The Washington Nationals of 2017 didn't win the World Series, didn't get to the World Series, didn't even make it to the NLCS.
The Nats were an outstanding team, however -- an 97-win team that was, after its July bullpen reinforcements, better by year's end than their record indicate. Had things broken a little differently for them in real life, they could have been champs then.
Their title in this context means nothing outside of this context, of course. But I don't regard this outcome as a shocking upset or an indication that something went wrong in the course of play. Indeed, they emerged from what I perceived as the "group of death," the George bracket. They won, and they earned it.
A few other notes from this Strat-O-Matic project:
* The middle and bottom of the 2017 teams dropped out pretty quickly, but the top was dominant. Three of the final four teams were from 2017.
* The 1924 teams acquitted themselves well, maintaining their one-fourth share of the entrants through three rounds. They presented a unique environment for the 2017 teams -- one of lesser power, higher batting averages and less reliance on bullpens.
* I am naming Ryan Zimmerman Player of the Tournament. The Washington first baseman hit 11 homers, scored 26 runs and drove in 36, and hit over .300. A quick check of the final four teams shows him leading all those teams in homers and RBIs and tied with teammate Bryce Harper in runs.
* There were no glaring structural problems with this league. I am inclined to advise myself against adding the extra players the next time I order a contemporary set.
Coming next: A five-team league drawn from the Negro League set. I'll outline the mechanics in a future post.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019
Stat break: 2017 Washington Nationals
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Difo 13 2 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .308
Goodwin 29 2 7 5 4 0 1 4 1 .241
Harper 131 26 43 16 6 1 6 15 0 .328
Kendrick 50 10 16 10 4 0 1 4 0 .320
Lind 30 5 8 6 1 0 3 3 0 .267
Lobaton 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Murphy 134 15 41 21 18 1 4 6 0 .306
Rendon 130 22 36 20 7 0 6 10 1 .278
MA Taylor 120 17 25 26 3 1 9 4 3 .208
T Turner 134 23 31 7 6 1 3 12 4 .231
Werth 63 6 16 3 2 1 2 6 0 .254
Wieters 120 14 31 19 9 1 3 9 1 .258
Zimmerman 128 26 39 30 8 0 11 8 1 .305
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Albers 10 0 14 5 6 6 5 12 0 3 0 3.86
Blanton 3 0 3 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 3.00
Cole 2 0 1.6 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.00Doolittle 12 0 9.3 15 10 9 3 8 7 0 2 8.68
Grace 12 0 13.3 15 5 5 3 9 0 0 0 3.38
E Jackson 2 0 1.3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
E Jackson 2 0 1.3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Kelley 6 0 3.6 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0.00
Kintzler 17 0 21.6 12 3 2 1 7 2 2 0 0.83
Madson 10 0 6.6 1 0 0 1 8 0 0 0 0.00
Kintzler 17 0 21.6 12 3 2 1 7 2 2 0 0.83
Madson 10 0 6.6 1 0 0 1 8 0 0 0 0.00
O Perez 8 0 7.3 5 2 2 2 7 0 0 1 2.46
Roark 7 7 51 46 17 14 12 36 0 2 3 2.47
E Romero 10 0 7.3 15 11 11 4 8 1 0 0 13.50
Scherzer 10 10 72.3 51 23 21 26 90 0 3 1 2.61E Romero 10 0 7.3 15 11 11 4 8 1 0 0 13.50
Solis 6 0 2.3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.86
Strasburg 8 8 51.6 43 14 11 14 53 0 6 1 1.92
JA Turner 2 0 1 7 4 4 1 2 0 0 0 36.00
Stat break: 2017 Cleveland Indians
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Brantley 75 10 28 9 3 1 1 7 0 .373
Bruce 87 15 30 18 6 2 5 19 2 .345
Chisenhall 73 7 18 20 4 1 5 6 0 .247
Encarncion 92 13 25 22 2 1 5 9 0 .272
Gomes 76 10 16 10 3 0 2 6 0 .211
Guyer 30 2 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 .233
A Jackson 36 8 10 2 3 0 2 9 0 .278
Kipnis 110 17 29 12 8 1 3 6 0 .264
Lindor 132 22 36 10 6 1 5 12 3 .273
Perez 43 2 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 .070
Ramirez 141 19 36 8 11 3 2 5 0 .255
Santana 114 16 22 15 1 1 3 14 0 .193
Urshela 22 4 11 5 2 0 0 0 0 .500
Zimmer 77 9 19 12 2 0 3 4 2 .247
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Allen 13 0 13.6 12 5 5 5 16 7 2 1 3.29
T Bauer 6 6 35.3 27 11 10 4 33 0 4 0 2.55
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
T Bauer 6 6 35.3 27 11 10 4 33 0 4 0 2.55
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
Carrasco 8 8 51 49 17 17 12 52 0 4 1 3.00
Clevenger 4 3 22.3 11 2 2 9 21 0 3 0 0.81
Goody 7 0 5.3 4 1 1 0 11 1 0 0 1.69Clevenger 4 3 22.3 11 2 2 9 21 0 3 0 0.81
McAllister 5 0 7.6 6 2 2 2 4 0 0 0 2.35
A Miller 19 0 23.6 16 8 8 12 40 1 1 2 3.04
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Otero 12 0 17 18 9 9 2 9 1 1 0 4.76
Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
Br Shaw 14 0 18 9 3 3 5 16 0 1 0 1.50Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
J Smith 9 0 8 7 2 2 1 7 0 0 2 2.25
Tomlin 2 2 8 12 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5.62
Championship round: 2017 Nationals defeat 2017 Indians in six games
Game 1: Nationals 3, Indians 2
WP: Scherzer (4-1)
LP: Miller (1-2)
Save: Doolittle (5)
HR: Lindor (4)
Game 2: Nationals 4, Indians 3
WP: Strasburg (5-1)
LP: Carrasco (4-1)
Save: Doolittle (6)
HR: Lind (2), Harper (6), Lindor (5)
Game 3: Indians 6, Nationals 4 (13 innings)
WP: Shaw (1-0)
LP: O Perez (0-1)
Save: Allen (6)
HR: Zimmerman (10), Gomes (2), Wieters (3)
Game 4: Indians 3, Nationals 2
WP: Clevenger (3-0)
LP: Roark (2-3)
Save: Allen (7)
HR: Bruce (5)
Game 5: Nationals 7, Indians 5
WP: Scherzer (5-1)
LP: Kluber (5-2)
Save: Doolittle (7)
HR: Encarncion (5), MA Taylor (9), Lind (3)
Game 6: Nationals 5, Indians 3
WP: Strasburg (6-1)
LP: Smith (0-2)
Save: Kintzler (2)
HR: Zimmerman (11), Chisenhall (5)
The 2017 Washington Nationals won -- and earned -- the title in Tournament Two, defeating the 2017 Cleveland Indians in six games in the final round.
Max Scherzer outdueled Corey Kluber in the opener in Cleveland's Progressive Field. Scherzer allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings while striking out 11. Francisco Lindor homered to lead off the game for the Tribe, and Lonnie Chisenhall tripled in Jose Ramirez in the fourth to give Cleveland a 2-0 lead. But the Nats scored a run in the fifth, and in the seventh Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon each had RBI hits off Andrew Miller to put the visitors ahead,
The Nats won Game Two by one run as well. Harper and designated hitter Adam Lind each homered in the first two innings off Carlos Carrasco, and Matt Wieters doubled in a pair in the seventh to give Washington a 4-1 lead. Stephen Strasburg went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits, for the win.
The Nationals took their two-games-to-none advantage home to D.C., and the Indians got back into the series with a 13-inning win in Game Three. The Nats had a 4-1 lead after four innings, but Chisenhall doubled for two runs in the eighth to even the score, and the two bullpens shut things down for the next four innings, until Yan Gomes hit a two-out, two-run homer off Oliver Perez in the 13th. Bryan Shaw threw three scoreless innings for the win.
Cleveland evened the series in Game Four behind a three-run fifth inning that included a costly two-base error by center fielder Michael A. Taylor. Mike Clevenger went 6.2 innings for the win.
The Nats won pivotal Game Five in the highest scoring tilt of the series. Taylor hit a two-run homer to give Washington a 4-0 lead in the fourth, and Lind hit a two-run pinch-hit shot in the seventh after the Indians pulled within two. Zimmerman's double in the seventh gave Washington a 7-3 lead. Enny Romero gave much of that margin away with a three-run gopher ball to Edwin Encarncion in the eighth, but that was the last baserunner the Indians had in the game.
Washington wrapped it up in Cleveland in Game Six. Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the second and scored three runs overall to back Strasburg, who allowed two earned runs on four hits in seven innings. Brandon Kintzler retired all six men he faced for the save.
Player of the series: Ryan Zimmerman
WP: Scherzer (4-1)
LP: Miller (1-2)
Save: Doolittle (5)
HR: Lindor (4)
Game 2: Nationals 4, Indians 3
WP: Strasburg (5-1)
LP: Carrasco (4-1)
Save: Doolittle (6)
HR: Lind (2), Harper (6), Lindor (5)
Game 3: Indians 6, Nationals 4 (13 innings)
WP: Shaw (1-0)
LP: O Perez (0-1)
Save: Allen (6)
HR: Zimmerman (10), Gomes (2), Wieters (3)
Game 4: Indians 3, Nationals 2
WP: Clevenger (3-0)
LP: Roark (2-3)
Save: Allen (7)
HR: Bruce (5)
Game 5: Nationals 7, Indians 5
WP: Scherzer (5-1)
LP: Kluber (5-2)
Save: Doolittle (7)
HR: Encarncion (5), MA Taylor (9), Lind (3)
Game 6: Nationals 5, Indians 3
WP: Strasburg (6-1)
LP: Smith (0-2)
Save: Kintzler (2)
HR: Zimmerman (11), Chisenhall (5)
The 2017 Washington Nationals won -- and earned -- the title in Tournament Two, defeating the 2017 Cleveland Indians in six games in the final round.
Max Scherzer outdueled Corey Kluber in the opener in Cleveland's Progressive Field. Scherzer allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings while striking out 11. Francisco Lindor homered to lead off the game for the Tribe, and Lonnie Chisenhall tripled in Jose Ramirez in the fourth to give Cleveland a 2-0 lead. But the Nats scored a run in the fifth, and in the seventh Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon each had RBI hits off Andrew Miller to put the visitors ahead,
The Nats won Game Two by one run as well. Harper and designated hitter Adam Lind each homered in the first two innings off Carlos Carrasco, and Matt Wieters doubled in a pair in the seventh to give Washington a 4-1 lead. Stephen Strasburg went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits, for the win.
The Nationals took their two-games-to-none advantage home to D.C., and the Indians got back into the series with a 13-inning win in Game Three. The Nats had a 4-1 lead after four innings, but Chisenhall doubled for two runs in the eighth to even the score, and the two bullpens shut things down for the next four innings, until Yan Gomes hit a two-out, two-run homer off Oliver Perez in the 13th. Bryan Shaw threw three scoreless innings for the win.
Cleveland evened the series in Game Four behind a three-run fifth inning that included a costly two-base error by center fielder Michael A. Taylor. Mike Clevenger went 6.2 innings for the win.
The Nats won pivotal Game Five in the highest scoring tilt of the series. Taylor hit a two-run homer to give Washington a 4-0 lead in the fourth, and Lind hit a two-run pinch-hit shot in the seventh after the Indians pulled within two. Zimmerman's double in the seventh gave Washington a 7-3 lead. Enny Romero gave much of that margin away with a three-run gopher ball to Edwin Encarncion in the eighth, but that was the last baserunner the Indians had in the game.
Washington wrapped it up in Cleveland in Game Six. Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the second and scored three runs overall to back Strasburg, who allowed two earned runs on four hits in seven innings. Brandon Kintzler retired all six men he faced for the save.
Player of the series: Ryan Zimmerman
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
End of Round Five
Eliminated: 2017 Dodgers, 1961 Braves
Both teams in the final series are from 2017. The Indians are the higher seed (No. 1 vs. No. 3) and will be at home for Games 1 and 2 and 6 and 7 if needed. The DH be used in those games.
Combined francise records through five rounds:
Original AL teams: NY 24-21; DET 17-16; STB-BAL 13-15; W-MN 22-14; BOS 12-16; P-K-O 7-13; CWS 16-20; CLE 31-18.
Original NL teams: NY-SF 9-12; BR-LA 33-24; PIT 22-20; CIN 14-16; CHC 13-14; STL 12-14; B-M-A 20-19; PHI 16-21
Expansion AL teams: LAA 2-8; W-TX 3-8; HOU 6-5; KC 6-5; SEA 0-4; TOR 3-4; TB 1-4
Expansion NL teams: NYM 3-4; SD 0-4; WSN 20-7; MIL 9-7; MIA 2-4; COL 7-6; ARZ 9-8
Original NL teams: NY-SF 9-12; BR-LA 33-24; PIT 22-20; CIN 14-16; CHC 13-14; STL 12-14; B-M-A 20-19; PHI 16-21
Expansion AL teams: LAA 2-8; W-TX 3-8; HOU 6-5; KC 6-5; SEA 0-4; TOR 3-4; TB 1-4
Expansion NL teams: NYM 3-4; SD 0-4; WSN 20-7; MIL 9-7; MIA 2-4; COL 7-6; ARZ 9-8
Stat break: 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg.
Barnes 26 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 0 .115
Bellinger 114 17 31 18 6 1 5 9 2 .272
Forsythe 45 8 8 4 1 0 1 11 1 .178
A Gonzalez 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Granderson 59 11 16 13 5 0 3 12 1 .271
Grandal 91 9 27 11 9 1 0 4 0 .297
Hernandez 31 4 6 6 3 0 2 7 0 .194
Pederson 54 7 11 7 3 1 2 6 1 .204
Puig 105 21 36 25 7 1 5 11 4 .343
C Seager 117 21 30 13 6 6 4 11 0 .256
C Taylor 100 15 22 8 6 1 2 10 4 .220
Turner 103 23 39 15 5 0 5 12 1 .379
Utley 55 5 11 5 2 1 1 4 1 .200
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Baez 14 0 11 10 6 6 5 11 0 0 0 4.91
Cigrani 12 0 10.6 9 7 7 7 13 0 0 1 5.90
Darvish 2 2 10.6 13 9 9 8 11 0 0 2 759
Fields 9 0 7.6 9 5 5 0 4 0 1 0 5.87
Hatcher 3 0 1 2 3 3 1 3 0 0 0 27.00
Hill 3 3 15.3 15 3 3 6 19 0 1 0 1.76
Jansen 13 0 12.3 4 2 1 2 15 8 2 0 0.73Darvish 2 2 10.6 13 9 9 8 11 0 0 2 759
Fields 9 0 7.6 9 5 5 0 4 0 1 0 5.87
Hatcher 3 0 1 2 3 3 1 3 0 0 0 27.00
Hill 3 3 15.3 15 3 3 6 19 0 1 0 1.76
Maeda 3 3 19 17 7 7 5 16 0 3 0 3.32
McCarthy 3 3 19 12 3 3 6 13 0 2 0 1.42
Morrow 13 0 12.6 8 6 6 7 15 0 2 0 4.26
Romo 6 0 5 7 6 6 2 2 0 0 1 10.80
Ryu 4 4 17.3 20 10 10 6 11 0 1 0 5.19
Stripling 6 0 13 7 3 3 1 11 1 0 0 2.07
Ryu 4 4 17.3 20 10 10 6 11 0 1 0 5.19
Stripling 6 0 13 7 3 3 1 11 1 0 0 2.07
Watson 8 0 8.6 15 5 5 3 12 0 1 0 5.19
Wood 4 4 23.3 18 11 11 5 17 0 2 1 4.24
Wood 4 4 23.3 18 11 11 5 17 0 2 1 4.24
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Stat break: 2017 Washington Nationals
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Difo 11 2 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .364
Goodwin 22 2 4 4 3 0 1 3 1 .182
Harper 110 24 38 14 5 1 5 13 0 .345
Kendrick 45 9 14 8 4 0 1 2 0 .311
Lind 20 3 5 2 0 0 1 2 0 .250
Lobaton 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Murphy 113 13 37 21 16 0 4 4 0 .327
Rendon 107 21 32 19 6 0 6 9 1 .299
MA Taylor 106 14 22 24 3 1 8 2 3 .208
T Turner 113 21 25 7 6 1 3 9 4 .221
Werth 56 6 15 3 1 1 2 6 0 .268
Wieters 102 11 26 15 6 1 2 8 1 .255
Zimmerman 108 21 29 25 6 0 9 7 1 .269
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Albers 9 0 13 5 6 6 5 11 0 3 0 4.15
Blanton 3 0 3 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 3.00
Cole 2 0 1.6 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.00Doolittle 8 0 5.3 12 9 8 3 4 4 0 2 13.51
Grace 11 0 12.3 12 3 3 3 9 0 0 0 2.19
E Jackson 2 0 1.3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
E Jackson 2 0 1.3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Kelley 6 0 3.6 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0.00
Kintzler 13 0 14.6 8 2 1 1 5 1 2 0 0.62
Madson 8 0 5.6 1 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0.00
Kintzler 13 0 14.6 8 2 1 1 5 1 2 0 0.62
Madson 8 0 5.6 1 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0.00
O Perez 5 0 3.6 3 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0.00
Roark 6 6 36 42 14 13 11 31 0 2 2 3.35
E Romero 8 0 4.6 13 8 8 3 5 1 0 0 15.42
Scherzer 8 8 58.3 43 19 17 21 74 0 3 1 2.62E Romero 8 0 4.6 13 8 8 3 5 1 0 0 15.42
Solis 6 0 2.3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.86
Strasburg 6 6 38.6 31 11 10 11 35 0 4 1 2.33
JA Turner 2 0 1 7 4 4 1 2 0 0 0 36.00
Monday, April 22, 2019
Final four: 2017 Nationals defeat 2017 Dodgers in seven games
Game 1: Dodgers 7, Nationals 5
WP: Kershaw (4-2)
LP: Scherzer (2-1)
Save: Jansen (7)
HR: Werth 2 (2), Hernandez (1), Seager (3), Harper (4)
Game 2: Dodgers 5, Nationals 4
WP: Jansen (2-0)
LP: Doolittle (0-2)
HR: Utley (1), Seager (4), Rendon (6)
Game 3: Nationals 13, Dodgers 6
WP: Madson (1-0)
LP: Cigrani (0-1)
HR: Bellinger (5), MA Taylor 2 (6), Wieters (1), Harper (5), Murphy (3), Hernandez (2), C Taylor (2)
Game 4: Nationals 5, Dodgers 1
WP: Strasburg (4-1)
LP: Darvish (0-2)
HR: Wieters (2), T Turner (3)
Game 5: Nationals 7, Dodgers 3
WP: Scherzer (3-1)
LP: Kershaw (4-3)
HR: Puig (5), MA Taylor (7), Granderson (4)
Game 6: Dodgers 5, Nationals 3
WP: Fields (2-0)
LP: Roark (2-2)
Save: Jansen (8)
HR: Pederson (2), Zimmerman (8)
Game 7: Nationals 3, Dodgers 1
WP: Gonzalez (5-1)
LP: Wood (2-1)
Save: Doolittle (4)
HR: Murphy (4), MA Taylor (8)
The Nationals hit 15 homers in the seven games and won all three games in Washington to reach the finals.
Los Angeles took Game One at home, scoring four runs in the third inning off Max Scherzer. Yasmani Grandal and Curtis Granderson hit consecutive doubles in that rally. The Nats hit four homers, but only one came with a man on base.
Chase Utley's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth won Game Two for the Dodgers. Utley's blast off Washington closer Sean Doolittle followed the Nationals taking the lead in the top of the inning with an unearned run off Kenley Jansen.
The series moved East to Washington for a Game Three slugfest. Consecutive doubles by Anthony Rendon and Daniel Murphy knocked Alex Wood out of the game in the fifth inning. But Gio Gonzalez didn't last much longer, and Chris Taylor tied it with a solo homer in the seventh off Brandon Kintzler. But the Nationals racked three Dodger pitchers for seven runs in the eighth, with Michael A. Taylor and Matt Wieters hitting consecutive homers off Josh Fields and Bryce Harper a two-run shot off Tony Watson.
Stephen Strasburg allowed one run in 6.2 innings in Game Four, striking out 12. The Nats scored three in the third off Yu Darvish and added another in the fifth. Matt Grace threw two scoreless inning to wrap it up.
Scherzer went eight innings for the win in Game Five, allowing a solo homer to Granderson in the third but just two other singles. Brian Goodwin cracked the game open with a two-run pinch-hit double as the Nats scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Facing elimination in their home park in Game Six, the Dodgers pinch hit for starter Rich Hill in the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead. Joc Pederson made the move pay off with a grand-slam off Tanner Roark. The Dodger bullpen wasn't brilliant, but it got 15 outs without giving up the lead.
Which set up Game Seven. Murphy homered in the second off Alex Wood, and Gio Gonzalez held the 1-0 lead into the seventh. With two on and two out, Ryan Madson relieved to retire Chris Taylor. Michael Taylor hit a two-run homer off Pedro Baez to extend the lead to 3-0. Kintzler gave up an unearned run in the eighth and got the first two hitters of the ninth before giving way to Doolittle, who retired Utley to wrap up the series.
Player of the Series: Trea Turner.
Pitching availability: Kintzler should be limited to one inning in Game 1.
Projected rotation: Scherzer-Strasburg-Gonzalez-Roark-(Scherzer)-(Strasburg)-(Gonzalez)
WP: Kershaw (4-2)
LP: Scherzer (2-1)
Save: Jansen (7)
HR: Werth 2 (2), Hernandez (1), Seager (3), Harper (4)
Game 2: Dodgers 5, Nationals 4
WP: Jansen (2-0)
LP: Doolittle (0-2)
HR: Utley (1), Seager (4), Rendon (6)
Game 3: Nationals 13, Dodgers 6
WP: Madson (1-0)
LP: Cigrani (0-1)
HR: Bellinger (5), MA Taylor 2 (6), Wieters (1), Harper (5), Murphy (3), Hernandez (2), C Taylor (2)
Game 4: Nationals 5, Dodgers 1
WP: Strasburg (4-1)
LP: Darvish (0-2)
HR: Wieters (2), T Turner (3)
Game 5: Nationals 7, Dodgers 3
WP: Scherzer (3-1)
LP: Kershaw (4-3)
HR: Puig (5), MA Taylor (7), Granderson (4)
Game 6: Dodgers 5, Nationals 3
WP: Fields (2-0)
LP: Roark (2-2)
Save: Jansen (8)
HR: Pederson (2), Zimmerman (8)
Game 7: Nationals 3, Dodgers 1
WP: Gonzalez (5-1)
LP: Wood (2-1)
Save: Doolittle (4)
HR: Murphy (4), MA Taylor (8)
The Nationals hit 15 homers in the seven games and won all three games in Washington to reach the finals.
Los Angeles took Game One at home, scoring four runs in the third inning off Max Scherzer. Yasmani Grandal and Curtis Granderson hit consecutive doubles in that rally. The Nats hit four homers, but only one came with a man on base.
Chase Utley's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth won Game Two for the Dodgers. Utley's blast off Washington closer Sean Doolittle followed the Nationals taking the lead in the top of the inning with an unearned run off Kenley Jansen.
The series moved East to Washington for a Game Three slugfest. Consecutive doubles by Anthony Rendon and Daniel Murphy knocked Alex Wood out of the game in the fifth inning. But Gio Gonzalez didn't last much longer, and Chris Taylor tied it with a solo homer in the seventh off Brandon Kintzler. But the Nationals racked three Dodger pitchers for seven runs in the eighth, with Michael A. Taylor and Matt Wieters hitting consecutive homers off Josh Fields and Bryce Harper a two-run shot off Tony Watson.
Stephen Strasburg allowed one run in 6.2 innings in Game Four, striking out 12. The Nats scored three in the third off Yu Darvish and added another in the fifth. Matt Grace threw two scoreless inning to wrap it up.
Scherzer went eight innings for the win in Game Five, allowing a solo homer to Granderson in the third but just two other singles. Brian Goodwin cracked the game open with a two-run pinch-hit double as the Nats scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Facing elimination in their home park in Game Six, the Dodgers pinch hit for starter Rich Hill in the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead. Joc Pederson made the move pay off with a grand-slam off Tanner Roark. The Dodger bullpen wasn't brilliant, but it got 15 outs without giving up the lead.
Which set up Game Seven. Murphy homered in the second off Alex Wood, and Gio Gonzalez held the 1-0 lead into the seventh. With two on and two out, Ryan Madson relieved to retire Chris Taylor. Michael Taylor hit a two-run homer off Pedro Baez to extend the lead to 3-0. Kintzler gave up an unearned run in the eighth and got the first two hitters of the ninth before giving way to Doolittle, who retired Utley to wrap up the series.
Player of the Series: Trea Turner.
Pitching availability: Kintzler should be limited to one inning in Game 1.
Projected rotation: Scherzer-Strasburg-Gonzalez-Roark-(Scherzer)-(Strasburg)-(Gonzalez)
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Stat break: 2017 Cleveland Indians
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Brantley 58 10 25 8 3 1 1 5 0 .431
Bruce 67 12 24 17 6 1 4 14 2 .358
Chisenhall 54 6 11 14 2 0 4 5 0 .204
Encarncion 74 11 22 17 2 1 4 8 0 .297
Gomes 60 7 12 8 2 0 1 6 0 .200
Guyer 26 2 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 .269
A Jackson 29 8 10 2 3 0 2 9 0 .345
Kipnis 90 17 28 12 8 1 3 6 0 .311
Lindor 112 19 31 8 6 1 3 11 2 .277
Perez 37 2 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 .081
Ramirez 115 15 31 8 10 3 2 5 0 .270
Santana 94 14 18 14 0 1 3 14 0 .191
Urshela 18 2 9 4 2 0 0 0 0 .500
Zimmer 65 7 16 12 2 0 3 3 1 .246
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Allen 11 0 11.6 11 5 5 4 13 5 2 1 3.86
T Bauer 5 5 31.3 21 7 7 4 26 0 4 0 2.01
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
T Bauer 5 5 31.3 21 7 7 4 26 0 4 0 2.01
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
Carrasco 6 6 41 38 11 11 9 48 0 4 0 2.41
Clevenger 3 2 16 7 1 1 5 11 0 2 0 0.56
Goody 5 0 3.3 3 1 1 0 9 1 0 0 2.70Clevenger 3 2 16 7 1 1 5 11 0 2 0 0.56
McAllister 3 0 4.6 5 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 1.92
A Miller 15 0 20 12 7 7 10 34 1 1 1 3.15
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Otero 9 0 12 14 6 6 0 6 1 1 0 4.50
Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
Br Shaw 11 0 12 4 1 1 3 10 0 0 0 0.75Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
J Smith 6 0 4.6 4 1 1 0 4 0 0 1 1.92
Tomlin 2 2 8 12 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5.62
Stat break: 1961 Milwaukee Braves
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Aaron 126 15 33 10 9 2 2 2 3 .262
Adcock 122 20 30 19 5 1 8 9 0 .246
Bolling 104 9 27 8 4 1 2 13 0 .260
Cimoli 30 3 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .133
Crandall 8 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .125
DeMerit 10 4 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .200
Jones 27 2 10 4 1 0 0 2 0 .370
Lau 5 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 .200
Mantilla 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
Mathews 100 16 20 10 2 0 5 20 0 .200
Maye 91 9 17 8 1 1 4 3 2 .186
McMillan 100 9 19 7 2 1 0 7 0 .190
Spangler 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .100
Thomas 99 12 26 14 3 1 3 7 0 .263
Torre 104 12 29 17 2 1 4 3 0 .279
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Buhl 7 7 34.3 28 20 15 18 17 0 2 3 3.93
Burdette 8 8 61.6 61 23 20 12 23 0 3 3 2.92
Cloninger 9 0 15.3 7 6 6 10 15 0 2 0 3.52
Drabowsky 7 0 6.6 8 8 8 6 1 0 0 0 10.79
Hendley 9 0 15.6 15 3 3 11 9 1 1 0 1.72
McMahon 7 0 6.6 5 1 1 3 7 6 0 0 1.35
Nottebart 5 0 12.3 11 4 4 4 8 2 0 1 2.92
Raymond 6 0 5.3 5 3 3 4 3 0 0 1 5.07Burdette 8 8 61.6 61 23 20 12 23 0 3 3 2.92
Cloninger 9 0 15.3 7 6 6 10 15 0 2 0 3.52
Drabowsky 7 0 6.6 8 8 8 6 1 0 0 0 10.79
Hendley 9 0 15.6 15 3 3 11 9 1 1 0 1.72
McMahon 7 0 6.6 5 1 1 3 7 6 0 0 1.35
Nottebart 5 0 12.3 11 4 4 4 8 2 0 1 2.92
Spahn 10 10 84.3 48 14 13 25 44 0 8 1 1.39
Willey 5 4 22.6 23 12 12 14 14 0 2 2 4.76
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Final Four: 2017 Indians defeat 1961 Braves in six games
Game 1: Braves 1, Indians 0
WP: Spahn (7-1)
LP: Kubler (4-1)
Game 2: Indians 4, Braves 1
WP: Carrasco (3-0)
LP: Burdette (3-2)
Save: Allen (4)
Game 3: Indians 5, Braves 2
WP: Bauer (4-0)
LP: Buhl (2-3)
Save: Allen (5)
HR: Thomas (3)
Game 4: Braves 4, Indians 2
WP: Spahn (8-1)
LP: Tomlin (0-1)
HR: Lindor (3), A Jackson (2)
Game 5: Indians 5, Braves 0
WP: Kluber (5-1)
LP: Burdette (3-3)
HR: Santana (3)
Game 6: Indians 7, Braves 1
WP: Carrasco (4-0)
LP: Willey (2-2)
HR: Mathews (5)
The Cleveland bullpen allowed just one run in 13 innings over the six games, and their starters had five quality starts, smothering the Milwaukee offense.
Game One, in Cleveland's Progressive Field, was a marvelous duel between Warren Spahn and Corey Kluber. The sole run of the game came in the third, when Henry Aaron doubled and scored on Joe Adcock's single. Kluber allowed four hits and struck out nine in his complete game loss; Spahn also went the distance, scattering six hits and walking three. Only once, in the ninth inning, did the Tribe get a runner to third, but Spahn popped up Jay Bruce and fanned Brandon Guyer to end it.
Jason Kipnis tripled, doubled and singled in Game Two, driving in three runs and scoring another to support Carlos Carrasco and the bullpen. Carrasco allowed one run on five hits in seven innings, and Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen each threw a 1-2-3 inning in relief.
The series moved to 1961's County Stadium in Milwaukee, and the Tribe opened Game Three with a long two-run first off Bob Buhl that involved just one hit. Buhl walked two and hit a batter, and there was also an error and sac fly involved. Trevor Bauer allowed two runs in 6.1 innings for the win, with Dan Otero, Andrew Miller and Allen splitting the remaining outs.
Spahn evened the series with another complete game win in Game Four. Austin Jackson and Francisco Lindor each hit solo homers for Cleveland, but those came after Josh Tomlin had allowed four runs in five innings.
Kluber was stunning in Game Five, allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings. Michael Brantley's third inning triple was a key blow in a two-run rally off Lew Burdette, and Carlos Santana, who entered in a double switch the inning before, hit a three-run homer in the eighth to blow it open.
Cleveland wrapped up the series with an easy win back home in Game Six. Carlton Willey allowed four runs in 3.2 innings for Milwaukee, and Carrasco allowed plenty of baserunners but no runs in 5.2 innings. Otero got the final out of the sixth inning and worked a perfect seventh, and Miller worked the final two innings, allowing a homer to Eddie Mathews but striking out four.
Player of the Series: Corey Kluber
Pitcher availability: Carrasco is eligible to pitch on three days rest without penalty in the final series.
Projected rotation: Kluber-Carrasco-Bauer-Clevinger-(Kluber)-(Carrasco)-(Bauer)
WP: Spahn (7-1)
LP: Kubler (4-1)
Game 2: Indians 4, Braves 1
WP: Carrasco (3-0)
LP: Burdette (3-2)
Save: Allen (4)
Game 3: Indians 5, Braves 2
WP: Bauer (4-0)
LP: Buhl (2-3)
Save: Allen (5)
HR: Thomas (3)
Game 4: Braves 4, Indians 2
WP: Spahn (8-1)
LP: Tomlin (0-1)
HR: Lindor (3), A Jackson (2)
Game 5: Indians 5, Braves 0
WP: Kluber (5-1)
LP: Burdette (3-3)
HR: Santana (3)
Game 6: Indians 7, Braves 1
WP: Carrasco (4-0)
LP: Willey (2-2)
HR: Mathews (5)
The Cleveland bullpen allowed just one run in 13 innings over the six games, and their starters had five quality starts, smothering the Milwaukee offense.
Game One, in Cleveland's Progressive Field, was a marvelous duel between Warren Spahn and Corey Kluber. The sole run of the game came in the third, when Henry Aaron doubled and scored on Joe Adcock's single. Kluber allowed four hits and struck out nine in his complete game loss; Spahn also went the distance, scattering six hits and walking three. Only once, in the ninth inning, did the Tribe get a runner to third, but Spahn popped up Jay Bruce and fanned Brandon Guyer to end it.
Jason Kipnis tripled, doubled and singled in Game Two, driving in three runs and scoring another to support Carlos Carrasco and the bullpen. Carrasco allowed one run on five hits in seven innings, and Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen each threw a 1-2-3 inning in relief.
The series moved to 1961's County Stadium in Milwaukee, and the Tribe opened Game Three with a long two-run first off Bob Buhl that involved just one hit. Buhl walked two and hit a batter, and there was also an error and sac fly involved. Trevor Bauer allowed two runs in 6.1 innings for the win, with Dan Otero, Andrew Miller and Allen splitting the remaining outs.
Spahn evened the series with another complete game win in Game Four. Austin Jackson and Francisco Lindor each hit solo homers for Cleveland, but those came after Josh Tomlin had allowed four runs in five innings.
Kluber was stunning in Game Five, allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings. Michael Brantley's third inning triple was a key blow in a two-run rally off Lew Burdette, and Carlos Santana, who entered in a double switch the inning before, hit a three-run homer in the eighth to blow it open.
Cleveland wrapped up the series with an easy win back home in Game Six. Carlton Willey allowed four runs in 3.2 innings for Milwaukee, and Carrasco allowed plenty of baserunners but no runs in 5.2 innings. Otero got the final out of the sixth inning and worked a perfect seventh, and Miller worked the final two innings, allowing a homer to Eddie Mathews but striking out four.
Player of the Series: Corey Kluber
Pitcher availability: Carrasco is eligible to pitch on three days rest without penalty in the final series.
Projected rotation: Kluber-Carrasco-Bauer-Clevinger-(Kluber)-(Carrasco)-(Bauer)
Saturday, April 13, 2019
End of Round Four
Advancing: 2017 Dodgers, 2017 Indians, 2017 Nationals, 1961 Braves
Eliminated: 1961 Tigers, 2017 Yankees, 1924 Pirates, 2017 Phillies
2017 teams won three series, lost two series. Theywere a combined 12-10 in the third round.
1961 teams won one series, lost one series. They were a combined 5-7 in the third round.
The sole 1924 team lost its series. It went 3-4 in the third round.
Two No. 1 seeds reached the final four, one No. 3 seed, and one No. 6 seed.
Combined franchise records through the third round:
Original AL teams: NY 24-21; DET 17-16; STB-BAL 13-15; W-MN 22-14; BOS 12-16; P-K-O 7-13; CWS 16-20; CLE 27-16.
Original NL teams: NY-SF 9-12; BR-LA 30-20; PIT 22-20; CIN 14-16; CHC 13-14; STL 12-14; B-M-A 18-15; PHI 16-21
Expansion AL teams: LAA 2-8; W-TX 3-8; HOU 6-5; KC 6-5; SEA 0-4; TOR 3-4; TB 1-4
Expansion NL teams: NYM 3-4; SD 0-4; WSN 16-4; MIL 9-7; MIA 2-4; COL 7-6; ARZ 9-8
Stat break: 1961 Milwaukee Braves
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Aaron 103 14 29 9 6 2 2 2 3 .282
Adcock 99 19 25 18 3 1 8 9 0 .253
Bolling 85 9 21 8 2 1 2 11 0 .247
Cimoli 29 3 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .138
Crandall 8 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .125
DeMerit 10 4 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .200
Jones 19 2 8 3 1 0 0 2 0 .421
Lau 5 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 .200
Mantilla 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
Mathews 81 14 15 8 2 0 4 17 0 .185
Maye 68 8 15 7 0 1 4 2 2 .221
McMillan 82 8 18 7 1 1 0 6 0 .220
Spangler 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Thomas 78 11 23 12 3 1 2 6 0 .295
Torre 84 11 27 16 2 1 4 3 0 .321
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Buhl 6 6 29.3 24 17 12 15 10 0 2 2 3.68
Burdette 6 6 44.6 41 15 13 8 17 0 3 1 2.62
Cloninger 8 0 13.3 7 6 6 10 13 0 2 0 4.05
Drabowsky 5 0 5.3 7 6 6 5 1 0 0 0 10.13
Hendley 8 0 13.3 10 0 0 7 9 1 1 0 0.00
McMahon 6 0 5 5 1 1 3 6 6 0 0 1.80
Nottebart 4 0 11.3 10 3 3 4 8 2 0 1 2.38
Raymond 5 0 4.3 5 3 3 4 3 0 0 1 6.24Burdette 6 6 44.6 41 15 13 8 17 0 3 1 2.62
Cloninger 8 0 13.3 7 6 6 10 13 0 2 0 4.05
Drabowsky 5 0 5.3 7 6 6 5 1 0 0 0 10.13
Hendley 8 0 13.3 10 0 0 7 9 1 1 0 0.00
McMahon 6 0 5 5 1 1 3 6 6 0 0 1.80
Nottebart 4 0 11.3 10 3 3 4 8 2 0 1 2.38
Spahn 8 8 66.3 39 12 11 19 33 0 6 1 1.49
Willey 4 3 19 17 8 8 10 13 0 2 1 3.79
Stat break: 1924 Pittsburgh Pirates
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Barnhart 38 7 9 4 2 1 0 5 0 .237
Bigbee 19 5 4 3 0 1 0 2 1 .211
Carey 113 23 32 7 3 4 4 10 6 .283
Cuyler 118 14 36 27 4 4 6 3 3 .305
Ens 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
Gooch 53 6 13 7 1 1 0 7 0 .184
Grimm 108 11 27 13 3 3 0 5 0 .250
Maranville 98 11 25 10 8 4 1 4 5 .255
Moore 59 15 19 3 2 2 0 6 0 .322
Mueller 6 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .167
Schmidt 13 0 3 2 0 0 0 2 1 .231
E Smith 37 3 15 8 4 0 3 3 0 .405
Traynor 101 19 31 15 6 3 2 12 2 .307
Wright 112 16 38 16 10 2 2 3 3 .339
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Adams 6 0 9.3 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0.96
Cooper 7 7 48 55 34 25 18 26 0 1 4 4.69
Kremer 7 7 61 49 16 15 8 28 0 5 1 2.21
Lundgren 1 0 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.50
Meadows 5 5 41 50 22 20 13 23 0 2 2 4.39
Cooper 7 7 48 55 34 25 18 26 0 1 4 4.69
Kremer 7 7 61 49 16 15 8 28 0 5 1 2.21
Lundgren 1 0 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.50
Meadows 5 5 41 50 22 20 13 23 0 2 2 4.39
Morrison 7 0 17.6 13 5 3 8 9 1 3 0 1.53
Pfeffer 6 0 15 11 4 3 2 7 1 0 0 1.80
Stone 2 0 1.6 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0.00
Yde 7 5 39.3 36 22 16 13 16 0 3 1 3.66
Pfeffer 6 0 15 11 4 3 2 7 1 0 0 1.80
Stone 2 0 1.6 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0.00
Yde 7 5 39.3 36 22 16 13 16 0 3 1 3.66
John bracket: 1961 Braves defeat 1924 Pirates in seven games
Game 1: Braves 9, Pirates 7
WP: Spahn (5-1)
LP: Cooper (1-3)
Save: McMahon (4)
HR: Mathews (4)
Game 2: Braves 5, Pirates 3
WP: Burdette (3-0)
LP: Meadows (1-2)
Save: McMahon (5)
HR: Maye (4), Cuyler (5), Adcock (7)
Game 3: Pirates 2, Braves 1
WP: Kremer (5-0)
LP: Buhl (2-2)
Save: Morrison (1)
Game 4: Pirates 5, Braves 4
WP: Yde (3-1)
LP: Nottebart (0-1)
Game 5: Braves 2, Pirates 1
WP: Spahn (6-1)
LP: Cooper (1-4)
HR: Torre (4), Carey (4)
Game 6: Pirates 10, Braves 2
WP: Meadows (2-2)
LP: Burdette (3-1)
HR: Cuyler (6)
Game 7: Braves 4, Pirates 3
WP: Hendley (1-0)
LP: Kremer (5-1)
Save: McMahon (6)
HR: Adcock (8), Traynor (2), Bolling (2)
The Braves won three road games to advance to the final four despite being outscored for the series.
Milwaukee scored an unearned run in the second inning of the opener in Forbes Field to take the lead and opened it up in the third as the first six hitters that inning got hits or walks. Warren Spahn allowed two runs in seven innings. The Pirates scored five runs in the final two innings off Claude Raymond and Moe Drabowsky to make the final score close.
Lee Maye hit a two-run homer in the third inning of Game Two to stake Lew Burdette to the early lead and singled home another run in the fifth. Kiki Cuyler hit a three-run homer in the seventh to cut the margin to 4-3, but Joe Adcock homered in the eighth off reliever Johnny Morrison to give Don McMahon some breathing room in the ninth.
The series moved to 1961 and County Stadium. The Braves struck quickly off Ray Kremer, with leadoff man Maye getting a single and scoring from first on Henry Aaron's double. But Aaron was thrown out at home on Adcock's grounder, and Kremer and Morrison allowed no runs the rest of the way. The Pirates turned two walks and two singles into two runs in the fourth, and that was enough for the win.
Emil Yde went the distance in Game Four as the Pirates evened the series. The southpaw scattered seven hits, including RBI triples by Adcock and Roy McMillan. Pittsburgh took the lead in the seventh with a three-run rally off Don Nottebart without an extra-base hit.
Warren Spahn dominated Game 5. allowing three hits and no walks. The sole Pittsburgh run came on Max Carey's homer in the ninth. Wilbur Cooper pitched well in the loss; Joe Torre homered in the second, and the other Milwaukee run came courtesy of Pie Traynor's two-base error in the seventh.
The series reverted to Pittsburgh 1924 for Game Six, and it was the series' only blow out. The Pirates scored six runs off Burdette in the first four innings, with triples from Charlie Grimm, Rabbit Maranville and starter Lee Meadows. Cuyler put an exclaimation mark on the score with a three-run homer off Tony Cloninger in the sixth. Meadows allowed one earned run in eight innings on seven hits.
That sent the series to a Game Seven. Traynor touched Milwaukee starter Bob Buhl for a two-run homer in the second, and Kremer held the 2-0 lead until Adcock hit his own two-run shot in the sixth. Carey gunned down McMillan at the plate on Del Crandall's pinch-hit double to end the seventh, and reliever Bob Hendley held the Pirates scoreless for two innings. Frank Thomas doubled home Maye in the eighth and Frank Bolling homered in the top of the ninth for a 4-2 lead. McMahon allowed a run in the bottom of the inning, but struck out pinch-hitter Earl Smith with two on to end the game and series.
Player of the Series: Warren Spahn
Pitcher use restrictions: Milwaukee's bullpen will be fully rested for the next round. Spahn and Burdette may now pitch on short rest without penalty, the only pitchers to qualify for that status remaining.
Projected rotation: Spahn-Burdette-Buhl-Spahn-(Burdette)-(Willey)-(Spahn)
WP: Spahn (5-1)
LP: Cooper (1-3)
Save: McMahon (4)
HR: Mathews (4)
Game 2: Braves 5, Pirates 3
WP: Burdette (3-0)
LP: Meadows (1-2)
Save: McMahon (5)
HR: Maye (4), Cuyler (5), Adcock (7)
Game 3: Pirates 2, Braves 1
WP: Kremer (5-0)
LP: Buhl (2-2)
Save: Morrison (1)
Game 4: Pirates 5, Braves 4
WP: Yde (3-1)
LP: Nottebart (0-1)
Game 5: Braves 2, Pirates 1
WP: Spahn (6-1)
LP: Cooper (1-4)
HR: Torre (4), Carey (4)
Game 6: Pirates 10, Braves 2
WP: Meadows (2-2)
LP: Burdette (3-1)
HR: Cuyler (6)
Game 7: Braves 4, Pirates 3
WP: Hendley (1-0)
LP: Kremer (5-1)
Save: McMahon (6)
HR: Adcock (8), Traynor (2), Bolling (2)
The Braves won three road games to advance to the final four despite being outscored for the series.
Milwaukee scored an unearned run in the second inning of the opener in Forbes Field to take the lead and opened it up in the third as the first six hitters that inning got hits or walks. Warren Spahn allowed two runs in seven innings. The Pirates scored five runs in the final two innings off Claude Raymond and Moe Drabowsky to make the final score close.
Lee Maye hit a two-run homer in the third inning of Game Two to stake Lew Burdette to the early lead and singled home another run in the fifth. Kiki Cuyler hit a three-run homer in the seventh to cut the margin to 4-3, but Joe Adcock homered in the eighth off reliever Johnny Morrison to give Don McMahon some breathing room in the ninth.
The series moved to 1961 and County Stadium. The Braves struck quickly off Ray Kremer, with leadoff man Maye getting a single and scoring from first on Henry Aaron's double. But Aaron was thrown out at home on Adcock's grounder, and Kremer and Morrison allowed no runs the rest of the way. The Pirates turned two walks and two singles into two runs in the fourth, and that was enough for the win.
Emil Yde went the distance in Game Four as the Pirates evened the series. The southpaw scattered seven hits, including RBI triples by Adcock and Roy McMillan. Pittsburgh took the lead in the seventh with a three-run rally off Don Nottebart without an extra-base hit.
Warren Spahn dominated Game 5. allowing three hits and no walks. The sole Pittsburgh run came on Max Carey's homer in the ninth. Wilbur Cooper pitched well in the loss; Joe Torre homered in the second, and the other Milwaukee run came courtesy of Pie Traynor's two-base error in the seventh.
The series reverted to Pittsburgh 1924 for Game Six, and it was the series' only blow out. The Pirates scored six runs off Burdette in the first four innings, with triples from Charlie Grimm, Rabbit Maranville and starter Lee Meadows. Cuyler put an exclaimation mark on the score with a three-run homer off Tony Cloninger in the sixth. Meadows allowed one earned run in eight innings on seven hits.
That sent the series to a Game Seven. Traynor touched Milwaukee starter Bob Buhl for a two-run homer in the second, and Kremer held the 2-0 lead until Adcock hit his own two-run shot in the sixth. Carey gunned down McMillan at the plate on Del Crandall's pinch-hit double to end the seventh, and reliever Bob Hendley held the Pirates scoreless for two innings. Frank Thomas doubled home Maye in the eighth and Frank Bolling homered in the top of the ninth for a 4-2 lead. McMahon allowed a run in the bottom of the inning, but struck out pinch-hitter Earl Smith with two on to end the game and series.
Player of the Series: Warren Spahn
Pitcher use restrictions: Milwaukee's bullpen will be fully rested for the next round. Spahn and Burdette may now pitch on short rest without penalty, the only pitchers to qualify for that status remaining.
Projected rotation: Spahn-Burdette-Buhl-Spahn-(Burdette)-(Willey)-(Spahn)
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Stat break: 1961 Detroit Tigers
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Bertoia 14 2 5 6 0 0 2 1 0 .357
Boros 62 6 9 6 0 0 1 6 0 .145
Brown 52 10 20 8 2 3 3 1 0 .385
Bruton 91 14 22 10 4 1 2 10 2 .242
Cash 77 16 26 15 4 1 5 16 0 .338
Colavito 83 22 30 17 12 1 7 13 0 .361
Fernandez 76 10 24 6 1 2 0 6 1 .316
Kaline 87 12 29 10 3 0 3 8 0 .333
Maxwell 16 2 4 4 1 0 0 0 0 .250
McAuliffe 36 6 8 8 1 1 2 4 0 .222
Morton 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
Osborne 13 3 5 5 2 0 0 0 0 .385
Rourke 30 3 6 5 0 0 0 2 0 .200
Wood 75 9 17 11 3 1 2 5 3 .227
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Aguirre 9 0 6 7 8 8 6 3 0 1 1 12.00
Bunning 6 6 40.3 34 15 14 18 30 0 2 2 3.12
Casale 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9.00
Fox 7 0 9.6 5 1 1 0 4 3 0 0 0.93Bunning 6 6 40.3 34 15 14 18 30 0 2 2 3.12
Casale 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9.00
Kline 7 0 4.6 9 8 8 2 4 1 0 1 15.42
Lary 7 7 46.6 47 19 18 7 27 0 6 1 3.47
Lary 7 7 46.6 47 19 18 7 27 0 6 1 3.47
Mossi 4 4 27.6 31 16 15 4 12 0 3 1 4.88
Regan 11 0 12.3 17 16 12 7 6 0 0 0 8.76
Staley 6 0 7.3 13 5 5 2 2 1 1 0 6.14
Woodeshick 9 0 10.6 8 5 4 5 6 0 0 0 3.37
Regan 11 0 12.3 17 16 12 7 6 0 0 0 8.76
Staley 6 0 7.3 13 5 5 2 2 1 1 0 6.14
Woodeshick 9 0 10.6 8 5 4 5 6 0 0 0 3.37
Stat break: 2017 Cleveland Indians
Hitters
Name AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SB Avg,
Brantley 40 7 17 3 3 0 1 4 0 .425
Bruce 48 10 20 15 5 1 4 10 2 .417
Chisenhall 45 6 9 11 0 0 4 4 0 .200
Encarncion 59 10 20 17 2 1 4 6 0 .339
Gomes 48 6 9 6 2 0 1 4 0 .188
Guyer 19 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 .316
A Jackson 22 6 9 1 3 0 1 8 0 .409
Kipnis 71 12 21 9 7 0 3 3 0 .296
Lindor 85 15 26 6 5 1 2 10 1 .306
Perez 30 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .067
Ramirez 89 14 25 7 9 3 2 4 0 .281
Santana 66 10 14 11 0 1 2 9 0 .212
Urshela 18 2 9 4 2 0 0 0 0 .500
Zimmer 58 7 14 12 2 0 3 3 1 .241
Pitchers
Name G GS IP H R ER BB K Sv. W L ERA
Allen 9 0 9.6 11 5 5 4 11 3 2 1 4.65
T Bauer 4 4 25 16 5 5 2 21 0 3 0 1.80
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
T Bauer 4 4 25 16 5 5 2 21 0 3 0 1.80
Breslow 3 0 1.3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 6.77
Carrasco 5 5 28.3 27 10 10 6 32 0 2 0 3.18
Clevenger 3 2 16 7 1 1 5 11 0 2 0 0.56
Goody 4 0 1.3 2 1 1 0 6 1 0 0 6.77Clevenger 3 2 16 7 1 1 5 11 0 2 0 0.56
McAllister 3 0 4.6 5 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 1.92
A Miller 13 0 17 10 6 6 10 28 1 1 1 3.18
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Olson 3 0 1.6 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.59
Otero 6 0 9 13 6 6 0 4 1 1 0 6.00
Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
Br Shaw 9 0 10 4 1 1 3 8 0 0 0 0.90Salazar 1 1 4.6 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 3.86
J Smith 5 0 3.6 4 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 2.45
Tomlin 1 1 3 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3.00
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