We're finally here, after 162 (or 163) games and the Wild Card round.... the PLAYOFFS proper!!! The matchups are well-known: Mikey's DBacks v. Bosh's Phillies, My 106-win Brewers vs the Wild Card winning Marlins led by Turkey Sandwich, WDR's Red Sox against Tensin's Astros, and the red hot Mariners of Izzaldizzal against KSGriff's Guardians.... So now, here we go: baseball's ELITE EIGHT from the 30 for 30 season kicks off now!!!
(3) Arizona (87-75) vs (2) Philadelphia (92-71)
DBACKS PLAYOFF LINEUP
DBACKS PLAYOFF ROTATION
PHILLIES PLAYOFF LINEUP
PHILLIES PLAYOFF ROTATION
GAME 1: 4-3 PHILADELPHIA (11 innings)
The Phillies took game 1. David Bell was the home team's MVP, thanks to his 2 homers (and 3 RBI), including the game-winning, lead-off walk off blast in the 11th! Both starters went 7 while giving up 2, but in the end, it was the Phillies who triumphed in a bullpen battle!
GAME 2: 7-5 ARIZONA (11 innings)
The DBacks strike back in ANOTHER instant classic, punishing the Phillies bullpen... Ken Giles blew the save in the 9th, and then the DBacks added the pair of game-deciding runs in the 11th. Arizona got excellent contributions from their main hitters, with Marte, Gonzo, Goldy and JD hitting homers in the game.
GAME 3: 6-2 ARIZONA
Finally, a more conventional outcome -- Arizona got to Roy Halladay in the sixth inning, chasing him early while scoring 6 runs off the hall-of-famer. Once again, the DBacks did it via the longball, with Marte, Upton, Segura and Montero going deep!
GAME 4: 4-2 ARIZONA
Just like that, we've got our first entrant into the final four!! The DBacks got a stressful but successful performance from Brandon Webb (7 IP, 2 R but 10 H, 3 BB), getting very fortunate in stranding Philly's baserunners. Meanwhile, their offense was entirely generated by a grand slam by JD Martinez. So even though they only had 9 baserunners all game, the DBacks are cruising into the NLCS!
(4) Miami 91-72 vs (1) Milwaukee 106-56
MARLINS PLAYOFF LINEUP
MARLINS PLAYOFF ROTATION
BREWERS PLAYOFF LINEUP
BREWERS PLAYOFF ROTATION
GAME 1: Brewers 2-1
I'm flying high after the first game, as it went according to the Brewers style all season: pitch better than the other guy. Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes went 7 shutout innings, giving up 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10. Hader gave up a run but still secured the save, while Christian Yelich and Prince Fielder drove in Ryan Braun and Paul Molitor, respectively, to put up just enough offensive against the potent Josh Johnson (7 IP, 2 R). If this keeps up, I'm feeling good about my World Series chances.
GAME 2: Marlins 3-0
Well, now that's deflating!! Dontrelle Willis went 8 innings and scatters 7 hits and 8 walks... but despite nearly a 2 whip, my squad just could not score. Meanwhile, Miggy drove in two runs that proved to be the difference and Delgado knocked in another one for good measure. The series now turns to Miami after this impressive performance for game 3! Also, I feel less good about my World Series chances!!
GAME 3: Marlins 6-4
Well, I'm on the ropes now, as Miami takes a 2-1 series lead behind a strong 7 IP, 3 R outing from Alex Fernandez. Meanwhile, my third Tier 1 struggled, with Ben Sheets surrendering 4 runs (and Trevor Hoffman giving up 2 more in the 8th). Three Marlins homered in this one - Sheffield, Floyd and Miggy... all three homers were two run blasts, which was the difference in the game! Just like that..... Miami will send out the MLB leader in ERA and WHIP for the clinching game at home.
GAME 4: Brewers 9-7
My team survives to force a game 5 against the vaunted Jose Fernandez!! That's an understatement -- Milwaukee rocked him (8 runs in 4 IP). However..... that wasn't enough to cruise, as Freddy Peralta gave up 7 runs in 4.1 IP!!! Luckily for my team, the bullpen held it together the rest of the way (4.2 IP of shutout ball), including 1.2 IP from Corey Knebel. Yelich had a clutch 2-4, 4 RBI with a HR and 2B game to lead the charge on offense.
GAME 5: Marlins 6-2
Miami strikes back!! Josh Johnson had a marvelous 7 IP, 2 R (10 K!) start while the Marlins offense pushed the NL Cy Young winner out of the game in the middle of the sixth (5.1 IP, 4 R). Gary Sheffield and Cliff Floyd both hit homers while Miggy went 2-4 with a pair of RBI. Delgado added a RBI for good measure and Barraclaugh + Harvey pitched two shutout innings. Definitely a deflating end to my season after cruising to the best record in the regular season, but the Marlins beat me at my own game in the NLDS. Major congratulations to the Marlins and their well-constructed, very fun team!!
So just like that, the NLCS is set -- (4) Miami vs (3) Arizona! Just like everyone suspected prior to the season, a battle of 90s newbies!
(4) Seattle (86-76) vs (1) Cleveland (91-71)
Seattle Playoff Lineup
Seattle Playoff Rotation
Cleveland Playoff Lineup
Cleveland Playoff Rotation
GAME 1: 4-1 Mariners
Seattle kept its hot streak going, with Freddy Garcia shutting down the Guardians' potent lineup (7 IP, 4 h, 1 bb, 1 r). Meanwhile, the Mariners got to AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, putting up four runs in his eight innings. The majority of those runs came from Nelson Cruz, who knocked in 3 runs, including a clutch 2-out, 2 RBI double. Predictably, Edgar Martinez also added an RBI.
GAME 2: 5-0 Mariners
Well, the #1 seed is once again in grave peril. Cleveland's second Tier 1 pitcher had even less success this time, getting torched for 5 runs. Those five runs were the result of two homers -- a three-run blast by Ken Griffey Jr and a two-run homer by Tino Martinez. Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer pitched a true gem, going 8 shutout innings and giving up only 3 walks and 2 hits. Absolute domination so far as. the series shifts. to Seattle.
GAME 3: 3-2 Mariners
Well there you have it, a SWEEP! With its comeback in the standings, wild card upset and this sweep... team of destiny rumors have already started in Seattle! Another shutout from the starter, with Michael Pineda giving up 5 hits and 0 walks along with collecting 7 K in 7 IP. While Arthur Rhodes surrendered a pair of runs in the 8th to make it dramatic, that wasn't enough to overcome the three runs Seattle quickly put on starter Carlos Carrasco. Tino Martinez was responsible for 2 RBI.
So through 3/4 of the series, it's been advantageous as the lower seed -- and don't sleep on wild card teams!
(3) Boston (87-75) vs (2) Houston (88-75)
Boston Playoff Lineup
Boston Playoff Rotation
Houston Playoff Lineup
GAME 1: Boston 4-3
The Red Sox take game one in a bullpen battle, with Billy Wagner of all pitchers giving up the winning run in the top of the 9th. Koji Uehara didn't have the same issues, going 1-2-3 with a pair of K in the bottom of 9 for the save. The hero for the Red Sox in the 9th was Jacoby Ellsbury, although they were only in that spot thanks to Mookie's 3-run homer earlier in the game.
Game 2: Houston 2-1
This one rests solely on the shoulders of Jonathan Papelbon, who gave up a two-run homer to Carl Everett in the 8th inning to blow the 1-0 lead that was protected for 7 innings by Josh Beckett (0 R, 7 h, 4 bb, 9 k). Wagner had a redeeming 9th inning, going 1-2-3 with 2 k.
Game 3: Boston 7-5
Ok, take back everything I just said about Wagner... the ninth-inning collapse is the big story. Houston set the tone early against Rick Porcello (6 IP, 5 R), with a three-run homer by Berkman in the 1st and a two-run homer by Everett in the 5th. However, that 5-2 lead was NOT in safe hands for Billy Wagner because he gave up WALK OFF GRAND SLAM to David Ortiz.
Game 4: Houston 6-3
The Astros bats came alive in game 4, with 8/9 hitters collecting at least one hit, including a two-run homer from Jeff Bagwell. Mike Hampton added a quality start, with 7 IP and 3 R, to support the offensive onslaught. So now we turn back to Houston for the all-or-nothing game 5!!
Game 5: Boston 6-1
The climactic final game was resolved very early, as the Red Sox blew up Dallas Keuchel, chasing him after 5 IP while smacking him around with 14 h, 3 bb (and scoring six runs). Derek Lowe was stellar, going 7 innings and giving up one run. Also in true playoff form and tradition, David Ortiz added a three-run BLAST to set the tone in the first inning. It was all downhill from there for the Astros, and Boston continues to sing for Sweet Caroline for another round!
And so just like that, we've got our matchups -- both championship series will be 3 seed vs 4 seed, just as we all suspected!
I hope you enjoyed these dramatic series as much as I did, and a big congrats to Mikey, Turkey, WDR and Izzaldizzal for making it to the Championship Series!!!
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