The NL best-of-5 statis-pro wildcards series started with the Braves and Brewers jumping to 4-0 leads, and not scoring again.
It proved to be just enough for the Braves, as relievers Jackson and Martin both threw 1.1 scoreless innings for a 4-3 win.
However the Brewers normally reliable Suter came in with a 4-1 lead and allowed a grandslam by pinchhitter Cronenworth and 3-run homer by Myers as the Padres won 8-4.
The Real Baseball and Statis-pro baseball NL playoffs start today.
Game 1 of 5 (higher seed on riad)
Atlanta at San Francisco
San Diego at Milwaukee
Byes - LA Dodgers, NY Mets
On the sweet day for the Red Sox in real baseball, due to beating the Yankees in the real wild card game - the Statis-pro baseball Red Sox learned they'd play the White Sox next. Meanwhile the Statis-pro Yankees went up 2 games to 0 against the Rays to get one game from advancing to play the Astros.
ALWC Game 3.
The anemic Cleveland offense is held to one run for the third game in a row. Dallas Keuchel doing the job this time for the White Sox. His eight innings earn the win. Statis-Pro AL home run champion Jose Abreu belted a homer as Chicago gets the sweep and earns a date with Boston in the ALDS. The final 5-1 Sox. (CWS wins series 3-0)
ALWC Game 2.
Yankees jump out early again on the Gleyber Torres bases loaded triple. It proves to be enough behind Corey Kluber and the bullpen. Aroldis Chapman gets the save as Yankees win 4-2. Shane McClanahan takes the loss for the Rays. (NY leads series 2-0)
ALWC Game 2.
Cleveland pitching couldn't hold down the top scoring offense in the Statis-Pro AL a second time. The White Sox pounded out 21-hits along with 5-home runs and routed the Indians 10-1. Yoan Moncada led the way with 4 RBI's. Lance Lynn added another great start, 8 IP, 1 ER. (CWS leads series 2-0)
The 12-team Statis-pro playoffs began with Chisox and Yankees winning in the AL games being played in Montana. Then the NL playoffs were set when homers by Nola and Tatis led to 6 Padres runs in the 7th and 8th for a 6-3 win over the Reds to finish a half game ahead of them for the 6th and final spot.
ALWC Game 1. Chicago vs Cleveland. Best of 5.
Cleveland slowed down the top run scoring offense in Statis-Pro AL. But Lucas Giolito was even better. 8 IP, 1 unearned run. Luis Robert and Tim Anderson drive in a run. Aaron Civale is tough luck loser for Indians. White Sox win opener 3-1. (CWS lead series 1-0)
ALWC Game 1.
NY vs TB.
Yanks come out swinging against Rays staff that allowed fewest runs in Statis-Pro AL. Gio Urshela with 3 RBI's, plus Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton both homer. Gerritt Cole with 7-solid innings. Yankees win opener 7-2. (NY leads series 1-0)
Cin vs SD
Castillo outdueled Darvish to lead 2-0 going into the bottom of the 7th, though the Reds left 9 on base through 6 innings. The Padres Stammen came in the top of the 7th to strike out Naquin to leave bases loaded, the set the Reds down 1-2-3 in the 7th. Castillo then left in the bottom of the 7th after allowing the first two Padres to reach. Nola greeted reliever Lorenzen with a clutch 3-run homer, Tatis added a homer, and the Padres scored 2 in the 8th for the 6-2 win. Padres relievers allowed only 2 hits and 1 unearned run in 5 innings, with Adams closing for the save.
Jesse Winkler single handedly ruined a pitcher's duel between Sonny Gray and Jack Flaherty to advance the Reds to play at San Diego. Winkler's game-winning two run double in the 9th gave rhe Reds a 5-3 lead that Antone made hold up in the 9th. Winkler's double capped a 4 of 5 day with a homer.
This is still technically an extra regular season game, as is the finale at San Diego to set the playoffs. Since all three teams finished 55-53 in a 3-way tie for the last playoff spot extra games were needed. The Padres received the bye due to the best 3-way head-to-head, but the Reds No. 2 starter for that game is Luis Castillo - a pb 2-8 just like Yu Darvish who will start for the Padres.
The Cardinals finish 55-54 in Statis-pro, which is actually one game better than their 54-55 mark at this stage of the actual season. Perhaps they needed a longer Statis-pro season, as from that point on they went on an incredible tear to now stand at 90-70.
The Reds are 56-53, so if they beat the Padres they finish 57-53 and the Padres 55-54 to give the Reds the final wildcard spot. If the Padres win they finish 56-53 to take the title with the Reds dropping to 56-54. While the Reds have slid, they were actually 58-51 at this stage of the real season.
The NL Statis-Pro season has been dormant due to a move and heavy work load - so sorry for so few blogs. Luckily the AL season played in Montana has concluded and will start playoffs this weekend - so here is there recap.
Here’s a recap of the Statis-Pro American League regular season.
I will start the playoffs this weekend.
It was a tight finish for the 2021 Statis-Pro American League playoff race.
The Astros held on to win the “West” title and a first round bye, by winning a head-to-head matchup with the White Sox.
Chicago finished strong winning 5 of 7 to put on the pressure but came up short. The Angels faded badly to slip out of the last wild card spot.
In the “East”, the Red Sox stumbled losing 3 of 4, but had enough to hold off the Yankees. The Rays remain an enigma by underperforming but still making the playoffs.
Speaking of underperforming, that would best describe both Oakland and Toronto during this year’s 41-game season.
AL “East”
x- Boston 25-16
w-New York 24-17
w-Tampa Bay 21-20
w-Cleveland 20-21
Toronto 17-24
AL “West”
x- Houston 26-15
w-Chicago 25-16
Los Angeles 19-22
Oakland 17-24
Minnesota 14-27
Wild Card Round (Best of 5)
Game 1 Cleveland at Chicago
(Civale, 4-5, 4.78) vs. (Giolito, 4-3, 2.96)
Game 1 Tampa Bay at New York
(McHugh, 3-4, 2.62) vs. Cole (4-3, 2.11)
Here are the individual statistics and awards.
Both of these awards are surprises as they outperformed their cards. (you never know with a short season)
MVP: Alex Verdugo, Bos (.328, 14 HR, 31 RBI)
Led the league in hits, extra base hits, runs scored, 2nd in AL batting, 2nd in AL Home Runs
Cy Young: Eduardo Rodriguez, Bos
11 starts, 75 IP, 20 ER, (7-3), 2.40 ERA.
Statis-Pro AL Batting Title
LeMahieu, NY (59-173) .341
Verdugo, Bos (60-183) .328
Engel, Chi (55-171) .322
Home Runs
Abreu, Chi 15
Bregman, Hou 14
Verdugo, Bos 14
Runs Batted In
Arozarena, TB 37
Engel, Chi 36
Abreu, Chi 35
Hits
Verdugo, Bos 60
LeMahieu, NY 59
Engel, Chi 55
Extra Base Hits (2B,3B,HR)
Verdugo, Bos (15, 1, 14) 30
Bregman, Hou (12, 1, 14) 27
Devers, Bos (16, 0, 9) 25
Runs Scored
Verdugo, Bos 37
Anderson, Chi 35
Torres, NY 31
Earned Run Average
Cole, NY 4-3 2.11
Rodriguez, Bos 7-3 2.40
McCullers, Hou 7-2 2.59
Relief Man
R Iglesias, LA 0-0 14/14
Pressly, Hou 1-1 13/15
Barnes, Bos 0-1 12/14
The Chicago White Sox led the league in runs scored.
The Tampa Bay Rays led the league with the fewest runs allowed.
The Boston Red Sox had the best run differential. (+40)
