2020 Survivor Series Preview (every Survivor Series match ever ranked)

Survivor Series is Sunday from Orlando.  As of this writing there are 6 matches on the card.

Drew McIntyre (Raw's WWE Champion) vs. Roman Reigns (SmackDown's Universal Champion) (with Paul Heyman)

No titles on the line Sunday, I dont have a great handle on the booking; I'm confident Roman doesn't do a clean job here (I assume there isn't a clean finish, maybe Sheamus screws Drew). Reigns, right now, is the top guy in the promotion; his heel turn and packaging with Heyman really works (subjective works, not talking about business, although Smackdown ratings have stabilized, right?). Roman took his title in a post-Summer Slam August PPV, pinning Strowman in a 3 way (Wyatt was champ).  He's added the non-injured Uso in the act; maybe building for a Mania match against the Rock.  It's currently the most interesting act in the promotion (I'd say it's also more interesting as an act than any of the AEW acts, work aside) Reigns is the 14th Universal Champion.  McIntyre is the lineal WWF Champion; he regained the belt from Orton on Monday.  He's a hard hitting babyface. He's fine. McIntyre's the 139th Champ.  The match should be fine, unlikely to be one you'll feel bad about missing.

(3 3/4 stars, really good, Reigns in the interference aided finish)

Bobby Lashley (Raw's United States Champion) vs. Sami Zayn (SmackDown's Intercontinental Champion)

Lashley's a muscleman heel, part of a heel faction (maybe, they've also been in a long program with another heel faction; and since Zayn is clearly a heel, probably you consider Lashley the babyface here).  I assume Lashley goes over.  Zayn's always good, Lashley's almost always mediocre.  He took the US Title from Apollo Crews in August.  This is the Mid-Atlantic, NWA, WCW US Title - Lashley's the 169th Champ.  The great Sami Zayn regained the belt in a really good late September ladder match over Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles. He's the 177th IC Champ.  Zayn is always worth watching, Lashley most often is not.  

(not worth watching)

Asuka (Raw Women's Champion) vs. Sasha Banks (SmackDown Women's Champion)

Two good workers; Banks is coming off a nice program with Bayley and moving into what will be an unsatisfying one with Carmella.  Asuka took the RAW Title from Banks back at Summer Slam (Banks was a heel then, now she is not). She's the 18th RAW Women's Champ. Banks, coincidentally, is the 18th Smackdown Women's Champ, she took from Bayley in a good Cell match a couple weeks ago.  This could be the best match of the show, maybe the men's elimination will wind up more highly rated given the likelihood they give it 40 minutes.  

(3 1/2, which is on the high end of a reasonable view of this match, Banks wins)

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) (Raw Tag Team Champions) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) (SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

The New Day is now just Kingston and Woods, Langston is split off as a single. Everyone's a babyface here; Something I always note doing these quarterly previews is neither the RAW nor the Smackdown tag belts are the lineal WWF tag belts.  The RAW belts were launched in '02. They got these belts in October when they just swapped them with the Street Profits when the two teams switched shows.  They're the 81st RAW Champs - the Street Profits took the belts on a pre- Mania TV from Rollins and Murphy, both of whom, like the Street Profits, are now on Smackdown.  The Smackdown belts have only been around since '16 (yes, there currently are not tag belts actively defended in WWE that existed before 2002, no, this does not make any sense).  The Street Profits are the 23rd champs - as mentioned, they swapped belts with the New Day last month -- the New Day won them in July from Nakamura and Cesaro in a tables match. Both these teams are fine, the Profits are still pretty green.  

(3 stars, Profits win, it was fine)

Team Raw (AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, and Riddle) vs. Team SmackDown (Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, King Corbin, Seth Rollins, and TBD)

Team Raw (Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Lana, Lacey Evans, and Peyton Royce) vs. Team SmackDown (Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and two members TBD)

(Both pretty skippable)

And then the two elimination matches.  I'm not sure Rollins makes it - it sure looks like he's about to lose a blowoff match to Buddy Murphy on Smackdown Friday and maybe the result of that is Murphy gets that spot.  Elimination matches are fun and given how few matches are on the card, likely to get a lot of time (the women's match does not need a lot of time, there are some unfortunate workers in this one).

And that's it - it's definitely not a show you need to see; likely to produce matches that are fine, but dispensible.  

Through 2019.

Here's every match (probably) in the history of Survivor Series ranked.  Show proper, only. Rankings are mine.

The match times are rounded and they are followed by my star ratings for all of the 3 stars and up matches. 

1.      (96) Bret Hart d. Steve Austin 28:30 4 ¾

2.   (17) Non Title: Universal Champ Brock Lesnar d. WWF Champ AJ Styles 15:30 4 1/4

3.      (92) WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels 26 min 4 ¼

4.   (16) A.J. Styles/Dean Ambrose/Randy Orton/Bray Wyatt/Shane McMahon d. Kevin Owens/ Chris Jericho/Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns/Braun Strowman 53 min 4 

5.      (95) WWF Title Bret Hart d. Diesel 25 min 4

6.   (18) Cruiserweight Title: Buddy Murphy d. Mustafa Ali (12:30) 4

7.   (18) Brock Lesnar d. Daniel Bryan (19 min) 4

      8.  (19) NXT Title: Adam Cole v. Pete Dunne (14 min) 4

9.      (02) Tags: Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero) d, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, and Edge and Rey Mysterio 19:30 3 ¾

10.    (17) The Shield d. The New Day 21:30 3 3/4 

            

           11 . (97) WWF Title Shawn Michaels d. Bret Hart 12:30 3 ¾ 

           12. (18) Ronda Rousey d. Charlotte Flair (DQ) 14:30 3 3/4 

           

           13.  (96) WWF Title: Sid d. Shawn Michaels 20 min 3 ¾

           

           14. (16)    Enzo Amore/Big Cass &/Kofi Kingston/Big E/Primo/ Epico/Luke Gallows/Karl Anderson/Cesaro/Sheamus d. Jason Jordan/Chad Gable/Heath Slater/Rhyno/Tyler Breeze/Fandango/Usos/Mojo Rawley/Zack Ryder  19 min 3 3/4

        

           15. (87) Strike Force/Jim Powers/Paul Roma/British Bulldogs/Rougeaus/Killer Bees d.

Hart Foundation/Demolition/Greg Valentine/Dino Bravo/Islanders/Bolsheviks    30:30  3 ¾

16. (19) Team SmackDown (Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, King Corbin, Mustafa Ali, and Shorty G) defeated Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Ricochet) and Team NXT (Tommaso Ciampa, Damian Priest, Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, and Walter) 29.45 3 3/4

      

      17. (01)Team WWF (The Rock, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and The Big Show) d. Team Alliance (Stone Cold Steve Austin, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle, Booker T, and Shane McMahon) 45 min 3 ½

18. (02)World (Elimination Chamber) Shawn Michaels d. Triple H  (with Ric Flair), Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Kane, and Chris Jericho 39 min 3 ½

      

      19. (03)Team Bischoff (Chris Jericho, Christian, Randy Orton, Scott Steiner and Mark Henry) d. Team Austin (Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, and D-Von Dudley) 27 min. 3 ½

            

            20. (11) WWF Title CM Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio 17 min 3 1/2 

            

            21. (96) Doug Furnas/Phil Lafon/Godwinns d. Owen/DaveyBoy/New Rockers  20:30 3 ½

            

            22. (17) Usos d. Sheamus/Cesaro 16 min 3 1/2

            23. (19) Roderick Strong d. Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles 16:45 3 1/2

            24. (12) Team Ziggler (Dolph Ziggler, Damien Sandow, David Otunga, Wade Barrett, and Alberto Del Rio) (with Ricardo Rodriguez) d. Team Foley (The Miz, Kofi Kingston, Team Hell No (Kane & Daniel Bryan) and Randy Orton) 26 min 3 1/2 

25.  (94) WWF Title Bob Backlund d. Bret Hart 35 min 3 ½

            26. (04)IC Shelton Benjamin d. Christian (with Tyson Tomko) 13:30 3 ½

            27. (09) WWF Title: John Cena d. Triple H and Shawn Michaels 21 min 3 ½

            28. (05) Triple H d Ric Flair 27 min 3 ½

            29. (13) CM Punk and Daniel Bryan d The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper/Erick Rowan) (with Bray Wyatt) 3 ½ 

            30. (13) The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns) and The Real Americans (Antonio Cesaro/Jack Swagger) defeated Cody Rhodes and Goldust, The Usos (JimmyJey Uso) Rey Mysterio 23:30 3 1/2

31. (95) 123 Kid/Chris Candido/Dr Tom/Louis Spicoli d. Marty Jannetty/Hakushi/Bob Holly/Barry Horowitz  18:30 3 1/2 

            32. (93) Heavenly Bodies d. Rock N Roll Express 13:30 3 ½

            33. (88) Powers of Pain/Rockers/Young Stallions/Hart Foundation/British Bulldogs d.

Demoliton/Bolsheviks/Brainbusters/Conquistadors/Rougeaus  42 min 3 ½

            34. (16) Cruiser: Brian Kendrick d. Kalisto 14 min 3 1/2 

35. (09) Team Miz (The Miz, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, and Jack Swagger) d Team Morrison (John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin, and Finlay) 21 min 3 ¼

36 (09) Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mark Henry, R-Truth, and Christian) d Team Orton (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, CM Punk, and William Regal) 21 min 3 ¼

37 (98) Mankind d. Steve Austin 10:30 3 ¼

38. (05) Booker T (with Sharmell) d Chris Benoit 14:30 3 ¼

39. (05)WWF Champ John Cena (c) defeated Kurt Angle 14 min 3 ¼

40. (18) Seth Rollins d. Shinsuke Nakamura 22 min 3 1/4

41. (91) Ted Dibiase, The Mountie, The Warlord & Ric Flair d. Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, The British Bulldog/Virgil. 3 ¼ 21:30

42.  (92) Randy Savage/Mr. Perfect d. Ric Flair/Razor Ramon 3 ¼ 16:30

43. (16) IC: Miz d. Sami Zayn 3 1/4 14 min

44.  (07) WWF Title Randy Orton (c) defeated Shawn Michaels 18 min 3 ¼

45. (14) Bray Wyatt d. Dean Ambrose (DQ) 23 min 3 1/4 

46. (99) Hollys/Too Cool d. Edge/Christian/Hardys 14:30 3 ¼

47. (12) Team Clay (Brodus Clay, Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio) (with Cameron and Naomi) d Team Tensai (Tensai, Primo, Epico and The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil) 18:30 3 ¼

48. (04) Jr. Title: Spike Dudley d Billy Kidman, Chavo Guerrero, and Rey Mysterio 9 min 3

49. (04) Tables: The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and Spike) and Jeff Hardy d 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) and Rico 14 min 3

50. (10) US: Daniel Bryan d Ted DiBiase 10 min 3

51. (96) Undertaker d. Mankind 15 min. 3

52. (08) World Title: John Cena d Chris Jericho 21 min 3

53. (18)  Team Raw (Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Braun Strowman, Finn Bálor, and Bobby Lashley) (with Baron Corbin and Lio Rush) defeated Team Smackdown (The Miz, Shane McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Samoa Joe, and Jeff Hardy)  24 min  3

54. (97) Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon/Davey Boy/Anvil d. Marc Mero/Steve Blackman/Vader/Goldust 17 min 3

55. (04) Team Orton (Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, and Maven) d Team Triple H (Triple H, Edge, Batista, and Snitsky) (with Ric Flair) 24 min 3

56.  (94) British Bulldog/Razor Ramon/Fatu/Barbarian/123Kid d. HBK/Diesel/Owen Hart/Anvil/Jeff Jarrett 22 min 3

57.  (07) Team Triple H (Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio and Kane) defeated Team Umaga (Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, Montel Vontavious Porter, Finlay and Big Daddy V) 22min 3

58. (11) Dolph Ziggler d. John Morrison 10:30 3

59. (10) John Morrison d Sheamus 11 min 3

60. (99) IC: Chyna d. Chris Jericho 13:30 3

61. (07) World (Cell) Batista (c) defeated The Undertaker 21 min 3

62. (93) Randy Savage/Razor Ramon/123 Kid/Marty Jannetty d. Diesel/Adam Bomb/IRS/Rick Martel  36 min. 3

63. Team Cena (John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erick Rowan and Ryback) defeated Team Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, Mark Henry, Rusev and Luke Harper) (with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Jamie Noble, Joey Mercury and Lana) 43 min 3

64. (89) Rick Rude/Curt Hennig/Rougeaus d. Roddy Piper/Bushwackers/Jimmy Snuka 21:30 3

65. (05) Team SmackDown (Batista, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield, Bobby Lashley and Randy Orton) (with Bob Orton and Jillian Hall) defeated Team Raw (Shawn Michaels, Kane, The Big Show, Carlito and Chris Masters) 24 min 3

66. (05) US Title: Chris Benoit (c) defeated Chavo Guerrero (with Vickie Guerrero) by submission 8:30  3

67. (10) Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) defeated Kaval 9:30 3

68. (15) Dean Ambrose d. Kevin Owens 11 3

69. (15) Roman Reigns d. Alberto del Rio 13:30 3

70. (11) The Rock and John Cena defeated Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) 21:30 3

71. (90) Ted Dibiase/Undertaker /Honky Tonk Man /Greg Valentine d. Hart Foundation/DustyRhodes/Koko B Ware 14 min 3

72. (00) WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Undertaker 3 16 min

73. (87) The Jumping Bomb Angels, Velvet MacIntyre, Rockin’ Robin & The Fabulous Moolah d. Judy Martin, Leilani Kai, Dawn Marie, Donna Christanello & Sherri Martell 20:15

74.  (95) Bertha Faye, Aja Kong, Tomoko Watanabe & Lioness Asuka vs. Alundra Blaze, Sakie Hasegawa, Kyoko Inoue, & Chapparita Asari. 10 min

75. (15) WWF Title: Roman Reigns d. Dean Ambrose 9 min

76. (12) World: Sheamus d The Big Show 14:30

77. (01) Tags (Cage): The Dudley Boyz  (with Stacy Keibler) d The Hardy Boyz 15:30

78. (00) The Radicalz (Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn) (with Terri) d D-Generation X (Road Dogg, K-Kwik, Billy Gunn and Chyna) 12:30

79. (12) WWF Title CM Punk d.  Ryback and John Cena 18 min

80. (03) Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, John Cena, Hardcore Holly, and Bradshaw) d Team Lesnar (Brock Lesnar, The Big Show, Matt Morgan, Nathan Jones and A-Train) 13:30

81. (04)            Team Guerrero (Eddie Guerrero, The Big Show, Rob Van Dam, and John Cena) defeated Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Carlito, Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak) 12:30

82. (08) Team HBK (Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and JTG), and The Great Khali) d. Team JBL (John Bradshaw Layfield, Kane, MVP, John Morrison and The Miz) 18 min

83. (10) Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show, and MVP) d. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger, and Cody Rhodes) 18 min

84. (11) Team Barrett (Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Hunico, and Dolph Ziggler) d. Team Orton (Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Kofi Kingston, and Sin Cara) 22 min

85. (17) Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, and Triple H d. Shane McMahon, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, and John Cena 33:30

86. (15) Ryback/Usos/Lucha Dragons d. New Day/Sheamus/Barrett 17 min 30 sec 

87. (13) World: John Cena d. Alberto Del Rio 16 min

88. (01) US/IC Title: Edge d Test 11 min

89. (00) The Rock d  Rikishi 11:30

90. (19) WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Rey Mysterio 7 min

91. (19) Universal Title: Bray Wyatt d. Daniel Bryan 10 min

92. (17) Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Asuka, and Bayley d. Becky Lynch, Carmella, Tamina, Naomi, and Natalya 18:30

93. (08) Team Orton (Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Cody Rhodes, and Mark Henry) (with Layla, Manu and Tony Atlas) d Team Batista (Batista, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, and R-Truth) 16:30

       94. (03) Tags: Basham Brothers d. Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo) 7 min

95. (07)Tags: Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch d Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes 7 min

96. (95) Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, The British Bulldog/Sid (w/Ted Dibiase/Jim Cornette) d. Yokozuna/Owen Hart/Razor Ramon/Dean Douglas (w/Mr. Fuji) 27:30

97. (97) The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal), Ahmed Johnson and Ken Shamrock d The Nation of Domination (The Rock, Faarooq, Kama Mustafa and D'Lo Brown) 20:30

98. (07) ECW Title: CM Punk d. John Morrison and The Miz 8 min

99.  (10) WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Wade Barrett 15 min

100. (01) Euro Title: Christian  defeated Al Snow 6:30

101. (02) Jr Title: Billy Kidman defeated Jamie Noble 7:30

102. (06) Team DX (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk and the Hardy Boyz) d Team Rated-RKO (Edge, Randy Orton, Johnny Nitro, Mike Knox and Gregory Helms) 11:30

103. (09) WorldTitle: Undertaker d Chris Jericho and The Big Show 13:30

104. (12) Antonio Cesaro d R-Truth 7 min

105. (19) Shayna Baszler d. Becky Lynch and Bayley 18 min

106. (17) Charlotte d. Alexa 15:30 min

107. (02)Women: Victoria d Trish Stratus 7 min

108. (88) Andre the Giant, Dino Bravo w/Frenchie Martin, Ravishing Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan, Harley Race/Mr. Perfect d. Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Ken Patera, Tito Santana/Scott Casey 30:30

109.  Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) d Edge and Christian and Right to Censor (Bull Buchanan and The Goodfather) 10 min

110.  (89) Ultimate Warrior, Jim Neidhart, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty d. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Haku & Andre the Giant. 21:30

111. (98) XPac draw Steve Regal 8 min

112. (04) WWF Title: John Bradshaw Layfield d. Booker T 15 min

113. (00)Steve Austin NC HHH 25 min

114. (98) WWF Title: The Rock d. Mankind 17 min

115. (00) Kane d Chris Jericho 12:3

116. (10) World: Kane d. Edge 13 mi

117. (03) World Title: Goldberg d Triple H (with Ric Flair) 12 min

118. (99) WWF Title: Big Show d. HHH/Rock 16 min

119. (17) Baron Corbin d. Miz 9:30 min

120. (00) Euro: William Regal d. Hardcore Holly. 5:30

121. (01)William Regal d Tajiri 3 min

122. (99) Tags:  New Age Outlaws d.. Mankind/Al Snow 14 min

123. (03) Kane d Shane McMahon 13:30 min

124. (99) Kurt Angle d. Shawn Stasiak. 6 min

125. (06) Mr. Kennedy d The Undertaker 9 min

126. (96) The Stalker, Jake Roberts Rocky Maivia d. Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Jerry Lawler, Crush  Goldust (w/Marlena) 23:30

127. (94) Tatanka, Bam Bam Bigelow, King Kong Bundy, Tom Pritchard/Jimmy Del Ray (w/Ted Dibiase) d. Lex Luger, Adam Bomb, Mabel, Billy Gunn/ Bart Gunn (w/Oscar) 23:30

128. (89) Dusty Rhodes, The Red Rooster, Tito Santana /Brutus Beefcake d. Big Bossman, Bad News Brown, Rick Martel/Honky Tonk Man (w/Slick/Jimmy Hart) 22 min

129.  (87) Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts/Jim Duggan (w/Elizabeth) d. Honky Tonk Man, Ron Bass, Hercules, Danny Davis & Harley Race (w/Jimmy Hart/Bobby Heenan) 24 min

130. (06)Team Cena (John Cena, Kane, Bobby Lashley, Sabu and Rob Van Dam) d Team Big Show (The Big Show, Test, Montel Vontavious Porter, Finlay (with Hornswoggle) and Umaga 12:30

131. (19) Team NXT (Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Io Shirai, and Toni Storm) defeated Team Raw (Charlotte Flair, Natalya, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Sarah Logan) and Team SmackDown (Sasha Banks, Carmella, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, and Nikki Cross)

132. (09)Batista defeated Rey Mysterio 7 min

133. (15) Tyler Breeze d. Dolph Ziggler 6:30

134. (99) The Godfather, D-Lo Brown & Headbangers d. Acolytes/Dudleys 9:30

135. (99) Van Venis, Mark Henry, Gangrel/Steve Blackman d.. The British Bulldog/Mean St Posse 9 min

136. (98) Rock d. Ken Shamrock 8:30

137. (98) Ken Shamrock d. Goldust 6 min

138. (97) Kane d. Mankind 9 min

139. (06)World Title:  Batista defeated King Booker 14 min

140. (15) Women: Charlotte d. Paige 14 min

141. (03)Women: Molly Holly (c) defeated Lita 7 min

142. (87) Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy, The One Man Gang, Butch Reed/Rick Rude (w/Slick Bobby Heenan) d. Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera/ Don Muraco (w/Oliver Humperdink) 23 min

143. (89) Hulk Hogan, Jake Roberts & Demolition d Ted Dibiase, Zeus The Powers of Pain (w/Mr. Fuji Virgil). 26:30

144. (97) The Truth Commission (The Jackyl, The Interrogator, Sniper, and Recon) d. The Disciples of Apocalypse (Crush, Chainz, 8-Ball, and Skull) 10 min

145. (06) Team WWE Legends (Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes and Ron Simmons) (with Arn Anderson) d Team Spirit Squad (Kenny, Johnny, Nicky and Mikey) (with Mitch) 10 min

146. (98) Mankind d. Al Snow 4 min

147. (98) Rock d. Undertaker 8:30

148. (13) IC: Big E Langston d. Curtis Axel 6 min

149. (98) Undertaker d. Kane 7 min

150. (04)The Undertaker d Heidenreich (with Paul Heyman) 16 min

151. (90) Hulk Hogan, Jim Duggan, Tugboat & the Big Bossman d. Dino Bravo, the Earthquake, Haku & the Barbarian (w/Jimmy Hart & Bobby Heenan). 16 min

152. (90) Rick Martel, Warlord, Power and Glory (with Slick) d. Jake Roberts, Jimmy Snuka,  Rockers  18 min

153. (93) Lex Luger, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, The Undertaker d. Ludvig Borga, Jacques Rougeau, Crush, Yokozuna 28 min

154 (97) The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) and The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) d. The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) and The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Windham and Blackjack Bradshaw) 15:30

155. (14) Tags: Miz and Mizdow d. Usos, Goldust and Stardust and Los Matadores 15:30

156. (93) Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Bruce Hart and Keith Hart v. Shawn Michaels, the Black Knight, the Red Knight and the Blue Knight. 31 min

157 (18) Team Raw (Mickie James, Nia Jax, Tamina, Bayley, and Sasha Banks) (with Alexa Bliss) defeated Team SmackDown (Naomi, Carmella, Sonya Deville, Asuka, and Mandy Rose) 19 min

158. (02)  WWF Title: Big Show d Brock Lesnar 4 min

159. (00)Steve Blackman, Crash Holly and Molly Holly defeated T/A (Test and Albert) and Trish Stratus 5 min

160. (96) Faarooq, Vader, Fake Diesel & Fake Razor (w/Clarence Mason, PG-13 Jim Cornette) NC Flash Funk, Savio Vega, Yokozuna Jimmy Snuka  9:30

161. (10) Tags: The Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) (with David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty, and Husky Harris) defeated Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov 5 min

162. (01)Battle Royal 7:30

163. (92) The Nasty Boys  the Natural Disasters d. The Beverly Brothers Money Inc 16 min

164. (95) The Undertaker, Henry Godwinn, Fatu Savio Vega v. King Mabel, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Isaac Yankem Jerry Lawler 14:30

165.  (88) The Ultimate Warrior, Brutus Beefcake, Sam Houston, the Blue Blazer  Jim Brunzell d. The Honky Tonk Man, Dangerous Danny Davis, Outlaw Ron Bass, Greg Valentine & Bad News Brown (w/Jimmy Hart). 18 min

166. (90) The Ultimate Warrior, Texas Tornado The Road Warriors d. Mr. Perfect Demolition (w/Mr. Fuji  Bobby Heenan). 14 min

167. (88) Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Hillbilly Jim, Hercules Koko B. Ware (w/Elizabeth) d. The Big Bossman, Akeem, King Haku, the Red Rooster Ted Dibiase (w/Slick, Virgil Bobby Heenan) 29 min

168. (91) The Beverly Brothers The Nasty Boys d. The Rockers The Bushwhackers 23 min

169. (89) Randy Savage, Dino Bravo, Greg Valentine & Earthquake d. Jim Duggan, Ronnie Garvin, Bret Hart & Hercules. 23:30

170. (16) Charlotte & Bayley Alicia Fox Nia Jax Sasha Banks d. Becky Lynch Naomi Natalya  Alexa Bliss Carmella 17:30

171. (15) Undertaker/Kane d. Bray Wyatt/Luke Harper 10:30

172. (08) The Undertaker d The Big Show 13 min

173. (91) WWF Title: Undertaker d. Hulk Hogan 12:30

174. WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Big Show 11 min

175. (11) World Title: Big Show defeated Mark Henry 13 min

176. (92) Headshrinkers d. High Energy 7:30

177. (92) Tatanka d. Rick Martel 11:30

178. (95) Goldust vs. Bam Bam Bigelow 8:30

179. (90) The Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan Tito Santana d. Ted Dibiase, Rick Martel, the Warlord, and Power and Glory (w/Slick/Virgil) 9 min

180. (18) AOP d. The Bar 9 min

        

181. (98) Al Snow d. Jeff Jarrett 3:30

182. (99) Kane d. XPac 4 min

183. (06) Women: Mickie James defeated Lita 8:30

184. (99) The Big Show d. Albert, Viscera, Mideon/Big Bossman 1:30

185. (98) Steve Austin d. Big Boss Man 3:30

186. (97) IC: Steve Austin d. Owen Hart 4 min

187. (16) Goldberg d. Brock Lesnar 1:30 

188. (13) Mark Henry d. Ryback 5 min

189. (11) Beth Phoenix d Eve Torres 4 min

190. (10) Women:  Natalya d Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) 3:30

191. (01)Women: Trish Stratus d Lita, Jacqueline, Mighty Molly, Jazz, and Ivory 4:30

192. (04)Women Trish Stratus d Lita 1:30

193 (15) WWF Title: Sheamus d. Roman Reigns :30

194. (98) Mankind d. Dwayne Gill :30

195. (98) Rock d. Boss Man :30

196. (14) Women: Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) d. AJ Lee 30 sec.

197. (06)Women: Trish Stratus d Melina 6:30

198. (09) Team Mickie (Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Melina, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres) d Team Michelle (Michelle McCool, Jillian Hall, Beth Phoenix, Layla, and Alicia Fox) 10:30

199. (08) Team Raw (Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, and Jillian Hall) (with Santino Marella) d Team SmackDown (Michelle McCool, Victoria, Maria, Maryse, and Natalya) 9:30

200. (13) Team Total Divas (Natalya, The Bella Twins , The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron) Eva Marie, JoJo) d Team "True Divas" (AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka, Kaitlyn, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Aksana, Summer Rae) 11:30

201.   Team Fox (Alicia Fox, Emma, Naomi and Natalya) (with Tyson Kidd) d. Team Paige (Paige, Cameron and The Slayers (Layla and Summer Rae) 14:30

202. (00)Women: Ivory  d Lita 5 min

203. (12) Women Eve Torres (c) defeated Kaitlyn 7 min

204. (98) Women: Sable d. Jackie 3 min

205. (92) Big Boss Man d. Nailz 6 min

206. (92) Yokozuna d. Virgil 4 min

207. (91) The Big Bossman & The Legion of Doom d. Irwin R. Shyster The Natural Disasters (w/Jimmy Hart) 15:30

208. (91) The Texas Tornado, Tito Santana, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Sergeant Slaughter d. Colonel Mustafa, the Berserker, Skinner & Hercules 14 min

209. (90) Nikolai Volkoff, Tito Santana & the Bushwhackers d.. Sgt. Slaughter, Boris Zhukov & the Orient Express (w/Gen. Adnan & Mr. Fuji) 10:30

210. (98) Tags: The New Age Outlaws d. Mark Henry D-Lo Brown and The Headbangers 10:30

211. (93) The Bushwhackers Men on a Mission (w/Oscar) d. Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger & The Headshrinkers (w/Luna Vachon Afa) 11 min

212. (02)Vince McMahon d The Undertaker 12 min

213. (08) WWF Title: Edge d Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov 14 min

214. (92) Casket Match: The Undertaker d Kamala (w/Kim Chee & Harvey Whippleman) 7 min 

215. (07) Mickie James, Maria, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool and Kelly Kelly d. Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, Melina, Victoria and Layla 5 min

216. (99) Tori, Debra, Mae Young Moolah d. Jacqueline, Luna Vachon, Ivory Terri Runnels 2 min

217. (14) Adam Rose and The Bunny defeated Slater Gator (Heath Slater and Titus O'Neil) 2:30

218. (05) Theodore Long (with Palmer Cannon) d Eric Bischoff 5:30

219. (07) The Great Khali d Hornswoggle 3 min

220. (94) Casket Match: The Undertaker d Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette). 15:30

221 (94) Jerry Lawler, Sleazy, Cheesy & Queasy vs. Doink, Dink, Wink & Pink 16 min

128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 7 Semi- Final: 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. 1999 NL Champion Atlanta Braves

 Region 6 Final

#26. 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. #122. 1999 NL Champion Atlanta Braves

6 teams have advanced to the Elite 8:

1977 Yankees

2017 Dodgers

1909 Cubs

1970 Orioles

1998 Yankees

1969 Orioles

Two spots remain.  

This Regional Semi Final features two pennant winners who lost the WS, both teams has cores that won the WS, but not this season.  This is the last team standing for both franchises.  

Astros 107-57 (Pythag 107-55) Mgr AJ Hinch (5th AL MoY)

1st in AL West

d. Rays 3-2 in ALDS

d. Yankees 4-2 in ALCS (MVP-Jose Altuve)

lost to Nationals 4-3 in World Series

d. #103 1948 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Michael Brantley)

d. #90   1949 Red Sox 3-0 (MVP-Yuli Gurriel)

All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman (2nd AL MVP) SP Gerrit Cole (2nd AL Cy Young) RP Ryan Pressly, OF George Springer, SP Justin Verlander (AL Cy Young)

Third straight 100 win season, best record in MLB. Everyone fired in offseason for sign stealing. First team ever to both lead in most pitching Ks and fewest hitting Ks.

Braves 103-59 (Pythag 98-64) Mgr. Bobby Cox  (2nd NL MoY)

1st in NL East

d. Astros 3-1 in NLDS

d. Mets 4-2 in NLCS (Eddie Perez)

lost to Yankees 4-0 in World Series

d. #7 1909 Pirates 2-1 (MVP-John Smoltz/Kevin Millwood)

d. #71 2009 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Brian Jordan/Brian Hunter)

All-Stars OF Brian Jordan, SP Kevin Millwood, (3rd NL Cy Young)

Hall of Fame: Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones (NL MVP) Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox

5th pennant of the decade for the Braves, to date, the last one they won.  

Braves-Bobby Cox

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

1B Klesko (28)  (LH) 128  1.2

C Lopez (28)      128  2

DH Simon (24) (LH)   109  .2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

2B Lockhart (34) (LH) 67  .3 

SS Weiss (35) (SH) 63

P Millwood (24)  167   6.5

Bench

DH Hunter (31)  101  

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3 

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3 

SS Guillen (35) (LH) 54  

LF Nixon (40) (LH) 41

C Perez (31) 70

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

Platoons at DH, 2nd, Short for the Braves.  Glavine, is the 4th starter.  

Astros-AJ Hinch

CF Springer (29)     150  6.5  

DH Alvarez (22) (LH)    173  3.8

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

RF Reddick (32)  (LH)   89   1.6

SP1 Cole (28)         185  7.5

Bench

CF Marisnick (28)   80    1.4   

1B White (28)   72

3B Diaz (28)  114

2B Kemp (27) (LH)  88

SS Straw (24)  92

P Verlander (36)      179   7.6

SP3 Miley (32)   (LH)    116  1.6

Reddick plays against RH, Marisnick sits, Springer moves to center. Theoretically Alvarez could play left in Boston if Houston just had to have his bat in the lineup. Greinke is eligible to start once we move to 7 game series.

Lineups:

C-Chrionis

1B-Gurriel

2B-Altuve

SS-Correa

3B-Bregman

LF-Brantley

CF-Jones

RF-Jordan

DH-Alvarez

SP1-Cole

SP2-Verlander

SP3-Smoltz

Pen-Push

WAR: Astros 9 Braves 3 -- Astros really dominate here, much better lineup and match up favorably in SP as well.  Bregman's the best player in the series.  Astros have much better seed; they are heavy favorites.  

GAME ONE

1st: Minute Maid Park is the site for the start of the Region 7 Semi-Finals. 28 year old RH Gerrit Cole gets the ball for Game 1 of this best of 5. 20-5, 2.50. This is Cole's second season in Houston after 5 with the Pirates. He was 2nd in the AL Cy Young, the third top 5 finish of his career to that date. He led the league in ERA and FIP, led all of MLB in K, K/9, ERA+. He finished 10th in the AL MVP this season. Chipper Jones draws a walk to start the series. Cole gets the next 3.

1st: Kevin Millwood was co-MVP of the Braves round one win; 24 year old RH, 18-7, 2.68. This is Millwood's 3 year in the league, its the best season he'll ever have in what will be a 16 year career. It's his only All Star selection, 3rd in the Cy Young, led all of MLB in H/9 and the NL in WHIP. 1-2-3

2nd: Brian Jordan singles with one out. Like Millwood, this is the only All Star appearance he'll ever have in a long career.  Jordan's 32, in his first season in Atlanta after 7 in St Louis. That's all.

2nd: Carlos Correa homers to left.  Just 24, this is already Correa's 5th season in the league. Millwood gets the next 3.  Braves 0 Astros 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: George Springer doubles with 2 out. Springer's 29, in his 6th season. He made his 3rd straight All Star team this year and was 7th in the MVP, to date, his only top 10 finish. That's all.

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Cole

4th: 1-2-3

5th: After one out, Jordan doubles.  Cole gets the second -- and then walks Keith Lockhart and Walt Weiss back to back. But he escapes.  Lockhart's 34, Weiss is 35 and they are both platooning in the middle of the Braves IF. Lockhart's in his 3rd Atlanta season after a season in San Diego and two in Kansas City. Weiss is in his second Braves campaign following 6 in Oakland, a brief stop in Florida, and 4 with the Rockies.  Last year he made the All Star team for the only time in his career.  

5th: Michael Brantley singles. Brantley's 32, in his first year in Houston after a decade in Cleveland.  He made his 4th All Star team this year. Millwood gets two and then Josh Reddick singles. That's it.  

6th: Ryan Klesko doubles. The Braves first baseman is 28, in his 8th and final season with the club.  Cole gets one - then Randall Simon singles. But Cole preserves the shutout.

6th: Alex Bregman walks with one out. The Astros third baseman is 25, in his 4th season, he was an All Star for the second consecutive season, led all MLB in walks and finished second in the AL MVP. An out later Jose Altuve singles him home and it's Braves 0 Astros 2

7th: AJ Hinch turns the game over to his pen; Will Harris gets the ball, 34 year old RH, 1.50 ERA. 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Chipper singles. That's it.

8th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Millwood, but he's on the wrong end of this pitcher's duel today.

9th: The Astros turn toward the closer, Roberto Osuna, 24 year old RH, 38 saves, 2.63. 

Osuna strikes out Jordan.

Gerald Williams grounds to short.

Osuna stikes out Lockhart and it's over.

So - both teams are held to 5 hits, but one of those hits for Houston is the Correa homer and that's all they need today.

Braves 0

Astros 2

WP Cole

LP Millwood

Sv Osuna

Springer 1x/double

Bregman 2x

Correa 1x/HR

Altuve 1x

Reddick 1x

Brantley 1x

CJones 2x

Klesko 1x/double

Simon 1x

Jordan 2x/double

Lockhart 1x

Weiss 1x

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

1B Klesko (28)  (LH) 128  1.2

C Lopez (28)      128  2

DH Simon (24) (LH)   109  .2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

2B Lockhart (34) (LH) 67  .3 

SS Guillen (35) (LH) 54  

LF Nixon (40) (LH) 41

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

CF Springer (29)     150  6.5  

DH Alvarez (22) (LH)    173  3.8

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

RF Reddick (32)  (LH)   89   1.6

P Verlander (36)      179   7.6

GAME TWO

1st: Would you like to see two Hall of Famers going at it in game 2?  Is that the sort of thing that appeals to you?  36 year old RH Justin Verlander takes the ball for the Astros. 21-6, 2.58. It's Verlander's 3rd season in Houston after 13 in Detroit. Verlander won his second Cy Young this year. Led all MLB in wins, WHIP, H/9 and led the league in K/BB. He gets 2 - then Javier Lopez homers to left center - the Braves didn't score in game one and they're up 1 in the first today. Braves 1 Astros 0

1st: Verlander's opponent is Greg Maddux. 33 year old RH, 19-9, 3.57. Maddux spent the first 7 seasons of his career with the Cubs, winning a Cy Young.  He moved to Atlanta in '93 and won 3 straight Cy Youngs.  This year - this is his worst season in a long stretch - from '92-'02 this is his worst ERA+ season but he did win his 10th Gold Glove. Alex Bregman singles with 2 out, that's it. 

2nd: Keith Lockhart singles with 2 away. That's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Chipper walks with one away.  Chipper Jones is 27, in his 6th big league season. He was NL MVP this year, the only time he'd ever win.  That's it.

3rd: Robinson Chirinos walks. The Astros catcher is 35, it's his only Astros campaign after a year in Tampa and 6 in Texas. Josh Reddick and George Springer single back to back and Houston's loaded the bases on Maddux with nobody out and it is defeaning here in Minute Maid Park. Yordan Alvarez draws a walk to tie the score.  Big 6-4-3 Bregman double play, it does score the go ahead run, but that's all for the Astros.  Braves 1 Astros 2

4th: Verlander gets 2 - and then Brian Jordan ties it up with a homer to right. Braves 2 Astros 2

4th: Michael Brantley singles with one away - and then Yuli Gurriel hits a 2 run homer to right center - big flies for both clubs today against these all time great pitchers. The Astros first baseman is 35, in his 4th big league season. Braves 2 Astros 4

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Bregman walks with 2 out, that's it.

6th: Ryan Klesko homers to left to draw the Braves within a run.  Atlanta's third homer of the day. Braves 3 Astros 4

6th: Michael Brantley singles to right center with one away. Chirinos follows with a base hit after the second out and then Josh Reddick knocks Maddux out of the game with a run scoring single.  Reddick's 32. It's his third year in Houston after 3 in Boston, 5 in Oakland, and 1 with the Dodgers. 33 year old lefty Mike Remlinger was 10-1 with a 2.37 ERA. and ends it.  Braves 3 Astros 5

7th: Jordan singles and out later Ozzie Guillen doubles.  The 35 year old got the start at short today, it's his second and last year in Atlanta after 13 with the White Sox and a season in Baltimore. That's all.  

7th: Alvarez walks and an out later Carlos Correa, who homered in game 1 - does it again, a 2 run shot that maybe puts this one out of reach.  Braves 3 Astros 7

8th: Walt Harris threw 2 scoreless in game 1 and he's on now. He gets 2 and then Randall Simon reaches on an error. Simon's DH'ing today, it's his third season, but he's still in his rookie year. Andruw Jones follows with a base hit. That's all.

8th: 22 year old RH Kevin McGlinchey won 7 games, 2.82, he's the new Brave pitcher, Gurriel singles, an out later Reddick and Springer single - thats going to do it, the Astros are about to go up 2 games to 0. Braves 3 Astros 8

9th: Harris stays on to finish the game - Lockhart singles and Hinch decides to bring in the closer Hector Rondon - he gets the next 3.  

Braves 3

Astros 8

WP Verlander

LP Maddux

The Astros were heavy favorites in this series and they take both games in Houston, leaving them one from advancing. 

Springer 3x/double

Alvarez 2x

Bregman 4x

Correa 2x/ 2HR

Altuve 1x

Gurriel 2x/HR

Chirinos 2x

Reddick 4x

Brantley 3x

CJones 3x

Klesko 2x/double, HR

Simon 1x

Lopez 1x/HR

AJones 1x

Jordan 4x/double, HR

Lockhart 3x

Weiss 1x

Guillen 1x/double

CF Springer (29)     150  6.5  

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

RF Reddick (32)  (LH)   89   1.6

SP3 Miley (32)   (LH)    116  1.6

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

C Lopez (28)      128  2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

1B Hunter (31)  101  

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3 

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3 

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

GAME THREE

1st: The Braves entered as heavy underdogs and that's played out, Houston taking the first two games - but the one real advantage Atlanta had coming in was Game 3, at home, with John Smoltz matched against Wade Miley. Smoltz is a 32 year old RH, 11-8, 3.19. This is Smoltz's 12th season in Atlanta; he was 4th in the Cy Young last year and will miss all of next year with injury. 1-2-3

1st: Wade Miley is a 32 year old LH, 14-6. 3.98. This is Miley's only season in Houston after 4 in Arizona, a year in Boston and Seattle, 2 in Baltimore and 1 in Milwaukee.  Chipper Jones hits his first pitch over the wall in right center and the Tomahawks are Chopping in Atlanta. Andruw Jones singles with one away, that's all.  Astros 0 Braves 1

2nd: Yuli Gurriel singles with 2 out, that's all.

2nd: Gerald Williams singles. The Braves LF is 32, it's his 2nd and last season in Atlanta after 5 with the Yankees and 2 with the Brewers. That's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Javy Lopez singles with 2 out but that's all.  

4th: Carlos Correa singles with 1 out, after the second, Michael Brantley singles, Gurriel singles sharply to tie the game.  Smoltz walks Chironis - and then Josh Reddick hits a grand slam.  That silences this sold out crowd - Josh Reddick has hit a grand slam off John Smoltz and now the Astros are poised to sweep this series.  Astros 5 Braves 1

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Smoltz hits Bregman with 1 out, after the second out, Altuve singles, that's all.

5th: Jose Hernandez is at short today and he singles with 2 out. Hernandez is 29, played in just 48 games this year. He spent a season in Texas, then one in Cleveland, then a half dozen with the Cubs - they dealt him at mid-season to Atlanta.  He'll be on his way out after the season. Smoltz stays in the game and he doubles home a run.  Astros 5 Braves 2

6th: Smoltz walks Chirinos with 1 out and after the second out gives up a single to Miley. That's all.

6th: Brian Jordan singles with one away and steals second. After the second out he scores on a Gerald Williams base hit and the Braves draw closer.  Astros 5 Braves 3

7th: Smoltz is done - Mike Remlinger enters for Atlanta. Bregman singles and an out later Altuve singles -- Brantley flies to center - but it scores a run - and that might be the dagger. Gurriel follows with a single, that's all. Astros 6 Braves 3

7th: Walt Harris hasn't allowed a run in either game and he gets the ball.  Hernandez singles. After an out, Chipper doubles.  2 in scoring position - Lopez reaches on an error that scores a run and an Andruw Jones sac fly scores the second.  The Braves are not going quietly.  Astros 6 Braves 5

8th: Kevin McGlinchey is the new Braves pitcher. Reddick reaches on an error and then Yordan Alvarez pinch singles. After an out - A wild pitch scores a run - and after the second out Correa singles home another.  Altuve singles - that's all - the Astros are readying for the Regional Final.  Astros 8 Braves 5

8th: Hector Rondon comes on.  Williams singles with one away, but that's it and the Astros are 3 outs from the sweep.

9th: 30 year old RH Russ Springer for the Braves, 3.42. Chirinos walks with one away, that's all.

9th: Roberto Osuna is on to finish up.

Randall Simon is the pinch hitter - grounds to second.

Chipper singles.

Lopez flies to left.

Andruw Jones easy grounder to second -- Altuve throws on to first and it's over.

Low key celebration for the Astros - the Astros are undefeated thusfar in the tournament, they will roll into the Region 7 final with an 8-0 tournament record.

Astros 8

Braves 5

WP Miley

LP Smoltz

Sv Osuna

Correa 4x/ 2HR

Gurriel 5x/HR

Reddick 5x/HR

Cole had the best pitched game; Correa hit 2 homers, Reddick had the grand slam today.  Let's say that Correa and Reddick are co-MVPs.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 6 Final: 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles

 Cubs v Yankees

#6 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. #54 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles

We've reached the Region 6 Final.  If the Cubs win - they'll move on to meet the 1909 Cubs in the Elite 8 in a fun generational battle.  If the Orioles win, then essentially the same club will have two squads left stading in the final 8, as the 1970 Orioles won Region 4.  

Cubs 103-58 (Pythag 107-54) Mgr. Joe Maddon (2nd NL MoY)

1st in NL Central

d. Giants 3-1 in NLDS

d. Dodgers 4-2 in NLCS (MVP-Javier Baez/Jon Lester)

d. Indians 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Ben Zobrist)

d. #123 1955 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Jorge Soler/Addison Russell)

d. #70   1998 Braves 3-2 (MVP-Kris Bryant)

d. #27   1818 Reds 3-0 (MVP-Jake Arrieta)

All-Stars SP Jake Arrieta, 3B Kris Bryant (NL MVP) OF Dexter Fowler, SP Jon Lester (2nd NL Cy Young) 1B Anthony Rizzo (4th NL MVP) SS Addison Russell, 2B Ben Zobrist, 

Won NL Central by 17.5. 103 win most for Cubs since 1910. First team to win World Series games 6-7 on road since ’79.

Orioles 109-53 (Pythag 110-52) Mgr. Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS

lost to Mets 4-1 in World Series

d. #75 1949 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Mike Cuellar/Jim Palmer)

d. #118 1917 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Davey Johnson/Mike Cuellar)

d. #43   1928 Yankees 3-0 (MVP Don Buford)

All-Stars: OF Paul Blair, 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (4th AL Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (2nd AL MVP) 3B Brooks Robinson, OF Frank Robinson (3rd AL MVP)

Cy Young: SP Mike Cuellar 

Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver

109 wins, 19 games ahead of the Tigers in AL East. Same year – heavily favored Orioles lost to Mets, heavily favored Colts lost to Jets (and best NBA record – Bullets, lost in playoffs to Knicks), 1970 team also in field, this team had best winning % in Orioles history. 

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

P Cuellar (32)       149  (LH)    5.2

Bench

C Etchebarren (26)  96     1.6

OF Rettenmund (26)   104

RF May (25)   (LF)     87

SP2 Palmer (23)    152      3.9

SP3 McNally (26)  111  (LH)    3.1

SP4 Phoebus (27)  101

The Orioles platoon at C, but that's the only change they are likely to make.  

Cubs-Joe Maddon

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

2B Baez (23)     94        2.3

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

P Hendricks (26)  196  5.5

Bench

C Montero (32) (LH)  82

C Ross (39) 106

 LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109

LF Szczur (28)  88

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

RF Heyward (26)  (LH) 68

CF Almora (22)  99

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

SP3 Arrieta (30)   135   5.1

SP4 Lackey (37)   125

Platoon in LF, and there might be moves made at C and RF as well.  Maddon has lots of moving parts.  

Lineups:

C -Push

1B-Push

2B-Johnson

SS-Belanger

3B-Bryant

LF-Buford

CF-Blair

RF-Robinson

SP1-Hendricks

SP2-Lester

SP3-Arrieta

SP4-Lackey

Pen-Orioles

WAR: Orioles 6 Cubs 5 - It's Orioles bats against Cubs arms; despite the 3 20 game winners, the Cubs have the SP advantage in every game of the series, but the O's pen is a little stronger and their lineup is much stronger (although Bryant is the best player in the series).  The Cubs have the solidly better seed, giving them home field.  We'll say...by the narrowest of margins that the Cubs are favored.  We haven't had a 7th game yet; this series gives us the best chance we've seen.  

GAME ONE

1st: The last Tinker/Evers/Chance team standing, the 1909 Cubs won Region 3 and they will take on the winners of this Region 6 Final.  Will it be an all Cubs matchup?  Kyle Hendricks is 26, RH, 16-8, 2.13. Hendricks is from Southern California; went to Dartmouth, the Rangers took him in the 8th round in 2011. The Cubs got him for Ryan Dempster at the '12 deadline. Hendricks came up in mid '14 and was 7th in the NL Rookie of the Year. He led all of MLB in ERA this year and won the clincher in the NLCS. 1-2-3

1st: Mike Cuellar was co-MVP in both rounds 1 and 2 and he gets the ball for the Orioles today. 32 year old lefty. 23-11, 2.38 -- we've already had profiles of all of these Oriole players with the 1970 team that won Region 4. Cuellar won the Cy Young in '69 and then was terrific in the postseason.  One ALCS start, 8 innings, 2 earned.  2 WS starts, 1-0, 16 innings, 2 earned. He gives up a leadoff single to Dexter Fowler and then strikes out the next 3.  

2nd: Davey Johnson walks with 2 out.  The Orioles second baseman struggled in the '69 postseason, hitting .231 in the ALCS and .063 in the WS. That's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Don Buford was Oriole MVP in the Regional Semi-Final and he singles with 2 away. The Oriole LF hit .286 in this year's ALCS and .100 in the WS. Boog Powell follows with a single, sending Buford to third - and then Frank Robinson and Paul Blair hit back to back run scoring singles - it's the Orioles who plate the first runs of the series.  Orioles 2 Cubs 0

3rd: With one out, Hendricks reaches on an error and after the second out, Ben Zobrist singles him to third.  Zobrist was World Series MVP. He's from Eureka, Illinois, went to Olivet Nazarene and Dallas Baptist, and was drafted by the Astros in the 6th round in '04.  Tampa acquired him for Aubrey Huff at the '06 deadline and he came up to the big club. Zobrist was an All Star in '09, got his 1000th hit in '14, was dealt to the A's in '15, one of the prospects headed back was an OF named Boog Powell, not related to the Oriole first baseman. Zobrist finished the '15 season in Kansas City and signed in the offseason with the Cubs. This year he led the majors in BB/K. Cuellar escapes.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Cuellar gets 2 - but then Jorge Soler jolts a homer to right center to cut the deficit in half. Soler was co-MVP in the Cubs round one win. Soler defected from Cuba in '11 and signed with the Cubs in '12. He came up in late '14. Soler played in just 86 games this season; he's platooning in LF in this series with Chris Coghlan. Orioles 2 Cubs 1

5th: Hendricks gets 2 - but then Powell gets the run back for the Orioles with a big blast to dead center. Powell hit .385 in this year's ALCS and .263 in the WS. Orioles 3 Cubs 1

5th: This Oriole club has lost one game in 3 rounds in the tournament and lead this one 3-1. 1-2-3

6th: Paul Blair hits a line drive missle over the wall in left  and the Orioles add another. Blair hit .400 in the '69 ALCS and .100 in the WS. Orioles 4 Cubs 1

6th: Zobrist leads off with a single - but that's it - Cuellar steams forward and this Oriole club is 9 outs from taking game one.  

7th: Brooks Robinson homers to right center and this Oriole offense that clubbed the '28 Yankees in the semi-final is back; they are 8-1 in the tournament and rolling now in game one.  Robinson hit .500 in the '69 ALCS and .053 in the World Series. Cuellar singles and Don Buford ends this one with yet another home run - a 2 run shot to RF and it's 7-1. Hendricks stays on, gets an out, gives up a Frank Robinson single - that's all.  Orioles 7 Cubs 1

7th: Soler singles with one away. That's all.  

8th: 28 year old RH Adam Warren is the new Cub pitcher; 5.91, he's at the bottom of the staff.  Johnson singles with one out, that's all.  

8th: Dexter Fowler walks with one out. Fowler's from Atlanta, the Rockies drafted him in the 14th round in '04, he was on the US Olympic Team in '08 and got called up later that year. In '10, Fowler led MLB in triples and was third in '11. After the '13 season, the Rockies sent him to Houston and prior to '15, the Astros dealt him to the Cubs. Fowler was an All Star this year and was the first player in big league history to lead off Game 7 of the World Series with a homer. That's all.  

9th: Curt Motton came off the bench and hit a 3 run homer to clinch the Regional semi-final - and he comes off the bench here for another Oriole home run.  Motton's from Oakland, went to the same HS that produced Willie Stargell and Jimmy Rollins. He went to Cal and signed with the Orioles in '61. Motton came up in '67 and was a productive pinch hitter this year, hitting .303. Warren then hits Buford -- and that draws everyone's attention; a hit batsman in the 9th inning with the game clearly out of hand.  We'll see if there are consequences to that one. Powell then walks, Warren gets an out, and then a Blair sac fly adds the 9th Oriole run. 28 year old RH Trevor Cahill gets the call from the Cub pen, 2.74. He gives up a single to Hendricks, then walks Davey Johnson, it ends here.  This one is a beating.  Orioles 9 Cubs 1

9th: Dave Leonhard is a a 28 year old RH, 7 wins, 2.49. He walks Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo's from Parkland, Florida, he graduated 11 years prior to an infamous shooting at his HS. The Red Sox took him in the 6th round in '07 and after the '10 season he was sent to the Padres as part of a prospect package for Adrian Gonzalez. Rizzo came up in mid '11 and San Diego sent him to the Cubs in the offseason for Andrew Cashner. Rizzo made the All Star team in '14 and was 10th in the MVP. Rizzo was 4th in '15 and hit his 100th homer. He was 4th again in the MVP this year, won a Gold Glove, started in the All Star game. Willson Contreras singles, but Cuellar gets the next 3 and its over.

Orioles 9

Cubs 1

WP Cuellar

LP Hendricks

Complete game 6 hitter for Cuellar, the Orioles hit 5 homers and they cruise to the game 1 win.

Buford 3x/HR

Powell 3x/HR

FRobinson 2x

Blair 2x/HR

Hendricks 1x

Johnson 3x

BRobinson 1x/HR

Fowler 2x

Zobrist 2x

Rizzo 1x

Contreras 1x

Soler 2x/HR

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

C Etchebarren (26)  96     1.6

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

SP2 Palmer (23)    152      3.9

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

2B Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

 LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109

SS Baez (23)     94        2.3

C Montero (32) (LH)  82

RF Heyward (26)  (LH) 68

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

GAME TWO

1st: The 2016 Cubs entered as very, very narrow favorites to win this Regional Final, but they got blasted in Wrigley in game one and now really need this one to stay within shouting distance. They send Jon Lester to the mound. 32 year old lefty, 19-5, 2.44. Lester's from Tacoma, the Red Sox took him in the second round in '02, he came up in mid-'06 and had treatment for lymphoma following the season. Lester won the clinching game of the World Series in '07. In May, '08, Lester no hit the Royals. In the ALDS that year he threw 14 innings without allowing an earned run. He was 4th in the Cy Young in '10 and won 2 games in the '13 World Series. In May of '14, Lester struck out 15 A's in a game and then was sent to Oakland at the deadline for Yoenis Cespedes. He finished 4th again in the Cy Young. Lester signed with the Cubs in '15, this year he was second in the NL in ERA and was co-MVP of the NLCS. 1-2-3

1st: Lester's opponent is Jim Palmer. Co-MVP in Round one.  23 year old RH, 16-4, 2.34. He had a complete game win in this year's ALCS, giving up 2 earned. He lost his only start in this year's WS.  Dexter Fowler walks. That's it.

2nd: Andy Etchebarren is platooning behind the plate and he singles with 2 out.  Etchebarren was 0-10 in the postseason this year.  That's it.  

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Brooks Robinson walks. 2 outs later Frank Robinson does as well, but that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Davey Johnson doubles with one away and then scores on an Etchebarren single, and the Orioles are on the board.  Mark Belanger walks and then Brooks Robinson doubles everybody home; its a 3 run inning for the Orioles and this Wrigley Field crowd is super, super, super tense.  Orioles 3 Cubs 0

4th: Ben Zobrist walks and goes to third on a Kris Bryant double.  Bryant's from Vegas, he went to University of San Diego and hit 31 homers his junior year and won the Golden Spikes Award for player of the year.  The Cubs took him second overall in '13; Bryant came up in '15 and was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year. This year, he started in the All Star game, won the NL MVP Award and hit .308 with 3 homers in the postseason.  Bryant was MVP in the Cub Round 2 win. Palmer gets one then walks Chris Coghlan.  But that's all.  

5th: Frank Robinson singles. Robinson hit .333 in the '69 ALCS but just .188 in the WS. Lester gets one -- but the Paul Blair hits a 2 run homer and the Orioles are running away with another one.  The 1970 Orioles won Region 4 and the 1969 Orioles look for all the world like they are going to win Region 6.  Orioles 5 Cubs 0

5th: Lester stays on and walks with 2 out.  That's it - the Cubs have only one hit and are in real, real trouble.  

6th: Mark Belanger singles.  Belanger hit .267 in the ALCS and .200 in the WS. Palmer singles two outs later and that's all.

6th: Zobrist and Bryant walk.  Rizzo singles and the bases are loaded with nobody out.  Chris Coghlan grounds out and it scores a run.  Coghlan gets the start in left today.  He's from North Florida, went to Ole Miss.  The Marlins took him in the first round in '06. Coghlan came up in '09 and was NL Rookie of the Year. The Marlins released him after the '13 season. The Cubs signed him before the '14 season, before this season started they sent him to Oakland.  In June, he was dealt back. Coghlan played in 48 games with the Cubs this year.  That's all Palmer allows, the Cubs just cant get on track.  Orioles 5 Cubs 1

7th: Pedro Strop is the next Cub pitcher; 31 year old RH, 2.85. 1-2-3

7th: Weaver goes to his pen for Pete Richert.  29 year old lefty, 2.20. 12 saves, 7 wins. He gets two, then Jorge Soler, who homered in game one - comes off the bench and homers again - a pinch homer to right draws Chicago a little closer.  Orioles 5 Cubs 2

8th: Justin Grimm is next for the Cubs. 27 year old RH, 4.10. Davey Johnson singles and that's all.

8th: 1-2-3, the Orioles are 3 outs from taking both in Wrigley.

9th: Brooks Robinson singles and an out later Don Buford doubles. 24 year old Carl Edwards comes on, RH, 3.75. That's it.

9th: Eddie Watt comes on to close. 28 year old RH, 5 wins, 16 saves, 1.65. 

Coghlan grounds to second.

Jorge Baez doubles.

Watt strikes out Miguel Montero.

Jason Heyward harmlessly flies out to right - Frank Robinson gathers the ball and thats it.

Orioles 5

Cubs 2

WP Palmer

LP Lester

Sv Watt

Palmer and 2 relievers give up just 4 hits, the Orioles sweep the Cubs at Wrigley, this Oriole team has lost 1 game all tournament and heads home 2 wins from the sweep. 

Buford 4x/HR, double

Powell 3x/HR

FRobinson 4x

Blair 3x/ 2 HR

Hendricks 1x

Johnson 5x/double

BRobinson 4x/HR, double

Etchebarren 2x

Belanger 2x

Fowler 3x

Zobrist 4x

Rizzo 2x

Coghlan 1x

Bryant 2x/double

Contreras 1x

Soler 3x/ 2HR

Baez 1x/double

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

2B Baez (23)     94        2.3

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

SP3 Arrieta (30)   135   5.1

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

SP3 McNally (26)  111  (LH)    3.1

GAME THREE

1st: On paper the Cubs have a real 4th starter's advantage; so if they can get one today, they might have a shot to even this up in game 4.  But they do have to win today, no one is coming back from a 3-0 deficit on this Oriole club. Dave McNally takes the ball for Baltimore. 26 year old LH, 20-7, 3.22. McNally had a great '69 ALCS, 11 innings, no earned runs. He got two starts in the WS and was also strong, 16 innings, 2.81. 1-2-3

1st: Jake Arrieta was MVP in the Cubs regional semi-final win.  30 year old RH, 18-8, 3.10. Arrieta's from Plano, went to TCU, pitched for the US National team in '06 and was drafted by the Orioles in the 5th round in '07. The O's called him up in mid '10, so as Arrieta stands on the Memorial Stadium mound today, he once called Baltimore home.  In mid '13, Arrieta and Pedro Strop were shipped to the Cubs, in '14 Arrieta was 9th in the Cy Young. In August of '15, Arrieta no hit the Dodgers and for the season was 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and won the Cy Young.  This year Arrieta threw another no hitter, against the Reds in April and was 9th in the Cy Young. Arrieta won two games in the WS.  Don Buford opens with a walk. An out later Boog Powell walks and after the second out Paul Blair walks - just a brutal first inning for Arrieta coming back to Baltimore and unable to find the plate.  But he escapes.  

2nd: Rizzo doubles.  Cubs need loud contact today. Willson Contreras singles him home and the Cubs have a lead.  Contreras is platooning behind the plate; he's Venezuelan, signed with the Cubs in '09 at 17 years old. The Cubs called him up for the first time this year at midseason. McNally gets two, then hits Addison Russell.  Arrieta follows with a single and the Cubs load the bases.  Dexter Fowler gets the hit they need - a single that scores two.  The Cub offense breaks through.  Cubs 3 Orioles 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Kris Bryant walks and an out later Jorge Soler hits his 3rd home run of the series - a 2 run shot to left center.  Soler was co-MVP in round one and he is carrying this Cub offense in this series.  Cubs 5 Orioles 0

3rd: Boog Powell singles with one out. That's it.

4th: McNally gets 2 and then hits Dexter Fowler and that draws some words from the Cub leadoff man.  Recall the Oriole leadoff man, Don Buford was hit late in game one and now McNally has hit two Cubs today.  Fowler jaws at McNally as he walks to first base - and now the series steps up a level in intensity.  

4th: Johnson walks with one out, that's all.  

5th: Contreras singles with 2 away, that's all.

5th: 1-2-3, the Cubs desperately needed this from Arrieta, he's given up one hit.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Frank Robinson walks with one out and Blair singles. Blair hit .400 in the '69 ALCS and .100 in the WS.  That's all.

7th: Zobrist singles with one out. After the second out, Rizzo doubles again, it scores the 6th run.  This one is just about done.  Contreras singles again and that is all for McNally, Dave Leonhard comes on for Baltimore. Cubs 6 Orioles 0

7th: After an out - Arrieta hits Brooks Robinson, and now both teams are out of the dugouts - there's a lot of jawing - Weaver has had enough - Weaver is on the field - Weaver yelling at Arrieta - is Earl Weaver about to charge at Jake Arrieta?  He isn't - Weaver is grabbed in a bear hug by Powell - the teams do not go to blows - it's a Regional Final and no one wants to risk ejection or injury - but we for sure are right there on the precipice of this thing getting away from us.  

8th: Leonhard gets two, then walks Coghlan, pinch hitting for Arrieta. That's all.

8th: Adam Warren for the Cubs, he gets one and then Frank Robinson hits a bomb to right center to snap the shutout. Blair walks, that's it for Warren and Pedro Strop comes on. Cubs 6 Orioles 1

9th: Zobrist doubles. An out later Rizzo walks and then Contreras does it again, a run scoring single. Soler grounds out - it scores another run.  We'll see you for game 4.  Cubs 8 Orioles 1

9th: Belanger singles. 2 outs later Buford singles.  Maddon isn't taking a chance, he's back to the pen to bring on Trevor Cahill.  And he ends it.

Cubs 8

Orioles 1

WP Arrieta

LP McNally

Combined five hitter for the Cubs; Contreras has 4 hits and will be tough to get out of the lineup the rest of the series.  Soler is also likely to continue; after hitting his 3rd homer. 

Fowler 5x

Zobrist 6x/double

Rizzo 5x/ 2 doubles

Coghlan 1x

Bryant 3x/double

Contreras 5x

Soler 4x/ 3HR

Baez 1x/double

Russell 1x

Buford 6x/HR, double

Powell 5x/HR

FRobinson 6x/HR

Blair 3x/ 2 HR

Hendricks 1x

Johnson 6x/double

BRobinson 5x/HR, double

Etchebarren 2x

Belanger 3x

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

2B Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

RF Bryant (24)    146   7.6

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

SP4 Lackey (37)   125

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

SP4 Phoebus (27)  101

GAME FOUR

1st: The Cubs lost the first two at home, come to Baltimore, take game 3 and look to even up the series today.  27 year old RH Tom Phoebus makes his first appearance of the tournament, 14-7, 3.52. Phoebus is a Baltimore native, so he's pitching in his hometown today, signed with the Orioles after HS, came up in late '66. In April, '68 Phoebus no hit the Red Sox. He did not pitch in this year's postseason. 1-2-3

1st: John Lackey for the Cubs; 37 year old RH, 11-8, 3.35. Lackey's near the end of the road, after 8 years with the Angels, 4 with the Red Sox, 2 in St Louis he came to the Cubs this season. Next year is his last. Don Buford greets him with a base hit. He's reached 7 times leading both clubs. That's all.

2nd: Willson Contreras had 4 game 3 hits, that earned him a start against a RH today and he singles with 1 out. An out later Soler walks but that's all.

2nd: Ellie Hendricks singles. An out later Belanger singles, the Orioles in business.  Brooks Robinson lines a single and Baltimore is out in front.  Phoebus then singles home a run to the delight of his hometown friends, a dozen friends and family in attendance for the Baltimore native. Cubs 0 Orioles 2

3rd: Zobrist singles with 2 away, Rizzo singles - but Phoebus escapes and maintains the lead.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Phoebus gets 2 -- and then Jorge Soler, getting a start against a RH due to his performance - comes through again - Soler hits his 4th home run of the series to halve the deficit. Jorge Soler continues to power the Cubs offense in this Regional Final.  Cubs 1 Orioles 2

4th: Brooks Robinson walks with 2 out, that's all.

5th: Zobrist draws a two out walk but that's all - strong 5 innings for Phoebus in what is the first close game of the series.

5th: Buford walks and then Boog Powell hits a 2 run shot - it's his second homer of the series and with a 4-1 lead, the Orioles are positioned to take a 3-1 lead in this series.  Frank Robinson doubles, Lackey gets an out but then Ellie Hendricks comes through with his own 2 run homer and that might be that - enormous celebration at Memorial Stadium as the Orioles take the huge lead.  Cubs 1 Orioles 6

6th: Tommy La Stella gets his first start of the series and he singles with 2 out, Soler follows with a base hit but that's all - Phoebus is through 6 and has a 5 run lead.  The Orioles are poised to take game 4.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, the crowd roars for Phoebus - the Orioles 6 outs from the win.

7th: After one out, Lackey hits Frank Robinson and he points his bat at Lackey -- then points up at the scoreboard and slowly trots to first.  Another hit batsman in this series - after an out, Hendricks does it again - his second two run homer of the day and that will be that - the Orioles really celebrate here - they are out of the dugout to greet Hendricks, the catcher gets a curtain call from these fans - Baltimore is about to take a 3-1 series lead.  Adam Warren enters for Chicago, gives up a Johnson single and that's all.  Cubs 1 Orioles 8

8th: Dave Leonhard for the Orioles - Weaver sent Phoebus out to the mound - then came to take him out so the hometown boy can get the enormous roar from the appreciative crowd.   7 strong innings. 1-2-3

8th: Leonhard stays in the game and singles with 1 out, Buford walks and then Boog Powell hits his second homer of a the day = a 3 run moon rocket to right center - the Orioles have won a laugher today and this series is going to be 3 games to 1.  Trevor Cahill comes on, that's it. Cubs 1 Orioles 11

9th: La Stella doubles. La Stella's from Jersey, went to Coastal Carolina, the Braves took him in the 8th in '11, comes up late '14 and after the season is sent to the Cubs. He had one at bat in the '16 postseason. Leonhard gets the next 3.

Cubs 1

Orioles 11

WP Phoebus

LP Lackey

Phoebus goes 7, Powell and Hendricks each homer twice and it leaves the Orioles one game from putting their second team into the Elite 8 - this Baltimore Orioles group making a claim for the best of all time.  

Buford 9x/HR, double

Powell 7x/ 3 HR (5 game 4 RBI)

FRobinson 8x/HR, double

Blair 3x/ 2 HR

Hendricks 4x/ 2 HR (4 game 4 RBI)

Johnson 7x/double

BRobinson 7x/HR, double

Etchebarren 2x

Belanger 4x

Fowler 6x

Zobrist 8x/double

Rizzo 6x/ 2 doubles

Coghlan 1x

Bryant 3x/double

Contreras 6x

Soler 7x/ 4HR

Baez 1x/double

Russell 1x

La Stella 2x/double

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

C Ross (39) 106

2B Baez (23)     94        2.3

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

P Hendricks (26)  196  5.5

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

P Cuellar (32)       149  (LH)    5.2

GAME FIVE

1st: Mike Cuellar has maybe been the best pitcher in this tournament; co-MVP of the Orioles wins in the first two rounds and won game one of this series.  A win today and the Orioles advance to the next round.  Can the Cubs send the series back to Wrigley?  Dexter Fowler singles. He's reached 7 times. Ben Zobrist singles. He's reached 9 times. Cuellar gets one and then an Anthony Rizzo sac fly scores a run. Jorge Soler walks, he's got 4 homers so far in this series.  And then David Ross - the 39 year old catcher making his first start of the tournament, comes through with a base hit that scores a run.  Cubs 2 Orioles 0

1st: Kyle Hendricks needs, somehow, to slow this Baltimore attack.  He walks Don Buford, Buford was Oriole MVP in the Regional Semi-Final and has reached 10 times in this series. That's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Kris Bryant singles with one away. That's it.

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Hendricks

4th: Javier Baez homers with one away to give the Cubs another run.  Baez is Puerto Rican, went to HS in Jacksonville. The Cubs took him 9th overall in '11 and he came up for the first time in late '14. Baez stole home in game 2 of this year's NLCS and was co-MVP of the series. Cubs 3 Orioles 0

4th: 1-2-3, 12 straight for Hendricks

5th: Fowler doubles and out later Bryant singles him home and it is starting to look like we will be headed back to Wrigley. Cubs 4 Orioles 0

5th: 1-2-3, 15 in a row set down for Hendricks and the Orioles do not yet have a hit.

6th: Addison Russell homers with 2 out.  Russell's from Pensacola, the A's took him 11th overall in '11. They send him to the Cubs in mid '14 with Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel headed back. Russell came up in '15 and hit two two run homers in this year's NLCS and had 6 RBI in game 6 of the World Series. And then Cuellar hits Kyle Hendricks - and that's it - the Cubs just fly out of the dugout toward the Oriole mound - the Orioles converge; it is a real live baseball brawl - building since late in game one; we've seen both clubs hit batsmen in spots indicative of intent and that for sure is the case here - an absolute wild, wild scene here in Memorial Stadium - when the dust settles Cuellar and both managers are ejected and the game continues.  The Orioles 5th starter is Jim Hardin, 25 year old RH, 6-7, 3.60 and he comes on.  Fowler singles and then Zobrist doubles everyone home.  We are going back to Wrigley.  Cubs 7 Orioles 0

6th: The brawl perhaps shakes Hendricks, Belanger and Brooks Robinson single back to back. Curt Motton comes off the bench to hit - he singles to score a run.  And then Don Buford doubles to score 2 more -- Hendricks had a no hitter heading to this inning, but he got hit in the top of the inning, leading to the wild, wild brawl - and now he has to really gather himself -- he does.  Cubs 7 Orioles 3

7th: Pete Richert is the new pitcher.  Soler doubles with one out -- and there's Ross again, singling him home.  Cubs 8 Orioles 3

7th: Elrod Hendricks and Johnson walk back to back. After an out, Brooks Robinson sac fly scores a run. Chico Salmon pinch singles, that's all.  Cubs 8 Orioles 4

8th: 38 year old RH Dick Hall is the next Oriole pitcher, 1.92. Matt Szczur comes off the bench and reaches on an error, Hall gets 2, Bryant singles - Rizzo walks - And then Jorge MotherTrucking Soler hits a Grand Slam!  Jorge Soler hits his 5th - his 5th home run of the series - he puts this game totally out of reach.  Cubs 12 Orioles 4

8th: Adam Warren for the Cubs - Boog Powell hits his first over the wall in right center and that's Powell's 4th homer of the series - Soler and Powell batting it out.  Frank Robinson singles and that's a quick hook for Warren, Trevor Cahill comes on. That's it.  Cubs 12 Orioles 5

9th: Dave Leonhard for the Orioles - Baez walks and Russell doubles him home; Chicago did what they needed to do today. Cubs 13 Orioles 5

9th: Johnson walks and Belanger singles. Brooks Robinson walks - the Cubs are just trying to get these last 3 outs. 26 year old lefty Mike Montgomery is brought on, Merv Rettenmund to hit, Rettenmund and Buford both walk, scoring two.  Powell grounds out for the first out in the inning.  Scores another. Frank Robinson walks to load the bases again, that beings on the Cubs closer Hector Rondon - it's 13-8, bases loaded -- Blair grounds out thats going to score another run to make it 13-9, now with two outs -

AND ELROD HENDRICKS HITS A 3 RUN HOMER!!!

The Orioles have scores 7 runs!  The Baltimore Orioles have scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th and now it's 13-12.

Davey Johnson....grounds to third.  Bryant to first.  Cubs win.  Wow.

Cubs 13

Orioles 12

WP Hendricks

LP Cuellar

Through 8.5 innings, this looked like every other game in their series, a blowout, one team just battering the other.  But then the Orioles scores 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th...only to fall a run short.  We also saw a full benches clearing brawl, both managers and Mike Cuellar ejected.  And now We head to Wrigley, Orioles still up 3 games to 2. 

Fowler 9x/double (3 runs scored game 5) 

Zobrist 10x/ 2 doubles

Rizzo 7x/ 2 doubles

Coghlan 1x

Bryant 6x/double

Contreras 6x

Soler 10x/ 5 HR, double (4 game 5 RBI)

Baez 3x/double, HR

Russell 3x/HR, double

La Stella 2x/double

Ross 2x

Buford 12x/HR, 2 doubles (3 RBI game 5)

Powell 8x/ 4 HR (5 game 4 RBI)

FRobinson 10x/HR, double

Blair 3x/ 2 HR

Hendricks 6x/ 3 HR (4 game 4 RBI, 3 game 5 RBI)

Johnson 9x/double

BRobinson 9x/HR, double

Etchebarren 2x

Belanger 6x

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

SP2 Palmer (23)    152      3.9

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

2B Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

RF Bryant (24)    146   7.6

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

C Montero (32) (LH)  82

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

GAME SIX

1st: 9 innings from now, probably one of two things will be true - either the Cubs will have forced the second game 7 in this tournament - or the Orioles will have placed their second team in the elite 8.  Jon Lester stands on the Wrigley Field mound, just all the pressure in the world on his left arm. He gets the first two then gives up a Boog Powell single; Powell's hit 4 homers in the series, if the Orioles win today, he's the most likely MVP. That's all.

1st: Jim Palmer won Game 2 and if he matches that today this series is over.  He walks Ben Zobrist with one out but strikes out the other 3 men he faces.  

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Jorge Soler walks with one out - Soler has busted through the LF platoon hitting 5 homers in the series.  After the second out Weaver calls for Miguel Montero to be intentionally walked to face the pitcher - and it works.  Intentional walk in the second inning - Weaver expecting a tight one today.

3rd: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Lester.

3rd: Fowler singles. He's reached 10 times and then Zobrist walks again; that's 12 times on base for Zobrist.  Cubs in business.  Rizzo singles.  Bases loaded. Nobody out - Game 6 - but Palmer escapes unscathed - that's a big missed opportunity in a must win game. 

4th: Frank Robinson doubles. He's reached 11 times. Boog Powell follows with a double, Robinson scores and the Orioles are out in front.  Orioles 1 Cubs 0

4th: Addison Russell singles with 1 out - but that's it.  Is this our first pitcher's duel of the series?

5th: Brooks Robinson singles. But that's all.  

5th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Tommy La Stella singles with 2 away, but that's all -- Palmer and Lester going at it here in Game 6.  

7th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Lester, he's allowed just 4 hits - can the Cubs get him some runs?

7th: 1-2-3, Palmer matches him, he's also allowed just 4 hits and we head to the 8th.

8th: Brooks Robinson singles again, the Oriole third baseman has now reached 11 times and played impeccable defense.  Lester gets 2 -- and then Don Buford hits a 2 run homer that just clears the Ivy in LF -- it's Buford's 2nd homer of the series and it may have won this for Baltimore.  Orioles 3 Cubs 0

8th: The Cubs are 6 outs from elimination.  1-2-3, Palmer has struck out 6 - the Orioles are 3 outs away now.  

9th: Powell singles.  That's all Lester allows. 

9th: Palmer's day is over - Weaver goes to Eddie Watt.  

Watt strikes out Bryant.

Tommy La Stella walks.

Watt strikes out Soler - 5 home runs in the series for Soler, an incredible performance.

Russell grounds to Belanger -- on to Powell.  

Ballgame.  

Orioles 3 

Cubs 0

WP Palmer

LP Lester

Jim Palmer goes 8 scoreless, the Cubs get just 4 hits, just a huge outing for Palmer who also won Game 2. Don Buford homered and the Orioles win Region 6.

Buford 13x/ 2 HR, 2 doubles (3 RBI game 5)

Powell 11x/ 4 HR, double (5 game 4 RBI)

FRobinson 11x/HR, 2 doubles

Hendricks 6x/ 3 HR (4 game 4 RBI, 3 game 5 RBI)

BRobinson 11x/HR, double

A lot of thunder from the Orioles and Palmer also had the big series on the mound - Powell's 4 homers are going to carry the day here, he's MVP.