Rays vs. Dodgers in Statis-pro World Series

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As reported in September, the Rays not only won our AL Statis-Pro season, but then swept the Astros in our ALDS. 

The Dodgers made the NLDS Statis-Pro series to face the one surprise team - the Cincinnati Reds,.leaving the Atlanta Braves as the only team to make the actual MLB final four but not make it in Sratis-Pro. The Sunday afternoon before the actual National League Game 7 was played between the real Dodgers and Braves, the Statis-Pro Dodgers beat the Reds in Game 7 to advance to the Statis-pro world series against the Rays.

The following is the Reds vs. Dodgers series followed by the recap of other playoffs including Rays sweep of Astros

NLCS Game 1.

Could the Reds' magic continue? Nick Castellanos drives in three and helps build a 3-1 lead in the 8th. But the Dodgers scratch out 2 runs to tie it. In the bottom 9th, Max Muncy with the clutch walk-off double wins it for LA 4-3. A crushing bullpen collapse for the underdog Reds.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 2.

Unlikely heroes. After the Dodgers score first, Freddy Galvis smacks a 2-run HR. (left handed) Later in the 7th, Galvis hits a 3-run HR (right handed). Former Astros great Wade Miley gives a strong start and the Reds win 5-2. Series tied 1-1.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 3.

Another walk-off finish. Reds' bullpen fails again, as Amir Garrett (loser in game 1) enters a 3-3 game in 8th. Promptly walks 4 in a row and two eventually score, Dodgers lead 5-3 going to 9th. Not to be outdone Kenley Jansen gives up a 1B & 3B, making it 5-4. With the infield in, one groundout can't tie it. But Nick Castellanos ends it with a walk-off 2-run HR. Reds win 6-5. Cincinnati leads series 2-1.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 4.

Dodgers needed a great start to stay out of that bullpen and they got it from Walker Buehler. In one stretch he fanned eight Reds in a row. His line: 9 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 12K. Justin Turner and Will Smith had solo HR's. LA wins 3-1. Series tied 2-2.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 5.

Reds' offense picking a bad time to disappear. This time Julio Urias tosses 7-shutout innings. Max Muncy hits a pair of 2-run HR's as the Dodgers cruise 5-0. LA leads series 3-2. In the elimination game Wade Miley tries to extend the Reds season while Dustin May tries to clinch it for the Dodgers.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 6.

Wade Miley throws 6 scoreless innings. Eugenio Suarez & Jesse Winker smack HR's and Reds take 6-0 lead to 9th. In an all-time strategic blunder the Reds manager tries to save top relievers for game 7. Three hits and two walks later it is 6-3 Reds. With 2 on & 2 outs, Cody Bellinger slams a 3-run HR to tie it 6-6. But Mr. Clutch Nick Castellanos rips an RBI double in the 11th, and Raisel Iglesias closes it for a Cincinnati 7-6 win in 11 innings. (saving the manager's job) Series tied 3-3. Game 7 showdown will be Clayton Kershaw vs. Trevor Bauer.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 7.

Clayton Kershaw pretended it was the regular season and threw 7 strong innings. Trevor Bauer picked a bad day for a poor start. Six walks doomed him, and Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson belted HR's to make him pay. LA wins it 6-2, and the Dodgers take the series 4-3.  It will be Rays and Dodgers in the 2020 Statis-Pro World Series.

Previous playoff updates.

e look forward to putting out 2021 Statis-pro projected cards out once the real season ends, but we are down to the NLCS and ALCS Statis-pro using the current cards. If you do not own a Statis-pro baseball game you can try it by clicking on the free version and the so e preliminary 2020 projected player cards and score sheet for each of the 30 teams.

With the Statis-Pro Final Four set as the Astros, Dodgers, Rays and Reds, either two or three teams will match-up with the actual MLB Final Four. If the Rays defeat the Yankees tonight (first pitch just half hour away as we type this) then three of the four teams will match. If the Yankees win tonight, then they will make the actual MLB after blowing leads of 2 games to none and 3 games to 1 against the Astros in Statis-Pro.

Either way, the Cincinnati Reds are the one team we know will be a surprise, playing in Statis-Pro much like they did in winning 11 of their last 14 games in the actual MLB season to make it to the playoffs.

NLCS coming soon - Nats or Reds will face the Cubs or Dodgers once those series conclude.

NLDS Game 6.
Cody Bellinger clinches it going 4-4, 2HR, 4RBI's. Dodgers rout Cubs 10-4. They win 3-straight to take series 4-2. Bellinger is series MVP, 11-21, plus 9 RBI's.

NLCS set as Dodgers vs Reds.

ALCS - Rays vs. Astros Games in order.

We use cards for all players on rosters including players who skipped the season due to Covid-19. However, if a player is injured for the season the AL removes the card - and after Verlander lost input Game 1 below we also learned he would not ouch Game 5 in Statis-pro because he is now out for the season for Tommy John surgery.

ALCS Game 1 - Rays 13, Astros 6. The game 2 pitching duel happened after the Game 1 Verlander-Snell pitching duel never happened - with a final of Tampa 13, Houston 6. Both starters were knocked out before retiring an out in the 5th. Martinez and Arozareno combined for a 7 of 10 game after only playing due to kiermaier and Tsutgago colliding in the top of the second inning to allow an RBI double by Gurriel. Overall the Rays had 18 hits in Game 1.

ALCS Game 2 - Rays 1, Astros 0. Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers faced off in an epic pitchers duel. The game was scoreless until pinch runner Margot raced home on a walk off double by Renfroe. The run off closer Pressly was unearned, Maldano's catcher interference kept the  inning alive and moved Margot to second base the previous batter. Tampa 1-0 win, goes up 2 games to 0.

Game 3 - Tampa 5, Houston 1. Greinke battled Glasgow to a 1-1 tie through 7 innings, but Meadows greeted reliever Valdez with a game-winning Homer in the 8th. Later in the inning Springer misplayed a 2-out fly (clutch defense play) into a 2-run double to make it 4-1, and the Rays made it 3 games to 0 with a 5-1 final.

Game 4 - Tampa 9, Houston 8. The Rays dominated to lead 9-4 going into the bottom of the 9th before a furious rally rallied to cut it to 9-5 and load the bases with one out and Brantley coming to the plate as the tying run.

Alvarado came in relief and allowed a single to Brantley to make it 9-6, then caught Bregman on as close a third strike call as you can have in the game. He then issues a walk to Gurriel to make it 9-7, and then balked with based loaded to make it 9-8 with men on second and third and out the Astros just a Reddick single away from winning. However, Reddick was caught looking to complete the 4-0 sweep.

We will see how the actual season plays out, but in Statis-Pro the Rays left no doubt with the best record in the regular season and then rolling through the playoffs losing only one game.

Rays sweep series four games to none. The day of Game 4, September 19, the Rays actually did have the best AL record in the real season, and had finished 1st in the Statis-Pro regular season before sweeping through the Statis-Pro AL playoffs with only one loss to Oakland in route to the AL title.

6-run 9th kicks off action with 8 teams left in Statis-Pro Baseball playoffs

The previous blog gives the game-by-game on the Wildcard round, and now the 4 teams with byes - the Dodgers, Yankees, Astros and Nationals - take on the 4 wild card winners (al ads Scoresheets at the bottom).

Games 6 and 7 - Astros 7, Yankees 2 and Astros 8, Yankees 6

Zack Greinke gave up a 3-run Homer to Torres in the 1st inning, but finished 7 innings with a 5-3 lead to win Game 7 and send the Astros to the ALCS to face the Rays. Springer hit a 3-run Homer in the 5th to give the Astros the 5-3 lead in the 4th, and Altuve hit a 2-run Homer of Chapman for crucial insurance in the 7th. Pressly saved both game 6 and 7 - coming in for a strikeout with bases loaded in game 6 and then came in with a 7-6 lead in the 8th to hold onto an 8-6 win.

In game 6 Springer led off with a Homer, hit an rbi sac fly in the 2nd, and then hit a deep drive that centerfielder tauchmann misplayed into a triple to key a 4-run 7th inning.

Games 5.

Dodgers 9, Cubs 4. The Dodgers finally get to the Statis-Pro NL Cy Young winner. They rough up Kyle Hendricks, as Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson each have 3 RBI's. LA rolls 9-4. Dodgers lead series 3-2.

Reds 7, Nats 5. Max Scherzer proves to be human. The Reds stun him with 3 HR's in first two innings. They build a 6-2 lead. Of course the bullpen gives it up, as Victor Robles 3-run HR caps the rally and ties it 6-6. But in the 8th, Freddy Galvis knocks a 2-out RBI single and the Reds shock the Nats 7-6. Cincinnati leads series 3-2.

Rays 4,  A's 3 in 10 innings, win series 4-1. Rays beat A's 4 games to 1 with 4-3 win in 10 innings. Tsutsugo homered in top of 10th, then with both bullpens shot from 15 inning game 4, Rays 8th best reliever Loup struck out olson with men on the corners to end the game.

Yankees 4, Astros 3. Astros rough up chapman but he holds on for 4-3 win, and Yankees lead 3 games to 2. Cole wins, Verlander loses.

Game 2s

NLDS Game 2.

Cubs at Dodgers. Cubs try to continue magic and lead 2-1 after 5 innings. Then reality set in. The Dodgers led the Statis-Pro NL in home runs, but this time they do it with doubles. They crank out seven doubles in the game. Cubs bullpen lives up to its reputation. Seven different Dodgers record an RBI, as LA rolls 8-2. Series tied 1-1.

A's at Rays. The A's shocked the Rays Morton with 5 runs in the 1st inning, but Morton won the game. Martinez, who only starts against lefties, hit three homers in The first four innings, for the first 7 rbis for the Rays in a 9-6 win. The A's will have their Ace and No. 2 going up against the Rays 3 and 4 starters in the next two games as they try to rally from down 2 games to 0.

Yankees at Astros. Ford's 3rd Homer of the series capped a 3-run 2nd inning, and Paxson and the Yankees pen made it hold up, 3-2. Chapman below away the final three batters. Both he and Green will need to rest in Game 3 due to back-to-back appearances. Yankees lead 2 games to 0.

Game 1s of NLDS and ALDS

Cincinnati at Washington. Clearly angry he didn't win the Statis-Pro NL Cy Young, Max Scherzer takes it out on the Reds. A complete game 2-hit shutout. Didn't walk a batter and struck out 12. Solo homers from Thames and Soto were enough offense. Bauer the tough luck loser. Nats win opener 2-0.

A's at Rays. The Rays Meadows hit 2 HRs and a triple to lead a crazy 11-9 win in which the Rays never trailed, but their best bullpen in baseball gave up 7 runs in the final 4 innings. Rays lead 1 game to 0.

Cubs at Dodgers. Ian Happ tripled to help the Cubs scratch out a run in the 4th. After a subpar start in the wildcard round, Kyle Hendricks returned to his Statis-Pro Cy Young form. 8 1/3 scoreless against the mighty Dodgers lineup. New acquisition Andrew Chafin promptly loaded the bases but then got the final two outs. The Cubs magic continues as they win the opener 1-0.

Yankees at Astros. Verlander and Cole battled to a 2-1 Yankees lead at the 7th inning stretch when both left for the bullpen. The Yankees gloves destroyed them with an unearned run and 4 more runs that scored because of 3b urshela misplaying two easy cd chances into run scoring hits and the Astros led 8-2. And then ... Ford took pb 2-9 closer pressley deep for a grandslam to cap a 6-run 9th, and Torres hit his 3rd Homer of the game to give the Yankees a stunning 9-8 win in 10. We suspect the altitude of Jackson Hole Ford's first of 2 homers, but Torres blasted it as far as he could hit it (a 36 on a range of 27-36) off Verlander. Yanks lead 1 game to 0.

Statis-Pro Baseball Playoffs Set

The 2020 Statis-Pro playoffs are set. Here are the brackets, and the playoff game results will be filled in below, while the final regular season update is here. The first 4 series will be best-of-5, and the second series and beyond will be best-of-7 series. If you do not own a Statis-pro baseball game you can try it by clicking on the free version and the so e preliminary player cards and score sheet for each of the 30 teams, which now includes cards for all 30 teams based on Zips projections.

Pitching rest rules for playoffs. Starter must rest 3 games (4-man rotation). A reliever must rest if he pitches to more than 5 batters BUT if he only pitches in one inning he does not need to rest. However, if he pitches in 2 straight games he just rest a game not matter how few batters he faces. If a reliever faces at least 12 batters then he must rest 2 games.

Playoff Game Results - Most Recent 1st (AL Scoresheets at bottom):

With 3 of the Final 4 Statis-Pro baseball teams matching the actual MLB season (Rays, Astros and Dodgers) it was the Reds rather than the Braves who grabbed the last Statis-Pro spot. In the real season, the Reds won 11 of their last 14 games to enter the playoffs hot, but the Braves barely survived several rallies to win in extra innings and then won the series 2 to 1.

However, in the Statis-Pro season it came down to the Reds vs. Dodgers to see who would face the Rays in the Statis-Pro World Series. Most recent game first:

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 4.

Dodgers needed a great start to stay out of that bullpen and they got it from Walker Buehler. In one stretch he fanned eight Reds in a row. His line: 9 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 12K. Justin Turner and Will Smith had solo HR's. LA wins 3-1. Series tied 2-2.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 3.

Another walk-off finish. Reds' bullpen fails again, as Amir Garrett (loser in game 1) enters a 3-3 game in 8th. Promptly walks 4 in a row and two eventually score, Dodgers lead 5-3 going to 9th. Not to be outdone Kenley Jansen gives up a 1B & 3B, making it 5-4. With the infield in, one groundout can't tie it. But Nick Castellanos ends it with a walk-off 2-run HR. Reds win 6-5. Cincinnati leads series 2-1.

Statis-Pro NLCS Game 2.

Unlikely heroes. After the Dodgers score first, Freddy Galvis smacks a 2-run HR. (left handed) Later in the 7th, Galvis hits a 3-run HR (right handed). Former Astros great Wade Miley gives a strong start and the Reds win 5-2. Series tied 1-1.

NLCS Game 1.

Could the Reds' magic continue? Nick Castellanos drives in three and helps build a 3-1 lead in the 8th. But the Dodgers scratch out 2 runs to tie it. In the bottom 9th, Max Muncy with the clutch walk-off double wins it for LA 4-3. A crushing bullpen collapse for the underdog Reds.

NL Wildcard Game 5 - Reds 3, DBacks 2 (11 innings)

A brilliant pitcher's duel, scoreless until the 7th when Eduardo Escobar launched a solo HR. Madison Bumgarner comes up big again with 8 shutout innings. But he runs out of gas and they have to go to their new young closer. Ginkel gives up a double, error, sac fly and Reds scratch out a run, 1-1 going to extra innings. Arizona looks good again when Nick Ahmed rips an RBI double in the 11th, 2-1 D'backs. But Reds' fans favorite new player Nick Castellanos comes through with a clutch 2-run double to walk off the series. Reds win game 3-2 in 11, and take series 3-2. Next is NLDS vs. Washington.

AL Wildcard Game 5 - A's 2, Twins 1 (10 innings)

Rich Hill pitched 8 2-3rds shout-out inning, allowing only 4 baserunners until Mark Canha homered to tie the game 1-1. With both PB 2-9 closers still in the game for the 10th, fielding made the difference. Buxton singled, the Sano's drive in the gap appeared to be a double only to have A's center fielder make a clutch defensive play to cut it off and hold him to a single and preserver the lead. Hendriks then struck out Donaldson and Cruz to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the 10th the A's Piscotty led off with a grounder to shortstop but Arraez threw it away (we do not start a man on second base in extra innings in the playoffs like the regular season). Twins closer Rogers then walked, and due to the lefty v lefty Kemp laid down a rare sac bunt to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. The speedy Orf pinch ran on 3rd base. Semien, who had singled the three previous at bats, hit a grounder to third and Orf beat the throw home to give the A's a comeback series win - not only trailing until the last out but also winning three straight after being down 2 games to 0.  Laureano was MVP for the series, with 11 hits in 22 at bats, including 5 doubles and a Homer in addition to the clutch defense.

A's win series 3-2, and next face the Rays.

After those two thrillers, the four best-of-seven series are set:

Reds at Dodgers

Cubs at Nationals

A's at Rays

Yankees at Astros

AL Wildcard Game 4 - A's 12, Twins 2

Oakland won to force a decisive Game 5 with 5 homers and 5 doubles in the first 5 innings alone. The first two batters, Semien and Lauren, both homered and doubled as the piled up a 12-0 lead through 4 1-2 innings. Montas, who was ejected from Game 2 after just one batter, came back to throw 7 2-3rds innings to save the bullpen for Game 5. Series tied 2-2 and heading back to Oakland - visitors have won all 4 games.

NL Wildcard Game 4 - DBacks 6, Reds 1

After a 1-1 start through the 4th, Stephen Vogt smacks a 2-run HR. The next inning Christian Walker hits a clutch 3-run HR and it is all over. Merrill Kelly with a surprisingly strong 8 innings as Arizona rolls 6-1. Series tied 2-2.

AL Wildcard Game 3 - A's 4, Twins 1

AJ Puk delivered the all-time clutch performance with 1-hit ball for 8 innings, and Chapman reached 3 times, scoring twice and adding an RBI double as Oakland took a 4-0 lead into the 9th. Laureano misplayed Sano's 9th inning drive into an RBI double to make it 4-1, forcing closer Hendriks to nail down the win. Hendricks will need to sit out Game 4 due to pitching in consecutive games, however three other strong relievers can pitch for the A's AND No. 2 starter Montas can start Game 4 since he only pitched to one batter before he was ejected in Game 2. This also means the normal No. 4 starter gives and extra long relief lefty in game 4 as well. Twins still lead 2 games to 1.

NL Wildcard Game 3 - Cubs 9, Braves 7

First upset of the 2020 playoffs. The only sub-500 team, ranked last in runs scored, the Cubs sweep the Braves. 🧹 ⚾️ Willson Contreras goes 6-9 with 3HR's in series. He helps Chicago erase a 4-run deficit and roll to a 9-7 win to clinch the sweep. It will be Cubs vs Dodgers in NLDS.

AL Wildcard Game 3 - Yankees 9, White Sox 3

LeMahieu singled and scored in the 5th, then doubled to key a 2-run 5th of keuchel to finish as a series co-MVP as the only player in the series on either team 5 hits. The Yankees out up 24 hits and 16 runs in the last 2 games but only scored 2 runs in Game 1. They only won that game 2-1 because Cole allowed only and unearned run in a complete game with 14 strikeouts and only 3 hits and a walk allowed. The Yankees sweep the series 3-0 and will face the Astros with Cole vs. Verlander in Game 1.

NL Wildcard Game 3 - Reds 4, Braves 3

Mr. Clutch, Eugenio Suarez with an RBI single in the 6th, breaks a 3-3 tie. The Reds bullpen barely holds on (2 bases loaded jams) and they win 4-3. Cincinnati leads series 2-1.

AL Wildcard Game 2 - Twins 7, A's 2

When A's starter Montas was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the first inning, Fiers came in for 5.2 scoreless emergency innings to give the A's a 2-0 lead going into the 7-8-9 relievers. However Donaldson homered in the 7th to pull the Twins within 2-1. Set up man Diekman then could not get an out in the 8th, allowing singles by Rosario, Polanco and Garver before walking leadoff many Buxton to tie it 2-2. Closer Hendriks came in an almost bailed him out with a strike out and foul out, but Donaldson's 2-out, 2-run single was the game winner. Twins lead 2 games to none.

AL Wildcard Game 2 - Yankees 7, White Sox 3

Aaron Judge hit a 2-run HR in 1st, singled and scored in the 3rd and then hit an RBI double in the 4th to make it 5-1 Yankees en route to a 7-3 win. Yankees lead 2 games to 0. 

NL Wildcard Game 2 - Chicago Cubs 5, Atlanta 0

Yu Darvish takes a no-hitter into the 7th. Finishes 8 IP, 2H, 0R. Willson Contreras belts two home runs. Cubs win 5-0. Chicago leads series 2-0.

NL Wildcard Game 2 - Arizona 2, Cincinnati 0

Luke Weaver is the story with 7-shutout innings. Katel Marte with a solo homer and Nick Ahmed RBI single. Reds load the bases in the ninth but no magic this time. Arizona wins 2-0. Series tied 1-1.

AL Wildcard Game 1 - NY Yankees 2, ChiSox 1

Cole threw masterful complete game allowing 1 unearned run, 14 Ks, 1 W, 3 Hits to outfield Giolito. LeMahieu had 3 of the 8 hits in the game including an HR, and Voit greeted closer Frye with a sac fly for the final margin. Yankees lead 1 game to 0.

AL Wildcard Game 1 - Twins 7, A's 4

22 of 49 Twins reached base, including all 9 batters at least once and Donaldson his first 5 times for the 7-4 win. Rich Hill and three relievers allowed no earned runs to Oakland, but four A's errors on the left side of the infield led to 4 unearned runs - all in the first inning. Minnesota leads 1 game to 0 and is looking for extra fielding practice before Game 2.

NL Wildcard Game 1 - Chicago Cubs 6, Atlanta 5 (Cubs lead 1-0)

Top run scoring team in Statis-Pro NL (Braves) vs. Lowest run scoring team (Cubs). Chicago almost blows 5-run lead. Braves about to tie it in bottom 9th, Markakis singles, Culberson heading home when Jason Heyward unleashes perfect (88) throw to cut him down at the plate. Cubs win opener 6-5.

NL Wildcard Game 1 - Reds 4, Arizona 3 (Reds lead 1 game to 0 in best of 5)

Reds lead 2-0, then Akiyama with huge error in 8th leads to big inning and Arizona takes 3-2 lead. But All-Star game MVP Eugenio Suarez smacks a 2-run HR in bottom of inning and Reds go on to win game 1 by a final 4-3.

Playoffs set

In the AL, five of the six teams to make the playoffs were in the top 6 in the actual standings at the time - only the Cleveland Indians did NOT make it and the New York Yankees did make the Statis-Pro playoffs. In the much more balanced NL, the three teams actually leading the NL divisions all made the Statis-Pro playoffs - the LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta. However, the three teams clinging to second place in real play (San Diego, St. Louis and Philadelphia - were replaced by the Reds, Diamondbacks and Nationals.