128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Six: 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 1917 NL Champion New York Giants

 Reds v. Indians

#54 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles v. #118 1917 NL Champion New York Giants

22 teams are in the Round of 32.  The 1970 Orioles are in that number. The Orioles have one shot left following this series.  The 1904, 1912, 1922 Giants have all advanced. They also have another entrant still to come. 

Orioles 109-53 Mgr. Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins in NLCS

lost to Mets in WS

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

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

Giants 98-56 Mgr John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

lost WS to White Sox

d. #11 1911 A's (MVP-Benny Kauff)

Hall of Famers: High Pockets Kelly, Ross Youngs, John McGraw

Giants-John McGraw

C Rariden (29)  115   1.8

LF Burns (27)    146  6.4

3B Zimmerman (30)  119  5.3

CF Kauff (27)  (LH)  138   4

1B Holke (24) (SH)   107   1.2

SS Fletcher (32) 103  6.8

RF Robertson (27) (LH) 106   1.9

2B Herzog (31)   93    2.1

P Schupp (26) (LH)    130   4.5

Bench

2B Smith (22)  (SH)  86    .7

C McCarty (28)  98

SP2 Perritt (25)  135  2.5

SP3 Sallee (32)  (LH)  117  2.1

Possible 2B platoon; hot hand at C.  

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Etchebarren (26)  96     1.6

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

P Cuellar (32)       149  (LH)    5.2

Bench

C Hendricks (28) (LH)  100  2.4

OF Rettenmund (26)   104

RF May (25)   (LF)     87

1B Salmon (28)   130

LF Motton (28)   168

SP2 Palmer (23)    152      3.9

SP3 McNally (26)  111  (LH)    3.1

Platoon at C.

WAR Advantage:

C-Push

1B-Orioles

2B-Orioles

SS-Giants

3B-Giants

LF-Giants

CF-Orioles

RF-Orioles

SP1-Orioles

SP2-Orioles

SP3-Orioles

Bullpen-Orioles

WAR: Orioles 8 Giants 3 - Orioles have the seed advantage, Orioles have the WAR advantage driven by that huge pitching advantage. Best position player is essentially a push. Baltimore a solid favorite to advance.  

GAME ONE

1st: Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland.  The co-MVPs for the Orioles in Round One were Jim Palmer and today's pitcher, Mike Cuellar.  Cuellar is a 32 year old lefty, 23-111, 2.38 - we've seen all of these Orioles already, that '70 team has advanced.  Cuellar won the Cy Young this year and with a 149 ERA+, this is the best season of his career. Cuellar was great in the '69 postseason, 8 innings against the Twins in the ALCS with 2 earned and in 16 World Series innings against the Mets, his ERA was 1.13. 1-2-3

1st: 26 year old lefty Ferdie Schupp is Cuellar's opposite number.  21-7, 1.95; Schupp broke in in '13, this is the only year he'd ever win 20+ games, he's shipped to the Cardinals in '19 for Frank Snyder and finishes with the White Sox in '22. Don Buford greets him with a single and two pitches later Davey Johnson doubles him home. Baltimore takes the lead immediately.  Giants 0 Orioles 1

2nd: Art Fletcher singles with 2 out. we've seen Fletcher with the '12 Giants team that has already advanced. He led the league in being hit by pitches this season, one of five times he was the leader in that category. The inning ends here.

2nd: Andy Etchebarren singles, he and Hendricks are fully in a catching platoon. Etchebarren hit .154 in his 65 at bat postseason career. That's all.

3rd: Buck Herzog singles. Herzog was also with the '12 Giants; in his postseason career he hit .245 in 94 at bats. That's all.

3rd: Frank Robinson singles with 2 out. In 8 postseason series, Robinson hit 10 homers. That's all.

4th: Heinie Zimmerman singles; we've seen him with the Cubs; he's advanced already with the '09 version. This season, he led the league in RBI. After an out, Walter Holke singles, but Cuellar stops them here.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Herzog singles again; that's it. 

5th: Brooks Robinson singles; between '64-'71 this is his lightest season with the bat. Strong postseason career - .303 batting average in 145 at bats. Two outs later he's standing at second and he scores on a Johnson base hit -- 2 RBI on the day for Johnson.  Giants 0 Orioles 2

6th: Cuellar gets two, but then Walter Holke homers. Holke broke in in '14 at the age of 21, in '19 he and Bill Rariden, today's catcher, will be sent to the Reds for Hal Chase. Giants 1 Orioles 2

6th: Frank Robinson hits the first pitch deep, deep, deep in the left field stands to get Baltimore that run back. Two outs later Etchebarren walks, that's all.  Giants 1 Orioles 3

7th: 1-2-3

7th: After two outs, Buford walks and Johnson singles.  Three hit day for Johnson; he hit just .225 in 111 postseason at bats. That's all.

8th: After an out, Zimmerman homers and the Giants close to a run once again. Giants 2 Orioles 3

8th: Schupp gets two - but then Etchebarren, who hit just 3 regular season homers - homers here, is that the insurance that wraps this up?  Giants 2 Orioles 4

9th: Cuellar remains in the game - needing three outs - he gets two, but then Herzog doubles to bring the tying run to the plate.  

But that's all.

Giants 2

Orioles 4

WP Cuellar

LP Schupp

The Orioles pitching was their big advantage in the series and Cuellar throws a complete game to win game one. 

Orioles

Buford 2x

Johnson 3x

Frank Robinson 2x/wHR

Etchebarren 3x/wHR

Giants

Zimmerman 2x/wHR

Holke 2x w/HR

Herzog 3x

CF Kauff (27)  (LH)  138   4

LF Burns (27)    146  6.4

1B Holke (24) (SH)   107   1.2

RF Robertson (27) (LH) 106   1.9

3B Zimmerman (30)  119  5.3

SS Fletcher (32) 103  6.8

C McCarty (28)  98

2B Herzog (31)   93    2.1

SP2 Perritt (25)  135  2.5

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

SP2 Palmer (23)    152      3.9

GAME TWO

1st: Mike Cuellar was co-MVP of the round one win for the Orioles and he just threw a complete game.  The other co-MVP was Jim Palmer and he's on the mound. 23 year old RH, 16-4, 2.34. Palmer led the league in winning percentage this year; in the ALCS, he beat the Twins giving up 2 earned in 9.  And in the World Series he lost to the Mets, giving up 4 earned in 6. Benny Kauff singles on the first pitch; an out later Walter Holke singles. Dave Robertson follows with a run scoring single and the Giants are out in front.  Giants 1 Orioles 0

1st: The Giants counter with 25 year old RH Pol Perritt, 17-7, 1.88. He broke in with the Cards back in '12, the Giants got him in '15. This is the best year of his career. He'll finish his career in Detroit in '21. Boog Powell singles with one out, Frank Robinson follows with a single and Paul Blair then singles home the tying run. Ellie Hendricks is behind the plate today for Baltimore - and he singles home the go ahead run. Blair then scores on a Davey Johnson groundout. Giants 1 Orioles 3

2nd: Buck Herzog laces a ball down the right field line - it kicks away from Robinson - and Herzog is on the move -- Herzog rounds second and he is not breaking stride -- Robinson hits the cutoff man Johnson - there is going to be a play at the plate.......and Herzog is safe! Buck Herzog hits an inside the park home run and the Giants have cut this lead to 3-2. Perritt helps himself with a single, it ends here.  Giants 2 Orioles 3

2nd: With two out, Don Buford and Boog Powell single back to back. Buford spent the first half of his career with the White Sox - came to Baltimore last year in a deal for Luis Aparicio; he'll be here the rest of his career, retiring in '72. The Orioles don't take advantage.

3rd: With one out, Palmer hits Holke, but that's all.

3rd: Johnson hits a two out single, that's it.

4th: Zimmerman singles. That's all.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Perritt.

6th: Holke walks, that's it.

6th: Belanger singles with 2 out, that's it.  

7th: Herzog singles with one out, Joe Wilhoit comes on to hit for the pitcher and he singles.  But Palmer escapes.

7th: The Giants have one strong bullpen arm - it's Fred Anderson, 31 year old RH with a 1.44 ERA; he gets an out, then gives up back to back singles to Buford and Powell. Robinson grounds out to score another Orioles run and then Paul Blair doubles home one more. Giants 2 Orioles 5

8th: Holke walks.  Robertson singles.  Big spot here -- Earl Weaver comes to the mound and brings in Pete Richert, 29 year old lefty, 2.20. He gets 2 - but then gives up a Fletcher base hit that brings the Giants closer.  Giants 3 Orioles 5

8th: 1-2-3

9th: Baltimore is 3 outs away from going up 2-0, Eddie Watt is a 28 year old RH with a 1.65 ERA - 1-2-3

Giants 3

Orioles 5

WP Palmer

LP Perritt

Gritty performance by Palmer leads Baltimore to the home sweep.

Orioles

Buford 4x

Powell 3x in game 2

Blair 2x in game 2

Johnson 4x

Frank Robinson 4x/wHR

Etchebarren 3x/wHR

Giants

Zimmerman 3x/wHR

Holke 6x w/HR

Robertson 2x in game 2

Herzog 5x w/HR

We go to New York - Giants in the big hole.

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Etchebarren (26)  96     1.6

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

SP3 McNally (26)  111  (LH)    3.1

C Rariden (29)  115   1.8

LF Burns (27)    146  6.4

3B Zimmerman (30)  119  5.3

CF Kauff (27)  (LH)  138   4

1B Holke (24) (SH)   107   1.2

SS Fletcher (32) 103  6.8

RF Robertson (27) (LH) 106   1.9

2B Herzog (31)   93    2.1

SP3 Sallee (32)  (LH)  117  2.1

GAME THREE

1st The series shifts to the Polo Grounds; the Giants in the enormous hole. We just saw Slim Sallee advance with the '19 Reds - two years prior, he's a member of the '17 Giants and he's standing on the mound.  18-7, 2.17 and he added 4 saves, which led the league. Davey Johnson hits a one out double, Frank Robinson singles him to third, and then a Boog Powell sac fly puts the Orioles in front.  Orioles 1 Giants 0

1st: The Orioles come at you with some starting pitching - Dave McNally is a 26 year old lefty looking for the sweep.20-7, 3.22. McNally was 4th in the Cy Young this year; when the guy who finished 4th in the Cy Young is your third starter, you like your chances.  Bill Rariden singles, George Burns singles. Heinie Zimmerman singles and the Giants have loaded the bases only 7 pitches into the game.  A Kauff double play scores a run - and then Holke singles home the second.  Orioles 1 Giants 2

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Davey Johnson hits a one out single; Boog Powell hits a two out single. That's it.

3rd: Burns singles after an out. Burns was on the roster for the '12 team that has already advanced, but didn't see action as he was in his second season at the age of 22. Just two years later, Burns is 4th in the MVP, this year he led the league in walks and runs scored.  Just before the '22 season, he's sent to the Reds for Heinie Groh and finishes with the Phils in '25. Zimmerman follows with a single, but that's all.

4th: Belanger singles with one out - nothing else.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for McNally

6th: Frank Robinson singles.  Boog Powell doubles.  Orioles in business here - and Paul Blair triples both of them home.  Blair's advanced both with next year's Oriole team and as a backup with the '77 Yankees. Blair was an All-Star twice, this was one of those years. Sallee gets an out but then Belanger singles home another run.  Fred Anderson is back on -- the Giants need to stem this tide right now -- Brooks Robinson reaches by error and then a McNally double scores one more.  Huge inning for the Orioles - and they now lead Orioles 5 Giants 2

6th: Holke singles with 2 out, that's it.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: 9 outs from the sweep. Dave Robertson singles. Robertson has already advanced twice as a bench player - his first year in the league was 1912 --- and his last year was 1922.  Robertson led the league in homers this year - in '19 the Giants deal him to the Cubs for Phil Douglas and he comes back for 42 games in '22.  McNally gets one, and then McGraw goes to his bench for the great Jim Thorpe.  Whoa.  Thorpe was a college football star in '11 and '12, leading Carlisle to the National Championship. In the '12 Summer Olympics he won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon; in '13 he joins the Giants, this year he started the season with the Giants - was sent to the Reds - and then back to the Giants. His MLB career ends with the Braves in '19 (he was also playing professional football, winning titles with the Canton Bulldogs in '16, '17, '19).  Thorpe singles.  McNally gets the second out and then Burns singles to cut the deficit to 5-3. Zimmerman then singles to cut it to 5-4 and that ends McNally's day.  Pete Richert comes on; inning ends.  Orioles 5 Giants 4

8th: The Giants 4th starter is 27 year old lefty Rube Benton and he's the new pitcher; 1-2-3.

8th: After an out, Fletcher and Robertson single -- tying run in scoring position for the Giants -- and Herzog singles.  The Giants have come all the way back to tie the score at 5.  Joe Wilhoit comes on to hit -- and he reaches via error that scores the go ahead run.  Orioles 5 Giants 6

9th: The Giants were dead and buried but now are 3 outs from their first win in the series. 25 year old RH George Smith enters - he gives up a Brooks Robinson single.  

But that's it.

Orioles 5

Giants 6

WP Benton

LP Richert

Huge, huge comeback for the Giants - on the precipice of elimination, they get 2 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to stay alive.  

Giants

Burns 3x in game 3

Zimmerman 6x/wHR

Holke 8x w/HR

Robertson 4x in game 2-3

Herzog 6x w/HR

Orioles

Buford 2x

Johnson 5x

Frank Robinson 4x/wHR

Powell 2x in game 3

Belanger 2x in game 3

Etchebarren 3x/wHR

The Game One starters return - can the Giants force Game 5?

LF Buford (32)   128 (SH)      4.5

2B Johnson (26)   107      3.5

RF Robinson (33) 165     6.5

1B Powell (27)   160    (LH)    6.2

CF Blair (25)       122       6.9

C Etchebarren (26)  96     1.6

SS Belanger (25)  95        4.3

3B Robinson (32)  92       4.5

P Cuellar (32)       149  (LH)    5.2

C Rariden (29)  115   1.8

LF Burns (27)    146  6.4

3B Zimmerman (30)  119  5.3

CF Kauff (27)  (LH)  138   4

1B Holke (24) (SH)   107   1.2

SS Fletcher (32) 103  6.8

RF Robertson (27) (LH) 106   1.9

2B Herzog (31)   93    2.1

P Schupp (26) (LH)    130   4.5

GAME FOUR

1st: Ferdie Schupp on the mound for the Giants.  9 innings from now - are we headed back to Baltimore?  Don Buford doubles. Davey Johnson immediately singles him home and it's 1-0. Orioles 1 Giants 0

1st: Mike Cuellar won game one and he looks to close out the series today. Burns singles with one out, that's it.

2nd: Etchebarren singles with one out, Brooks Robinson singles with 2 out.  Mike Cuellar had two triples during the season and he triples both men home now. Buford then singles Cuellar home - the Orioles are not messing around today, Orioles 4 Giants 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Herzog singles, two outs later, Burns singles him home.  Orioles 4 Giants 1

4th: Belanger singles with one out, after the second out Brooks Robinson singles and Cuellar gets hit.  That's all.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, Schupp's retired 7 straight.

5th: Dave Robertson homers to give this crowd some life, it's 4-2. After an out Schupp singles, and after the second out, he scores on a Burns base hit - and the Giants are coming back again.  Zimmerman walks - that's it - but we got a ballgame here at the Polo Grounds.  Orioles 4 Giants 3

6th: Paul Blair homers -- the Orioles aren't giving up this lead without a fight.  Orioles 5 Giants 3

6th: 1-2-3

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

7th: Herzog singles.  The tying run comes to the plate with nobody out.  Joe Wilhoit onto pinch hit.  And he triples home Herzog!  The Giants have cut it to 5-4, the tying run is 90 feet away.  Weaver decides to stick with Cuellar and he buckles down and gets out of the inning.  Orioles 5 Giants 4

8th: To the bullpen - Fred Anderson again for the Giants. He gives up a Powell base hit - but it doesn't go further.

8th: Cuellar still in the game.  6 outs from ending the series.  He gets two -- but then gives up a double to Fletcher.  Once again, tying run in scoring position.  But once again - Cuellar gets through it and now Baltimore is 3 outs away.

9th: Belanger singles - after an out, Curt Motton, hitting for the pitcher - walks. After the second out -- Davey Johnson singles home Belanger.  Thats the insurance run.  Orioles 6 Giants 4

9th: Here's Eddie Watt.  3 outs away.

Buck Herzog is first.  Grounds to Powell.  One out.

Jim Thorpe comes off the bench to hit - he grounds back to Watt.  Onto first.  Two out.

Bill Rariden singles.

Tying run to the plate.  2 out.  Burns grounds to Belanger -- flip to Johnson -- ballgame.

Orioles 6

Giants 4

WP Cuellar

LP Schupp

It wasn't easy - but Cuellar goes 8 innings for his second win of the series.

Davey Johnson reached 8 times in the series, including that big insurance run late today; he and Cuellar share the MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Six: 1919 World Champion Cincinnati Reds v. 2017 AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians

 Cubs v. Braves

#27 1919 World Champion Cincinnati Reds v. #38 2017 AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians

Battle of Ohio; both of these franchises have a representative who has already advanced and both have one more shot after this.  One of them will have at least two advancing.

Reds 96-44 Mgr. Pat Moran

Won NL Pennant

d. White Sox in WS

d. #102 1945 Cubs (MVP Larry Kopf)

Hall of Famers: Edd Roush

Indians 102-60 Mgr. Terry Francona (2nd AL MoY)

1st in AL Central

lost ALDS to Yankees

d. #91 1957 Yankees (MVP Carlos Santana)

All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, SP Corey Kluber (AL Cy Young) SS Francisco Lindor (5th NL MVP) RP Andrew Miller, 3B Jose Ramirez (3rd NL MVP)

Indians-Terry Francona

CF Jackson (30)   126  2  

3B Ramirez (24) (SH)  145  6.4

SS Lindor (23)  (SH)    116  5.6

1B Santana (31) (SH)   112  3.1

RF Chisenhall (28) (LH) 126  1.4

LF Brantley (30) (LH)  108   2.2

C Gomes (29)        83    2.1

2B Gonzalez (25)  77

P Kluber (31)       202    8.2

Bench

DH Encarnacion (34)  128  3.3

C Perez (28)        72

2B Kipnis (30) (LH)      81   

3B Diaz (25)   80

3B Urshela (25)  44

RF Bruce (30) (LH) 108

RF Almonte (28) (SH) 78

CF Zimmer (24) (LH)  80    1.5

OF Guyer (31)  72

SP2 Carrasco (30) 139  6.1

SP3 Clevinger (26)  147  3.2

Plan is a platoon at second and to go with the hot hand behind the plate.  We might see a platoon in both center and right.  

Reds-Pat Moran

CF Roush (26) (LH)  146        4.9 

3B Groh (29)     149        5.5

C Wingo (28)  (LH)  114         2.5

1B Daubert (35) (LH) 104       1.7

2B Rath (31)  (LH)    95          4.3

SS Kopf (28)  (SH)   94           1.9

RF Neale (27) (LH)   92          1

LF Duncan (25)  116       .4

P Ruether (25) (LH)  154        3.9

Bench

C Rariden (31)   70

DH Bressler (24)  88

DH Cueto (27)    87         .3

DH Magee (34)   83

SP2 Sallee (34)  (LH) 136      3.8

SP3 Eller (24)    117

All the Indians starters are RH, so no Reds platooning; 3 possible DHs sitting on the Reds bench.  

WAR: 

C Reds

1B Indians

2B Reds

SS Indians

3B Indians

LF Indians

CF Reds

RF Indians

DH Indians

SP1 Indians

SP2 Indians

SP3 Indians

Bullpen Indians

WAR: Indians 10 Reds 3, Reds have the seed advantage but Indians have an overwhelming WAR advantage, Indians have best position player and a substantial pitching advantage at every level.  Indians are favored.  Winner goes on to meet the '16 Cubs - who, of course, beat the '16 Indians in the World Series.  

GAME ONE

1st: Redland Field.  Cincinnati, Ohio.  Cross-state rivals meet for the 22nd spot in the round of 32.  25 year old lefty Dutch Ruether on the mound for the Reds. 19-6, 1.82. Ruether broke in with the Cubs in '17, released mid season and picked up by the Reds. This is easily his career year, he'll be traded to Brooklyn in '21 for Rube Marquard and finish his career with the '27 Yankees.  1-2-3.

1st: 31 year old RH Corey Kluber counters for the Tribe; 18-4, 2.25. He broke in back in '11, won the Cy Young in '14, 9th in '15, 3rd in '16 and won it again this year.  He'll finish 3rd next year and then fall off the table, he's a Ranger in 2020.  1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Larry Kopf singles with one out, the game's first hit.  Kopf was the MVP in round one for these Reds; he broke in with the Indians back in '13, the Reds bought him from the A's in '16, he spends four seasons as their starting shortstop and then he (and the aforementioned Marquard) head to the Braves where he finishes in '23. That's it.  

3rd: Yan Gomes walks, Cleveland's first baserunner, Gomes is '29, broke in 5 years prior with the Jays, Cleveland gets him the next season; he splits time behind the plate through next year (he's an All Star next year) and then is sent to the Nats in '19 where he remains in '20. Two outs later Austin Jackson singles - that's it.

3rd: Edd Roush doubles. The only Hall of Famer in this series (as of today) broke in in '13 at the age of 20, the Reds get him from the Giants in '16 along with the end of Christy Mathewson's career. He leads the league in batting average in '17, in OPS+ last year, in batting average this year, in doubles in '23, finishes 10th in the MVP in '24 and '25, heads back to the Giants in '27 for High Pockets Kelly and finishes back with the Reds in '31. That's it.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: After two out, Kopf singles again. That's it.

5th: 1-2-3, just one hit allowed by Ruether.

5th: Pat Duncan walks. Duncan played in just 31 games this season but his bat gets him in the lineup for the series. He broke in with the Pirates back in '15, this is his first year with the Reds, he'll be in Cincinnati the rest of his career, through '24. That's all.  

6th: Jose Ramirez draws a 2 out walk. He was 20 back in '13 when he broke in, he finished 3rd in the MVP this year and will do so again next year, he remains an Indian in '20. Nothing else.  

6th: 1-2-3, Ruether and Kluber locked in battle here in game 1.

7th: 1-2-3, still just one hit for the Indians.

7th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Kluber, he's allowed just 3 hits himself and this battle continues.

8th: 1-2-3, Ruether dominating.

8th: Ruether - hitting for himself - singles. An out later Heinie Groh singles. Groh was 22 back in '12 when he broke in with the Giants, he, Red Ames, Josh Devore were dealt to the Reds the next season. He led the league in walks in '16, in OBP in '17 and '18, in OPS this year. He goes back to the Giants for George Burns in '22 and finishes with the Bucs in '27. Kluber keeps them off the board.  We head to the 9th, still scoreless in game one.

9th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Ruether, throwing a 1 hitter through 9.

9th: The Indians have a massive bullpen advantage and they turn to it now, 32 year old lefty Andrew Miller comes on with his 1.44 ERA. He gives up a 2 out single to Greasy Neale, that'a all.  We head to extras. 

10th: Ruether gets the first two - then walks Michael Brantley - Gomes then singles for the first Indians hit since the third inning. Erik Gonzalez had just 110 at bats his year, but got the start today at second base against the lefty Ruether -- and he makes himself a hero with a run scoring single.  That's all - but maybe that's enough.  Indians 1 Reds 0

10th: 28 year old RH Cody Allen comes on to close. 30 saves, 2.94. 

Pat Duncan is first and he singles.  The Reds have the winning run coming to the plate.

Ruether hit .261, his bat is as good as any the Reds could bring up - so he hits for himself, he pops up on the infield - Gomes takes it.  One away.

Roush to the plate -- Allen strikes him out on a 3-2 pitch - Duncan running on the pitch - and Gomes shoots him down at second for a stikeout/throw out to end game one.  

Indians 1

Reds 0

WP Miller

LP Ruether

Cleveland got 3 hits in game one - but they win it in 10 innings. Kluber strikes out 8, walks just one, gives up 5 hits in 8 innings. 

For the Indians...

Gomes reached twice and threw out Duncan to end the game

For the Reds...

Kopf reached twice.

Duncan reached twice

One more in Cincinati - can the Reds even this up?

CF Jackson (30)   126  2  

3B Ramirez (24) (SH)  145  6.4

SS Lindor (23)  (SH)    116  5.6

1B Santana (31) (SH)   112  3.1

RF Chisenhall (28) 126  1.4

LF Brantley (30) (LH)  108   2.2

C Gomes (29)        83    2.1

2B Gonzalez (25)  77

SP2 Carrasco (30) 139  6.1

CF Roush (26) (LH)  146        4.9 

3B Groh (29)     149        5.5

C Wingo (28)  (LH)  114         2.5

1B Daubert (35) (LH) 104       1.7

2B Rath (31)  (LH)    95          4.3

SS Kopf (28)  (SH)   94           1.9

RF Neale (27) (LH)   92          1

LF Duncan (25)  116       .4

SP2 Sallee (34)  (LH) 136      3.8

GAME TWO

1st: The Reds look to 34 year old left Slim Sallee to salvage a split; 21-7, 2.06, Sallee broke in back in '08 with the Cards, this is his first season in Cincinnati, he had been released by the Giants and he wins 20 games for the only time in his career.  He's released before the end of next season and winds up back with the Giants.  Francisco Lindor singles with two out and that's it.

1st:  30 year old RH Carlos Carrasco looks to give the Tribe the 2-0 lead. 18-6, 3.29. Up in '09, Carrasco finished 4th in the Cy Young this year. Through '20, he's still in Cleveland. Edd Roush greets him with a base hit. Henie Groh follows with a hit; but Carrasco stops it there.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Larry Kopf singles and two outs later he crosses the plate on a Sallee base hit - the Reds score their first run of the series. Indians 0 Reds 1

3rd: Erik Gonzales won game one and singles here; he's left at third.  

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Carlos Santana, MVP from round one, hits a one out single. Santana's 31, came up in '10, led the league in walks in '14, he spends next year in Philadelphia and winds up back in Cleveland in '19.  Michael Brantley singles an out later, but that's it.

4th: Greasy Neale doubles with 2 out, he was 24 when he broke in back in '16, he and Jimmy Ring go to the Phillies for Eppa Rixey in '21 and he finishes back here in '24. The Indians decide to walk Pat Duncan to get to Sallee - and Sallee beats them again; his second RBI of the day. Indians 0 Reds 2

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Sallee plus the only two RBI of the game.

6th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Carrasco, it's still just 2-0.

7th: Lonnie Chisenhall singles. Chisenhall spends his entire 8 year career in Cleveland as a part timer, breaking in in '11 and stopping in '18. Yan Gomes walks an out later, Cleveland goes to the bench after the second out for Edwin Encarnacion - he reaches via error to score Cleveland's first run and Austin Jackson follows with a single to tie it up. Indians 2 Reds 2

7th: Andrew Miller takes over for Cleveland, after an out, Manuel Cueto pinch singles, and that's all.

8th: 28 year old Dolf Luque is the new Reds pitcher, he's a RH with 10 wins and a 2.63 ERA, 1-2-3

8th: Morrie Rath draws a two out walk  and Kopf follows with a single.  Back to the pen, Bryan Shaw comes on, he's a 29 year old RH with a 3.52 ERA - 2 on, 2 out, tie score in the bottom of the 8th.  And Greasey Neale triples everyone home -- one run, two runs -- big, big spot in this series, Neale makes it 4-2.  Duncan walks - that's it.  Indians 2 Reds 4

9th: 1-2-3.

Indians 2

Reds 4

WP Luque

LP Miller

Just 6 hits given up by the Reds who even up the series. Sallee added two hits, 2 RBI.

For the Reds...

Kopf has reached 4x.

Duncan has reached 4x

Neale reached 2x in game 2 with the game winning hit.

For the Indians...

Gomes has reached 3x 

Let's go to Cleveland for games 3-4.

CF Roush (26) (LH)  146        4.9 

3B Groh (29)     149        5.5

C Wingo (28)  (LH)  114         2.5

1B Daubert (35) (LH) 104       1.7

2B Rath (31)  (LH)    95          4.3

SS Kopf (28)  (SH)   94           1.9

RF Neale (27) (LH)   92          1

LF Duncan (25)  116       .4

DH Cueto (27)    87         .3

SP3 Eller (24)    117

SS Lindor (23)  (SH)    116  5.6

3B Ramirez (24) (SH)  145  6.4

1B Santana (31) (SH)   112  3.1

DH Encarnacion (34)  128  3.3

RF Bruce (30) (LH) 108

LF Brantley (30) (LH)  108   2.2

C Gomes (29)        83    2.1

2B Kipnis (30) (LH)      81   

CF Zimmer (24) (LH)  80    1.5

SP3 Clevinger (26)  147  3.2

GAME THREE

1st: Progressive Field in Cleveland, cross-state rivals Indians and Reds meeting for Game 3 here in Round 2.  Winner to meet the 2016 Chicago Cubs in the Round of 32.  26 year old RH Mike Clevinger on the home field bump. 12-6, 3.11. Came up last year and will be in Cleveland until the '20 deadline when he's moved to the Padres. He walks Heinie Groh with one out, that's all.

1st: 24 year old Hod Eller gets the call for the Reds; 19-9. 2.39, he's only in the league for 5 seasons, all in Cincinnati - this is his third. He gives up a one out double to Jose Ramirez, and he's then driven home by a Carlos Santana double.  An out later, Jay Bruce singles home the second run.  Reds 0 Indians 2

2nd: Larry Kopf reaches on a one out error, Greasy Neale singles him to third - and a Pat Duncan single makes it 2-1, perhaps the shift to Cleveland has also brought some offensive life into this series. Reds 1 Indians 2

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Edd Roush walks, Henie Groh singles. After an out, Jake Daubert singles to tie the game. Daubert was a star back in Brooklyn; MVP back in '13, he's 35 now, this is his first year in Cincinnati - he'll be here the rest of his career, until '24. With men on the corners the Reds play some 20th century baseball - Daubert takes off for second and when Santana throws - Groh breaks for the plate -- it is a double steal - Groh has stolen home and the Reds are up 3-2.  Morrie Rath singles - Daubert attempts to score from second and he is gunned down by a rifle shot from Bradley Zimmer; Rath takes second on the throw, and then he will score on a Kopf single. It's the biggest inning of the series - Reds 4 Indians 2

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Eller

5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Clevinger.

5th: 1-2-3, 13 straight for Eller

6th: Clevinger's day is over; Francona's got that deep pen and he's going to it - Andrew Miller pitches again. Rath reaches on an error and Kopf singles - but Miller keeps them off the board.

6th: Santana doubles with one out and then scores an out later on a Jay Bruce double.  It's Bruce's first action of the series and he is paying off big with his second RBI. Bruce is 30 and he knows something about Cincinnati, having broken in with the Reds in '08 and finishing 5th in Rookie of the Year. In '12 and '13 he'll have top 10 MVP finishes; last year at the break, the Reds dealt him to the Mets - and this year at the break - the Mets sent him to Cleveland.  Bruce plays in only 43 regular season games for the Indians; he's back to the Mets next year, and is with the Phillies in '20.  Brantley then singles and Gomes walks and the fans are roaring now with the bases loaded -- but Eller escapes.  Reds 4 Indians 3

7th: Roush singles - but that's all.

7th: Zimmer singles; this is his first action in the series - Francona loading up with lefty bats; Zimmer's 24, in his rookie season - 4 years later, he's still in Cleveland.  Francisco Lindor follows with a single and the Indians are again in business and again this big crowd is ready to explode - Eller gets one, but Santana flies to right - that scores Zimmer and we are knotted at 4. Dolf Luque enters and ends it.  Reds 4 Indians 4

8th: Bryan Shaw enters now for Cleveland, brand new ballgame - he gives up a Daubert double, and when Kopf singles and out later it is the Reds who regain the advantage. Neale reaches on an error and Pat Duncan triples home both men -- and man, oh man - it's a big inning for the Reds who appear like they are about to take command of this series. 25 year old RH Nick Goody is the new Indian pitcher, he ends it.  Reds 7 Indians 4.

8th: Gomes singles with 2 out - and then Jason Kipnis walks - but nothing else.  

9th: 1-2-3

9th: 34 year old RH Roy Mitchell is on the close this out for the Reds - he gets an out, then walks Jose Ramirez and that's enough for Moran, he brings in his 5th starter, Jimmy Ring, a 24 year old RH - and he ends the game.

Reds 7

Indians 4

WP Luque

LP Shaw

We get some offense in this one and it's the Reds who take the 2-1 advantage.

For the Reds...

Roush reached 2x in game 3

Groh reached 2x in game 3

Daubert reached 2x in game 3

Kopf has reached 7x.

Duncan has reached 6x w/triple

Neale reached 2x in game 2 with the game winning hit.

For the Indians...

Ramirez reached 2x in game 3

Santana reached 2x in game 3

Bruce reached 2x in game 3

Gomes has reached 5x 

One more in Cleveland - the game 1 starters return - can the Indians stay alive?

CF Roush (26) (LH)  146        4.9 

3B Groh (29)     149        5.5

C Wingo (28)  (LH)  114         2.5

1B Daubert (35) (LH) 104       1.7

2B Rath (31)  (LH)    95          4.3

SS Kopf (28)  (SH)   94           1.9

RF Neale (27) (LH)   92          1

LF Duncan (25)  116       .4

DH Magee (34)   83

P Ruether (25) (LH)  154        3.9

CF Jackson (30)   126  2  

DH Encarnacion (34)  128  3.3

3B Ramirez (24) (SH)  145  6.4

SS Lindor (23)  (SH)    116  5.6

1B Santana (31) (SH)   112  3.1

LF Chisenhall (28) (LH) 126  1.4

RF Bruce (30) (LH) 108

C Gomes (29)        83    2.1

2B Gonzalez (25)  77

P Kluber (31)       202    8.2

GAME FOUR

1st: If the favored Indians are going to get their rematch with the Cubs, they must win today.  Corey Kluber was outstanding in game one and returns here.  Kluber's got 45 career postseason innings pitched with a 3.97 ERA. He was bad this year - the Yankees banged him around in the '17 ALDS. He gives off a leadoff single to Roush, nothing else.

1st: Dutch Ruether matched Kluber pitch for pitch in game one; he looks to close this out. He walks Austin Jackson/Edwin Encarnacion back to back. He gets one, but with Jackson on third, Lindor grounds out - scoring a run. Reds 0 Indians 1

2nd: Kluber gets two, gives up a Neale base hit and Duncan walks. Sherry Magee gets his first start today at DH and he doubles down the right field line, scoring both men and putting the Reds out front. Magee is in the final season of a 16 year career. He was 19 when he came up with the Phillies in '04, led the league in RBI in '07, led in OPS+ in '10, was 7th in the MVP in '14, The Braves released him in '17 and he came to Cincinnati to finish his career; this is the only year of his career with a sub 100 OPS+, his career average was 137 (Magee could flat rake).  Reds 2 Indians 1

2nd: Lonnie Chisenhall is back in the lineup today and he singles. Jay Bruce walks - again the Indians have the first two on. Erik Gonzalez is also back today and after an out, he singles to load them up. An Austin Jackson groundout ties the score. Reds 2 Indians 2

3rd: Ivey Wingo reached on a one out error; Wingo had a 17 year career; breaking in with the Cardinals back in '11, the Reds got him in '15 and he spends the rest of his career in Cincinnati. Rath walks an out later, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Neale singles, 2 outs later Roush walks - that's all.

4th: Gomes gets hit with 2 out, that's all.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Jackson/Encarnacion reach on back to back Reds miscues - Jose Ramirez singles home a run. And a Lindor sac fly scores a second. Santana walks - and after the second out it's Jay Bruce - singing home Ramirez and the Tribe goes up 3 runs. Are we headed back to Cincinnati? Reds 2 Indians 5

6th: 1-2-3, Kluber starting to find the groove

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Magee singles - that's it.

7th: 1-2-3, Ruether's given up just 4 hits.  

8th: For the fourth game in a row - it's Andrew Miller time.  He gives up a one out single to Rath; then a two out single to Neale -- tying run coming to the plate -- but that's all.

8th: 1-2-3, Ruether retires the last 10 - but still trails by 3.  

9th: Cody Allen comes on to close the door and send this series back to Cincinnati. 

Magee is first - pops up to Ramirez.

Roush singles.

Groh flies to center.  Two out.

Wingo singles.  Roush to third.  

2 on.  2 out.  Tying run to the plate.

Daubert grounds to Gonzalez - onto first.  Ballgame.

Reds 2

Indians 5

WP Kluber

LP Ruether

Kluber has another strong outing and the Indians keep this going.  

For the Indians...

Ramirez reached 3x in game 3-4

Santana reached 2x in game 3

Bruce reached 4x in game 3-4

Gomes has reached 6x 

For the Reds...

Roush reached 5x in game 3-4

Groh reached 2x in game 3

Daubert reached 2x in game 3

Kopf has reached 7x.

Duncan has reached 6x w/triple

Neale reached 2x in game 2, 3x in game 4

Game 5. Let's Do it.

CF Jackson (30)   126  2  

3B Ramirez (24) (SH)  145  6.4

SS Lindor (23)  (SH)    116  5.6

1B Santana (31) (SH)   112  3.1

LF Chisenhall (28) LH 126  1.4

RF Bruce (30) (LH) 108

C Gomes (29)        83    2.1

2B Kipnis (30) (LH)      81   

SP2 Carrasco (30) 139  6.1

CF Roush (26) (LH)  146        4.9 

3B Groh (29)     149        5.5

C Wingo (28)  (LH)  114         2.5

1B Daubert (35) (LH) 104       1.7

2B Rath (31)  (LH)    95          4.3

SS Kopf (28)  (SH)   94           1.9

RF Neale (27) (LH)   92          1

LF Duncan (25)  116       .4

SP2 Sallee (34)  (LH) 136      3.8

GAME FIVE

1st: It all comes down to this. Slim Sallee goes for the Reds; 28 career postseason innings pitched, 3.45 ERA. He gives up a one out double to Jose Ramirez but that's all.

1st: Carlos Carrasco goes for Cleveland. Only 11 career postseason innings pitched - 1.64 ERA. He walks Groh with one out and Groh scores on a Wingo double -- just like that the home team is up a run.  Win or Go Home Game 5.  After the second out Rath singles and that's 2 first inning runs for the Reds.  Indians 0 Reds 2

2nd: This Indians offense just has not gotten it going yet all series and now they're in a hole. With one out, Jay Bruce triples -- Bruce didn't play at all in games one and two but after his performance in Cleveland he got the start back in Cincinnati where he played so much of his career and he reward Francona with a triple. Gomes grounds out to score the run.  Indians 1 Reds 2

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Austin Jackson singles with one out - Ramirez follows with a single - but the Indians do not score.  

3rd: Wingo hits a 2 out single but that's it.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Neale singles with 2 out and then Pat Duncan hits the first homer of the series - a 2 run bomb to dead center field. Duncan hits a 2 run homer, it's 4-1 Reds. Is that it?  Is that the knockout? Indians 1 Reds 4

5th: 1-2-3. 8 straight for Sallee - these Reds fans are feeling it now.  

5th: Groh singles with one out, nothing else.

6th: 1-2-3, 11 straight.  

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Santana and Chisenhall single back to back.  Okay - if it's going to happen, it probably needs to happen. It doesn't happen.  

7th: Neale and Duncan walk - even one more run and you gotta think its done.  After an out - Roush singles, it clears the bases and it's done.  It's 6-1 Reds and it's celebration in Cincinnati. Indians 1 Reds 6

8th: With one out, Jackson and Ramirez single, after the second out Santana singles to score Cleveland's second run. That brings in Dolf Luque and he ends it.  Indians 2 Reds 6

8th: Andrew Miller pitches in all 5 games - 1-2-3

9th: 4 runs down.  3 outs left.

Bruce flies to right.  One out.

Gomes flies to center.  Two out.

Kipnis grounds to first.  Ballgame.

Indians 2

Reds 6

WP Sallee

LP Carrasco

It's the Reds - Cleveland's bats just never came around - Sallee strong - strong in both games 2 and 5 - he and Duncan are co-MVPs.

2020 Best Television Shows (July-September)

 Apri-June

20 shows are in the race for the best television show of 2020 - let's add 10 more. 

1. Happy Endings (YouTube)

2. Gone in the Dark (HBO)

3. Last Chance U (Netflix)

4. Expecting Amy (HBO Max)

5. Outcry (Showtime)

6. Hard Knocks (HBO)

7. Hightown (Starz)

8. Love Life (HBO Max)

9. The Vow (HBO)

10. Love Fraud (Showtime)

In the weirdest possible year, we have the most unlikely top ranked show for a quarter; the great Happy Endings did a charity reunion episode over Zoom that was the funniest half hour of the year by a million miles.  Almost every other series here is a doc; the pulpy Hightown and the moderately successful Anna Kendrick vehicle Love Life the exceptions.  We've got two football series - Last Chance U makes this list, maybe every season, and Hard Knocks is consistent year over year.  Gone in the Dark/Outcry are True Crime; as is Love Fraud - both it and The Vow are mid-season, so they could still move up/down based on the rest of their runs.  Amy Schumer wins Covid, her cooking show is also pretty good.

Three quarters and 30 shows are in the books.  3 months and 10 shows from now we'll hit the end (I mean, it has to come eventually, right?) of 2020 and crown show of the year.  

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Six: 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. 1998 NL East Champion Atlanta Braves

 Dodgers v. Tigers

#6. 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. #70. 1998 NL East Champion Atlanta Braves

The number two remaining overall seed in this tournament is the 2016 Cubs.  The 1909 Cubs have already advanced.  There isn't a Braves team that has moved forward yet, they have two bullets to fire and this is the first.  

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

1st in NL Central

d. Giants in NLDS

d. Dodgers in NLCS

d. Indians in WS

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

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, 

Braves 106-56 Mgr. Bobby Cox (5th NL MoY)

1st in NL East

d. Cubs NLDS

lost to Padres in NLCS

d. #59. 1968 Tigers (MVP-Chipper Jones)

All-Stars 1B Andres Galarraga, SP Tom Glavine (NL Cy Young) 3B Chipper Jones, C Javy Lopez, SP Greg Maddux (4th NL Cy Young) SS Walt Weiss

Hall of Famers: Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox

Braves-Bobby Cox

3B Jones (26) (SH) 148   6.4

LF Klesko (27)  (LH) 117 1.9

1B Galarraga (37)  157  4.4

C Lopez (27)     124  4.5

RF Williams (31)  122  1.9

CF Jones (21)   116   6.9

SS Weiss (34)  (SH) 94   2.2

2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83  1.5

P Maddux (32)   187  8.5

Bench:

SS Guillen (34) (LH)  82   .5 

RF Tucker (27)  (LH) 95   .4

2B Graffanino (26)  56

C Perez (30)  145

LF Bautista (26)   74

OF Pride (29) (LH)  93

SP2 Glavine (32)  (LH) 168   6.3

SP3 Smoltz (31)   144   5.2

This could be the lineup every day; the lefty bats are just too far behind the RH bats to start in a platoon; but that's a decision that can be revisited in game 3.  

Cubs-Joe Maddon

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

 LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109

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 Soler (24)     103     .6 

LF Szczur (28)  88

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

RF Heyward (26)  (LH) 68

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

CF Almora (22)  99

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

SP3 Arrieta (30)   135   5.1

Soler/Coghlan is straight platoon; that might be the only swap.  

WAR Advantage: 

C-Braves

1B-Cubs

2B-Cubs

SS-Cubs

3B-Cubs

LF-Braves

CF-Braves

RF-Cubs

SP1-Braves

SP2-Braves

SP3-Push

Bullpen-Push

WAR: Cubs 5 Braves 5: Cubs have seed advantage, are the second top remaining seed in the entire tournament, but the WAR is a push on the strength of the 3 Hall of Famers the Braves are sending out to pitch in this series. Bryant, by a nose, is the best position player but Maddux is the best player overall.  This is a real upset possibility here - but the Cubs are the lean with that home field advantage in game 5.

GAME ONE

1st: Alright.  Wrigley Field is frenzied.  Game One - Cubs/Braves could be a helluva series to kick off Region 6.  26 year old RH Kyle Hendricks is on the mound for the hometown 9. 16-8, 2.13. Through 2020, he's a career Cub - came up in '14 and was 7th in Rookie of the Year. This year he was 3rd in the Cy Young. At the time of this writing, he's leading the league in innings pitched in 2020.  Weird ass 2020.  Chipper Jones takes his first pitch and deposits it over the center field wall. The Braves are on the board before the National Anthem finishes.  Andres Galarraga singles an out later, it ends here. Braves 1 Cubs 0

1st: The Cubs are favored, albeit slightly - but the best player on the field is Greg Maddux, 32 year old RH, 18-9, 2.22. These Cub fans know all about Maddux, he was 20 years old when he broke in right here in Chicago back in '86. Made his first All Star team in '88, third in the Cy Young in '89. Won the Cy Young in '92 and then signed with the Braves.  Won the Cy Young his first 3 years in Atlanta -- 1993, 1994, 1995.  That's 4 straight Cy Young awards.  5th in '96, 2nd in '97.  4th this year.  He'll be third in 2000.  In '04, at the age of 38 - Maddux will come back here, to Wrigley, for another 2 1/2 years with the Cubs.  His last season is 2008 with the Dodgers.  He gives up a one out Zobrist single, that's it.

2nd: Keith Lockhart singles with 2 out.  Lockhart didn't break in until he was 29, four years ago with the Padres. In '97, he and Michael Tucker come from the Royals for Jermaine Dye. He'll be here until '03 when he finishes back in San Diego. A passed ball moves him up a base and then Maddux singles him home.  How big a lead does Maddux need?  Braves 2 Cubs 0

2nd: Willson Contreras walks with one out.  He's also a career Cub through 2020; he's a rookie, splitting his time in left and behind the plate. Probably he catches every day in this series, but that's TBD. He makes the All Star team in both '18 and '19. That's all.

3rd: Hendricks hits Galarraga with one out. Galarraga is 37; he came up with the Expos in '85, 7th in the MVP in '88, 10th in both '93 and '94 with the Rockies and then 7th in '97. This is his first season in Atlanta, he finished 6th in the NL MVP, he moves onto Texas in '01 and finishes with the Angels in '04 at the age of 43. Javy Lopez then reaches on an error and Gerald Williams doubles both men home.  This is a pretty healthy lead to hand Greg Maddux, Braves 4 Cubs 0

3rd: Javier Baez singles, another career Cub through 2020, up in '14 at 21 years old, he split his time this year among third/second/short - the plan is he plays second throughout the series, but again, TBD. He will finish second in the NL MVP in '18. That's all.  

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Ben Zobrist walks.  He's 35, up with the Rays a decade ago, 8th in the AL MVP back in '09. This is his first year with the Cubs, he's at second most of the season - but gets enough games in right to qualify - and with Heyward having so little bat, moving him to the outfield for the series is the choice. He plays through '19.  Nothing else.  

5th: Ryan Klesko doubles.  He was 21 when he came up in '92, 3rd in the Rookie of the Year in '94. He's got one more year in Atlanta and then is send to San Diego with Bret Boone for Wally Joyner and Reggie Sanders. His last year is '07 with the Giants.  An out later Lopez doubles him home - and it might be close to time to start thinking about Game 2 - and after the second out - Andruw Jones hits a two run jack -- and now it is definitely time to start thinking about game 2.  Braves 7 Cubs 0

5th: Russell singles with two out, that's all.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Zobrist singles with one out, that's all.  

7th: 28 year old RH Adam Warren has a 5.91 ERA and he comes on for the Cubs, who are definitely thinking about game 2. He walks Klesko, that's it.  

7th: Contreras singles with one out, nothing else.

8th: Lockhart walks with 2 out - the Cubs bring in 28 year old RH Trevor Cahill with his 2.74 ERA and he ends it.

8th: 1-2-3, Maddux has allowed just 5 hits.

9th: Chipper singles.  Chipper was the MVP back in round one; he's 26. Came up in '93, 2nd in the Rookie of the Year in '95. 4th in the MVP in '96, 9th last year, 9th this year and he will win it next year.  He'll have two more top 10 finishes - '01 and '07. He plays until he's 40, in '12 and makes the All Star team that year.  That's it.

9th: Zobrist leads off with a walk, two outs later Bryant singles - and that's it.

Braves 7

Cubs 0

WP Maddux

LP Hendricks

Six hit shutout for Maddux - the Cubs were never in this one.  

For the Braves...

Chipper reached twice, w/HR

Klesko reached twice

Galarraga reached twice

Andruw Jones homered

Lockhart reached twice

For the Cubs...

Zobrist reached 4x

Contreras reached 2x

3B Jones (26) (SH) 148   6.4

1B Galarraga (37)  157  4.4

C Lopez (27)     124  4.5

RF Williams (31)  122  1.9

CF Jones (21)   116   6.9

LF Klesko (27)  (LH) 117 1.9

SS Weiss (34)  (SH) 94   2.2

2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83  1.5

SP2 Glavine (32)  (LH) 168   6.3

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

2B Baez (23)     94        2.3

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

GAME TWO

1st The Cubs are the number two remaining overall seed but if they lose today they have a nearly impossible uphill climb.  32 year old lefty Jon Lester was 19-5, 2.44. We've seen Lester with a Red Sox team that lost in this round. Lester's pitched in 17 postseason series, 154 innings and a 2.51 ERA. 9-7. And in the World Series - even better, a 1.77 ERA in 35 innings. He walks Galarraga with one out, Javy Lopez singles - and after the second out Gerald Williams singles.  But Lester escapes.

1st: The Braves are up a game and have another Hall of Famer ready to fire at the Cubs; Like Maddux, Tom Glavine is also 32, like Lester, he's a lefty. 20-6, 2.47. Glavine broke in back in '87, in '88 he lost 17 games and in '91 he won the Cy Young. 2nd in '92, 3rd in '93, 3rd in '95 - he won the Cy Young this season (the Cy Young winner did not start game one for the Braves, that's the kind of pitching we're talking about) and will finish second in 2000.  After 16 seasons with the Braves, Glavine signs with the Mets in '03, he'll come back to Atlanta to finish up in '08. After two out, he gives up singles to Rizzo and Contreras. That's it.  

2nd: Walt Weiss singles with one out.  Weiss was 23 when he came up with the '87 A's, then he won the Rookie of the Year in '88. This is his first year in Atlanta and his only All Star appearance. He retires after the 2000 season. That's all.

2nd: Addison Russell singles with 2 out, Russell's 22, came up last year, made the All Star team this year - he's not on a big league club in 2020. Nada.

3rd: Chipper walks. After an out, Javy Lopez singles. The Braves catcher is 27, broke in back in '92, 10th in the Rookie of the Year in '94, made his first All Star team last year and made it again this season. His big year is '03 when he'll be 5th in the NL MVP and then sign with Baltimore.  He finishes in Boston in '06. That's it. 

3rd:  1-2-3

4th: Andruw Jones singles.  Jones was just 19 when he came up in '96, 5th in the Rookie of the Year a year ago, he'll be 8th in the MVP in '00 and 2nd in '05 when he hits 51 homers (51 homers!). Jones leaves for the Dodgers in '08 and finishes with the Yankees in '12.  Klesko singles and the Braves have them on the corners - nobody out in a scoreless game 2. Weiss grounds into a double play, scoring the game's first run.  Lockhart walks - that's it, pretty good from Lester to get through that.  Braves 1 Cubs 0

4th: Dexter Fowler draws a one out walk.  Fowler's 30, came up with the Rockies in '08, 8th in the Rookie of the Year in '09, led the league in triples in '10, Last year was his first in Chicago, the Cubs got him from Houston for Dan Straily and this year was his only ever All Star appearance. Fowler signs with the Cards next year and is still there in 2020.  Baez singles after the second out - but the Cubs remain off the board.

5th: Chipper walks, after the first out -- Javy Lopez hits a 2 run homer and look out now - the Braves are up a game, the Braves are up 3-0 - and the Cubs are looking way, way up now in this series at an Atlanta team poised to knock them out. After the second out Andruw Jones doubles, That's all. Braves 3 Cubs 0

5th: Chris Coghlan pinch singles. Coghlan was in yesterday's lineup, sitting against a lefty. That's all.

6th: 31 year old RH Pedro Strop takes over for the Cubs, he's got a 2.85 ERA. 1-2-3

6th: Willson Contreras walks with one out, that's it.  Glavine's allowed just 5 hits - the Cubs have not scored a run in the series.

7th: Andres Galarraga homers.  Man oh man - do you think the Cubs score 5 today?  Because that's what it will take to avoid going down 2-0 with the series heading to Atlanta.  Lopez singles - 27 year old RH Justin Grimm comes on and ends it.  Braves 4 Cubs 0

7th: 1-2-3 -- Glavine's dealing.  

8th: Weiss and Lockhart walk, 24 year old RH Carl Edwards enters, gets through it.  

8th: 1-2-3 -- 8 straight for Glavine - this Wrigley crowd had enormous, enormous hopes heading into this tournament and they sure look shellshocked now.

9th: Williams singles with one out, That's all.

9th: 1-2-3 -- Glavine ends the game by retiring the last 11 batters.  Damn.

Braves 4

Cubs 0

WP Glavine

LP Lester

5 hit complete game shutout for Glavine puts the Braves a game away from advancing.

For the Braves...

Chipper reached 4x, w/HR

Klesko reached 4x

Galarraga reached 4x/w HR

Lopez reached 4x in game 2

Williams reached 2x in game 2

Andruw Jones reached 3x w/HR

Weiss reached 2x in game 2

Lockhart reached 4x

For the Cubs...

Zobrist reached 4x

Contreras reached 4x

No one has come back from an 0-2 deficit - that's the task awaiting the Cubs.  And they have to beat three Hall of Famers to do it.

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

2B Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

LF Bryant (24)    146   7.6

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

RF Heyward (26)  (LH) 68

SP3 Arrieta (30)   135   5.1

3B Jones (26) (SH) 148   6.4

LF Klesko (27)  (LH) 117 1.9

1B Galarraga (37)  157  4.4

C Lopez (27)     124  4.5

CF Jones (21)   116   6.9

RF Tucker (27)  (LH) 95   .4

SS Weiss (34)  (SH) 94   2.2

2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83  1.5

SP3 Smoltz (31)   144   5.2

GAME THREE

1st: In the '98 NLCS the Braves lost to the Padres, Maddux lost once, Glavine lost twice.  So - even if a team fires three Hall of Famers, they can still be beaten.  But maybe not during this series.  John Smoltz is a 31 year old RH, 17-3, 2.90 and he can close this one out.  Smoltz came up a decade ago, made the All Star team in '89, '92, '93, won the Cy Young in '96, this year, he was 4th. He misses 2000 with injury and moves to the bullpen, he's third in the Cy Young as the Braves closer in '02, returns to the rotation in '05 and is 7th in the Cy Young as a starter in '06 and then finishes 6th at the age of 40 in 2007. Smoltz finishes up as a Cardinal in 2009.  He gives up a one out single to Zobrist and walks Rizzo, and that's it.

1st: The monumental climb for the Cubs starts with Jake Arrieta, 30 year old RH, 18-8, 3.10, he broke in with Baltimore in '10, he and Pedro Strop came over to the Cubs during the '13 season and his career takes a huge jump, 9th in the Cy Young in '14, he wins it the year following, and this year he finished 9th again.  He signs with the Phillies in '18 and remains there in '20. He gives up a 2 out Galarraga single, that's all.

2nd: Smoltz gives up a 2 out Jason Heyward single - there's desperation in the Cub lineup today, multiple changes including Heyward's first start.  Heyward is familar with Atlanta - broke in with the Braves in '10 and was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year, they sent him to the Cards in '15 for Shelby Miller and this is his first season in Chicago.  He's still there in '20. it ends here.

2nd: Andruw Jones singles.  An out later Walt Weiss walks - that's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Ryan Klesko doubles with one out, an out later, Lopez singles -- but that's it.  Still scoreless.

4th: Contreras doubles with 2 out and then Tommy La Stella, another first time starter in this series for a Cubs team looking for some offense, walks.  That's all.

4th: Walt Weiss singles after an out and then Keith Lockhart follows with a single of his own.  Smoltz then walks and the Tomahawk Chops are everywhere -- bases loaded and just one out. Chipper hits a sac fly and there's the first run.  Cubs 0 Braves 1

5th: With two outs, Fowler walks - steals second - and then Ben Zobrist homers.  Ben Zobrist homers off of John Smoltz and the Cubs have their first runs of the series - and on the next pitch Anthony Rizzo hits a rocket - deep - deep over the right field wall.  Back to back for the Cubs 3 Braves 1

5th: Andruw Jones singles with two out, that's it.  

6th: 1-2-3

6th: With two outs, Gerald Williams pinch singles, Chipper then follows with a single and the tying runs are on base. But Arrieta escapes.

7th: 29 year old RH Rudy Seanez enters for Atlanta, he's got a 2.75 ERA, he walks Fowler with one out, and then Anthony Rizzo does it again -- a 2 run shot that explodes into the left field seats and the Tomahawks have gone silent.  Cubs 5 Braves 1

7th: Galarraga walks, that's enough for Maddon, Pedro Strop enters, he gets 2 and then gives up a Michael Tucker single - it's Tucker's first start of the series.  Weiss walks.  Bases loaded.  Two out.  Lockhart singles - it scores a run.  Cubs 5 Braves 2

8th: 44 year old RH Dennis Martinez is handed the ball.  He broke in all the way back in '76, with the Orioles.  He was on the '79 team we've already seen in this round. 5th in the AL Cy in '81. He's sent to the Expos in '86 and is 5th in the Cy Young in '91. In '94, he goes to Cleveland, and this is his first and last year in Atlanta, it's his last year in the major leagues.  1-2-3

8th: Justin Grimm enters for the Cubs - 6 outs from forcing game 4.  He walks Chipper and Klesko and the Braves are in business.  After an out, Lopez singles to score a run.  Carl Edwards comes on for Chicago and ends it.  Cubs 5 Braves 3

9th: Heyward singles, and out later Fowler walks, Zobrist then singles home Heyward and that should send us to game 4.  27 year old RH Mike Cather comes on, after an out he hits Bryant and ends the inning.  Cubs 6 Braves 3

9th: Hector Rondon is a RH, 18 saves and a 3.53 ERA, he gets two and then gives up a pinch single to Eddie Perez.  But that's all.

Cubs 6

Braves 3

WP Arrieta

LP Smoltz

The Cubs ride three homers to beat Smoltz and keep their tournament hopes alive.

One more in Atlanta.  Can the Cubs beat Maddux?

For the Cubs...

Zobrist has reached 7x w/HR

Contreras has reached 5x

Fowler reached 3 times in game 3

Rizzo hit 2 game 3 homers

Heyward reached 2x in game 3

For the Braves...

Chipper reached 6x, w/HR

Klesko reached 6x

Galarraga reached 6x/w HR

Lopez reached 6x in game 2-3

Williams reached 3x in game 2-3

Andruw Jones reached 5x w/HR

Weiss reached 5x in game 2-3

Lockhart reached 6x

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 Contreras (24) 122   2.2

C Montero (32) (LH)  82

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

RF Heyward (26)  (LH) 68

P Hendricks (26)  196  5.5

3B Jones (26) (SH) 148   6.4

LF Klesko (27)  (LH) 117 1.9

1B Galarraga (37)  157  4.4

C Lopez (27)     124  4.5

CF Jones (21)   116   6.9

RF Pride (29) (LH)  93

SS Weiss (34)  (SH) 94   2.2

2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83  1.5

P Maddux (32)   187  8.5

GAME FOUR

1st: Greg Maddux shut out the Cubs in game 1 - if he does it again, the series is over.  Maddux pitched in 23 postseason series, 3.27 ERA in 198 innings, a record of 11-13. Strongest in the World Series, a 2.09 ERA in 38 innings, still a record of 2-3.  Dexter Fowler hits his first pitch for a triple - Maddux gets one but Rizzo follows up that two homer game with a base hit to score a run. After the second out, Willson Contreras doubled -- the Cubs were dead and buried and now they have a game 4 lead.  Cubs 2 Braves 0

1st: Kyle Hendricks lost game one but he's staked to a lead. Hendricks has 8 postseason series, 51 innings and a 2.98 ERA. He's 2-3 -- In 9 World Series innings pitched he gave up one earned. 1-2-3

2nd: Addison Russell doubles and scores on a Jason Heyward single -- Jason Heyward did not play in round one, did not play in Chicago - but he comes to Atlanta, where he had his greatest success - and here he is driving in a run against Greg Maddux.  An out later Fowler doubles - Maddux doesn't have it today.  It's 4-0.  Maddux hits Zobrist and gives up a run scoring single to Rizzo.  Maddux does not have it today.  Zobrist scores on a Bryant groundout.  Are the Cubs about to force game 5?  Cubs 6 Braves 0 

2nd: Andruw Jones walks with one out - he's at second after the second out and scores on a Walt Weiss base hit.  Cubs 6 Braves 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Fowler reaches on a one out error and scores on a Zobrist double.  Rev up the plane - we are heading back to Wrigley.  Cubs 7 Braves 1

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

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

6th: Heyward walks, that's all.

6th: Klesko walks with two out, that's it  Hendricks hasn't allowed a hit since the 2nd.

7th: 1-2-3, Maddux hasn't allowed a hit since the 4th, but it is too late.

7th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3, Hendricks is tossing a one hitter.

9th: Mike Cather enters, 1-2-3

9th: Adam Warren comes on to end the game, 1-2-3

Cubs 7

Braves 1

WP Hendricks

LP Maddux

Kyle Hendricks 1 hits the Braves in Atlanta - the Cubs win both games in Atlanta and we head back to Wrigley for the showdown.

For the Cubs...

Zobrist has reached 8x w/HR

Contreras has reached 6x

Fowler reached 5 times in game 3-4 w/triple

Rizzo reched 4x in games 3-4 w/2 homers

Heyward reached 4x in game 3-4

For the Braves...

Chipper reached 6x, w/HR

Klesko reached 7x

Galarraga reached 6x/w HR

Lopez reached 6x in game 2-3

Williams reached 3x in game 2-3

Andruw Jones reached 6x w/HR

Weiss reached 6x in game 2-3

Lockhart reached 6x

And so - it all comes down to one game.  Glavine against Lester in Wrigley.  Winner moves on.

3B Jones (26) (SH) 148   6.4

1B Galarraga (37)  157  4.4

C Lopez (27)     124  4.5

RF Williams (31)  122  1.9

CF Jones (21)   116   6.9

LF Klesko (27)  (LH) 117 1.9

SS Weiss (34)  (SH) 94   2.2

2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83  1.5

SP2 Glavine (32)  (LH) 168   6.3

3B Bryant (24)    146   7.6

RF Zobrist (35) (SH)  121    3.8

1B Rizzo (26)  (LH)   143     6.3

C Contreras (24) 122   2.2

CF Fowler (30) (SH)  123   3.9  

LF Soler (24)     103     .6 

2B Baez (23)     94        2.3

SS Russell (22)  94       3.9

SP2 Lester (32)  (LH)  171   5.5

GAME FIVE

1st: Jon Lester goes to the mound.  Game Five.  Wrigley Field.  Winner take all.  Chipper singles.  2 outs later Javy singles.  That's it.

1st: Tom Glavine goes to the mound. Game Five.  Wrigley Field.  Winner take all.  After two outs Rizzo and Contreras single, Fowler singles.  Loaded up.  Glavine escapes.

2nd: After an out, Klesko and Weiss single.  Tense, tense, tense here in Chicago.  Lester gets the second - but then gives up a Glavine single to score a run.  Braves 1 Cubs 0

2nd: Baez singles.  nothing else.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Contreras hits a 2 out double, that's all.  6 innings left in this series.  Braves up a run.

4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Lester.

4th: Baez doubles with 2 out - he didn't play in Atlanta, the Cubs won both games - but he's back in the lineup today and he has two hits. Glavine intentionally walks Russell - Lester stays in to hit and the inning ends.  

5th: Keith Lockhart singles. Chipper singles after an out. After the second out Javy singles and the Braves have loaded the bases. Big spot.  Big spot.  Gerald Williams singles home two - the Braves take a 3-0 lead here in game 5.  Andruw Jones singles -- Klesko singles -- that scores two more!  The Braves have a 5 run lead - the visiting team has won all 4 games and now they are staring at the 5th.  Weiss walks - and Lockhart singles home 2 and that's 7, the Braves have exploded, exploded here in the 5th and taken an enormous lead.  Lester's gone, Trevor Cahill enters- that's all.  That sure seems like enough.  Braves 7 Cubs 0

5th: Just a stunned silence here in Wrigley.  Their Cubs came back to even the series in Atlanta but are now getting blasted here in game 5. Bryant walks, an out later Rizzo singles, and then Willson Contreras hits a three run bomb to center.  A 3 run Contreras homer buts the lead to 4. Fowler singles -- and Jorge Soler doubles him home -- just like that - just like that it's 7-4 and Wrigley is howling.  That ends Glavine's day - Mike Cather enters, the inning ends. Braves 7 Cubs 4

6th: Cahill still in for the Cubs - he gives up a one out Galarraga single - that's it/

6th: Cather's still in the game -- can the Cubs continue to come back? Bryant walks with one out. But that's it.  We go to the 7th.

7th: 1-2-3.  Harry Caray, from the grave, sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame.  

7th: Rudy Seanez comes on.  Anthony Rizzo doubles.  Huge Wrigley roar.  But that's all.  

8th: Pedro Strop is the new Cubs pitcher.  He walks Weiss, gets the next two - but then Chipper singles, it scores Weiss - that might do it - that might be the dagger.  Braves 8 Cubs 4. 

8th: Chris Coghlan hits for the pitcher with 2 outs, he walks.  That brings on Dennis Martinez -- and he gives up a 2 run homer to Kris Bryant!  Wrigley is Rattling it is 8-6 Braves.  Zobrist singles.  That brings the tying run to the plate.  Rizzo singles.  That puts the tying run on base.  And Contreras singles!  Zobrist is going to score!  It's 8-7!  It's 8-7!  Martinez hits Fowler!  The bases are loaded.  2 outs.  Braves clinging -- if ever a team was clinging - the Braves clinging to a 1 run lead...and Jorge Soler singles!  Soler singles! Rizzo scores -- Contreras scores!  The Cubs have taken the lead!  This old stadium might collapse under the sheer weight of the delirium!  9-8 Cubs!  Martinez walks Baez - that's as far as it goes. Braves 8 Cubs 9

9th: Hector Rondon gets the call.  The Cubs are 3 outs from moving on.

Javy Lopez hits the first pitch over the wall in right center!  Gone!  Gone!  The Braves have tied this score!  Just an unbelievable - an unbelievable roller coaster in this series.  

Williams grounds to short.  One out.

Andruw Jones flies to center.  Two out.

Klesko grounds to short.  We head to the bottom of the ninth - Braves 9 Cubs 9

10th: Just an all timer here in Chicago no matter how it turns out.

The Braves turn to John Rocker, 23 year old lefty with a 2.13 ERA.

The Cubs go with a 22 year old rookie, Albert Almora, to pinch hit.  Almora flies to right.  One away.

Kris Bryant comes to the plate - Bryant had been super quiet the first four games, but hit that 2 run homer in the 8th to keep the Cubs alive -- AND BRYANT HITS IT DEEP TO LEFT, IT COULD BE, IT MIGHT BE, IT IS!  KRIS BRYANT HOMERS OVER THE IVY IN LEFT AND THE CUBS - THE CUBS HAVE WON THIS SERIES!

Braves 9

Cubs 10

WP Rondon

LP Rocker

A series you just cannot believe. The Braves win games 1-2 in Wrigley. The Cubs win 3-4 in Atlanta.  The Braves take a 7-0 lead in Game 5 and lose 10-9 on a walk off homer in an all time classic baseball game.

For the Cubs...

Zobrist reached 9x w/HR

Contreras reached 10x w/HR

Fowler reached 7 times in game 3-5 w/triple

Rizzo reched 8x in games 3-5 w/2 homers

And Kris Bryant hit those two home runs to win this series.  

It's gotta be Bryant.  He wasn't the best player throughout the series - but a 2 run homer in the 8th and a walkoff in the 9th.  What more can you ask?   Rookie of the Year in '15, NL MVP this year.  Kris Bryant is the MVP

The 2016 Cubs are team #21.