Showdown Cup Playoffs Game 1s

The playoffs are officially here, and Day 1 was incredible. Fresh sleeved cards, the sound of the dice bouncing off the table, and all the unpredictable showdown action led to a perfect day. More importantly I will be bringing fresh playoff content to the blog everyday that there is a game scheduled. This should be a fun ride as we see who has what it takes to outlast the other teams to win the 2018 Showdown Cup. Also if you haven't voted for who you think will win on the twitter poll follow this link and vote for your favorite team.

 Chipper Jones Divisional Series

The first series we had the Chipper Jones Divisional Series Acuna Matata traveling to face Dat Boy X. In a stud pitchers match up we had Chris Sale facing off against Clayton Kershaw. First thought here is, this should be a nice 2-1 ballgame. Nope!! offense came early and often as the game resulted in a 7-5 victory for the road team, Acuna Matata. I also started keeping track of not just own chart outs, but how many times per game a player gets his chart in general. (OC = Own Chart, OCO = Own Chart Out)

Scoring Summary 

• T1 M. Carpenter Doubles, Blackmon scores 1-0 AM
• T2 B. Nimmo Triples, Andrus, Maldanado score 3-0 AM
• B2 J. Aguilar Solo HR 3-1 AM
• B4 G. Stanton 2-Run HR. Rizzo scores 3-3
• T5 R. Acuna Doubles, Nimmo scores 4-3 AM
• B6 J. Turner 2-Run HR, Riddle scores 5-4 DBX
• T7 R. Acuna Doubles, Nimmo score 5-5
• T8 E. Andrus Singles, Inciarte scores 6-5 AM
• T9 C. Blackmon Doubles, Nimmo score 7-5 AM

W: Chris Sale     L: Jose Alvarado     S: Aroldis Chapman

Player of the Game : Brandon Nimmo 4/5 3Runs 2 RBI Double Triple

What a fantastic series opener, the underdog finds a win and the heavy favorite now has to answer back.

Gary Sheffield Divisional Series

 

The GSDS started off hot as well, bottom of the first MVP Candidate Christian Yelich let his presence known as he hit a solo HR off of Justin Verlander. The next MVP Candidate JD Martinez came up with the bases loaded and hit a bases clearing double, to give the Wolves a 4-1 lead. From this point on it was bullpen let downs leading to a Wolves upset victory 6-5 in 11 innings. The use of Billy Hamilton in this series will be something to keep an eye on, his 23 speed makes it impossible for the Wolves 3 outfield defense to prevent him from advancing. 

Scoring Summary:

• B1 C. Yelich Solo HR 1-0 SKR
• T4 T. Turner Solo HR 1-1
• T8 JD Martinez Doubles, Holaday, McNeil, Turner score 4-1 WW
• B8 Y. Molina Doubles, Kemp score, 4-2 WW
• B8 T. Jankowski Singles, Hamilton scores 4-3 WW
• B9 T. Jankowski Singles, Freeman score 4-4
• T11 C. Bellinger 2-Run HR, Castellanos scores 6-4 WW
• B11 C. Yelich Singles, Jankowski scores 6-5 WW

W: Colin McHugh     L: Archie Bradley

Player of the Game Cody Bellinger 1/4 HR 2 RBI game winner

Be on the lookout tomorrow for game 2's from each series, as always follow me @MLBShowdowncup on twitter for updates, and more fun showdown discussions.