, WHIP and won the Cy Young.  In 2014, in wins, winning %, ERA, ERA+, FIP, K/9, K/BB, won the Cy, won the MVP.  In 2015, in Ks, FIP, K/9, 3rd in the Cy, 10th in MVP.  In 2016, 5th in the Cy - and this season, led in wins, ERA, ERA+, K/BB, 2nd in the Cy.  He gets the first - then gives up a rocket homer to Stan Musial - that ball got out of here in a hurry and the Cards are on the board.  After the second out, Whitey Kurowski walks, but that's all.  Dodgers 2 Cards 1

2nd: Kershaw helps himself with a one out single; that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 32 year old Justin Turner singles.  Turner was part of the 2004 College World Series Champs with Cal St Fullerton, the Reds took him in the 7th round in '06, he was dealt to the Orioles system prior to the '09 season and came up that September.  The Orioles released Turner in '10 and he went to the Mets, they released him after the '13 season and he signed with LA and with his retooled swing, broke out.  Turner hit .340 in '14, in the '15 NLDS against the Mets he hit .526. Turner hit 27 homers last year; this year he made the All Star team, was third in the NL in batting average and second in OBP. He hit .462 in the NLDS, ws co-MVP of the NLCS.  That's all for LA.

3rd: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Kershaw

4th: 25 year old Joc Pederson walks; he's platooning in center in the series. LA took Pederson in the 11th round out of a Northern California high school; he came up late in '14 and hit 3 homers in this year's World Series. That's all

4th: Ray Sanders doubles with 2 away.  Sanders is from St Louis, signed 3 years after high school by the Cards in '38. Branch Rickey sold star first baseman Johnny Mize to the Giants after the '41 season and Sanders came up.  This year he hit .295, had a 371 OBP. led NL first basemen in fielding % and had a hit in each game of the World Series.  That's all.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Blix Donnelly takes over for St Louis; 30 year old RH with a 2.12 ERA. Donnelly's from Minnesota; he signed with the Cards in '36, 9 years later - he's a 30 year old rookie this season and won game 2 of the World Series. Yasiel Puig greets him with a base hit. Yasmani Grandal walks. But Donnelly keeps LA off the board and St Louis still trails by just a run.

6th: 27 year old Johnny Hopp doubles with 2 out.  Hopp went to Hastings College in Nebraska, signed by the Cards in '36, came up late in '39. With center fielder Terry Moore in the military; Hopp got the job this year and broke out, hitting .336.  Whitey Kurowski follows with a single and the Cards have tied this game at 2.  Dodgers 2 Cards 2

7th: 28 year old RH Freddy Schmidt is next for St Louis.  7-3, 3.15. 1-2-3

7th: Danny Litwhiler walks; he's platooning in left in the series. Litwhiler went to Bloomsburg St Teachers College and got his teaching certificate, then signed with the Tigers in '36. In '39, he had to wait to report to his minor league assignment until a teaching replacement could be found for him at his high school teaching job.  He tore up his knee that season, the Tigers released him and he signed with the Phillies, who called him up.  In 1942, Litwhiler played in every game and did not make an error.  St Louis dealt for him in '43, he hit .264 this season.  Kershaw stops it here - he's allowed just 4 hits and we remain tied.

8th: Chris Taylor singles. Taylor went to Virginia, the Mariners took him in the 5th round in '12, he came up middle of the '14 season and two years later the Dodgers got him for Zach Lee.  Taylor hit .288 this year, playing all over the diamond and homered on the first pitch of the World Series.  But homering right now -- Yasiel Puig - a 2 run bolt that puts the Dodgers back in front.  An out later Pederson walks - that's all -- but LA is now 6 outs from taking game 1.  Dodgers 4 Cards 2

8th: Walker Cooper singles with one away. MVP for the Cards in round 2, co-MVP in round 3.  Cooper's from Missouri, was 25 when he broke in in late '40, in '42 he scored the winning run of the last game of the World Series.  This year he hit .317 in the regular season and .318 in the World Series. But that's all Kershaw allows and he's 3 outs away from salting game one.

9th: 34 year old RH Harry Gumbert takes the ball for the Cards, 2.49. 21 year old rookie Cody Bellinger triples with one out.  Bellinger played for the Chandler, Arizona team in the '07 Little League World Series. LA took him in the 4th round in '13. He came up early this season; hit 39 homers, won the Rookie of the Year and was 9th in the NL MVP. He's left at third.

9th: LA goes to the pen for Kenley Jansen.  29 year old RH with 41 saves and a 1.32 ERA.  Jansen's from Curacao, he played ball with Andrelton Simmons as a kid.  Signed with the Dodgers as a catcher in '04, moved to pitching 5 years later and got called up mid 2010.  In '11, he broke the MLB record for K/9, had a 1.88 ERA in '13, 44 saves in '14, broke the Dodger career save mark in '16, this year he struck out 51 before giving up his first walk, finished every game of the NLDS, didn't allow a batter to reach in the NLCS.  

Kurowski grounds to short - one away.

Sanders flies to right - two away.

And then Litwhiler hits one a mile -- a homer to dead center that brings this sold out crowd to life and the Cards cut it to 1.

Jansen strikes out Marion and it's over.  

Dodgers 4

Cards 3

WP Kershaw

LP Munger

Sv Jansen

Kershaw dominates this one, goes 8, gives up 5 hits and Puig drives in 3 runs including the game winning 2 run homer and LA, which swept Cleveland in the last round, wins again.

Bellinger 2x/triple

Turner 1x

Taylor 2x

Puig 3x/HR

Grandal 2x

Pederson 2x

Cooper 1x

Musial 1x/HR

Hopp 1x/double

Kurowski 2x

Sanders 1x

Litwhiler 2x/HR

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

C  Barnes  (27)    138    3.2 

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

CF Hernandez (25)  92 1.3 

2B Forsythe (30)    1.5 83

SP2 Wood  (LH)  (26)  152   3.8

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 2 SP: Lanier (28) (LH) 135

GAME TWO

1st: The Cards do not want to drop the first two games at home; they turn to Max Lanier to even up the series.  28 year old lefty, 17-12, 2.65. Lanier signed with the Cards when he was a 17 year old high school senior in North Carolina in '34 but wound up leaving the organization and playing semi-pro ball.  He comes back in '37 and comes up to the big club in '38. Lanier lost 16 in '39, developed elbow issues in '41 but posted a 2.82 ERA; Lanier made the All Star team in '43 and finished the season with a 1.90 ERA. This July, Lanier threw a 14 inning complete game beating the Dodgers.  He had what turned out to be appendicitis late in the year and lost his last seven starts.  Lanier won clinching Game 6 in the World Series.  He gives up a 2 out Bellinger single, that's all.

1st: 26 year old lefty Alex Wood takes the mound; 16-3, 2.72 - like Lanier, Wood is also from North Carolina and went to school at Georgia.  The Braves took him in the 2nd round in '12, he came up in '13 and was dealt to LA in the middle of 2015. Wood, like Lanier, had an elbow issue and had surgery in '16. He started this year 10-0 and made the All Star team. 1-2-3

2nd: Kike Hernandez walks with two out.  The 25 year old Hernandez is platooning in center; he's from Puerto Rico, taken in the 6th round by the Astros in '09, called up in mid season 2014. A month into his big league career he's sent to the Marlins and then after the season comes to LA.  Hernandez hit .423 against lefties in 2015, helping to explain why he's in against Lanier.  Hernandez hit .215 this year, playing all over the diamond. Hernandez hit 3 homers in game 5 of the NLCS, one of which was a grand slam.  Lorgan Forsythe walks, that's all.

2nd: Danny Litwhiler homered in the 9th in game one and he singles here with 2 away, nothing results.  

3rd: Justin Turner singles and Austin Barnes drives him home with a double.  Barnes is catching today against the lefty.  He went to Arizona St, the Marlins took him in the 8th round in '11. He came to the Dodgers in that same trade that brought Hernandez and made brief big league appearances in '15 and '16. This year he hit .289 platooning with Grandal. Bellinger singles home Barnes and it's 2-0. Lanier holds it here.  Dodgers 2 Cards 0

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Wood helps himself with a 2 out double, but that's all.

4th: Stan Musial singles. Musial was co-MVP last round and homered in game 1. Musial was a 16 year old high school student in Pennsylvania when he signed with he Cards in '37. He started off as a pitcher, but was just hitting by the time he was called up in '41. Musial hit .318, second in the league, in '42 and was third in triples - and then in '43 he became Stan Musial. Led the league in hitting, slugging, OBP, hits, doubles, triples, won the NL MVP.  This year, Musial hit .347, led the league in hits, doubles, OBP, slugging.  He hit .304 in the World Series.  2 outs later, Whitey Kurowski singles. That's it.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, Wood holding the Cards to 5 hits.  

6th: Yasiel Puig walks - Puig was the offensive star in game one, with 3 RBI in LAs 4-3 win.  Puig's Cuban, defected in '10, signed with LA in '12, called up in mid-'13, was 2nd in NL Rookie of the Year.  Hamstring injuries began to slow him down in '15, he was sent down for awhile in '16. This year he hit 28 homers, hit .455 in the NLDS and .389 in the NLCS. Puig then steals second - scores on a Corey Seager base hit - the Cards can't afford to let the Dodgers get too many more, given the roll LA pitching is on.  Lanier gets one - then Forsythe doubles home Seager.  LA has a four run lead.  Dodgers 4 Cards 0

6th: 40 year old Pepper Martin pinch singles.  Martin grew up in Oklahoma City, quit high school, signed with the Cards in '24. He came up late in '28 and then for good in '31, hitting .300 as a 27 year old rookie. Martin hit .500 in the '31 World Series.  In '33 he led the league in runs and steals, in '34 he was an All Star for the Gas House Gang Cards.  Martin's last full season was '36, hurting his knee the following year.  Martin retires after the '40 season to move into managing in the Cards system - but with the War impact on the Cards roster, came back this year for 40 more games.  Walker Cooper follows with a single and Martin scores on a Musial groundout.  Dodgers 4 Cards 1

7th: Blix Donnelly is on again for the Cards. 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, like Kershaw in game 1, and like all the Dodger starters did in the last round - Wood is dominating today. Dodger pitching has really grabbed this Region.  

8th: Donnelly gets 2 - Hernandez singles and Fosythe walks.  30 year old Logan Forsythe is platooning at second.  Forythe went to Arkansas, the Padres chose him 46th overall in '08, came up in '11. San Diego sent him to Tampa before the '14 season, three years later, the Rays dealt him to LA.  He hit .224 this year, .297 in the World Series.  It ends here.

8th: 31 year old RH Josh Fields takes over for LA. 2.84. Fields went to Georgia, was 1st team All American his senior year, broke the career SEC saves record.  The Mariners took him 20th overall in '08. Seattle shipped him to the Red Sox organization in the middle of '11. The Astros plucked him away the next year and he made his big league debut in early '13. The Dodgers got him at the '16 deadline for Yordan Alvarez, in a deal they regret.  He walks Emil Verban, Fields gets one -- and then Walker Cooper bolts a 2 run homer and the Cards have cut the lead to a run.  Musial singles. And then Johnny Hopp hits a 2 run homer that absolutely lights up this St Louis crowd - the Cards have scored 4 in the 8th and have taken the lead.  29 year old RH Pedro Baez comes on, gives up a Kurowski double. Sanders walks - Baez escapes. Dodgers 4 Cards 5

9th: The Cards lost game one to the Giants in the last round, were about to lose game 2 but had a dramatic late comeback and didn't lose again.  Are we about to see them even this series?  Freddy Schmidt is on for the Cards - 3 outs to go.  Justin Turner singles. Austin Barnes walks.  Tying run in scoring position. Bellinger walks and LA has loaded them up with nobody out.  Chris Tayor flies out - it scores the tying run. 34 year old RH Harry Gumbert comes on -- and he gives up a bases clearing triple to Puig.  Yasiel Puig comes through again - a 2 run triple and LA regains the lead.  Corey Seager follows with a triple - huge inning for LA.  Hernandez doubles home another run - bang, bang, bang.  Forsythe walks, Gumbert gets the second out - and then Turner singles for the second time in the frame. 24 year old RH Bud Byerly enters. 3.40. He walks Barnes to load the bases - it ends here, but this one is over. Dodgers 10 Cards 5

9th: 32 year old RH Brandon Morrow is on to finish game 2 - 2.06 ERA.  He gets one, then walks pinch hitter Ken O'Dea. That's all.

Dodgers 10

Cards 5

WP Baez

LP Schmidt

St Louis saved the tournament, scoring 4 in the 8th to take the lead - and then had it all disappear in a torrent of Dodger extra base hits.  7 strong for Wood following 8 strong for Kershaw.  

Bellinger 5x/triple

Turner 4x

Taylor 2x

Puig 5x/HR, triple

Seager 2x/triple

Hernandez 3x/double

Forsythe 4x/double

Grandal 2x

Pederson 2x

Barnes 3x/double

Cooper 3x/HR

Musial 3x/HR

Hopp 2x/double, HR

Kurowski 4x/double

Sanders 2x

Litwhiler 3x/HR

Verban 1x

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 3 Cooper (31)    145  5.4 

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

CF Toles     (25)  (LH) 102   .4

C Grandal  (28)  (SH) 101   3.8 

2B Utley      (38)   (LH) 93    .95 

SP3 Hill (37) (LH)   125    2.7

GAME THREE

1st: LA takes both games in St Louis, after their semi-final sweep of the Indians. The Dodgers rolling through Region 2 and now home for the next 3 (if needed).  Rich Hill takes the mound; 37 year old lefty, 12-8, 3.32. Hill went to Michigan, drafted after his junior year by the Cubs in the 4th round in '02, debuted in mid '05, dealt to Baltimore before the '09 season.  Hill tore his shoulder that year, was let go and signed with the Cards in '10, he opted out of the organization at mid season and signed in Boston.  In '11 he blew out his elbow and had Tommy John (shoulders and elbows, life of a professional pitcher) they'd let him go the following year and he signs with Cleveland before the '13 season.  In 2013 he works 63 innings, the most of his career, and he's bad, an ERA over 6.  He signs a deal to go back to the Red Sox before the '14 season and they ship him to the Angels a few months later.  He's released quickly and finishes up '14 with the Yankees.  In '15, he signs with the Nats, never gets called up - opts out - and finishes the year in his third stint with the Red Sox organization.  Hill has the best stretch of his career as a starter with the A's in 2016, enough that it buys him a deadline deal trade to LA and that run continues through his solid 2017 and here he stands, on the Dodger Stadium mound, in Game 3.  He walks Walker Cooper to open, gets one, gives up a Johnny Hopp single - and then Whitey Kurowski beats him with a 3 run blast that puts the Cards out in front.  St Louis desperately needed a good start here and they get one.  Cards 3 Dodgers 0

1st: Walker Cooper's big brother Mort gets the ball for the Cards. 31 year old RH, 22-7, 2.46. Cooper played American Legion ball in Kansas City, signed with the Cards in '33. Cooper had a bad car accident after the '34 season, struggled with recuperation, got his first call up in late '37.  Cooper's up for good in '39, with elbow issues that continue for years (elbows and shoulders) and in '42 has his big year, 22 wins, a 1.78 ERA and the NL MVP.  In '43 he led the league in wins, second in Ks, ERA, shutouts.  Cooper led the league in shutouts this season and shutout the Browns in Game 5 of the World Series. Bellinger singles with one away, Turner singles - Taylor singles and the bases are loaded with just one away.  But Cooper buckles down and gets through it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Chase Utley singles with one out. Utley's platooning at second; with Forsythe having a big game 2, probably Utley needs to get on base today to earn any more playing time in the series.  Utley is 38 years old, went to UCLA, the Phillies took him 15th overall in '00 and got called up in '03, becoming the every day second baseman in '05. Utley had a 35 game hitting streak in '06, made the NL All Star team in '07 and '08, and he hit 5 home runs in the 2009 World Series.  In '11, Utley's knees started to go and the Phillies dealt him to LA late in 2015. Utley went 0-15 in this year's postseason.  That's it.

3rd: Musial singles - that's all Hill allows.

3rd: Chris Taylor singles with 2 out, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Emil Verban walks. Verban hit .412 in the '44 World Series; that's all Hill allows.

5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Cooper, he maintains the shutout as we go to the 6th.

6th: Whitey Kurowski walks with one away.  Kurowski hit that big 3 run homer in the first that remains the only runs on the board today.  A childhood injury caused Kurowski's right arm to be several inches shorter than his left; was signed by the Cards at 19 years old from his Pennsylvania high school in 1937. He and Musial came up together in the '41 pennant race. Kurowski hit a big 9th inning World Series homer in game 5 off of Red Ruffing in '42 to give the Cards the championship. Nothing results - the Cards have just 3 hits today.

6th: Yasiel Puig doubles with 2 away, he's now reached 6 times.  But Cooper again holds on.

7th: Josh Fields let the Cards back into game 2 and he gets another shot here. 1-2-3

7th: Utley singles with one out - lot of production from Dodger second basemen in the series. It ends here, Cooper maintaining the shutout.

8th: Musial singles with one out, that's all.  

8th: 1-2-3, Mort Cooper is pitching the Cards back into this series.  

9th: 29 year old RH Pedro Baez enter for LA, 2.95.  1-2-3 great outing for Dodger pitching, St Louis with just 4 hits.  

9th: Cooper stays on to finish this up. 

Puig grounds to first, Sanders keeps it himself.

Toles grounds to first, Sanders keeps it himself.

Grandal doubles down the line to keep the Dodgers alive.

Utley triples -- such a huge game for the veteran Utley - and it puts the Dodgers on the board.

Joc Pederson comes on to hit for the pitcher.

Blix Donnelly comes on to pich - and he walks him.

2 on, 2 out - Dodgers trail by 2.

Seager flies to deep - deep - deep right -- caught by Musial to end the game.

Cards 3

Dodgers 1

WP Cooper

LP Hill

Sv Donnelly

The Cards only get 4 hits today, but one is a 3 run Whitey Kurowski homer and they get a game.  

Cooper 4x/HR

Musial 5x/HR

Hopp 3x/double, HR

Kurowski 6x/double, HR

Sanders 2x

Litwhiler 3x/HR

Verban 1x

Bellinger 6x/triple

Turner 5x

Taylor 4x

Puig 6x/HR, triple, double

Seager 2x/triple

Hernandez 3x/double

Forsythe 4x/double

Grandal 3x/double

Utley 3x/triple

Pederson 2x

Barnes 3x/double

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

LF Bergamo (27) 117 (LH) 1 

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 4 Wilks (28)    135  3.3

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

C Grandal  (28)  (SH) 101   3.8 

CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96    .2 

2B Utley      (38)   (LH) 93    .95 

SP4 Maeda (29) 98

GAME FOUR

 1st: Kenta Maeda takes the mound for the first time in the tournament; 29 year old RH, 13-6, 4.22. Maeda signed out of the Japanese league before last season. He was 3rd in the NL Rookie of the Year. He moved in and out of the rotation this year; was in the pen in the playoffs, particularly strong against RH bats.  Hopp singles - he's reached four times in the series; he gets 2 and then Augie Bergamo, getting his first start of the series against LAs only RH doubles to score a run.  A wild pitch moves Bergamo to third and then he scores when Kurowski reaches on error.  Cards 2 Dodgers 0

1st: Ted Wilks is given that 2 run lead. 28 year old rookie RH 17-4, 2.64. Wilks is from upstate New York, dropped out of high school, played some semi-pro ball and signed with the Cards in '37. He didn't make the big club until this year, he joined the rotation at mid year when Munger left for the military. In August, he was knocked out when he took a line drive off the ear. He clinched the World Series out of the pen in Game 6. 1-2-3

2nd: Emil Verban doubles.  Hopp singles again an out later and it's 3-0. Musial singles, he's now reached 6 times. After the second out - Walker Cooper singles, it's 4-0 Cards and look what we've got here, it's St Louis storming through Dodger Stadium.  Cards 4 Dodgers 0

2nd: Chris Taylor walks and steals second - Dodgers trying to get it going.  They don't.  

3rd: Whitey Kurowski homers to left center - Kurowski won game 3 with a homer and hits another here.  Sure looks like the Cards are about to even up this series.  An out later Verban singles. After the second out, Hopp singles for the third time today and then Musial singles home another St Louis run.  Maeda isn't ready for this smoke.  Cards 6 Dodgers 0

3rd: Corey Seager doubles with 2 away, that's all.

4th: Walker Cooper walks. Maeda gets one and then Kurowski salts this one away with a 2 run homer -- Whitey Kurowski has wrested control of this series and it's 8-0.  25 year old RH Brock Stewart gets the call from Dave Roberts, he's got a 3.41 ERA and he ends it.  Cards 8 Dodgers 0

4th: Turner reaches by error - two outs later Grandal singles him home to break the shutout. Cards 8 Dodgers 1

5th: Hopp walks with 1 out - he's reached 4 times today - that's all.  

5th: Utley singles, but that's it.  

6th: 32 year old Chris Hatcher is the next Dodger arm, 4.66. 1-2-3.

6th: Taylor doubles with 2 away, nothing results.  Wilks is putting LA away today.  

7th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Musial doubles with one away  - he's now reached 8 times in the series. After the second out he scores on a Cooper single.  Bergamo walks - Kurowski singles home another run.  And then Marty Marion adds some more pain with a 3 run jack.  The Cards have come to LA and are just whipping the Dodgers. Cards 13 Dodgers 1

8th: 24 year old RH Bud Byerly gets the call for the Cards - 1-2-3

9th: Byerly singles and two outs later scores on a Hatcher wild pitch.  Musial singles again and Sanders walks, that's all.  Cards 14 Dodgers 1

9th: 1-2-3

Cards 14

Dodgers 1

WP Wilks

LP Maeda

So - in these best of 7 series (and least until we get to the final four teams) we're using 4th starters for game 4 and that did not serve LA well today as Maeda got lit up.  17 Cardinal hits.  LA just got 4 of their own and just got obliterated here as St Louis evened up the series at 2.

Cooper 7x/HR

Musial 9x/HR, double

Hopp 7x/double, HR

Kurowski 9x/double, 3HR

Sanders 3x

Litwhiler 3x/HR

Verban 3x/double

Bergamo 2x/double

Marion 1x/HR

Bellinger 6x/triple

Turner 5x

Taylor 6x/double

Puig 6x/HR, triple, double

Seager 3x/triple

Hernandez 3x/double

Forsythe 4x/double

Grandal 4x/double

Utley 4x/triple

Pederson 2x

Barnes 3x/double

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 1 SP: Munger (25) 268  3.3

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

C Grandal  (28)  (SH) 101   3.8 

CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96    .2 

2B Utley      (38)   (LH) 93    .95 

P Kershaw (LH) (29)   179   6.1

GAME FIVE

1st: Pivotal game 5 - the road teams have won all 4 games; we will be going back to St Louis, the quetion is which team will be a game from advancing.  Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for LA - he walks Cooper to lead off, he's now reached 8 times - but that's all.  

1st: Red Munger goes for the Cards -- he gets 2 and then Justin Turner doubles. He's reached 7 times on the series. That's all.

2nd: Kershaw gets two - then Marion and Verban single back to back - that's all.

2nd: Puig singles - he's now reached 7 times. Munger stops it.  

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Kershaw

4th: Puig again, he singles with 2 out - but that is all.  

5th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Kershaw

5th: 1-2-3, Munger's struck out 6.

6th: 1-2-3, Kershaw has retired 13 in a row, the Cards have just 2 hits.  Kershaw's struck out 5.

6th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Munger, LA has 3 hits today -- Munger and Kershaw battling it out in game 5, this series is absolutely deadlocked at 2.  

7th: 1-2-3, 16 straight for Kershaw.

7th: Munger's done - Blix Donnelly is on, can the Dodgers break through?  Puig again, he singles with one away.  Nothing results.  

8th: 1-2-3...19 straight for Kershaw.

8th: Freddy Schmidt now for the Cards -- 1-2-3

9th: Scoreless in the 9th inning of game 5.  Who takes the series lead?  Kershaw gets 1 and then Musial singles.  That's all.  

9th: Corey Seager doubles - there it is, there's the big blow - and now the winning run is at second.  Schmidt walks Bellinger intentionally to set up the force play.  Cards in a real pickle here.  Turner flies to center -- Seager scampers to third.  90 feet away from the win.  Taylor grounds to third - the runner doesn't break to the plate - Kurowski's only play is at first.

Second and third, 2 away, still scoreless -- Puig....bounces to Sanders -- he takes it to the bag himself and Schmidt is out of it and we head to the 10th.

10th: Kershaw's day is over and it's Josh Fields for LA.  1-2-3.

10th: Pederson singles with one away - that brings on Harry Gumbert; he gets the second out, the Dodgers go with Andrew Toles to pinch hit - and he singles.  Men on the corners -- 2 away -- Seager slaps a single to left center -- and it's done  

Cards 0

Dodgers 1

WP Fields

LP Schmidt

Helluva pitchers duel here at Dodgers Stadium, in the end - it's LA who punches across the only run of the day to take a 3-2 series lead.  Just 3 hits for St Louis.

Bellinger 7x/triple

Turner 6x/double

Taylor 6x/double

Puig 9x/HR, triple, double

Seager 5x/triple, double

Hernandez 3x/double

Forsythe 4x/double

Grandal 4x/double

Utley 4x/triple

Pederson 3x

Barnes 3x/double

Toles 1x

Cooper 8x/HR

Musial 10x/HR, double

Hopp 7x/double, HR

Kurowski 9x/double, 3HR

Sanders 3x

Litwhiler 3x/HR

Verban 4x/double

Bergamo 2x/double

Marion 2x/HR

3B Turner (32)    150    5.1

C  Barnes  (27)    138    3.2 

1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143   4.1

LF Taylor   (26)   123   4.6

RF Puig      (26)   119    3.5

SS Seager  (23)   (LH) 126    5.2

CF Hernandez (25)  92 1.3 

2B Forsythe (30)    1.5 83

SP2 Wood  (LH)  (26)  152   3.8

C Cooper (29)   136   4.3

RF Musial (23) 174  (LH) 7.9

CF Hopp (27)  150 (LH)  5.2

3B Kurowski (26) 118  3.8

1B Sanders (27) (LH) 125  2.6

LF Litwhiler (27) 109  2 

SS Marion (27) 90      4

2B Verban (28)   62   1.1

Game 2 SP: Lanier (28) (LH) 135

GAME SIX

1st: Back to Sportsman's Park for Game 6 - LA took Game 5 1-0 in 10 innings and are 9 innings away from joining the 1977 Yankees in the Final 8.  Max Lanier takes the hill for the Cards.  1-2-3

1st: Alex Wood was really strong in a no decision in game 2 and goes again today.  1-2-3

2nd: Chris Taylor walks. He's reached 7 times.  Taylor steals second and then scores on a Puig base hit.  LA jumps out in front.  Lanier gets one, then gives up a base hit to Hernandez, Forsythe grounds out and it scores the second run. Dodgers 2 Cards 0

2nd: Kurowski singles, he's reached 10 times - he also has 3 homers on the series and is the hitting star for either side. Ray Sanders singles, Wood gets 2 and then Verban singles home a run. Wood walks Lanier, that's all.  Dodgers 2 Cards 1

3rd: Lanier hits Turner - Barnes reaches by error - two outs later Puig singles to score a run. Puig has reached 11 times in the series. Seager singles - Seager drove in game 5's only run.  Hernandez singles - it scores 2 more - LA is up 5-1 and this Dodger team can feel it happening now.  Forsythe walks - thats it.  Dodgers 5 Cards 1

3rd: Musial singles, can the Cards get some back? Hopp singles.  Kurowski walks - and now this sold out crowd is into it again - bases drunk with Cardinals and nobody out -- Sanders grounds into a big double play, scoring a run.  But that's a big stop for Wood.  Dodgers 5 Cards 2

4th: Lanier is still out there but shouldn't be - back to back walks for Turner and Barnes, and then Cody Bellinger ends this series with a 3 run homer - this Dodger dugout has exploded with joy and a 6 run lead.  Puig singles after an out, that's all.  Dodgers 8 Cards 2

4th: Marty Marion homers - his second of the series to get a run back. Wood hits Verban, 2 outs later - here's Musial, a run scoring single.  Dodgers 8 Cards 4

5th: Turner singles with 2 out, that's it.  

5th: Kurowski gets hit - Wood's now hit Cardinals in back to back innings - it ends here.  

6th: Bud Byerly is on for St Louis - Bellinger singles, Taylor singles, Puig singles and it's 9-4. Seager grounds out and it's Dodgers 10 Cards 4

6th: 1-2-3

7th: The Dodgers can barely contain themselves, 9 outs away from advancing.  Turner doubles with one out - that's all.  

7th: Josh Fields takes over for LA - gives up a two out Hopp single, but that's all.

8th: 22 year old RH Al Jursich for St Louis - 1-2-3

8th: Pedro Baez now for LA - 1-2-3

9th: Hernandez walks, it ends here.  

9th: Baez stays on the mound, LA just 3 outs from winning Region 2 -- 

Verban grounds to Forsythe - to first.  One away.

The veteran Pepper Martin onto pinch hit - standing ovation from this Cardinal crowd who knows this might be his final at bat.  Easy fly ball to Hernandez.

Cooper singles.  

And that means one more at bat for Musial -- he grounds to Seager -- onto first -- and the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers are your Region 2 Champs!

Dodgers 10

Cards 4

WP Wood

LP Lanier

The Dodgers mob Baez on the mound - the 98th overall seed, the NL Champion Dodgers, who lost the World Series have survived the Region 2 gauntlet to advance to the final 8 teams in this tournament.  

Bellinger 9x/triple, HR

Turner 9x/ 2 doubles

Taylor 8x/double

Puig 13x/HR, triple, double

Kershaw had 2 dominant games - and LA had four big hitting stars; Puig had 4 hits today, he outpaced the rest of the bats - and he is the MVP as the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers join the 1977 New York Yankees as the first 2 teams to reach the Elite Eight.