We're in the FINAL FOUR for the first season in the 30 for 30 League, and it's the teams we all expected (heavy sarcasm) -- National League newcomers Miami and Arizona square off in the NLCS while #2 Wild Card Seattle takes on 87-win Boston in the ALCS. League wise, a lot of drama is built up by 2/3 of the "Columbus crew" making it to the final four -- Miami (Turkey Sandwich) and Seattle (Izzaldizzal). Meanwhile, you've seen Win Dance Repeat (WDR) write articles on this here blog and if you're on the discord, you're very familiar with him (and his Boston trash talk ;)). Rounding out the participants is Mikey for Arizona -- I was best man at his wedding and he was with me when the first league I ever played in was formed in our dorm in 2011, chipped in to order custom cards from Colby in 2011 and chipped in on charting and playing out a league for my very own first custom set in 2012.... and so the stage is set for these four experienced Showdown players' teams to square off in Savard's awesome simulator... The pennants for both leagues are on the line!! PLAY BALL
NLCS: (4) Miami at (3) Arizona
If you're curious about the lineups and rotations, they were all posted in the Division Series recap... so let's get right into the action!
GAME 1: Arizona 6-4
The DBacks strike first, thanks to a walk-off, two-run homer off of Marlins ace closer Armando Benitez in the bottom of the ninth. Both Miami's Dontrelle Willis and Arizona's Randy Johnson went 7 IP while giving up 4 runs, making it 4-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth. With Paul Goldschmidt on second base and 2 outs, Justin Upton absolutely smashed a 3-1 fastball in over the left field wall, walking off the fish and moving the DBacks (wearing their purple alts, obviously) one step closer to World Series glory. Cliff Floyd and Kevin Millar homered for Miami, but Justin Upton was easily player of the game, finishing 3-4 with a HR, 3 RBI, R and BB.
Game 2: 5-2 Marlins
As seems to be their nature, the Marlins dropped game 1 but came right back in Game 2, refusing to be down and out. Alex Fernandez matched up against Curt Schilling, and the Tier 2 out-dueled the Tier 1 Arizona ace, surrendering only 2 runs to Schilling's 3 in this one. Miami pulled away in the 8th and 9th thanks to scattering a run per inning off of Valverde and Ziegler. Benitez redeemed himself with the 1-2-3 save in the 9th. Three different Marlins collected three hits in this one (Delgado, Sheffield and Floyd). For his pair of doubles to go with his RBI and R (while going 3-5), Gary Sheffield will take player of the game honors!
Game 3: 2-1 Arizona (13 innings)
In hilarious fashion, the loser of this game will absolutely drive the manager mad... Michael "can't believe he got so many IP" Tejera would up pitching the 13th inning for the Marlins, and he gave up a 2-out triple to Luis Gonzalez, resulting in Miguel Montero coming all the way around from first base to score the winning run. Pitching was definitely the name of the game, as the teams were tied 1-1 entering the 13th. Both Zac Gallen and Jose Fernandez pitched spectacularly, with Fernandez going 7 IP and giving up 5 hits, 1 bb and wracking up 11 K. Meanwhile, Gallen had three baserunners in 7 innings, plus 10 K. Luis Castillo scored the lone Marlins run in the 10th inning to extend the game (BS to Matt Mantie) after Kyle Barraclaugh gave up a run in the top half. However, in the 13th, Felix Rodriguez shut the door for the save. When you look at how weak Arizona's bullpen is, you know the Marlins manager has to feel like this was a key, very winnable game that got away. Player of the game is easily Gonzo, as he went 2-6 with a 3B, HR, 2 RBI and a run.
Game 4: 5-3 Arizona
Wow, another bullpen loss for the Marlins, this one after another gorgeous start by Josh Johnson (7 IP, 1 ER) that had the Marlins sitting pretty at 3-1 entering the 8th inning. Kevin Millar was key in building the lead, thanks to his 2-run HR in the fourth inning. Emilio Bonafacio also got in on the run creation, driving in Luis Castillo in the 5th. However.... the 8th inning was a breaking point, as Brian Harvey got shelled. After getting the first two batters of the 8th out, the top four hitters went hit-hit-hit-hit against him, including a 3-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt that I swear hit that dumb Marlin out in centerfield. With that, Harvey was pulled for Barraclaugh, but the damage was done... Arizona closed it out and they're going to Game 5 on the precipice of a World Series trip!
Game 5: 4-3 Marlins
HANG ON FOLKS, the Marlins are not going quietly into that great night, as they fight and scrap their way through Game 5, sending the series back to the desert. Arizona felt like they had it thanks to a great outing from ace Randy Johnson (7 IP, 2 ER, 7 K) giving them a 3-2 lead heading into the 8th inning... perfect for their Valverde-Ziegler combo to shut it down and send them to the World Series... but NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS, as Gary Sheffield draws a walk and BOOM Cliff Floyd crushes one into the right field bleachers to give Miami the lead. Harvey redeems himself with the W and Benitez cruises to the save, giving the 'Fish fans a ray of hope even if the DBacks go home with a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6: 3-1 Marlins
We are going to GAME 7 in Arizona, as the Marlins put up the score to mock the DBacks of 3-1... potentially the lead that Arizona could blow if they don't figure out this Marlins pitching staff fast. Alex Fernandez has a good case for NLCS MVP after another sensational start. He's undoubtedly the player of the game after a COMPLETE GAME with only 4 hits (and no walks) to go with 8 K. Absolutely masterful performance by the Marlins #4 starter, once again besting the Tier 1 Curt Schilling (of so much postseason glory), this time in a key elimination game. Arizona must be especially concerned because another Fernandez is taking the mount in Game 7...... and Jose was the ERA and WHIP leader in all of baseball. Miami is absolutely riding the momentum right now -- can it lead them from wild card to world series, just like their two real titles??
Game 7: 2-0 Arizona
The Diamondbacks are going to the World Series!!!!!! A massive congratulations to Mikey for punching the first ticket to the promised land and securing the NL Pennant!! In Game 7, the DBacks apparently realized that the bats would never get hot, so the key to success was keeping the Marlins from scoring at all! Zac Gallen pitched out of his mind with seven shutout innings, scattering 7 hits and 2 walks with 8 k. Valverde and Ziegler combined for the 8th and 9th, giving up 1 hit in those innings to slam the door shut. Hard to fault Jose for this one -- the dude went 7 innings with 1 R surrendered and only 4 hits and 2 walks. In what proved to be crucial, the Marlins failed to get a single extra base hit in the game. Meanwhile, the DBacks had one -- a solo shot by JD Martinez in the 8th that would've been the decider even without Goldy knocking in AJ Pollack with 2 outs in the 4th inning. With his heroic efforts in out-performing baseball's best pitcher at limiting both runs and baserunners, the player of the game has to be Zac Gallen!!
A straightforward Bean-town beatdown in game 1, with the Red Sox systematically destroying the Mariners. Josh Beckett went 7 strong for Boston, only giving up five baserunners while striking out 8. Meanwhile, four different Red Sox had RBI, including a solo blast from David Ortiz into deep, deep centerfield and two different RBIs from the 8-hole, Andrew Benintendi. In the end, player of the game has to be Beckett for his lights out start against a deadly Mariners lineup.
Game 2: 4-0 Boston
The bats went cold on the east coast for the Mariners... Perhaps the layoff from their sweep of the Guardians made them too rusty? Just hard to watch a team featuring THREE All Star starters (ARod, Griffey, Edgar) plus Ichiro and Nelson Cruz, could go back-to-back shutouts... but this Boston staff is nasty, and this time it was Rick Porcello's turn! Porcello went 8 innings, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks without letting anybody cross the plate. With this pitching getting red hot, the Red Sox look like they'll eliminate any curse talk right off the bat in the 30 for 30 league!
Game 3: 12-4 Mariners
Ok, maybe we'll have a series after all, as Seattle returned home and their bats caught absolute fire! Danny Darwin got lit up for 8 runs, with a lot of damage coming from Kyle Seager (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI). Ken Griffey Jr also added multiple HRs and 3 RBI while crossing home plate 3 times too (2-3, BB and 2 HR). A-Rod and Nelson Cruz added homers of their own, with A-Rod driving in three runs. Definitely a powerful display by the Mariners to insert themselves right back into the narrative
Game 4: 7-2 Boston
The Red Sox pulled away early in this one, tagging Michael Pineda with 5 runs and chasing him in the fifth inning. Their lineup was also stymied by Derek Lowe, giving Boston a commanding 3-1 lead... but as we saw in the NLCS, that doesn't guarantee anything! However, the Red Sox pitching has been nearly untouchable in 3/4th of this series, putting Seattle in a rough situation. Meanwhile, Boston's bats were red hot. Most of the damage came from Kevin Youkilis (3-5, 2B HR 3 RBI 2 R) and Mookie Betts (2-4 2B HR 3 RBI R BB) in the heart of the order. Now, Boston turns once more to postseason stud Josh Beckett while Seattle will desperately attempt to summon the power that got them the game 3 blowout win.
Game 5: 1-0 Boston
The Red Sox will be representing the American League in the 30 for 30 World Series, thanks almost entirely to Josh Beckett, who went 7 IP and gave up a measly 3 hits and 1 walk. Papelbon and Uehara then slammed the door, giving up one hit.... overall, only five hitters reached base for Seattle. However, only five hitters reached base for Boston, with King Felix doing his best to valiantly force a Game 6 -- 7 IP, 2 hits and 2 walks... however, one hit belonged to Mookie Betts, who went 427 feet opposite field for the deciding homer. No dramatic comeback or going back to the opposite coast -- Boston is pulling a Niles Crane and dancing up a storm in the streets of Seattle tonight!!!!
JUST LIKE THAT -- THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE FIRST SEASON OF THE 30 for 30 LEAGUE IS SET AND READY FOR SIMMING: (3) Arizona vs (3) Boston!!!
Both teams went 87-75 during the regular season, and neither were the favorites to win their respective divisions. Overcoming all the odds, this is definitely an unexpected but nifty World Series battle ahead! Plus, it features a pair of Showdown managers that I frequently consult and pick the brains of that have distinct strategies to me (piling up high OB hitters for WDR; Mikey putting out a ton of speed and over and over and over hearing him go "stealing")...... it's going to be a helluva matchup!!
but who are the series MVPs?
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