OOTP Blitz 25: Solo RTS meets Moneyball

[Young Drachma]

Now the Cardinals are about to get into the act of the post-season after waiting through the first 4 rounds, but this Stags run is why OOTP is so rad, you can really feel the magic of a postseason this unexpected. I have doubted this team -- I'm just simulating the games out -- and save for Willingham's first start, I have tweaked nothing about the lineup or rotation for any of this, they're just getting through on vibes and magic.

I do think the Orioles will end the run, but I just wanted to reflect on this whole season and series, including the very Marlins-esque fire sale that will have to commence after this year, keeping with my storyline. That will be interesting and sad, I'll probably make a new GM that has to deal with that part so it doesn't wreck my current GMs decision history.

Against All Odds: How the Wild Card Stags Crashed the ALCS Party

In an October already filled with implausible storylines, the Portland Stags might have authored the most remarkable one yet. A wild card team that had to navigate the treacherous waters of the Ladder playoffs has now found itself in the American League Championship Series, leaving a trail of stunned opponents and broken projections in their wake.

The numbers tell a story that statistics-minded baseball observers are still trying to process. The Stags entered their Division Series matchup against Sacramento as decisive underdogs – the Solons had won 12 more regular season games and boasted one of the league's most potent offenses. Yet in a series that exemplified Portland's resilient character, the underdogs prevailed in four games, culminating in Rocky Smith's masterpiece that will be remembered in Rose City lore for generations.

"Sometimes the baseball gods have other plans," one AL scout texted Friday night. "Sacramento was the better team on paper, but Portland just refused to play according to the script."

The turning point came in Game 3, when third baseman Marc McCoy's clutch two-run double broke a tight game open, leading to a 7-4 victory that shifted the series' momentum decisively in Portland's favor. Even a two-homer performance from Solons' center fielder Izan Rodríguez couldn't derail the Stags' destiny that afternoon.

But it was Game 4 that crystallized everything special about this Portland run. Career minor leaguer Rocky Smith, thrust into the spotlight by circumstance and necessity, spun a complete game shutout that had even the most hardened baseball observers shaking their heads in disbelief. His four-hit masterpiece in the clincher felt like something out of "The Natural" – except this was real life, playing out in front of a delirious Civic Stadium crowd.

The ironies abound. Portland's path to the ALCS has been paved by unlikely heroes like Smith and timely hitting from a lineup that industry experts considered middling at best. Left fielder Erik Monaghan's emergence as a clutch playoff performer (10 RBIs in the Division Series) and designated hitter Peter LaBay's consistent excellence (.375 in the ALDS) have given the Stags' offense an October identity that few saw coming.

"What makes this team special is that everyone contributes," McCoy said after being named ALDS MVP. "One night it's Monaghan, the next it's Rocky throwing the game of his life. We just keep finding ways."

As Portland awaits their ALCS opponent, the question becomes: how far can this magical run extend? History suggests that wild card teams who survive the Ladder gauntlet often have both momentum and destiny on their side. Whether that proves true for these Stags remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – they've already made believers out of everyone who counted them out.

This October story isn't finished yet. And if the first chapters are any indication, the ending could be something special indeed.

[Young Drachma]

NLCS Preview: Giants Head to St. Louis as Cardinals Begin Title Chase

After shocking the Rockies in the Division Series, the San Francisco Giants (89-73) now travel to Busch Stadium to face the National League's top seed, the St. Louis Cardinals (100-62), who earned their way straight to the NLCS through the Ladder system's top-seed bye.

The series opener in St. Louis features the Giants' Logan Purter (14-11, 3.65 ERA) against Cardinals ace Urban Henry (20-11, 3.03 ERA). For the Giants, this marks their fourth different city in the postseason as they've battled through the Ladder format, while the well-rested Cardinals will be playing their first playoff game.

The Cardinals dominated during the regular season, leading MLB in batting average (.273) and on-base percentage (.345). Their offensive attack is spearheaded by centerfielder Leuri Ramirez (.327, 26 HR, 121 RBI) and shortstop José Cordero (.320, 23 HR, 103 RBI). St. Louis's pitching staff, anchored by Henry, finished with the league's best FIP.

The Giants counter with a more balanced approach, led by third baseman Tadashi Takagi (.280, 26 HR, 92 RBI) and an aggressive running game that led MLB in stolen bases. They'll need that speed game working against Cardinals catcher Ray Van de Veer to create scoring opportunities.

"We've got nothing to lose," said Giants manager Chuck Martinez. "The Cardinals earned that top seed and the rest, but we've been playing elimination games for weeks now. We're battle-tested."

Game 1 is scheduled for tomorrow at Busch Stadium, with the Cardinals looking to justify their status as the National League's top seed while the Giants aim to continue their improbable run through the Ladder playoffs.

Key Matchups to Watch:
- Giants' league-leading stolen base attack vs. Cardinals' battery
- Cardinals' MLB-best batting average vs. Giants' 6th-ranked starting rotation
- Giants' Alexis Walker (.269, 51 SB) creating havoc on the basepaths
- Cardinals' Archer Fernández (.318, 26 HR) vs. Giants' right-handed heavy rotation

[Young Drachma]

AP Recap - NLCS Game 1: Cardinals Top Giants 4-1

ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a classic display of veteran prowess, the St. Louis Cardinals' right-hander Urban Henry, 39, delivered a stellar performance to lead his team to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

Playing at Busch Stadium, Henry pitched seven strong innings, allowing just six hits and one run, while striking out five. His performance set the stage for St. Louis to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.

The game remained a tight contest until the seventh inning, when José Cordero blasted a two-run homer off Giants' starter Jayden Carter, pushing the Cardinals ahead 3-1. Cordero finished the game 2-for-4 with a double and a home run, driving in two runs and solidifying his impact on the game.

San Francisco’s only run came in the third inning, courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Haruto Kikuchi. Despite some hits, the Giants couldn't capitalize on their opportunities, leaving seven runners on base.

St. Louis tacked on an insurance run in the eighth, with Henry handing the ball to closer Leo Cash, who secured the save with two scoreless innings.

Cardinals' manager Wookie Rodgers praised his team's effort, saying, "We played a solid game all around. Urban was exceptional on the mound, and the guys came through with key hits when we needed them."

The series continues tomorrow at Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals will look to extend their lead.

Player of the Game: Urban Henry

Weather: Partly cloudy, 59 degrees, with winds blowing right to left at 11 mph.

[Young Drachma]

AP Recap - ALCS Game 1: Orioles Edge Stags 3-2

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles secured a narrow 3-2 win over the Portland Stags in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, with a standout performance by starting pitcher Jesús Dávilos at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Dávilos, a left-hander, pitched seven impressive innings, allowing just one hit while striking out eleven. His dominance on the mound kept the Stags off balance throughout the game, helping Baltimore take a 1-0 series lead.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Orioles broke through with a run. They added two more crucial runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jérémy Bouché, which proved to be the difference.

Portland managed to rally in the eighth with a two-run homer by Pedro Correa, but it wasn't enough to overcome Baltimore's lead. Stags' starter Santiago Maldonado took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits over 6.1 innings.

Orioles' manager praised his team's resilience, saying, "Jesús did what Jesús does, and the team backed him up when it mattered most."

Player of the Game: Jesús Dávilos

Weather: Clear skies, 60 degrees, with winds blowing out to left at 9 mph.

[Young Drachma]

AP Recap - NLCS Game 2: Cardinals Dominate Giants 7-1

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals took command of their National League Championship Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants 7-1 in Game 2 at Busch Stadium. Right-hander Mark Wleh led the way with a brilliant performance on the mound, delivering seven innings of two-hit ball while striking out nine.

Wleh, who threw 90 pitches over his seven innings, stifled the Giants' offense, allowing just one run. "Mark kept his poise and got the job done," praised Cardinals manager Wookie Rodgers. "He was outstanding."

St. Louis built their lead with two runs in the third inning and two more in the fifth, highlighted by José Cordero’s two-run homer. Cordero finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including his second home run of the series. The Cardinals added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to seal the victory.

San Francisco managed their lone run in the sixth inning on a double by Anthony Walker, but couldn't muster any further offense against Wleh and the Cardinals' bullpen. Giants' starter Darius Packer took the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits over 6.2 innings.

The series now shifts to San Francisco’s Candlestick Park for Game 3, where the Giants will look to avoid falling into a deeper hole.

Player of the Game: Mark Wleh

Weather: Clear skies, 55 degrees, with winds blowing right to left at 11 mph.

Attendance: 47,969

[Young Drachma]

Baltimore Tops Portland 3-0 in ALCS Game 2

BALTIMORE, Oct. 2 (Reuters) - The Baltimore Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series with a 3-0 win over the Portland Stags on Monday. Left-hander Adrián Nuñez dominated on the mound, pitching seven scoreless innings to stifle Portland's offense.

Nuñez, who conceded just two hits and struck out three, set the tone for the Orioles. "I just kind of blacked out and executed my pitches," he said post-game.

Baltimore broke the deadlock in the fourth inning, and added further runs in the seventh and eighth. Dwayne Whitelaw and Javier Cisneros both contributed RBIs, while Portland's offense was limited to just two hits by Nuñez and relievers.

Portland's Liam Willingham, who pitched six innings, was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned). The series will now shift to Civic Stadium in Portland, with the Stags seeking to avoid a 3-0 deficit.

Player of the Game: Adrián Nuñez

Weather: Cloudy, 56 degrees, with winds blowing out to left at 10 mph.

Attendance: 47,671

[Young Drachma]

LaBay Blasts Orioles, Stags Take Game 3, 19-9

PORTLAND (AP) — The Portland Stags erupted for 19 runs to overpower the Baltimore Orioles 19-9 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Civic Stadium. Designated hitter Payton LaBay led the offensive explosion with a stellar performance, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, and a walk. He scored four runs and drove in three, helping the Stags close the gap in the series to 2-1.

The Stags set the tone early with a nine-run second inning. The onslaught began with center fielder Liam Bright’s three-run homer off Erik Nemerov, putting the Stags ahead 4-0. LaBay followed with a three-run homer later in the inning, extending the lead to 9-0.

"It feels good to get this one," Bright told the Portland Herald.

Portland’s offensive juggernaut continued throughout the game, adding another run in the fourth, one in the fifth, seven in the sixth, and one more in the seventh. Third baseman Marcus McCoy added a grand slam in the sixth inning, finishing the game with five RBIs.

Stags' starting pitcher Greg Hayes earned the win, despite giving up five runs over 5.2 innings. Relievers Nick White and Nathan Stock combined to finish the game, allowing four runs but holding on to the substantial lead.

Baltimore's offensive efforts were led by first baseman Jérémy Bouché, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. However, it wasn't enough to match Portland’s relentless attack.

The series continues tomorrow at Civic Stadium, where the Stags will aim to even the series at 2-2.

Player of the Game: Payton LaBay

Weather: Cloudy, 54 degrees, with winds blowing out to right at 7 mph.

Attendance: 31,089

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player             AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF    5   0  1   0    0   0  1    .333 0   0
D. Madden CF       5   1  1   1    0   1  2    .167 1   2
A. Narcisse RF     5   1  2   0    0   0  0    .308 0   0
B. Moreno SS       5   2  1   0    0   1  2    .182 0   0
J. Bouché 1B       4   3  3   3    1   1  1    .545 2   5
D. Whitelaw DH     4   1  1   1    0   0  2    .375 0   2
J. Cisneros 3B     3   1  2   3    1   0  3    .400 1   5
K. Kobayashi C     4   0  2   1    0   1  2    .455 0   1
K. Richardson 2B   4   0  1   0    0   0  2    .111 0   0
Totals             39  9  14  9    2   4  15   

PORTLAND BATTING LINESCORE
Player             AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Correa RF       4   2  1   1    2   1  1    .250 2   7
M. Santana 1B      4   2  2   2    2   1  1    .311 1   8
M. McCoy 3B        6   2  3   5    0   0  3    .326 2   12
P. LaBay DH        4   4  3   3    1   0  0    .326 1   6
D. Rael C          5   2  2   0    0   1  2    .191 0   4
E. Monaghan LF     5   2  3   3    0   0  0    .341 3   15
M. Johnson 2B      5   2  2   2    0   0  3    .333 2   12
L. Bright CF       4   2  1   3    1   0  0    .205 2   7
J. Tiller SS       5   1  1   0    0   2  3    .293 3   7
Totals             42  19 18  19   6   5  13   

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player             IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
E. Nemerov L (0-1) 1.2  6   7   4   0   3  1   51  21.60 
R. Moreira         1.1  5   3   3   1   0  1   34  20.25 
R. Pitkin          2.1  5   4   4   1   1  0   49  15.43 
O. Maness          0.1  1   4   4   3   1  1   20  108.00
U. Gomez           2.1  1   1   1   1   0  1   29  3.86  

PORTLAND PITCHING LINESCORE
Player             IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
G. Hayes W (3-0)   5.2  8   5   5   2   3  1   96  4.34  
N. White           0.2  4   4   3   0   0  2   21  27.00 
N. Stock           2.2  2   0   0   0   1  0   37  4.05  

[Young Drachma]

Takagi Hammers Cardinals, Giants Take Game 3


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants kept their postseason hopes alive with a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Candlestick Park. Third baseman Tadashi Takagi led the charge, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and four RBIs. The win reduces the Giants' series deficit to 2-1.

The Giants exploded for four runs in the first inning and three in the second. Their offense was sparked by catcher Jedidiah Melton, who delivered a run-scoring single in the first inning to make the score 2-1. Takagi's three-run homer in the second inning off Cardinals' starter Omar Regalado extended the lead to 7-3, and the Giants never looked back.

"Every time I go up there, I try and hit a ball hard," Takagi said.

Starting pitcher Fernando Gomez earned the win for San Francisco, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings. Relievers Greg Kelly and Raul Maldonado combined for four scoreless innings to secure the win.

For St. Louis, first baseman Alejandro Fernández and right fielder Dan Cook provided the only bright spots, each hitting home runs. Regalado took the loss, giving up seven runs over just one inning.


Player of the Game: Tadashi Takagi

Weather: Clear skies, 55 degrees, with winds blowing in from left at 16 mph.

Attendance: 43,372

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
J. Cordero SS    3   0  0   0    1   2  1    .400 2   5
M. Matsui LF     3   0  0   0    0   0  1    .111 0   1
A. Fernández 1B  4   1  1   1    0   1  2    .273 1   1
L. Ramírez CF    3   0  1   0    1   0  1    .200 0   2
M. Del Angel 2B  3   0  0   0    1   1  2    .000 0   0
S. Cook 3B       4   0  0   0    0   1  2    .364 0   1
O. Regalado P, DH4   1  1   0    0   2  1    .250 0   0
D. Cook RF       4   1  1   2    0   1  0    .182 1   2
R. Van de Veer C 3   0  1   0    0   1  0    .300 0   1
Totals           31  3  5   3    3   9  10   

SAN FRANCISCO BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
A. Walker CF     2   2  0   0    1   0  1    .256 2   3
R. Perry LF      2   2  0   0    2   0  1    .116 0   0
T. Takagi 3B     3   2  2   4    1   0  0    .298 4   11
N. Teske 1B      2   1  1   0    2   1  1    .188 1   2
C. Spires 2B     4   0  0   0    0   0  6    .190 0   5
J. Melton C      4   0  2   1    0   0  2    .395 1   9
C. Coleman SS    3   0  1   1    0   1  3    .205 1   5
V. Nez RF        4   0  2   1    0   0  1    .132 0   1
H. Kikuchi DH    4   0  0   0    0   0  3    .217 0   1
Totals           28  7  8   7    6   2  18  

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
O. Regalado L (0-1)  1.0  4   7   7   4   0  1   55  63.00 
G. Osborne           4.0  2   0   0   1   1  0   48  0.00  
M. Avery             2.0  1   0   0   1   1  0   28  0.00  
C. Fawcett           1.0  1   0   0   0   0  0   7   0.00  

SAN FRANCISCO PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
F. Gomez W (2-0)     5.0  5   3   3   3   5  2   76  5.19  
G. Kelly H (1)       2.0  0   0   0   0   0  0   19  5.40  
R. Maldonado         2.0  0   0   0   0   4  0   29  0.90  

[Young Drachma]

Almost There: Orioles on Cusp of LCS Triumph After 6-3 Win

PORTLAND (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles took a commanding 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series with a 6-3 victory over the Portland Stags in Game 4 at Civic Stadium. Center fielder Daniel Madden delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs to propel the Orioles to victory.

The Orioles' offense came alive in the fourth inning, scoring six runs to overturn an early 3-0 deficit. Designated hitter Kian Soutillan contributed with a run-scoring groundout, while Madden's three-run homer provided the big blow of the inning.

"Trying isn't good enough in this league," said Madden. "You've got to get results."

Baltimore starter Tobias Hercules earned the win, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on six hits while striking out two. Ulysses Escarcega and Trevor Flax combined to shut down the Stags over the final two innings, securing the victory.

Portland's early offense was highlighted by shortstop Jack Tiller’s solo home run in the second inning, but they couldn't muster any more runs after the third inning. Reliever Ernesto Ramos took the loss, giving up six runs in 1.1 innings of work.

Player of the Game: Daniel Madden

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 57 degrees, with winds blowing left to right at 8 mph.

Attendance: 31,366

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  5   0  1   0    0   1  2    .294 0   0
J. Bouché 1B     5   1  2   0    0   1  2    .500 2   5
A. Narcisse RF   4   1  0   0    1   1  2    .235 0   0
B. Moreno SS     4   1  1   0    0   2  1    .200 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  3   0  0   1    0   0  2    .000 0   1
   a-D. Whitelaw DH 1   0  0   0    0   1  0    .333 0   2
D. Madden CF     4   1  2   3    0   1  0    .250 2   5
J. Cisneros 3B   4   1  1   0    0   0  1    .357 1   5
K. Kobayashi C   4   1  2   0    0   0  1    .467 0   1
K. Richardson 2B 4   0  1   2    0   2  2    .154 0   2
Totals           38  6  10  6    1   9  13   

PORTLAND BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. LaBay DH      4   1  1   0    1   0  0    .320 1   6
E. Monaghan LF   4   1  1   0    1   0  1    .333 3   15
P. Correa RF     3   0  1   0    1   0  2    .255 2   7
M. Santana 1B    3   0  1   0    1   0  4    .312 1   8
D. Rael C        4   0  1   0    0   2  4    .196 0   4
M. McCoy 3B      2   0  0   1    1   0  2    .312 2   13
M. Johnson 2B    4   0  1   1    0   1  2    .326 2   13
L. Bright CF     4   0  0   0    0   2  5    .186 2   7
J. Tiller SS     4   1  1   1    0   0  0    .289 4   8
Totals           32  3  7   3    5   5  20  

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
T. Hercules W (1-0)  7.0  6   3   3   4   2  1   108 3.86  
U. Escarcega H (2)   1.0  1   0   0   1   3  0   25  4.50  
T. Flax SV (2)       1.0  0   0   0   0   0  0   14  0.00  

PORTLAND PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
R. Moring            2.0  0   0   0   0   2  0   23  1.17  
E. Ramos L (0-1)     1.1  7   6   6   1   1  1   51  16.20 
N. White             2.2  0   0   0   0   3  0   38  12.60 
J. Cornelius         1.0  1   0   0   0   2  0   18  2.25  
R. Kurioka           0.1  1   0   0   0   1  0   8   20.25 
T. Leal              1.2  1   0   0   0   0  0   26  3.52  

[Young Drachma]

Coleman Blasts Cardinals, Giants Take Game 4, 10-7

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants rallied late to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-7 in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Candlestick Park. Shortstop Clarence Coleman was the star of the night, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs to tie the series at 2-2.

The Cardinals jumped to an early lead, scoring two runs in both the first and second innings. However, the Giants responded with three runs in the second, highlighted by Coleman's two-run homer off St. Louis starter Kevin Gibbons.

San Francisco took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning when center fielder Alexis Walker delivered a clutch two-run single off Cardinals reliever Logan Cash, making it 9-7. The Giants added another insurance run, sealing the victory.

"It's the best feeling when you come through for your teammates," Coleman said.

Giants starter Luke Purter pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out four. Reliever Raul Maldonado earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

St. Louis's offensive efforts were led by designated hitter Pedro Brown, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and shortstop José Cordero, who added two hits and an RBI.

Player of the Game: Clarence Coleman

Weather: Clear skies, 51 degrees, with winds blowing in from left at 10 mph.

Attendance: 42,893

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Brown DH      5   2  2   2    0   1  0    .385 0   2
J. Cordero SS    4   1  2   1    1   1  1    .429 2   6
A. Fernández 1B  3   1  2   1    2   1  1    .357 1   2
L. Ramírez CF    4   1  0   0    1   1  4    .143 0   2
M. Del Angel 2B  5   0  2   1    0   1  2    .133 0   1
S. Cook 3B       3   0  2   1    1   0  1    .429 0   2
R. Van de Veer C 5   1  1   0    0   3  5    .267 0   1
D. Cook RF       4   0  0   0    1   1  3    .133 1   2
M. Matsui LF     4   1  0   0    0   2  3    .077 0   1
Totals           37  7  11  6    6   11 20   

SAN FRANCISCO BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
A. Walker CF     4   1  1   3    0   0  1    .255 2   6
R. Perry LF      5   0  2   1    0   1  1    .146 0   1
T. Takagi 3B     4   0  0   0    1   0  1    .275 4   11
N. Teske 1B      4   2  1   0    1   1  4    .200 1   2
C. Spires 2B     4   1  1   1    0   1  3    .196 0   6
J. Melton C      2   2  0   0    2   0  1    .375 1   9
C. Coleman SS    4   3  3   3    0   0  0    .256 2   8
V. Nez RF        2   1  2   1    0   0  0    .175 1   2
   a-Y. Rosiaro PH 1   0  0   0    0   0  2    .286 0   2
   b-A. Patel RF 1   0  0   0    0   1  2    .000 0   0
H. Kikuchi DH    3   0  1   1    0   1  1    .231 0   2
Totals           34  10 11  10   4   5  16  

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
K. Gibbons           5.0  7   7   7   3   2  2   98  12.60 
C. Fawcett BS (1)    2.0  1   0   0   0   1  0   27  0.00  
L. Cash L (0-1)      1.0  3   3   3   1   2  0   22  5.40  

SAN FRANCISCO PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
L. Purter            4.2  7   5   5   3   4  0   102 4.12  
G. Kelly             0.2  0   1   1   1   1  0   15  6.75  
J. Stevens           1.2  3   1   1   1   2  0   34  3.86  
R. Maldonado W (1-0) 2.0  1   0   0   1   4  0   34  0.75  

[Young Drachma]

Orioles End Stags' Cinderella Run, Clinch AL Pennant on Madden's 9th Inning Blast

The Baltimore Orioles are heading to the World Series for the first time since their 2039 championship, after centerfielder Dylan Madden's dramatic two-run homer in the ninth inning lifted them to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Stags, clinching the American League Championship Series in five games.
In a pitchers' duel that lasted most of the afternoon at Civic Stadium, starter Jesús Dávilos delivered eight masterful innings for Baltimore, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six. The performance lowered his postseason ERA to a microscopic 0.60.

"Jesús gave us everything today," said series MVP Jean-Philippe Bouché, who hit a scorching .474 for the series with 5 RBI. "We knew if we could just break through, we had a chance because of how he was dealing."

That breakthrough came in the ninth. With the Orioles trailing 1-0, shortstop Brandon Moreno singled with one out, setting the stage for Madden's heroics. The centerfielder, who finished the day 3-for-4, launched his third homer of the series off Stags reliever Sam Maldonado, silencing the crowd of 31,110.

For Portland, it was a bitter end to a magical run through the Ladder playoffs. Rightfielder Pablo Correa had given the Stags their only run with an RBI double in the sixth, and they seemed poised to send the series back to Baltimore before Madden's blast.

"This team showed incredible heart," said the Stags manager. "From the wild card games through today, they never quit. Baltimore was just better this series."

The Orioles, seeking their fifth World Series title in franchise history and first in 23 years, now await the winner of the Cardinals-Giants NLCS.

[Young Drachma]

The Little Team That Almost Could: Looking Back at Portland's Improbable Run

There are seasons fans remember because of championships. Then there are seasons fans remember because of the journey. The 2062 Portland Stags gave their faithful the latter – a rollercoaster ride that will be talked about in Pioneer Square bars for decades to come.

Let's be honest: nobody saw this coming. The Stags weren't supposed to be here. They weren't supposed to survive the new Ladder playoff format. They definitely weren't supposed to be one out away from forcing Game 6 in the ALCS against a 101-win Orioles juggernaut.

But that's why we watch, isn't it?

The story of the 2062 Stags isn't about how it ended – with Dylan Madden's cruel ninth-inning homer silencing Civic Stadium. It's about how third baseman Marc McCoy carried the offense through the early rounds. It's about Eric Monaghan launching moonshots when the team needed them most. It's about journeyman Rocky Smith – five career starts to his name – throwing a complete game shutout to clinch the ALDS against Sacramento.

This team had no quit. Four elimination rounds in the Ladder playoffs? The Stags treated each one like a new challenge rather than a burden. They became the first wild card team to navigate the gauntlet, taking down higher seeds and breaking hearts along the way. The "Cardiac Kids" nickname started as a joke in local media, but by the time October rolled around, it felt more like a badge of honor.

Remember the electricity in the city during that Sacramento series? The way downtown erupted when Luke Bright kept finding gaps in the outfield? The collective holding of breath every time Pablo Correa stepped to the plate in a big moment? That's the stuff that builds baseball tradition in a city.

Sure, Baltimore was better. Their 101 wins weren't a fluke, and Bouché's MVP performance in the ALCS showed why they're heading to the World Series. But the 2062 Stags showed Portland – and baseball – something special. They showed that the new playoff format, rather than being a cruel gauntlet, could be a stage for magic. They showed that underdogs can still bark in modern baseball.

Twenty years from now, we might not remember the exact score of that final game. But we'll remember Smith's gem against the Solons. We'll remember McCoy's clutch hits. We'll remember Monaghan's power surge. And we'll remember how a team that wasn't supposed to make noise ended up giving us one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.

The 2062 Portland Stags didn't bring home a pennant. But they gave us something almost as valuable: hope. Hope that in baseball, David can still take aim at Goliath. Hope that next year, maybe that ninth-inning homer goes our way.

After all, that's what baseball is all about. And man, what a ride it was.

[Young Drachma]

Death, Taxes, & Urban (Legend) Henry: Cardinals Dominate Game 5

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals took a decisive step toward the World Series with a commanding 7-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series at Candlestick Park. The theme of the game: death, taxes, and the legendary performance of Urban Henry.

At 39 years old, Henry delivered a masterclass in pitching, completely shutting down the Giants' offense. Over nine innings, the veteran right-hander allowed no runs on just three hits, striking out five and walking one. His dominance earned him the title of Player of the Game and brought the Cardinals within one win of the World Series.

"Urban was in charge the entire game," said Cardinals manager Wookie Rodgers. "He showed why he's a legend."

The Cardinals' offense came alive in the fourth inning, starting with a two-run homer from right fielder Dan Cook off Giants' starter Jayden Carter. First baseman Alejandro Fernández followed with a two-run shot in the fifth inning, and the Cardinals never looked back.

Fernández finished the game 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBIs, and a walk. Shortstop José Cordero contributed with three hits, three runs, and an RBI. The Cardinals continued to add runs in the sixth and eighth innings, solidifying their lead.

The Giants struggled to find any offensive momentum against Henry, managing only three hits throughout the game. Third baseman Tadashi Takagi provided a brief spark with a triple in the first inning, but it wasn't enough to ignite the Giants' bats.


Weather: Partly Cloudy, 59 degrees, with winds blowing in from center at 12 mph.

Attendance: 43,140

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Brown DH      5   1  1   0    0   1  1    .333 0   2
J. Cordero SS    5   3  3   1    0   1  0    .474 2   7
A. Fernández 1B  4   1  4   3    1   0  0    .500 2   5
L. Ramírez CF    5   0  1   1    0   2  3    .158 0   3
M. Del Angel 2B  4   1  1   0    1   1  2    .158 0   1
S. Cook 3B       5   0  2   0    0   0  1    .421 0   2
R. Van de Veer C 5   0  0   0    0   0  4    .200 0   1
D. Cook RF       4   1  3   2    0   0  0    .263 2   4
M. Matsui LF     4   0  0   0    0   2  3    .059 0   1
Totals           41  7  15  7    2   7  14   

SAN FRANCISCO BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
A. Walker CF     4   0  0   0    0   0  1    .235 2   6
R. Perry LF      4   0  0   0    0   0  1    .135 0   1
T. Takagi 3B     4   0  2   0    0   1  1    .291 4   11
N. Teske 1B      4   0  0   0    0   1  3    .167 1   2
C. Spires 2B     3   0  0   0    0   1  1    .184 0   6
J. Melton C      3   0  1   0    0   0  1    .372 1   9
C. Coleman SS    3   0  0   0    0   0  1    .239 2   8
V. Nez RF        3   0  0   0    0   1  0    .163 1   2
H. Kikuchi DH    2   0  0   0    1   1  0    .214 0   2
Totals           30  0  3   0    1   5  9    

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
U. Henry W (2-0)     9.0  3   0   0   1   5  0   120 0.56  

SAN FRANCISCO PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
J. Carter L (0-3)    5.2  11  6   6   2   5  2   121 5.40  
D. Burke             2.0  4   1   1   0   1  0   49  5.68  
V. Bilé              1.1  0   0   0   0   1  0   16  0.00  

[Young Drachma]

Hot Stove Tonight - What's Next for the Cinderella Stags?

Transcript from MLB Network's Hot Stove Tonight, featuring analysts Trevor Chen and Maria Rodriguez discussing the Portland Stags' future following their ALCS exit

CHEN: So Maria, the Stags' improbable run is over. $43 million payroll - lowest in baseball - and they made it to Game 5 of the ALCS. The question now is: what do you do if you're Portland's front office?

RODRIGUEZ: That's the fascinating thing, Trevor. They built this team on bargain-bin shopping and 60 OVR players, and somehow it worked. But arbitration's going to push them to around $65 million next year. Even that would only be third-lowest in baseball. Do you try to run it back or do you pull a 2003 Marlins and tear it all down?

CHEN: See, that's where this gets interesting. Their offense is legitimately good. McCoy, Monaghan, Correa - these guys can hit. But that pitching staff? Come on. They needed a miracle complete game from Rocky Smith just to get past the Division Series. Lightning doesn't strike twice.

RODRIGUEZ: But that's what makes this such a unique situation. Most teams that make deep playoff runs with low payrolls - think 2008 Rays, 2020 Rays - they at least had pitching. The Stags did this with basically smoke and mirrors on the mound.

CHEN: Exactly why I'd sell. McCoy's trade value will never be higher. Monaghan just showed he can hit in October. You could restock your farm system overnight.

RODRIGUEZ: You're not wrong about the trade value, but I actually lean the other way. Look at the landscape - Baltimore's aging, the Solons lost key pieces to free agency. Why not run it back with this core and just focus exclusively on finding pitching? The fans just watched this team make history as the first wild card to navigate four rounds of the Ladder playoffs. You really want to tear that down?

CHEN: You know what fans love more than a fun playoff run? Sustained success. This team as constructed, even with marginally better pitching, isn't winning a World Series. Period.

RODRIGUEZ: But that's assuming the goal is winning a World Series. Maybe the goal should be staying competitive while operating under these self-imposed restrictions. They've proven you can build a watchable product on a shoestring budget.

CHEN: A watchable product that's going to get more expensive through arbitration, with no pitching, in a division that's only getting tougher. I love a good underdog story, Maria, but I also love reality. And the reality is this team peaked at the perfect time. Sell high.

RODRIGUEZ: I'll tell you what - let's revisit this at the winter meetings. If they haven't moved anyone by then, we'll know they're trying to recreate the magic. If McCoy or Monaghan is wearing different colors, we'll know you were right.

CHEN: Either way, what they managed to do this year with that payroll... it shouldn't have worked. But for one magical October run, it did.

RODRIGUEZ: And that's why we love baseball, isn't it?

End Transcript

----------------------------

Breaking Down the Miracle Run: The 2062 Portland Stags

The Portland Stags' improbable ALCS run was built on one of baseball's most dramatic offensive-defensive splits in recent memory. The team rode an elite offense and survived with patchwork pitching all the way to Game 5 against Baltimore, proving you can compete even with MLB's lowest payroll - if you're willing to get creative.

The Elite Offensive Core

At the heart of Portland's success was 19-year-old first baseman Matías Santana, who put up MVP-caliber numbers: .372/.443/.633 with a 191 wRC+ and 7.8 WAR. Around him, shortstop Jaxson Tiller (.325/.384/.556, 153 OPS+) and 22-year-old leftfielder Payton LaBay (.306/.373/.558, 150 OPS+) formed a young core that should only get better.

The depth of the offense was remarkable:
- E.J. Monaghan and Paul Correa both posted 119 OPS+
- Mel Johnson contributed a 133 OPS+
- Part-timer Liam Bright delivered a 145 OPS+ in limited action

The Pitching Puzzle

The rotation numbers tell a stark story. Only Norville Stock (152.2 IP, 3.71 ERA) and Ryder Moring (81.1 IP, 1.99 ERA) posted above-average seasons. Glenn Hayes (167 IP, 5.60 ERA) and Stephen Maldonado (176.2 IP, 6.57 ERA) ate innings but got hit hard. Rocky Smith's playoff complete game came despite struggling in limited regular season action.

The key issue wasn't just performance - it was stamina. Beyond Hayes and Maldonado, no pitcher threw more than 100 innings. That's simply not sustainable over a full season.

The Path Forward

With arbitration pushing payroll to $64.5M in 2063, the Stags need a new approach to pitching. The international market presents an intriguing solution.

The financial picture suggests room for 3-4 international veterans at $2-3M each, especially with the offensive core still being relatively affordable. Santana's age-19 season shows there's elite young talent to build around.

The Blueprint for 2063

The strategy seems clear:
1. Maintain the elite offensive core
2. Target international pitchers with proven durability (150+ IP seasons)
3. Focus on strike-throwers who can provide 5-6 efficient innings
4. Implement aggressive pitch count management
5. Create depth through volume rather than top-end talent

The 2062 Stags showed you can win with elite offense and patchwork pitching. For 2063, the goal should be making that pitching more sustainable through international scouting and smart workload management. In a sport where most teams are chasing the same domestic talent, perhaps the next market inefficiency lies overseas.

[Young Drachma]

I didn't follow any of my house rules for the Stags, I traded for guys with 60 OVR and we maintained the lowest payroll in baseball but it's basically impossible to run a team in this league with only 5% of payroll since that'd only be around $9.4 million.

I still did play a limited moves game and I bolstered the opposition a lot. The task and question left for the Stags next is whether I let them run it back with payroll thanks to arbitration likely to be somewhere in the $65 million range, up for $43 million this year. That'd still be good for 3rd lowest in MLB. I like the idea of seeing if they can run it back, but I'm also intrigued by a Marlins style firesale. I was hoping they could do what the 2003 Marlins did or even just pull a 2008 or 2020 Rays deal where we go on a run to the World Series before breaking things up.

We could opt to operate like the 2016 Blue Jays where new management comes in and does basically nothing, lets the existing team play and then see what happens, but there's no way this team with this barely passable pitching could win a World Series or make another deep post-season run though the offense is largely off the chart.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals still have to win two more games and i'm just watching helplessly as that takes shape.

I want to do a captains log style dynasty update where I reflect foremost on the Stags season and what's next for the club, tearing it down would be interesting if I was just interested in a full tank job and/or looking for prospects to try all of this again.

I just don't know if I have the interest in doing that, as I kind of like the team we've got right now and I'd be curious with another year of team control and perhaps going forage for some bargain basement pitchers or making a new set of house rules around acquiring new arms whether we could make another run.

That said, has been my most immersive OOTP save for me to play in a long time, documenting is fun but only because it helps me to actually notice what's happening in the game and to account for anything I've done.

I think my off-season plan will indeed be to go look for guys in the foreign leagues. No pitcher in my rotation is has an overall of more than 65, our offense was fueled by a lot of Dominican players that I have going through the draft and a few deadline deals I made to keep the storyline interesting for myself, I've always run my teams similarly.

I'm going to focus on the Cardinals run and see if they can get back to the World Series now, but I'm looking forward to the offseason to see if I can keep this Stags thing going one more year, before the inevitable breakup has to happen.

[Young Drachma]

St. Louis Cardinals Win NLCS, Headed to World Series

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals clinched their spot in the World Series with a 3-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals secured the series win, 4-2, behind a stellar performance from pitcher Mark Wleh.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Cardinals finally broke through with two runs. Designated hitter Pedro Brown was replaced by pinch hitter Jake Gallegos, who got things started. José Cordero, the series MVP, contributed with an RBI single, and first baseman Alejandro Fernández added a sacrifice fly.

In the eighth inning, right fielder Dan Cook sealed the victory with a solo home run, his third of the series. The Cardinals' pitching staff was lights out, with Wleh throwing seven innings of one-hit ball, striking out seven and walking three. Closer Leo Cash shut the door in the final two innings, securing the save without allowing a hit.

"Two great teams, only one can go on and we're happy that's us," said José Cordero, who hit .435 with a .500 on-base percentage in the series. He also tallied two home runs, eight RBIs, and seven runs scored.

San Francisco struggled to get anything going offensively, managing just one hit in the game. Third baseman Tadashi Takagi struck out three times, and the Giants left three runners on base.

SAN FRANCISCO BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
A. Walker CF     4   0  0   0    0   0  0    .218 2   6
R. Perry LF      4   0  0   0    0   0  0    .125 0   1
T. Takagi 3B     4   0  0   0    0   3  0    .271 4   11
N. Teske 1B      2   0  0   0    1   1  0    .154 1   2
C. Spires 2B     3   0  1   0    0   0  0    .192 0   6
J. Melton C      2   0  0   0    1   2  2    .356 1   9
C. Coleman SS    3   0  0   0    0   2  3    .224 2   8
V. Nez RF        2   0  0   0    0   0  2    .156 1   2
   a-Y. Rosiaro PH 1 0  0   0    0   0  1    .273 0   2
   b-A. Patel RF  0   0  0   0    0   0  0    .000 0   0
H. Kikuchi DH    2   0  0   0    1   1  1    .200 0   2
Totals           27  0  1   0    3   9  9   

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Brown DH      2   0  0   0    0   0  0    .300 0   2
   a-J. Gallegos DH 2  1  2   0    0   0  0    1.000 0   0
J. Cordero SS    4   0  1   1    0   1  1    .435 2   8
A. Fernández 1B  2   0  0   1    1   0  1    .450 2   6
L. Ramírez CF    4   0  1   0    0   0  3    .174 0   3
M. Del Angel 2B  3   0  0   0    0   0  1    .136 0   1
S. Cook 3B       3   0  0   0    0   0  1    .364 0   2
R. Van de Veer C 2   0  0   0    1   1  0    .182 0   1
D. Cook RF       3   1  1   1    0   1  2    .273 3   5
M. Matsui LF     3   1  1   0    0   0  0    .100 0   1
Totals           28  3  6   3    2   3  9   

SAN FRANCISCO PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
D. Packer L (1-2)    7.2  6   3   3   1   3  1   108 3.79  
J. Weiner            0.1  0   0   0   1   0  0   8   3.18  

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
M. Wleh W (2-0)      7.0  1   0   0   3   7  0   100 0.64  
L. Cash SV (2)       2.0  0   0   0   0   2  0   18  3.86