128 Team MLB Tournament: Regional Semi-Finals/Finals Preview (Regions 1-4)

 We started with 128 teams  8 regions of 16.  Two rounds later we're at 32 teams. 8 regions of 4. 

We're going to change the game order a little bit; as opposed to doing the entire Round of 32 and cutting to 16; we're going to go region by region.  So, for example, in Region 1 there are 4 teams left, we'll do the regional semi-finals and then immediately follow with the regional finals, so the team that survives will have made the final 8.  And then onto the next region.  It will make narrative continuity easier (a guy gets hot in the regional semi-finals, maybe he earns playing time in the regional finals).

So, this preview covers the next two rounds - the next time there's a preview, 24 series from now, there will be 8 teams standing.

The Regional Semis are still best of 5.  The Regional finals start our move to Best of 7.

Here we go.  32 teams standing.

REGION ONE:

Top remaining seed is in Region 1 is the '75 Reds, they're the only team still alive in the region who would have been favored to reach this spot.  

65. 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers v. 97. 1977 World Champion New York Yankees

Tigers 104-58, (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Sparky Anderson (AL Mgr of the Year)

Won AL East

d. Royals 3-0 in ALCS (MVP-Kirk Gibson)

d. Padres 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Alan Trammell)

d. #64 1931 Athletics 2-0 (MVP-Larry Herndon)

d. #128 1979 3-2 Orioles 3-2 (MVP-Kirk Gibson/Alan Trammell)

All-Stars: RP Willie Hernandez (AL MVP, AL Cy Young) OF Chet Lemon, SP Jack Morris, C Lance Parrish, SS Alan Trammell, 2B Lou Whitaker

Hall of Famers: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Sparky Anderson

The Tigers led the AL east wire to wire, opening the season 35-5.  They were 9-0, they were 16-1.  

Yankees 100-62 (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Billy Martin

Won AL East

d. Royals 3-2 in ALCS 

d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series (MVP-Reggie Jackson)

d. #32. 2007 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Reggie Jackson)

d. #33  1943 Cardinals 3-1 (MVP-Graig Nettles)

All-Stars: OF Reggie Jackson, RP Sparky Lyle (AL Cy Young) C Thurman Munson, 3B Graig Nettles (5th AL MVP) 2B Willie Randolph

Hall of Famers: Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Cox (first base coach)

Reggie's first year in New York; also the year of the blackout.  Steinbrenner feuded with Billy - Billy feuded with Reggie.  Reggie said he was the straw that stirs the drink - it's the Bronx Zoo Yankees.  The front half of back to back Champions.

16. 1975 World Champion Cincinnati Reds v. 81. 1943 World Champion New York Yankees

Reds 108-54 (Pythag: 107-55) Mgr. Sparky Anderson 

1st in NL West

d. Pirates 3-0 in NLCS 

d. Red Sox 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Pete Rose)

d. #113 1934 Cardinals 2-1 (MVP-Ken Griffey)

d. #49   1941 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Johnny Bench/Terry Crowley)

All-Stars: C Johnny Bench (4th NL MVP) SS Dave Concepcion, 2B Joe Morgan (NL MVP) 1B Tony Perez, 3B Pete Rose (5th NL MVP)

Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson

It's the Big Red Machine, arguably the greatest lineup in baseball history. They finished 20 games up in the NL West. The Reds were 64-17 at home, best home record in NL history.  They clinched a playoff birth on September 7. If the Reds and the Tigers both win -- we will see Sparky Anderson manage both teams.  If the Reds and the Yankees win it becomes almost a rematch of the 1976 World Series. Like the Yanks - this is the front half of back to back Champs.  Don Gullett is on both the '75 Reds and the '77 Yankees. 

Yankees 98-56 (Pythag: 92-62) Mgr. Joe McCarthy

Won AL Pennant

d. Cardinals 4-1 in World Series 

d. #48. 1935 Tigers 2-1 (MVP-Hank Borowy)

d. #17  1929 A's 3-0 (MVP-Nick Etten)

All-Stars: SP Tiny Bonham, SP Spud Chandler (AL MVP) C Bill Dickey, 2B Joe Gordon, OF Charlie Keller, OF Johnny Lindell 

Hall of Famers: Bill Dickey, Joe Gordon, Joe McCarthy

They didn't have DiMaggio, Rizzuto or Ruffing due to WW2 - and still won the AL by 13.5 games. 

REGION TWO:

Top remaining seed in Region 2 - the 1944 Cardinals.  Everyone left in Region 1 won the World Series, but only 2 of the 4 teams in Region 2 were World Champs, the other two were pennant winners.  

63. 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians v. 98. 2017 NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers

Indians 97-58 (Pythag: 104-51) Mgr. Lou Boudreau

Won AL Pennant

d. Braves 4-2 in World Series

d. #66. 1954 Giants 2-0 (MVP: Lary Doby/Dale Mitchell)

d. #127 1967 Cardinals 3-2 (MVP: Bob Lemon)

All-Stars: SS Lou Boudreau (AL MVP) SP Bob Feller (5th AL MVP) 2B Joe Gordon, 3B Ken Keltner, SP Bob Lemon, 

Hall of Famers: Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Joe Gordon, Bob Lemon, Satchel Paige, Bill McKechnie (3rd base coach)

It's the integrated Indians, with Larry Doby, first Black player in the American League, and the legendary Satchel Paige. Still the most recent Indians World Championship. The Indians finished in a tie with the Red Sox and beat them at Fenway in a one game playoff to win the pennant.  Joe Gordon, who is in Region 1 with the '43 Yankees is also on this club.  

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

Won NL West

d. Diamondbacks 3-0 in NLDS

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

lost World Series 4-3 to Astros

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

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

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

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

18. 1944 World Champion St Louis Cardinals v. 50. 1912 NL Champion New York Giants

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

Won NL Pennant

d. Browns 4-2 in World Series

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

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

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

Hall of Famers: Stan Musial, Billy Southworth

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

Giants 103-48 (Pythag: 100-51) Mgr. John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

Lost World Series 4-3-1 to Red Sox

d. #79. 1993 Braves 2-1 (MVP-Chief Meyers)

d. #15  1937 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Larry Doyle)

Hall of Famers: SP Rube Marquard, SP Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Wilbert Robinson (coach)

Like the '84 Tigers from Region 1, the Giants blitzed the league from day one, jumping out to a 54-11 record. They lost a super, super tight World Series with the Red Sox in which game 2 ended because of darkness a 6-6 tie. The Red Sox took the extra game  - game 8 in 10 innings; scoring 2 in the bottom of the 10th. Giants center fielder Fred Snodgrass made an infamous error to open the door for Boston. 

REGION THREE

Region 3 features our second Giants club and third Yankees club, but it's the 1909 Cubs who are the best seed remaining in the region.  There's only one World Series winner left in the Region, the '53 Yankees

30. 1904 NL Champion New York Giants v. 126. 2011 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies 

Giants 106-47 (Pythag: 106-47) Mgr. John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

d. #99 1925 Pirates 2-1 (MVP-Mike Donlin)

d. #94 2017 Astros 3-2 (MVP-Joe McGinnity)

Hall of Famers:  Roger Bresnahan, Dan Brouthers, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, John McGraw, Jim O'Rourke

The Giants won the pennant - but refused to play in the World Series, which had begun the prior season. Mathewson/McGinnity combined for 68 wins. 

Phillies 102-60 (Pythag 103-59) Mgr. Charlie Manuel (4th in NL Mgr of Year)

1st in NL East

Lost NLDS 3-2 to Cardinals

d. #3 1906 Cubs 2-0 (MVP-Roy Halladay)

d. #62 1999 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Hunter Pence)

All-Stars: SP Roy Halladay (2nd in NL Cy Young) SP Cole Hamels (5th in NL Cy Young) SP Cliff Lee (3rd in NL Cy Young) 3B Placido Polanco, OF Shane Victorino

Hall of Famers: Roy Halladay

This was the Phillies 5th straight NL East title and the second straight year they had the best record in MLB. They won the division by 13 games. They lost game 5 of the NLDS 1-0 at home to St Louis. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Won AL Pennant

d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series 

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

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

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

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

Fifth consecutive World Series win for the Yankees.  

REGION FOUR

The top remaining seed in all 4 of these regions is right here - the 1970 Orioles.  We also see a third Giants team, a 4th Yankees team, and our second team from 1909, the A's, which, like the 1909 Cubs, also did not win the pennant.  

100. 1922 World Champion New York Giants v. 125. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics

Giants 93-61 (Pythag 95-59) Mgr. John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

d. Yankees 4-0-1 in World Series

d. #29 1954 Indians 2-1 (MVP-Earl Smith)

d. #93 1921 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Casey Stengel/Earl Smith)

Hall of Famers: Dave Bancroft, Frankie Frisch, Travis Jackson, High Pockets Kelly, Casey Stengel, Ross Youngs, John McGraw

The '22 Giants went back to back, beating the Yankees the season before as well.  It's McGraw's last World Champion.  

A's 95-58 (Pythag 102-51) Mgr. Connie Mack

d. #4 1942 Cardinals 2-1 (MVP-Harry Krause/Eddie Plank)

d. #61 1921 Giants 3-1 (MVP Jack Barry/Simon Nicholls)

Hall of Famers: Home Run Baker, Chief Bender, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Connie Mack

The A's had a 102-51 pythag and finished 3 1/2 behind the Tigers. 

13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 45. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees

Orioles 108-54 (Pythag 104-58) Mgr Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS

d. Reds 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Brooks Robinson)

d. #116 1958 Yankees 2-1 (MVP-Eddie Watt)

d. #57   2013 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Boog Powell)

All-Stars SP Mike Cuellar (4th AL Cy Young) 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (2nd AL Cy Young) SP Jim Palmer, (5th Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (AL MVP) OF Frank Robinson, 3B Brooks Robinson

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

Baltimore scored 60 runs in their 8 postseason games, they won 19 of their last 22 in the regular season. Baltimore pitchers threw 60 complete games.  They were 33-15, 52-18, won the AL East by 15 games.  

Yankees 97-57 (Pythag 100-54) Bucky Harris

Won AL Pennant

d. Dodgers 4-3 in World Series 

d. #84 1989 A's 2-1 (MVP-Tommy Henrich/Allie Reynolds)

d. #20 2018 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Yogi Berra)

All-Stars SP Spud Chandler, OF Joe DiMaggio (AL MVP) OF Tommy Henrich, 3B Billy Johnson, OF Charlie Keller, 1B George McQuinn, RP Joe Page (4th AL MVP) C Aaron Robinson, SP Spec Shea (3rd MLB RoY)

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizutto, Bucky Harris

The '43 Yanks and the '53 Yanks are also part of this preview - somewhere in the middle is this club (Yogi, Scooter, Allie Reynolds are on this team and the '53 team, Charlie Keller, Billy Johnson, Johnny Lindell, Stuff Stirnweiss, Spud Chandler are on the '43 team and this team. They won the AL by a dozen games; they had a 19 game winning streak. 

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Eight: 1938 World Champion New York Yankees v. 2019 NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers

 

24. 1938 World Champion New York Yankees v. 41. 2019 NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers

One series left.  Team 32 is about to enter the field and we will finish Round 2.

Why not finish with a Yankees/Dodgers series?

Dodger teams advancing: 1942, 2017

Yankee teams advancing: 1928, 1936, 1943, 1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1961, 1977, 1998

Yankees 99-53 Mgr Joe McCarthy

Won AL Pennant

d. Cubs to win WS

d. #105 1957 Braves (MVP-Joe Gordon)

All-Stars Bill Dickey (2nd AL MVP)  Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Johnny Murphy, Red Rolfe, Red Ruffing (4th AL MVP)

Hall of Fame: Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Joe Gordon, Red Ruffing, Joe McCarthy

Dodgers 106-56 Mgr. Dave Roberts (4th NL Mgr of Year)

1st in NL West

lost to Nationals in NLDS

d. 88. 1903 Red Sox (MVP-Cody Bellinger)

All-Stars 1B Cody Bellinger (NL MVP) SP Walker Buehler, SP Clayton Kershaw, 2B Max Muncy, SP Hyun Jin Ryu (2nd NL Cy Young)

Dodgers-Dave Roberts

RF Bellinger (23) (LH)  169    8.7

2B Muncy (28)   (LH)    133     5.4

LF Pederson (27) (LH)  127    3.4

1B Freese (36)        161    1.7

3B Turner (34)       131    4.4

C Smith (24)          134     2.1

CF Verdugo (23) (LH)  114     2.4

SS Seager (25)  (LH)    113      3.1

P Ryu (32) (LH)           179      5.8

Bench:

C Barnes (29) 68

C Martin (36) 79

2B Hernandez (27) 87

CF Pollock (31) 108

SS Taylor (28) 108

1B Beaty (26) (LH) 102

SP2 Kershaw (31) (LH)  137   4.2

SP3 Buehler (24)     127   3.9

Dave Roberts has lots of moveable pieces, probably they go straight platoon in CF/SS and everything else stays the same, but if someone's cold, they can move guys around. 

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

SS Crosetti (27)   89    4.4

CF DiMaggio (23)  139  5.9

1B Gehrig (35)  (LH)  132   4

C Dickey (31)  (LH)   143    5.6 

RF Henrich (25) (LH) 120   3.4

2B Gordon (23)   109   3.9

3B Rolfe (29)  (LH)    107    4.1

LF Hoag (30) 75 

P Ruffing (33)     138   6.1

Bench

C Glenn (29) 67

2B Knickerbocker (26) 73

LF Selkirk (30) (LH)   99    1.3

LF Powell (29) 76

SP2 Gomez (29) (LH) 136   4.6

SP3 Pearson (29)  115  2.5

The 3 LF share the position, otherwise, this is it. 

WAR:

C-Yankees

1B-Yankees

2B-Dodgers

SS-Yankees

3B-Dodgers

LF-Dodgers

CF-Yankees

RF-Dodgers

SP1-Yankees

SP2-Yankees

SP3-Dodgers

Bullpen-Dodgers

WAR: Yankees 6 Dodgers 6, This could be a good one, the Yanks are the better seed, WAR is dead even and the Dodgers have the best player (Bellinger). The Yanks are favored to move their 11th team forward, but we might get a competitive series to close out this round.

GAME ONE

1st: 10 Yankee teams have advanced - will it be 11?  33 year old RH Red Ruffing looks to get that going in game 1. 21-7, 3.31. The '36 Yankees have already advanced so many of these guys will have already been discussed, including Ruffing. Ruffing was 4th in the MVP this year. He gives up a one out Max Muncy double, after the second out David Freese walks - that's all.

1st: Fitting not only to end the round with Yankees/Dodgers - but we get one of last season's teams. Hyun Jin Ryu takes the ball for LA, he's a 32 year old lefty. 14-5, 2.32. Ryu was 4th in the Rookie of the Year in '13, this year he led the league in ERA and was 2nd in the Cy Young and he leaves in the offseason for Toronto. He walks Frankie Crosetti, that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Joe Gordon singles with one out.  This is Gordon's rookie season - he'll be on the '43 team that has already advanced. Gordon played 11 seasons and was his club's primary second baseman in all of them. That's it

3rd: Ryu singles, he had 8 hits all year.  An out later, Muncy walks. Muncy broke in with the A's in '15, came to the Dodgers last year. Made, to date, his only All Star team this season. That's all. 

3rd: Ruffing matches Ryu with a single of his own. That's it.

4th: Will Smith singles with one out, the Dodgers have three RH catchers, Smith's got the best bat. He's a rookie and he keeps hitting in 2020.  Alex Verdugo doubles, But Ruffing holds.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Joc Pederson draws a two out walk - he broke in in '14, 6th in the Rookie of the Year in '15, he was on the '17 club and is still with LA in 2020. 

5th: Ryu hits Red Rolfe with one away. Rolfe was the third baseman on that '36 club - he made the All Star team this year and is a season away from his best year.  After the second out - Ruffing comes through with a double to plate the game's first run. Ruffing had 4 doubles his year - but this one puts New York on the board.  Crosetti singles and it's 2-0. Joe DiMaggio walks and that's all.  Dodgers 0 Yankees 2

6th: Smith walks with one out, Ruffing gets the second, but then gives up a double to Corey Seager that scores a run. Seager was the Dodger shortstop on the '17 club. In 6 big league seasons his lowest OPS+ is 103. Dodgers 1 Yankees 2

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Cody Bellinger singles. Bellinger was Rookie of the Year back in '17 and was NL MVP this season Muncy follows with a single and the Dodgers have runners on the corners and nobody out. But Ruffing muscles up and holds that lead.  

7th: Myril Hoag singles with one out; Hoag was a bench piece on that '36 team and this may be his only start in this series. Hoag broke in in '31, he's 30 this season and is headed out of town, dealt to the Browns. He'll finish with the Indians in '45. That's all.  Ryu has allowed just 5 Yankee hits.

8th: Seager doubles with 2 out - Dodgers looking for that tying run - they do not find it.

8th: Pedro Baez is a 31 year old RH with a 3.10 ERA - 1-2-3

9th: The Yankees turn to Johnny Murphy to close this one out, 29 year old RH with a 4.24 ERA.

Bellinger is first -- Murphy strikes him out.

Muncy is next -- Murphy strikes him out.

Pederson is next --- he pops up to Gordon and it's over.

Dodgers 1

Yankees 2

WP Ruffing

LP Ryu

The Yankees get 5 hits -- and win.  Ruffing goes 8, gives up 1 and doubles home a run.

For the Yankees...

Crosetti 2x

For the Dodgers..

Muncy 3x w/double

Smith 2x

Verdugo double

Seager 2 doubles

Dodgers-Dave Roberts

1B Freese (36)        161    1.7

C Smith (24)          134     2.1

3B Turner (34)       131    4.4

RF Bellinger (23) (LH)  169    8.7

2B Muncy (28)   (LH)    133     5.4

LF Pederson (27) (LH)  127    3.4

CF Pollock (31) 108

SS Taylor (28) 108

SP2 Kershaw (31) (LH)  137   4.2

SS Crosetti (27)   89    4.4

CF DiMaggio (23)  139  5.9

1B Gehrig (35)  (LH)  132   4

C Dickey (31)  (LH)   143    5.6 

RF Henrich (25) (LH) 120   3.4

2B Gordon (23)   109   3.9

3B Rolfe (29)  (LH)    107    4.1

LF Powell (29) 76

SP2 Gomez (29) (LH) 136   4.6

One more at Yankee Stadium. Can LA salvage a split?

GAME TWO

1st: Lefty Gomez takes the Yankee Stadium mound. 18-12, 3.35. He was an All Star for that '36 club and made the team again this year, leading the league in shutouts. He walks David Freese, gets an out, then Justin Turner singles. A Cody Bellinger sac fly scores a run. Gomez then walks Max Muncy; it ends here. Dodgers 1 Yankees 0

1st: All the pressure is on Clayton Kershaw today. 31 year old lefty, 16-5, 3.03. Kershaw was with that '17 team. He was 8th this year in the Cy Young. He gives up a Frankie Crosetti base hit, that's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Tommy Henrich reaches on an error. He's on that '47 team that advanced, this is his second year in the bigs, he's 25.  Kershaw gets two, then gives up a base hit to Jake Powell, playing left today. Gomez then singles home a run and we're all tied up.  Dodgers 1 Yankees 1

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

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Muncy walks again with one out, Pederson singles and there are men on the corners. But Gomez escapes.

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

5th: Smith hits a one out single, nothing results.  Another pitchers duel here in Yankee Stadium.  

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

6th: Pederson singles again with 2 out - that's all.  Tight, tight tight game 2.

6th: 1-2-3, 13 straight for Kershaw.

7th: Chris Taylor singles - Taylor's the shortstop today against a lefty. He was with that '17 club. Gomez gets one - then Freese reaches via error - Gomez gets the second -- and then Justin Tuner singles, Taylor scores...Freese scores and LA has the lead.  Dodgers 3 Yankees 1

7th: Pedro Baez is on again for LA. He walks Joe Gordon, Baez gets one - then gives up a Powell double and the Yankees have the tying runs in scoring position. But Baez gets through it and now LA is 6 outs from evening up this whole thing.

8th: Johnny Murphy saved game one and he's on now - Muncy singles. Pederson singles.  AJ Pollock is in center today -- Pollock was 24 when he broke in with the Diamondbacks in '12, he made the All Star team in '15. This is his first year in LA, he's platooning in this series -- and he maybe ends this game with a double. It scores 2.  That could be all she wrote today.  Dodgers 5 Yankees 1

8th: 28 year old RH Yimi Garcia has a 3.61 ERA and he enters; 1-2-3

9th: 1-2-3

9th: Henrich walks - back to the pen for Dave Roberts, he brings on Joe Kelly, a 31 year old RH, he ends it.t

Dodgers 5

Yankees 1

WP Kershaw

LP Gomez

The Yankees had 5 hits in game 1.  They had just 4 today and they dropped this one.

For the Dodgers..

Muncy 6x w/double

Smith 3x

Verdugo double

Seager 2 doubles

Turner 2x in game 2

Pederson 3x in game 2

Pollock double

For the Yankees...

Crosetti 3x

Powell 2x w/double

RF Henrich (25) (LH) 120   3.4

C Dickey (31)  (LH)   143    5.6 

1B Gehrig (35)  (LH)  132   4

CF DiMaggio (23)  139  5.9

3B Rolfe (29)  (LH)    107    4.1

LF Selkirk (30) (LH)   99    1.3

2B Gordon (23)   109   3.9

SS Crosetti (27)   89    4.4

SP3 Pearson (29)  115  2.5

RF Bellinger (23) (LH)  169    8.7

2B Muncy (28)   (LH)    133     5.4

LF Pederson (27) (LH)  127    3.4

3B Turner (34)       131    4.4

C Smith (24)          134     2.1

CF Verdugo (23) (LH)  114     2.4

SS Seager (25)  (LH)    113      3.1

1B Beaty (26) (LH) 102

SP3 Buehler (24)     127   3.9

GAME THREE

1st: The story so far has been Dodger pitching shutting down Yankee bats - today LA turns to Walker Buehler, 24 year old RH, 14-4, 3.26. Buehler was deep in the bullpen on that '17 team, it was his first season; last year he was 3rd in Rookie of the Year, this year 9th in the Cy Young.  He gets two then gives up a Lou Gehrig single; then walks DiMaggio - and Red Rolfe comes through with a base hit that scores a run.  The Yankees had 9 hits combined in the first two games - they get two in the first today.  Yankees 1 Dodgers 0

1st: Monte Pearson gets the call for Joe McCarthy's Yankees - 29 year old RH, 16-7, 3.97. He advanced with the '36 club. He walks Muncy with one out - Muncy has now reached base 7 times, more than double anyone else on either club.  That's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Alex Verdugo is back in the lineup today against a RH starter and he singles with 2 out, that's it.

3rd: Tommy Henrich singles. Nothing else.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Joc Pederson draws a one out walk, Justin Turner follows with a single, Will Smith doubles both men home -- and the Dodgers have taken the lead, to the delight of this sold out Dodger Stadium crowd.  Yankees 1 Dodgers 2

5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Buehler who has struck out 7.  Dodger pitching, once again.

5th: Cody Bellinger doubles with 2 out, Muncy walks, that's all.

6th: Bill Dickey walks.  These Yankee Hall of Fame bats have been silenced so far this series; Dickey was deep on the bench as a rookie for the '28 team, but he's also advanced with '36 and '43. This year he was 2nd in the MVP. Gehrig and DiMaggio follow with base hits and the Yankees have loaded them up with nobody out. Rolfe comes through again - run scoring single to tie it up.  George Selkirk makes his first start today - and Buehler hits him.  The Yanks pull ahead and still no one out.  Gordon ground out - it scores a run.  Crosetti singles - it scores 2 more and that ends Buehler's day.  Pedro Baez is on once again. Just one away.  He gets out of it - but it's a 5 run Yankee inning  Yankees 6 Dodgers 2

6th: Turner walks.  Smith singles.  Can LA get some of these runs back? Seager walks after an out - Pearson gets the second and then Roberts brings on David Freese to hit; Freese was in the lineup in games 1-2, sits today - but singles here to score a run.  Bellinger follows with a 2 run single and just like that LA is within a run. Muncy singles - all of these runs with two out, it's all tied at 6.  Johnny Murphy enters and ends the inning.  Yankees 6 Dodgers 6

7th: Brand new game in the 7th, Yimi Garcia is the Dodger pitcher; LA bullpen has really been strong in games 1-2, he walks Dickey, gets two - the gives up a Rolfe single and walks George Selkirk to load the bases. Selkirk was an All Star for that '36 team.  Roberts brings on Joe Kelly - bases full of Yankees - two out - game tied - series tied.  Kelly walks Joe Gordon and the Yankees are back on top.  Then the big blow -- Frankie Crosetti with a bases clearing double - everyone scores.  New York gets all 4 runs back.  Yankees 10 Dodgers 6

7th: Murphy gets an out - then walks Smith and Verdugo - Corey Seager doubles home a run. 31 year old RH Ivy Andrews has an ERA of 3.00 and he's the new Yankee pitcher - Matt Beaty is the first baseman today for LA - he hits a sac fly and now it's Yankees 10 Dodgers 8

8th: 28 year old RH Dylan Floro is the new Dodger pitcher, he's got a 4.24 ERA - can he hold the Yankees down? He gets 2 - then Gehrig and DiMaggio single back to back. That's all.

8th: 27 year old RH Joe Beggs has a 5.40 ERA and he enters now for the Yankees - 1-2-3.

9th: 25 year old RH Tony Gonsolin for the Dodgers, 2.93. Gordon singles with one out, that's all.  

9th: New York is 3 outs from grabbing game 3 today. They go with 28 year old RH Steve Sundra who has a 4.80 ERA. 

Justin Turner singles.

Sundra gets Will Smith 6-4-3 -- huge double play ground ball and that might do it.

Verdugo strikes out and it's over.

Yankees 10

Dodgers 8

WP Murphy

LP Garcia

Frankie Crosetti drives in 5 - the dormant Yankee offense comes alive and now New York is a game from ending this series.

For the Yankees...

Crosetti 5x w/double, 5 game 3 RBI

Dickey 2x in game 3

DiMaggio 3x in game 3

Rolfe 3x in game 3

Gordon 2x in game 3

Gehrig 3x in game 3

Powell 2x w/double

For the Dodgers..

Muncy 9x w/double

Bellinger 2x in game 3 w/double

Smith 6x w/double

Verdugo 3x w/double

Seager 4x w/3 doubles

Turner 5x in game 2-3

Pederson 4x in game 2-3

Pollock double

SS Crosetti (27)   89    4.4

CF DiMaggio (23)  139  5.9

1B Gehrig (35)  (LH)  132   4

C Dickey (31)  (LH)   143    5.6 

RF Henrich (25) (LH) 120   3.4

2B Gordon (23)   109   3.9

3B Rolfe (29)  (LH)    107    4.1

LF Powell (29) 76

P Ruffing (33)     138   6.1

RF Bellinger (23) (LH)  169    8.7

2B Muncy (28)   (LH)    133     5.4

LF Pederson (27) (LH)  127    3.4

1B Freese (36)        161    1.7

3B Turner (34)       131    4.4

C Smith (24)          134     2.1

CF Verdugo (23) (LH)  114     2.4

SS Seager (25)  (LH)    113      3.1

P Ryu (32) (LH)           179      5.8

GAME FOUR

1st: Is this the final game of Round 2?  Are the '38 Yankees about to become the 32nd and final team to claim a spot in the next round?  Hyun Jin Ryu was on the short end of the game 1 pitcher's duel in Yankee Stadium - he stands on his home mound today hoping to extend this series another day.  He gets 2 - walks Gehrig - but that's all.

1st: Red Ruffing won game 1 and hit a run scoring double.  If he does that again today, we all go home and start thinking about the next round (format slightly different, I'll talk about it in the preview). Cody Bellinger singles. Ruffing gets one - but then Joc Pederson singles and the Dodgers go out in front.  Yankees 0 Dodgers 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Will Smith hits the first home run of the series  and the Dodgers go up 2 runs.  Yankees 0 Dodgers 2

3rd: Ruffing singles with one away, that's all.  

3rd: Muncy doubles with one out, but Ruffing stops it.

4th: Dickey doubles with one out; Henrich walks -- and then Joe Gordon hits a 3 run homer -- Joe Gordon has shaken southern California with a 3 run bomb that puts the Yankees out in front.  Yankees 3 Dodgers 2

4th: Turner walks, Ruffing gets 2 - and then Seager doubles for the 4th time in the series and it scores the tying run. Yankees 3 Dodgers 3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Max Muncy homers -- and the Dodgers have taken the lead.  Huge roar at Dodger Stadium; Mary Hart and Larry King love it - the Dodgers are back out in front.  Pederson singles, that's all. Yankees 3 Dodgers 4

6th: Henrich singles with 2 away - but that's all.

6th: Verdugo singles, nothing results and we head to the 7th.  Tight one here in game 4.

7th: Jake Powell's back in today's lineup, he doubles with one out.  Ruffing singles, that's his second hit of the day and men are on the corners. Ryu gets the second -- and then DiMaggio comes through, big base hit and it ties this game.  Of course, we've seen DiMaggio.  He was a rookie on the '36 team, the MVP in '47, and in his final year in '51. A win today and that means 4 Joe DiMaggio clubs will remain standing.  Pedro Baez comes on, he's appeared in each game from the LA pen. He walks Gehrig -- and then Bill Dickey clears the bases with a triple and that might end this series right here.  The great Bill Dickey drives home 3 runs with a triple -- it's now 7-4 New York and the Yankees are 9 outs from ending Round 2.  Henrich walks - big big big inning.  Yankees 7 Dodgers 4

7th: 1-2-3, huge inning by Ruffing and the Yankees are 6 outs away.

8th: Yimi Garcia enters. Powell doubles again with one away, nothing results.

8th: LA has got to get at least a couple right now.  Johnny Murphy gets the call.  He gets one - then walks Turner -- and Will Smith smacks a 2 run homer to right!  Smith has 2 home runs today and there are the 2 runs right there.  Murphy gets the second out - then Seager singles - Ivy Andrews comes on -- and he ends the inning.  Yankees 7 Dodgers 6

9th: Joe Kelly for LA -- He gets one, then walks Gehrig - white knuckle time in LA - that's all.

9th: The New York Yankees are 3 outs away from ending the round and locking in the final 32.

Cody Bellinger is first.  Andrews strikes him out.

Max Muncy is next.  Ground ball to third.  Rolfe throws to first.  Two away.

Joc Pederson.  Andrews strikes him out and it's done.

Yankees 7

Dodgers 6

WP Ruffing

LP Ryu

For the Yankees...

Crosetti 5x w/double, 5 game 3 RBI

Dickey 4x in game 3-4 w/double/triple 

DiMaggio 4x in game 3-4

Rolfe 3x in game 3

Gordon 3x in game 3-4 w/HR

Gehrig 6x in game 3-4

Powell 4x w/double

Henrich 3x in game 4

So - Crosetti's bat won game 3, it was Dickey and Gordon in game 4. Ruffing won two games, but was just okay today.  Tough call for MVP...we're going to say it's Crosetti and Gordon.

 

And that's all.

32 teams remain.  Preview will be next and I'll explain how it will work

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Eight: 1905 World Champion New York Giants v. 2001 AL West Champion Seattle Mariners

 Indians v. Dodgers

9. 1905 World Champion New York Giants v. 56. 2001 AL West Champion Seattle Mariners

Two spots left.  The Mariners look for their only entrant - the '04 Giants, '12 Giants, '22 Giants have all moved forward.

Giants 105-48 Mgr John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

d. Athletics in WS

d. #120 2019 Yankees (MVP-Bill Dahlen)

Hall of Famers: Roger Bresnahan, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, John McGraw

Mariners 116-46 Lou Piniella (AL Mgr of Year)

1st in AL West

d. Indians ALDS

lost to Yankees ALCS

d. #73 1913 A's (MVP-Ichiro Suzuki)

All-Stars: 2B Bret Boone (3rd AL MVP) OF Mike Cameron, SP Freddy Garcia (3rd NL Cy Young) DH Edgar Martinez, RP Jeff Nelson, 1B John Olerud, RP Kazuhiro Sasaki OF Ichiro Suzuki (AL MVP, AL RoY)

Hall of Famers: Edgar Martinez

Mariners-Lou Piniella

RF Suzuki (27)  (LH) 126    6

1B Olerud (32)  (LH) 136    5.2

2B Boone (32)   153    8.1

3B McLemore (36)  (SH) 115  3.6

CF Cameron (28)  123   5.7

LF Martin (33) (LH)   93     .7

SS Guillen (25)  (SH)   87    2.7

C Lampkin (37)  (LH) 78    1.1

P Garcia (24)     135    5.3

Bench

DH Martinez (38)   160   6.1

C Wilson (32)   90       2.3

3B Bell (28)       92      3.3

LF Javier (37)   109 (SH)   2.1 

1B Sprague (33) 119

SP2 Moyer (38) (LH)  120   3.5

SP3 Sele (31)       115   2.7

Platoons at C-LF-and Bell/Guillen is a platoon, with McLemore shifting to short against LH.

Giants-John McGraw

C Bresnahan (26)   131      4.2

1B McGann (33) (SH)   142      5.6

CF Donlin (27)      166    (LH)   6.4

LF Mertes (32)      126       3.2

2B Strang (28)   (SH)    117       2.5

RF Browne (29) (LH)    111       1.7

SS Dahlen (35)   (LH)   98         5.3

3B Devlin (25)      93          4.3

P Mathewson (24)  233     9.5

Bench

DH Bowerman (36)  93       1.3

2B Gilbert (29) 84

SP3 Ames (22)      108         2.4

SP2 Wiltse (25)  (LH)   120         3.4

Maybe a platoon at second, otherwise, McGraw rolls with the same group every day.

WAR:

C-Giants

1B-Giants

2B-Mariners

SS-Giants

3B-Giants

LF-Giants

CF-Giants

RF-Mariners

DH-Mariners

SP1-Giants

SP2-Mariners

SP3-Giants

Bullpen-Mariners

WAR: Giants 8 Mariners 5, Giants have seed advantage and WAR advantage. Mariners (Boone) have top position player.  Giants are favored here to claim spot 31.

GAME ONE

1st The legendary Christy Mathewson stands on the Polo Grounds mound; 31-9, 1.28, he's already advanced with 2 other Giants clubs.  He is 24 years old - This year he led the league in wins, ERA, ERA+, Ks, FIP, WHIP, K/BB.  He's one of the greatest pitchers of all time having arguably his greatest season.  1-2-3.

1st: Freddy Garcia is not Christy Mathewson.  He is, however, also a 24 year old RH, 18-6, 3.05. As a prospect he was traded for Randy Johnson (Carlos Guillen came over in the same deal) Garcia was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year two seasons ago, 3rd in the Cy Young this year.  He makes the All Star team again next year.  And in '04 he heads to the White Sox, Mike Morse and Miguel Olivo part of the deal headed back to Seattle. He'll finish in '13 with the Braves. Roger Bresnahan greets him with a single - Garcia gets 2, then Sam Mertes singles, that's all.

2nd: After an out, Mathewson hits Mike Cameron. Cameron came up with the White Sox in '95 when he was 22; 2 years later he was 6th in the Rookie of the Year. He came to the Mariners from the Reds last year - traded for Ken Griffey Jr.  He was an All Star this year, the only time that would ever occur. He leaves for the Mets in '04 and finishes with the Marlins in '11.  That's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Carlos Guillen walks.  Guillen broke in with the Mariners in '98 after the aforementioned Randy Johnson trade. The Mariners send him to the Tigers for Ramon Santiago after the '03 season and he spends the rest of his career in Detroit, stopping in '11.  Tom Lampkin singles - Freddy Garcia and Ichiro Suzuki reach on back to back Giants errors that score a run.  John Olerud singles home a second run.  Mariners 2 Giants 0

3rd: Mathewson doubled 5 times this year and he does so here - After an out, Dan McGann walks. McGann was on last year's Giant club which has moved forward. McGann led the league in getting hit by pitches this year.  Mike Donlin walks to load the bases and the Giants score on a Mertes groundout.  Mariners 2 Giants 1

4th: Al Martin singles; Martin might be looking at his only start if he doesn't get on base today;  he was 24 when he broke in with the Pirates in '92, the next season he replaced Barry Bonds in left field and was 5th in the Rookie of the Year. The Mariners got him at last year's deadline from the Padres for John Mabry. He'll finish in Tampa in '03. Nothing else.

4th: Bill Dahlen was Round 1 MVP for the Giants and he walks with one away. He was with last year's squad. Art Devlin walks, Christy Mathewson walks and the bases are full of Giants. Garcia escapes.  

5th: Garcia had 9 plate apperances all season but he singles here.  After an out - John Olerud shocks this Polo Grounds crowd with a 2 run homer to left and it's the Mariners who extend this lead.  Olerud's 32, he broke in back in '89 with the Jays and was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year the following season. His big year was '93, 3rd in the MVP. He signed with the Mariners last year, made the All Star team this year. Olerud heads to the Yankees in '04 and finishes with the Red Sox in '05. Bret Boone singles. That's all.  Mariners 4 Giants 1

5th: Mariners have got to be pleased, Garcia getting the better of the great Mathewson. Mike Donlin singles. He was acquired during last season - this year he led the league in runs scored.  That's all.  Garcia really strong as we head to the 6th.

6th: Martin singles again - Piniella's hunch pays off. That's it.

6th: Dahlen walks again. Art Devlin then drives him to third with a base hit.  Devlin was on last year's club, this year he led the league in steals.  Mathewson grounds into a double play, scoring a run.  Mariners 4 Giants 2

7th: Ichiro's hit with one out.  Ichiro's a 27 year old rookie and he was the AL MVP. He'll be 7th in '04, 8th in '07, lead the league in hits in '08, 9th in the MVP in '09, make his last All Star appearance in '10.  In '12, Ichiro is dealt to the Yankees; he comes back to the Mariners at the age of 44 in '18 and finishes the following season. Boone singles after the second out, that's all.

7th: The Giants have 5 hits.  McGann singles.  Are the Giants going to score?  Donlin doubles and now the Giants have the tying runs in scoring position.  Garcia gets one - then Sammy Strang grounds out to score a run.  Strang broke in when he was 19 years old back in 1896 with Louisville. The Giants got him in '01 - he'll then play with 3 more teams until coming back to New York this season where he'll finish his career in '08. Mariners 4 Giants 3

8th: The Giants close the deficit to a run and now it's the 8th.  1-2-3

8th: The Mariners have a big bullpen advantange and they go to it here; 34 year old RH Jeff Nelson has a 2.76 ERA - he walks Art Devlin with one out, gets the second - then walks Bresnahan and McGann.  Bases loaded - two out - Mariners clinging to that one run lead -- loud, loud Polo Grounds crowd here in this big spot.  Arthur Rhodes enters - 31 year old lefty, 8 wins and a 1.72 ERA -- big, big spot -- and he gets through it.  

9th: Ichiro triples with one out - and Olerud drives him home with a base hit and that might do it for game one.  Boone singles - and Olerud scores on a McLemore groundout.  Mariners 6 Giants 3

9th: Kazuhiro Sasaki is a 33 year old RH, 45 saves and a 3.24 ERA and he's here to close this out.  1-2-3

Mariners 6

Giants 3

WP Garcia

LP Mathewson

4 John Olerud RBI and 3 scoreless bullpen innings propel the Mariners to take game one.

For the Mariners..

Suzuki 2x w/triple

Olerud 3x w/HR and 4 RBI

Boone 3x

Martin 2x

For the Giants...

Bresnahan 2x

McGann 3x

Donlin 3x w/double

Dahlen 2x

Devlin 3x

One more at the Polo Grounds - the Giants looking to salvage a split.

RF Suzuki (27)  (LH) 126    6

1B Olerud (32)  (LH) 136    5.2

2B Boone (32)   153    8.1

3B McLemore (36)  (SH) 115  3.6

CF Cameron (28)  123   5.7

LF Martin (33) (LH)   93     .7

SS Guillen (25)  (SH)   87    2.7

C Lampkin (37)  (LH) 78    1.1

SP2 Moyer (38) (LH)  120   3.5

C Bresnahan (26)   131      4.2

1B McGann (33) (SH)   142      5.6

CF Donlin (27)  (LH)    166       6.4

RF Strang (28)   (SH)    117       2.5

LF Mertes (32)      126       3.2

3B Devlin (25)      93          4.3

SS Dahlen (35)   (LH)   98         5.3

2B Gilbert (29) 84

SP3 McGinnity (34)      108         

GAME TWO

1st: Faced with a virtual must win, McGraw made a change - Iron Man Joe McGinnity was not in the inital 3 man rotation for the series, but McGraw leans on the 34 year old RH today. 21-15, 2.87. He was on that '04 team which advanced. In a 10 year career, McGinnity led the league in games pitched a half dozen times including this year.  He walks Bret Boone with two out, then gives up a Mark McLemore base hit.  That's all.

1st: Jamie Moyer gets the ball for the Mariners. He's a 38 year old lefty. 20-6, 3.43. Moyer pitched in the big leagues for a quarter century. He broke in with the Cubs in '86, A decade later the Red Sox (his 5th team) send him to Seattle for Darren Bragg. In '99 he was 6th in the Cy Young, this year he finished 4th. 3 years from now, at the age of 40, he finishes 5th and makes his only All Star team. In '06 Seattle sends him to the Phillies and Moyer will finish up, at the age of 49 - in 2012 with the Rockies. Jamie Moyer gave up more home runs than any pitcher in big league history.  1-2-3

2nd: Al Martin triples - Martin wasn't expected to play much at all - but Piniella continues to ride the hot hand today. Carlos Guillen singles him home. McGinnity walks Tom Lampkin; Lampkin's a 37 year old career backup catcher in his second to last season. He broke in with the Indians in '88, signed with St Louis 11 years later. They send him to San Diego after the season and he finishes next year.  Mariners 1 Giants 0

2nd: Sam Mertes singles with one out. Mertes was with last year's club - he finishes up next season with the Cards.  He's caught stealing so the bases are empty with 2 out when Devlin doubles, and then Moyer walks Dahlen, Billy Gilbert - and then McGinnity to score a run. Roger Bresnahan then laces a base hit to score 2 more.  Mariners 1 Giants 3

3rd: John Olerud have 4 game 1 RBI and he singles. Bret Boone (who has already advanced with the '99 Braves) follows with a single. Boone, whose brother, father, and grandfather were all big leaguers, broke in back in '92 with the Mariners, they dealt him to the Reds (Dan Wilson, who we'll see catch in game 3, was part of the package going back) in '94, in '98, Boone was an All Star. This is his first season in Seattle and he was 3rd in the MVP, 2 years from now, at the age of 34, he'll finish 10th and two years after that, in 2005, he finishes his career with the Twins. McGinnity muscles his way through it.  

3rd: Mike Donlin singles; steals second - scores on a Sammy Strang base hit and the Giants extend the lead. Mertes then doubles Strang home.  Mariners 1 Giants 5

4th: Lampkin doubles with one out, Ichiro singles after the second out - again, McGinnity gets through it.

4th: McGinnity doubles with one out, Moyer then hits Bresnahan - probably this is nothing, but Mathewson hit two Mariners in game one and so it's worth keeping in mind as the series moves on. Dan McGann singles and the bases are loaded. McGinnity scores on a Donlin groundout and this is a big lead now. Strang walks to load the bases again - that's all, but we're looking good for a split heading to Seattle.  Mariners 1 Giants 6

5th: Mark McLemore singles with one out. McLemore was 21 when he broke in with the Angels back in '86, Fast Forward 14 years and he signs with Seattle in '00. He'll be in Seattle until his final season, 2004, which is spent in Oakland.  That's all. 

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Moyer's left in to hit - and he walks with 2 out, nothing results.

6th: McGinnity reaches on error and Roger Bresnahan doubles. Bresnahan was on last year's club, he'll be a Giant through '08. Moyer gets 2 - but a two base error on a Strang fly ball scores both runners. We're headed to Seattle all tied at 1.  28 year old RH Ryan Franklin is the new pitcher, he's got a 3.56 ERA. Sam Mertes singles, the inning ends Mariners 1 Giants 8

7th: Olerud walks - Boone singles. McLemore doubles both home and the Mariners draw a little closer. McGinnity gets one, a Martin groundout scores the Mariners 4th run. Mariners 4 Giants 8

7th: 1-2-3

8th: The Giants have a one man bullpen; that's how it works in 1905- there are 6 pitchers on this staff, the five starters and 28 year old RH Claude Elliott has a 4.03 ERA and he comes on, 1-2-3

8th: Jeff Nelson enters for the Mariners, he gets 2, then Donlin reaches by error and Nelson walks Strang and Mertes, Nelson walks Devlin - scoring a run.  22 year old RH Joel Pineiro enters, he's got a 2.03 ERA. Mariners 4 Giants 9

9th: Olerud doubles - McGraw goes to the pen to get his 5th starter Dummy Taylor; 16 wins and a 2.66 ERA - he gets 2, walks Mike Cameron, and it's over.

Mariners 4

Giants 9

WP McGinnity

LP Moyer

McGinnity does what he needed to do, the Giants hit the ball - and we'll be headed to Safeco all tied at a game apiece.

For the Giants...

Bresnahan 5x w/double

McGann 4x

Donlin 4x w/double

Dahlen 3x

Devlin 5x w/double

Strang 3x in game 2

Mertes 4x in game 2 w/double

For the Mariners..

Suzuki 3x w/triple

Olerud 6x w/HR, double and 4 RBI

Boone 6x

Martin 3x w/triple

McLemore 3x w/double in game 2

Lampkin 2x w/double

C Bresnahan (26)   131      4.2

1B McGann (33) (SH)   142      5.6

CF Donlin (27)      166    (LH)   6.4

LF Mertes (32)      126       3.2

2B Strang (28)   (SH)    117       2.5

RF Browne (29) (LH)    111       1.7

SS Dahlen (35)   (LH)   98         5.3

3B Devlin (25)      93          4.3

DH Bowerman (36)  93       1.3

SP2 Wiltse (25)  (LH)   120         3.4

2B Boone (32)   153    8.1 

DH Martinez (38)   160   6.1

CF Cameron (28)  123   5.7

1B Olerud (32)  (LH) 136    5.2

RF Suzuki (27)  (LH) 126    6

SS McLemore (36)  (SH) 115  3.6

LF Javier (37)   109 (SH)   2.1 

3B Bell (28)       92      3.3

C Wilson (32)   90       2.3

SP3 Sele (31)       115   2.7

GAME THREE

1st: Safeco Field, Spot #31 is up for grabs in this series all tied at a game apiece.  31 year old RH Aaron Sele on the hometown mound.  15-5, 3.60. Sele was third in the Rookie of the Year for the Red Sox in '93, was an All Star for Texas in '98 and then 5th in the Cy Young in '99. He then goes to Seattle, makes an All Star team in '00, this is his last year here, he's off to the Angels and his performance drops off. He finishes with the Mets in '07. Dan McGann singles with one out, Mike Donlin doubles him to third, and after the second out, Sammy Strang comes through with a base hit to put the Giants on the board.  Giants 1 Mariners 0

1st: The Giants turn to Hooks Wiltse, 25 year old lefty, 15-6, 2.47. Wiltse was a rookie with last year's club, he's also already advanced with the 1912 team. Wiltse pitches all but his final 18 games in his career with the Giants. Bret Boone singles, Edgar Martinez is in the lineup today, with the series having moved to Seattle, and he singles. Edgar's 38, he spends his entire 18 year career as a Mariner. He broke in in '87, in '92 he leads the league in doubles and batting average, in '95 he's third in the MVP and makes the All Star team in both '96 and '97. Martinez leads the league in OBP the next two seasons, was 6th in the MVP last year and made the All Star team again this season. He'll make one more All Star team, in '03 and then stop.  Wiltse gets out of it.  

2nd: Bill Dahlen walks. His first Giants season was last year; that's all for New York.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: After an out, McGann singles again and again Donlin doubles him to third. A Mertes sac fly scores a run. Strang walks - that's all.  Giants 2 Mariners 0

3rd: Several changes in the lineup today against a lefty for the Mariners - David Bell singles. Like Bret Boone, Bell's a legacy, brother, father, grandfather all played in the league. Bell was 22 in '95 when he broke in with the Indians, in '98, he's sent to the Mariners for Joey Cora. This is his last year in Seattle, they deal him to San Francisco.  Bell finishes with the Brewers in '06. Dan Wilson's another change and he singles. Wiltse walks Boone and the bases are loaded with nobody out. Martinez reaches on an error that scores a run - Cameron singles home another - and then Boone scores on an Olerud double play groundout.  Giants 2 Mariners 3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Stan Javier hits a one out single - it's Javier's first appearance and his last season in the major leagues.  Javier broke in with the Yankees in '84, makes 6 stops subsequent and lands in Seattle as a 36 year old in 2000.  Bell follows with a single and Wilson singles to score a run.  The Mariners plate another on a Boone groundout.  Giants 2 Mariners 5

5th: Sele gets two, then Donlin/Mertes walk - that's all.

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Devlin draws a two out walk, that's it - the Giants don't have a hit since the 3rd.

6th: Bell already has 2 hits - and with 2 outs he sets this stadium on fire with a homer off the right field foul pole. Giants 2 Mariners 6

7th: Jeff Nelson comes on again, third straight game, a Piniella goes to his pen. 1-2-3, just 5 hits for New York today.

7th: Boone walks, Edgar singles.  That's it.

8th: Strang walks with one out and Piniella brings in Arthur Rhodes, a 31 year old lefty with 8 wins and a 1.72 ERA. He ends it.  

8th: Claude Elliott for the Giants. 1-2-3

9th: Devlin walks - that's it.

Giants 2

Mariners 6

WP Sele

LP Wiltse

Just 5 hits for the Giants, they never get it going today and now the Mariners are a game from advancing.  

For the Giants...

Bresnahan 5x w/double

McGann 6x

Donlin 7x w/3 doubles

Dahlen 4x

Devlin 7x w/double

Strang 6x in game 2-3

Mertes 5x in game 2-3 w/double

For the Mariners..

Suzuki 3x w/triple

Olerud 6x w/HR, double and 4 RBI

Boone 9x

Martinez 2x

Bell 3x w/HR

Wilson 2x

Martin 3x w/triple

McLemore 3x w/double in game 2

Lampkin 2x w/double

Can the great Mathewson keep these Giants alive in game 4?

C Bresnahan (26)   131      4.2

1B McGann (33) (SH)   142      5.6

CF Donlin (27)      166    (LH)   6.4

LF Mertes (32)      126       3.2

DH Strang (28)   (SH)    117       2.5

RF Browne (29) (LH)    111       1.7

SS Dahlen (35)   (LH)   98         5.3

3B Devlin (25)      93          4.3

2B Gilbert (29) 84

P Mathewson (24)  233     9.5

RF Suzuki (27)  (LH) 126    6

1B Olerud (32)  (LH) 136    5.2

DH Martinez (38)   160   6.1

2B Boone (32)   153    8.1

3B McLemore (36)  (SH) 115  3.6

CF Cameron (28)  123   5.7

LF Martin (33) (LH)   93     .7

SS Guillen (25)  (SH)   87    2.7

C Lampkin (37)  (LH) 78    1.1

P Garcia (24)     135    5.3

GAME FOUR

1st Freddy Garcia beat Christy Mathewson in game one - if he does it again today the Mariners move on. 1-2-3

1st: Christy Mathewson won 373 games - can the 24 year old Christy Mathewson win 1 today. John Olerud singles with one out. And then Edgar Martinez hits a line drive 2 run homer to left.  The Mariners jump out in front - a huge, huge roar for Edgar.  Bret Boone singles, Mathewson gets one more, then gives up a Mike Cameron base hit.  That's all.  Big start for the home side.  Giants 0 Mariners 2

2nd: Sammy Strang walks with one out, after the second out, George Browne walks - that's it.

2nd: Carlos Guillen singles.  After an out, Ichiro reaches by error. Mathewson gets the second -- but here comes Edgar again, he clears the bases with a triple --- just two innings in and Edgar Martinez has homered, tripled, driven in 4 and the Mariners are all over Mathewson here in game 4.  Boone singles -- this one might be over early.  Giants 0 Mariners 5

3rd: 1-2-3, the Giants do not have a hit.

3rd: Cameron singles - that's it.  

4th: Mike Donlin walks with one out, that's it.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, the Giants do not have a hit.

5th: Boone doubles. An out later Cameron walks. That's all.

6th: 1-2-3, and now the mood shifts from excitement over the Mariners moving forward to the next round - to what Freddy Garcia is doing on the mound today.  

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

7th: 1-2-3 -- man oh man - Garcia has retired 11 straight Giants and has yet to allow a base hit.  

7th: McLemore singles with one out, after the second out Al Martin doubles - this crowd knows it's going to happen now as McLemore scores a 6th Seattle run.  Giants 0 Mariners 6

8th: Freddy Garcia is 6 outs from something yet to be accomplished in the tournament.

George Brown is first.  He grounds right back to the mound - flip to first. 5 outs to go.

Bill Dahlen is next -- he laces a base hit to right - and the no hitter is broken up.

Standing ovation for Garcia - and now the attention turns back to the impending win by the Mariners.

8th: Ichiro walks with one out, that's all.

9th: 3 outs left from moving forward, Bresnahan singles to left.

McGann singles to center.

Garcia stikes out Donlin.

Mertes flies to center.

Strang walks.  Loaded.  2 out.  

Browne flies to center -- Cameron's got it.

Giants 0

Mariners 6

WP Garcia

LP Mathewson

We don't need to look at the bats - Freddy Garcia beat Christy Mathewson twice and threw a 3 hitter to eliminate the Giants.  He's the MVP.

1 spot remains.  1.  1.  1.  1 spot remains.

September, 2020 Athlete of the Month

 August is here.

Anthony Davis.  Runners-up: Naomi Osaka, Victor Hedman, Freddie Freeman

3/4 down - who will be the first Athlete of the Year for the 2020s?

January-Joe Burrow

February - Damien Williams
March -Sabrina Ionescu
April- Chu-Yu Hsien

May-Manuel Neuer

June-Robert Lewandowski

July-Cristiano Ronaldo

August-Mookie Betts

September - Anthony Davis

Top 5, Each Position - 2020 MLB

 Hey, the baseball season's over.  Here's what happened.  Cross-comparative WAR.

C 

1. Salvador Perez KC 2.1

2. Will Smith LAD 1.8

3. Austin Nola SD 1.4

4. Sean Murphy Oak 1.3

5. Yasmani Grandal CWS 1.2

1B 

1. Freddie Freeman Atl 3.4 - NL MVP1

2. Jose Abreu CWS 3.2 - AL MVP1

3. Brandon Belt SFG 2.2

4. Paul Goldschmidt StL 2.2

5. Jeimer Candelario Det 1.8

2B

1. DJ LeMahieu NYY 3.2 -

2. Brandon Lowe Tampa 2

3. Cesar Hernandez Cle 1.8

4. Cavan Biggio Toronto 1.7

5. Kolten Wong StL 1.7

SS 

1. Dansby Swanson Atl 2.6

2. Corey Seager LAD 2.4

3. Trea Turner Wash 2.3

4. Fernando Tatis SD 2.1

5. Trevor Story Col 2.1

3B 

1. Manny Machado SD 2.9

2. Jose Ramirez Cle 2

3. Gio Urshela NYY 1.9

4. Anthony Rendon LAA 1.8

5. Ke'Bryan Hayes Pit 1.7

5. Brian Anderson Mia 1.7

LF 

1. Juan Soto Wash 2.6

2. Kyle Tucker Hou 1.9

3. Chris Taylor LAD 1.8

4. Dominic Smith NYM 1.7

4. Dylan Moore Sea 1.7

CF

1. Trent Grisham SD 2.4

2. Mike Trout LAA 2.3

3. Ronald Acuna Atl 2

4. Luis Robert CWS 1.9

5. Byron Buxton Min 1.8

5. George Springer Hou 1.8

5. Brandon Nimmo NYM 1.8

RF 

1. Mookie Betts LAD 3.1  

2. Mike Yastrzemski SFG 2.7

3. Michael Conforto NYM 2.3

4. Bryce Harper Phi 2

5. Wil Myers SD 1.9

DH 

1. Marcell Ozuna Atl 2.3

2. Mark Canha Oak 1.7

2. Michael Brantley Hou 1.7

4. Nelson Cruz Min 1.6

5. Jesse Winker Cin 1.4

SP 

1. Shane Bieber Cleve 3.3 - AL Cy Young

2. Yu Darvish Chi 3 - NL Cy Young

3. Trevor Bauer Cin 2.9

4. Zack Wheeler Phi 2.8

5. HJ Ryu Toronto 2.6

6. Max Fried Atl 2.7

7. Jacob DeGrom NYM 2.5

8. Zac Gallen Ari 2.4

9. Antonio Senzatela Col 2.3

9. Aaron Nola Phi 2.3

RP

1. Liam Hendriks Oak 1.7

2. Brandon Kintzler Mia 1.5

3. Devin Williams Mil 1.5

4. Jeremy Jeffress Chi 1.4

5. Edwin Diaz NYM 1.4