The MLB Postseason is here, and the season is over for 20 of the 30 teams in MLB. For ten, the dream of a championship will continue for at least one more game. Nine of those clubs will end their year disappointed. The playoff race came down to the final day of the regular season, with the Seattle Mariners becoming the final team to bow out of contention. We know the matchups that we’ll see this week, and in roughly four weeks, we’ll know which team is the 2014 World Champion.
Game of the Day: Reds 4, Pirates 1. Pittsburgh’s hopes of an NL Central title ended before the Cardinals even took the field in Arizona. They were knotted with the Reds at one in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Tony Watson allowed a leadoff triple to Jason Bourgeois to begin the frame. After a Zack Cozart lineout, Johnny Cueto (you know, the opposing pitcher), singled through a drawn-in infield to give Cincinnati a 2-1 lead. Justin Wilson replaced Watson on the hill, and the slim hopes of a comeback were dashed after a two-run homer by Kris Negron made it a 4-1 game. In the ninth, Starling Marte singled to lead off the inning, stole second with one out, moved to third on a wild pitch, and died there after Aroldis Chapman struck out both Jordy Mercer and Tony Sanchez to end the game.
Pitching Lines of the Day: There’s going to be a few here, so be patient. Jordan Zimmermann threw a freaking no-hitter in Washington’s 1-0 win over Miami, walking one and striking out ten. In Oakland’s 4-0 clincher over Texas, Sonny Gray threw a complete game, six-hit shutout, walking none and punching out five. Gerrit Cole was awesome in the Pirates’ loss to the Reds, giving up one run on four hits in seven innings, punching out 12 without a walk. Johnny Cueto was nearly as good though, giving up one run on six hits in eight innings, walking zero and striking out seven. In Detroit’s 3-0 win over Minnesota to clinch the AL Central, David Price allowed four hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings, striking out eight and walking two. Josh Collmenter pitched great in Arizona’s 1-0 loss to the Cardinals, giving up one run on three hits in eight innings, striking out three without a walk. Philadelphia fell to Atlanta 2-1, but Cole Hamels gave up two runs on three hits in eight innings, striking out seven and walking one. Michael Pineda shut down the Red Sox in the Yankees’ 9-5 win, allowing one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out ten without a walk. Felix Hernandez ended his year on a high note in Seattle’s 4-1 win over Anaheim, allowing one hit over 5 1/3 scoreless frames, striking out seven and walking none.
Hitting Lines of the Day: In the Cubs’ 5-2 win over the Brewers, Anthony Rizzo went 3/4 with a homer, two runs, two RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Adrian Gonzalez went 2/2 in the Dodgers’ 10-5 win over the Rockies, hitting a double, a homer, driving in three, and scoring two. Teammate Roger Bernadina, who I didn’t even realize was in their organization, went 2/2 with a homer and four RBI. Kris Negron went 3/4 with a homer, two runs, and two RBI in the Reds’ win over the Pirates. Lucas Duda shined in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Astros, going 2/4 with a double, a homer, and four RBI. Ian Kinsler went 3/4 with a homer and two RBI in the Tigers’ win over the the Twins. In Cleveland’s 7-2 win over the Rays, Zach Walters went 2/4 with a double, a homer, and two RBI.
Other Games: The Orioles shut out the Blue Jays 1-0. The Royals beat the White Sox 6-4 to head into the playoffs on a strong note. The Giants topped the Padres 9-3, and will head to Pittsburgh for the Wild Card game on Wednesday.
Enjoy the Postseason, everyone.
On another note, this is the last Dugout Digest you’ll see here at TOC. We’re going to be going in a different direction with playoff coverage, and this feature isn’t going to be returning for the 2015 season. I thank all of you who read the DD every morning for the four seasons, and look forward to the future at TOC.
