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  

[Young Drachma]

2062 World Series Preview: A Clash of Historic Powers

For the first time since 1944's all-St. Louis showdown - when the Orioles were still the Browns - these two storied franchises meet in October. The St. Louis Cardinals (100-62) seek their first World Series title since 2011, while the Baltimore Orioles (101-61) chase their first championship since 2039.

Legacy on the Line

The Cardinals' 24th National League pennant gives them a chance to add to their historic total of 11 World Series championships, though their 51-year title drought is their longest since the franchise's founding. Meanwhile, the Orioles are appearing in their 9th Fall Classic (8th since moving to Baltimore), seeking their 5th title overall.

The Matchup

St. Louis dominated the National League with baseball's most efficient offense (.327 team average, MLB-best .345 OBP). Centerfielder Leuri Ramirez (.327/.379/.544, 26 HR, 121 RBI) and first baseman Archer Fernández (.318/.429/.524, 26 HR) anchor a lineup that pressures opposing pitchers from top to bottom.

Perhaps even more impressive has been their postseason pitching. Veteran ace Urban Henry has been nearly unhittable in October, going 2-0 with a microscopic 0.56 ERA. Not to be outdone, Mark Wleh has matched him with a 2-0 record and 0.64 ERA in his postseason starts. This one-two punch has elevated St. Louis's championship hopes from strong to formidable.

Baltimore counters with MLB's best regular season pitching staff (3.62 ERA), led by lefty ace Jesús Dávilos (18-6, 2.44 ERA, 243.2 IP). Shortstop Buster Moreno (.289/.383/.499, 22 HR) spearheads an offense that tied for the AL lead with 231 home runs.

Key Storylines

- The unstoppable force meets the immovable object: St. Louis's red-hot playoff rotation vs. Baltimore's season-long pitching dominance
- Baltimore's elite bullpen (led by closer Uranio Escarcega's 22 saves) against St. Louis's late-inning offensive prowess
- The Cardinals' aggressive baserunning vs. Baltimore's stellar defensive efficiency (.708, 2nd in AL)

Projected Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Henry (STL, 2-0, 0.56 ERA postseason) vs. Dávilos (BAL)
Game 2: Wleh (STL, 2-0, 0.64 ERA postseason) vs. Núñez (BAL)
Game 3: Regalado (STL) vs. Nemerov (BAL)
Game 4: Gibbons (STL) vs. Hercules (BAL)

The Bottom Line

While Baltimore owned the regular season pitching headlines, St. Louis's rotation has found another gear in October. The Cardinals' combination of baseball's best offense and suddenly unhittable starting pitching makes them a formidable favorite, despite lacking home-field advantage.

Baltimore's championship drought and home field edge will provide plenty of motivation, but they'll need to solve the Henry-Wleh puzzle that's stifled everyone else this postseason. Something has to give between these two powerhouses.

Prediction: Cardinals in 6

[Young Drachma]

World Series Game 1: St. Louis Draws First Blood With 6-3 Win

In the opening game of the 2062 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals managed to seize victory from the jaws of defeat with a late-game rally, overcoming the Baltimore Orioles 6-3. Despite a stellar performance from Orioles' left-hander Jesús Dávilos, who threw 7 innings of two-run ball, the Cardinals took the upper hand in the best-of-9 series.

The Cardinals' hero of the night was shortstop José Cordero, who delivered a crucial two-run single in the top of the ninth inning, putting St. Louis ahead for good. Cordero's hit turned the tide in a tightly contested match that saw both teams struggle to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.

St. Louis got on the board early, scoring in the second and fourth innings, but it wasn't until the ninth that they broke the game open. Baltimore, despite their 13 hits, failed to convert their base runners into a lead, stranding 15 runners on base.

Closer Leo Cash sealed the deal for the Cardinals with two scoreless innings, ensuring that the efforts of starter Urban Henry, who gave up 12 hits and three runs over seven innings, did not go to waste.

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Brown DH      4   1  1   0    1   1  0    .292 0   2
J. Cordero SS    4   1  1   2    1   1  1    .407 2   10
A. Fernández 1B  3   0  0   1    1   1  1    .391 2   7
L. Ramírez CF    4   2  2   0    1   0  2    .222 0   3
M. Del Angel 2B  5   0  1   1    0   1  5    .148 0   2
S. Cook 3B       4   0  2   2    0   1  3    .385 0   4
R. Van de Veer C 3   0  0   0    0   2  2    .160 0   1
   a-J. Gallegos PH 1 1  1   0    0   0  0    1.000 0   0
   b-R. Judd C    0   0  0   0    0   0  0    .000 0   0
D. Cook RF       3   0  0   0    1   2  1    .240 3   5
M. Matsui LF     4   1  0   0    0   1  2    .083 0   1
Totals           35  6  8   6    5   10 17   

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  5   1  2   1    0   1  7    .269 0   1
J. Bouché 1B     4   0  2   1    0   1  4    .478 2   6
   a-C. Eggleston PH, 1B 1 0  0  0   0   0  0    .000 0   0
A. Narcisse RF   5   0  1   0    0   2  1    .192 0   0
B. Moreno SS     4   1  1   0    1   3  2    .217 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  3   0  1   1    1   0  2    .154 0   2
   b-D. Whitelaw DH 1 0  1  0   0   0  0    .364 0   2
D. Madden CF     5   0  2   0    0   0  3    .360 3   7
J. Cisneros 3B   3   0  0   0    2   2  2    .263 1   5
K. Kobayashi C   5   1  3   0    0   2  4    .435 0   1
K. Richardson 2B 1   0  0   0    2   0  6    .125 0   2
Totals           37  3  13  3    6   11 31   

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
U. Henry             7.0  12  3   3   5   9  0   126 1.57  
L. Cash W (1-1)      2.0  1   0   0   1   2  0   38  3.00  

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
J. Dávilos           7.0  5   2   1   0   10 0   98  0.82  
U. Escarcega BS (1)  1.0  1   1   1   2   0  0   27  5.40  
T. Flax L (0-1)      1.0  2   3   3   3   0  0   25  6.75  

[Young Drachma]

Game 2: Raucous Crowd Propels Orioles to 7-0 Victory; Series Tied at 1

Behind a stellar performance from starter Adrián Nuñez, the Baltimore Orioles blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 to even the series at 1-1. In a game that saw Oriole Park at Camden Yards come alive, Nuñez delivered 7.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 4. The Orioles' offense came alive, scoring early and often to secure their first win of the World Series.

Nuñez was in command from the start, and he got the support he needed. Left fielder Sean Van Doren set the tone with a double in the first inning, and center fielder Daniel Madden continued his power surge with a two-run homer in the fourth. Third baseman Javier Cisneros capped the scoring with a three-run homer in the eighth.

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
J. Cordero SS    4   0  1   0    0   2  3    .387 2   10
M. Matsui LF     2   0  0   0    1   1  1    .077 0   1
A. Fernández 1B  4   0  1   0    0   1  2    .370 2   7
L. Ramírez CF    4   0  0   0    0   1  2    .194 0   3
M. Del Angel 2B  4   0  0   0    0   1  1    .129 0   2
S. Cook 3B       3   0  0   0    0   0  0    .345 0   4
O. Regalado P, DH3   0  0   0    0   1  0    .143 0   0
D. Cook RF       3   0  1   0    0   0  0    .250 3   5
R. Van de Veer C 2   0  1   0    0   1  0    .185 0   1
Totals           29  0  4   0    1   8  9    

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  3   1  2   0    1   0  0    .310 0   1
J. Bouché 1B     3   0  0   0    1   1  2    .423 2   6
A. Narcisse RF   4   0  1   2    0   0  1    .200 0   2
B. Moreno SS     4   1  2   0    0   1  2    .259 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  4   2  1   0    0   0  5    .176 0   2
D. Madden CF     4   1  1   2    0   2  4    .345 4   9
J. Cisneros 3B   4   1  1   3    0   2  0    .261 2   8
K. Kobayashi C   4   0  0   0    0   2  0    .370 0   1
K. Richardson 2B 3   1  0   0    1   1  0    .105 0   2
Totals           33  7  8   7    3   9  14   

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
O. Regalado L (0-2)  6.0  6   4   4   2   7  1   109 14.14 
M. Avery             2.0  2   3   2   1   2  1   35  4.50  

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
A. Nuñez W (2-0)     7.0  2   0   0   1   4  0   92  0.00  
U. Escarcega         1.1  1   0   0   0   3  0   21  4.26  
U. Gomez             0.2  1   0   0   0   1  0   13  3.00  

[Young Drachma]

Wasting a Mark Wleh start in the World Series to go down 1-2 is not my favorite, but it's a long series.

GAME 3, 2062 WORLD SERIES
Orioles 4, Cardinals 3 (10 innings)

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE 		
Player 			AB 	R 	H 	RBI 	BB 	K 	LOB 	AVG 	HR 	RBI
S. Van Doren LF 	5 	1 	3 	0 	0 	1		0		.353 	0 	1
J. Bouché 1B 		3 	0 	1 	1 	1 	1		2		.414 	2 	7
   d-H. Figueroa PH, 1B 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1		0		.000 	0 	0
A. Narcisse RF 		5 	2 	2 	0 	0 	0		3		.229 	0 	2
B. Moreno SS 		5 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1		2		.219 	0 	0
K. Soutillan DH 	2 	0 	0 	0 	1 	1		0		.158 	0 	2
   c-C. Eggleston DH 	2 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0		1		.250 	0 	1
D. Madden CF 		5 	1 	3 	1 	0 	0		2		.382 	4 	10
J. Cisneros 3B 		4 	0 	1 	1 	0 	2		3		.259 	2 	9
K. Kobayashi C 		4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	3		1		.323 	0 	1
K. Richardson 2B 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2		0		.095 	0 	2
   a-S. Harris PH 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0		0		.500 	0 	0
   b-D. Williams 2B 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1		0		.000 	0 	0
Totals 			40 	4 	11 	4 	2 	13 	14 	  	  	 
a - S. Harris pinch hit for K. Richardson in the 7th
b - D. Williams substituted for S. Harris in the 7th
c - C. Eggleston inserted as DH in the 8th
d - H. Figueroa pinch hit for J. Bouché in the 10th

BATTING
Doubles: S. Van Doren (5, 3rd Inning off M. Wleh, 0 on, 2 outs) , J. Bouché (4, 3rd Inning off M. Wleh, 1 on, 2 outs) , J. Cisneros (1, 4th Inning off M. Wleh, 1 on, 2 outs) , A. Narcisse (2, 8th Inning off L. Cash, 0 on, 0 outs) , C. Eggleston (1, 10th Inning off C. Colmenares, 1 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: S. Van Doren 4 , J. Bouché 2 , A. Narcisse 3 , C. Eggleston 2 , D. Madden 3 , J. Cisneros 2
2-out RBI: J. Bouché , C. Eggleston , D. Madden , J. Cisneros
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: A. Narcisse , D. Madden , K. Kobayashi
Team LOB: 8

BASERUNNING
CS: A. Narcisse (1)

FIELDING
Errors: S. Van Doren , B. Moreno , K. Richardson
Double Plays: 1 (Cisneros-Richardson-Bouché)

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
		
Player 			AB 	R 	H 	RBI 	BB 	K 	LOB 	AVG 	HR 	RBI
P. Brown DH 		5 	1 	1 	0 	0 	0		1		.276 	0 	2
J. Cordero SS 		4 	2 	2 	0 	1 	1		1		.400 	2 	10
A. Fernández 1B 	5 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0		3		.344 	2 	8
L. Ramírez CF 		5 	0 	0 	1 	0 	2		3		.167 	0 	4
M. Del Angel 2B 	4 	0 	1 	1 	0 	2		1		.143 	0 	3
S. Cook 3B 		3 	0 	1 	0 	1 	1		2		.344 	0 	4
R. Van de Veer C 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0		1		.167 	0 	1
   a-J. Gallegos PH 	1 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0		0		1.000 	0 	0
   b-R. Judd C 		0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0		0		.000 	0 	0
D. Cook RF 		4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0		2		.219 	3 	5
M. Matsui LF 		4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1		3		.067 	0 	1
Totals 	38 		3 	7 	3 	2 	7 	17 	  	  	 
a - J. Gallegos pinch hit for R. Van de Veer in the 9th
b - R. Judd substituted for J. Gallegos in the 10th

BATTING
Doubles: P. Brown (2, 1st Inning off E. Nemerov, 0 on, 0 outs) , M. Del Angel (1, 6th Inning off E. Nemerov, 1 on, 2 outs) , A. Fernández (3, 8th Inning off U. Escarcega, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: P. Brown 2 , J. Cordero 2 , A. Fernández 2 , M. Del Angel 2 , S. Cook , J. Gallegos
2-out RBI: M. Del Angel
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: L. Ramírez , S. Cook 2 , M. Matsui
GIDP: R. Van de Veer
Team LOB: 7

BASERUNNING
SB: L. Ramírez (1)
BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE 		ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player 			IP 	H 	R 	ER 	BB 	K 	HR 	PI 	ERA   
E. Nemerov 		7.0 	5 	3 	2 	0 	5 	0 	105 	6.23   
U. Escarcega 		1.1 	1 	0 	0 	1 	2 	0 	23 	3.52   
T. Flax W (1-1) 	1.2 	1 	0 	0 	1 	0 	0 	29 	4.76   
PITCHING
Game Score: E. Nemerov 62
Batters Faced: E. Nemerov 27, U. Escarcega 6, T. Flax 7
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: E. Nemerov 9-6, U. Escarcega 1-1, T. Flax 2-3
Pitches - Strikes: E. Nemerov 105-67, U. Escarcega 23-13, T. Flax 29-17
Inherited Runners - Scored: T. Flax 1-0
		
Player 			IP 	H 	R 	ER 	BB 	K 	HR 	PI 	ERA   
M. Wleh 		7.0 	7 	2 	2 	2 	9 	0 	121 	1.29   
L. Cash BS (1) 		2.0 	2 	1 	1 	0 	3 	0 	35 	3.27   
C. Colmenares L (0-1) 	1.0 	2 	1 	1 	0 	1 	0 	16 	9.00   
PITCHING
Game Score: M. Wleh 62
Batters Faced: M. Wleh 29, L. Cash 8, C. Colmenares 5
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Wleh 6-5, L. Cash 0-3, C. Colmenares 1-1
Pitches - Strikes: M. Wleh 121-75, L. Cash 35-27, C. Colmenares 16-10

[Young Drachma]

BENJAMIN DELIVERS AS THE CARDS TIE THE SERIES

The St. Louis Cardinals delivered a resounding 6-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 4 of the 2062 Fall Classic, evening the series at two games apiece and setting the stage for a pivotal Game 5. With the home crowd roaring, the Cardinals struck early, igniting a three-run rally in the first inning. Archer Fernández got things rolling with a single, and timely hits from Leuri Ramírez and Miguel Del Angel set the table for Ray Van de Veer, whose clutch two-run single provided the spark St. Louis needed.

Cardinals starter Chase Benjamin was masterful, delivering five scoreless innings while scattering just a few hits. Benjamin’s precision pitching and the Cardinals' airtight defense stifled the Orioles' lineup, erasing any early threats. Baltimore’s aggression on the basepaths backfired, with two runners caught stealing, further tilting the momentum in St. Louis’s favor. Benjamin was a late addition to this game, he started his first post-season game of 2062 owing to the Cardinals bye into the NLCS.

The highlight of the night came in the third inning when Damian Cook crushed a towering three-run homer to left-center, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and putting the game firmly out of Baltimore’s reach. Orioles starter Torque Hercules struggled, surrendering six runs in just three innings, while Powell McGowan provided stability out of the bullpen but couldn’t undo the damage.

The Cardinals’ bullpen took over seamlessly from Benjamin, preserving the shutout and showcasing the depth of their pitching staff. Despite a valiant effort by the Orioles to mount a late rally, St. Louis never wavered, locking down a dominant win.

With the series now tied 2-2, both teams are bracing for a critical Game 5.

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  4   0  0   0    0   1  2    .316 0   1
J. Bouché 1B     4   0  0   0    0   3  2    .364 2   7
A. Narcisse RF   4   0  0   0    0   0  0    .205 0   2
B. Moreno SS     3   0  0   0    0   1  0    .200 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  3   0  0   0    0   0  0    .136 0   2
D. Madden CF     3   0  1   0    0   0  0    .378 4   10
J. Cisneros 3B   3   0  0   0    0   2  0    .233 2   9
K. Kobayashi C   2   0  1   0    1   1  0    .333 0   1
K. Richardson 2B 3   0  2   0    0   0  1    .167 0   2
Totals           29  0  4   0    1   8  5    

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
P. Brown DH      4   1  1   0    1   0  1    .273 0   2
J. Cordero SS    5   1  1   1    0   1  3    .375 2   11
A. Fernández 1B  3   1  1   0    2   0  1    .343 2   8
L. Ramírez CF    4   1  2   2    0   0  0    .200 0   6
M. Del Angel 2B  5   2  2   1    0   1  5    .175 0   4
S. Cook 3B       3   1  0   0    1   1  3    .314 0   4
R. Van de Veer C 4   0  1   2    0   1  2    .176 0   3
D. Cook RF       4   1  1   3    0   1  2    .222 4   8
M. Matsui LF     4   2  3   0    0   1  0    .147 0   1
Totals           36  10 12  9    4   6  17   

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
T. Hercules L (1-1)  2.2  7   6   6   1   1  1   61  8.38  
P. McGowan           3.1  4   3   3   1   2  0   52  8.10  
R. Pitkin            2.0  1   1   1   2   3  0   46  10.38 

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
C. Benjamin W (1-0)  9.0  4   0   0   1   8  0   98  0.00  

[Young Drachma]

In a thrilling conclusion to Game 5 of the 2062 World Series, the Baltimore Orioles edged the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth. Archie Narcisse played the hero, delivering a deep fly ball off Cardinals reliever Logan Cash to bring home the game-winning run and send the sold-out crowd at Oriole Park into a frenzy.

Baltimore starter Jesús Dávilos was outstanding, dominating the Cardinals over seven innings while striking out 11 and allowing just one run—a solo homer by Miguel Del Angel in the second inning. Dávilos kept St. Louis hitters off-balance with pinpoint command, earning Player of the Game honors for his stellar effort.

The game remained tight throughout, with the Cardinals' starter Ulysses Henry matching Dávilos pitch-for-pitch. Henry went seven strong innings, yielding only a single earned run while striking out seven. Baltimore finally broke through against the St. Louis bullpen in the seventh, as pinch hitter Dave Whitelaw laced an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2.

Baltimore’s bullpen held firm, with Ulises Escarcega pitching the final two frames and allowing just one run to secure the win. St. Louis squandered opportunities late, stranding several runners in scoring position, including a pivotal moment in the eighth when Damian Cook flied out with two on.

The Orioles took control of the series with the win, now leading 3-2 in the best-of-nine Fall Classic. The two teams will clash again tomorrow night at Camden Yards, with Baltimore one step closer to clinching the championship and St. Louis fighting to keep their title hopes alive.

[Young Drachma]

Cardinals Down But Not Out: "We've Been Here Before"

The weight of a 51-year championship drought just got a little heavier in St. Louis. After the Cardinals' 7-1 loss in Game 6, they now face the daunting task of winning three straight against baseball's best pitching staff. But in the visiting clubhouse at Camden Yards, there was no panic – only resolve.

"Baseball's a funny game," Cardinals manager Wookie Rogers said, leaning back in his office chair with the same calm demeanor that's defined his tenure. "Everyone's talking about how we need to win three in a row like it's climbing Mount Everest. You know what? This team won eight straight in May. Seven straight in July. We won five straight to close out September when we needed every one of them."

The decision to start Oscar Regalado (now 0-3, 10.54 ERA this postseason) will be debated all winter if the Cardinals can't complete the comeback. But Rogers' focus remained forward, not backward.

"You win one game tomorrow. Then you win one game the next day. Then you win one more," Rogers continued, the hint of a smile crossing his face. "That's all baseball is – one game at a time. We've got our backs against the wall? Fine. That wall's at Busch Stadium, and I like our chances in front of our fans. This team's got something special about it. Always has. Now we just need to show it three more times."

The Cardinals will turn to their ace Urban Henry in Game 7, hoping to start their own slice of history. No team has overcome a 4-2 deficit in a best-of-nine World Series since 1925. But as Rogers puts it: "Records are made to be broken. Droughts are meant to end. And comebacks? They're meant to be legendary. See you Friday night."

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
J. Cordero SS    4   1  3   0    0   0  0    .375 2   11
M. Matsui LF     2   0  0   0    0   1  2    .132 0   1
   a-A. Novak PH, LF 1  0  0   0    0   1  1    .000 0   0
A. Fernández 1B  3   0  1   0    1   0  1    .325 2   9
L. Ramírez CF    3   0  1   1    1   0  1    .191 0   7
M. Del Angel 2B  4   0  2   0    0   2  2    .208 1   5
S. Cook 3B       4   0  0   0    0   1  2    .286 0   4
O. Regalado P, DH4   0  1   0    0   0  1    .182 0   0
D. Cook RF       3   0  0   0    1   1  2    .214 4   8
R. Van de Veer C 4   0  0   0    0   1  3    .167 0   3
Totals           32  1  8   1    3   7  15   

BATTING
Doubles: J. Cordero (3, 3rd Inning off A. Nuñez, 0 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: J. Cordero 4, A. Fernández, L. Ramírez, M. Del Angel 2, O. Regalado
2-out RBI: L. Ramírez
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: L. Ramírez, M. Del Angel, R. Van de Veer
Sac Bunt: M. Matsui
Team LOB: 8

FIELDING
Errors: J. Cordero
Double Plays: 3 (Cordero-Del Angel-Fernández, Del Angel-Cordero-Fernández, Del Angel-Cordero-Fernández)
PB: R. Van de Veer

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  5   1  2   2    0   2  1    .292 0   3
J. Bouché 1B     4   0  1   1    0   0  1    .341 2   8
A. Narcisse RF   2   1  1   0    2   0  0    .227 0   3
B. Moreno SS     4   0  2   0    0   0  3    .262 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  4   1  1   1    0   1  1    .138 0   3
D. Madden CF     2   2  1   1    2   0  1    .372 5   11
J. Cisneros 3B   3   1  1   1    1   0  4    .229 2   10
K. Kobayashi C   3   0  0   1    0   1  2    .282 0   2
K. Richardson 2B 4   1  1   0    0   0  1    .167 0   2
Totals           31  7  10  7    5   4  14   

BATTING
Doubles: J. Bouché (5, 1st Inning off O. Regalado, 0 on, 1 out), S. Van Doren 2 (7, 7th Inning off O. Regalado, 2 on, 1 out; 8th Inning off M. Avery, 0 on, 2 outs)
Home Runs: D. Madden (5, 7th Inning off O. Regalado, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: S. Van Doren 4, J. Bouché 2, A. Narcisse, B. Moreno 2, K. Soutillan, D. Madden 4, J. Cisneros, K. Richardson
2-out RBI: K. Soutillan
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: S. Van Doren, J. Bouché, J. Cisneros
GIDP: B. Moreno 2, J. Cisneros
Sac Fly: J. Bouché, K. Kobayashi
Team LOB: 7

FIELDING
Double Plays: 1 (Moreno-Bouché)
OF assists: 1 (Madden(Fernández at 3rd base))

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
O. Regalado L (0-3)  6.2  7   7   5   4   4  1   111 10.54 
M. Avery             1.1  3   0   0   1   0  0   24  3.38  

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
A. Nuñez W (3-0)     6.2  8   1   1   2   5  0   95  0.44  
J. Stewart SV (1)    2.1  0   0   0   1   2  0   34  0.00  

[Young Drachma]

CARDINALS SURVIVE GAME 7 BEHIND WLEH’S WIZARDRY, SEND SERIES TO DECISIVE GAME 8
By Deadspin Staff Writer Who Definitely Didn’t Have Their Draft Stolen by ChatGPT

The St. Louis Cardinals aren't dead yet, folks. Thanks to an absolutely filthy outing by Mark Wleh, the kind of performance you tell your grandkids about even though they’ve never watched a full baseball game, the Cards trounced the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 in Game 7 of the best-of-nine World Series (we'll never get used to saying that). Busch Stadium was a soggy cauldron of energy, with 48,619 fans refusing to let relentless drizzle—and 47-degree temps—dampen their spirits.

Wleh was unhittable in that way where you wonder if the Orioles collectively left their bats on the team plane. Eight innings, four hits, one measly run, and ten strikeouts. He wasn’t just pitching; he was conducting a master class in “sit down and shut up.” Not a single Baltimore hitter managed to figure him out. He made Bouché, Narcisse, and Moreno—guys who normally get cheers louder than free beer—look like extras in a Little League movie.

Meanwhile, Baltimore starter Evan Nemerov… well. His line—6 innings, 10 hits, 5 earned runs—was the kind of thing that might get your face pixelated in a postgame highlight package. The Cardinals batters were relentless, taking him apart piece by piece like an IKEA coffee table, leaving Baltimore fans to wonder whether they should’ve just gone with the bullpen sooner.

Let’s talk offense. St. Louis wasn’t flashy; they were surgical. Jose Cordero and Miguel Del Angel led the charge, combining for four RBIs that felt less like insurance runs and more like the nails in Baltimore’s proverbial coffin. Lars Ramirez added a dagger of a two-run homer in the fifth, and if there’s a more poetic way to end a wet, miserable night for the Orioles, we don’t want to hear it.

The Orioles' only glimmer of hope came from Kevin Richardson, who doubled in the ninth off a clearly human Mark Wleh. But don’t get it twisted—this wasn’t a “Baltimore rally.” This was more like watching a broken-down car crawl to the nearest exit while Wleh waved from the rearview mirror.

Even the rain couldn’t dampen the vibes in St. Louis. Manager Wookie Rodgers—yes, that’s his real name—gave us this gem of a quote after the game:

“A confident pitcher is a dangerous thing. That’s what Mark is right now.”

Translation: We have a horse, and you’re all screwed.

So, now what? The series is 4-3, and the Cardinals are right back in it, clawing their way out of the hole they dug when Baltimore decided to cosplay as 1970s dynasties for the first six games. Game 8 is tomorrow night, back at Busch Stadium, and if tonight was any indication, the Cards have all the momentum. Or maybe they don’t—this is baseball, and chaos reigns supreme.

One thing’s for sure: The Orioles better figure out how to hit a baseball, or Wleh’s going to have a statue outside Busch by Friday.

[Young Drachma]

The Morning After: Cards Still Breathing, But Who Gets the Ball?

After Mark Wleh reminded everyone why baseball is the greatest sport on Earth last night (8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 10 K in a cold drizzle? Are you kidding me?), we've got the biggest pitching decision since... well, probably since the franchise moved to Sportsman's Park.

Here's our situation: We're down 4-3 in a best-of-nine. Game 8 tonight. Game 9 tomorrow (if necessary). We've got Oscar Regalado lined up for Game 8 (and after his Game 6 disaster, typing that made me break out in hives), and Urban Henry rested for a potential Game 9.

But here's the thing - can we really trust Regalado again? The guy's sporting a 10.54 ERA this postseason and looked about as comfortable in Game 6 as a Cardinals fan at Wrigley Field. And if we lose Game 8, there IS no Game 9 for Henry to pitch.

The case for starting Henry on short rest tonight:
- He's our ace
- He's been lights out all postseason
- If we lose, having him fresh for Game 9 doesn't matter
- The season literally hangs in the balance

The case against:
- He's never pitched on short rest in his career
- If we win WITH Regalado, we have our ace fully rested for Game 9
- Henry's age (39) makes short rest even riskier

Look, I get why Wookie Rogers might want to stick to the plan. The "one game at a time" mentality has gotten us this far. But this isn't May baseball anymore. This is "we haven't won a title since 2011 and we're two wins away" baseball.

My totally unsolicited opinion? You go Henry tonight. Kelly Gibbons has been decent enough to give you a fighting chance in Game 9 if we get there. But you HAVE to get there first. Regalado in an elimination game feels like playing Russian Roulette with five chambers loaded.

The Orioles are wobbling after Wleh's masterpiece. Their confidence is shaken. You hit them with Henry tonight, maybe squeeze 6 strong innings out of him, and you force a Game 9 where literally anything can happen.

But what do I know? I'm just a blogger sitting here in my Cardinals pajamas, trying to figure out how I'm going to explain to my boss why I need to leave early again for tonight's game.

One thing's for sure - Busch Stadium is going to be electric again tonight. After what Wleh did in that rain last night, this city believes. Now we just need Rogers to make the right call with who takes the mound.

What do you think? Should Henry go on short rest? Let me know in the comments below, and remember - no matter what happens, at least we're not Cubs fans.

[Young Drachma]

CARDINALS FORCE GAME 9, URBAN HENRY DIES FOR OUR SINS

You know it’s a wild ride when your ace, running on a cocktail of adrenaline and 48 hours of rest, gets shelled for ten hits and six runs and still saves the season. That’s what Urban Henry gave us in Game 8: a gutsy, gory, gasoline-soaked slog that somehow didn’t leave Busch Stadium in flames. Henry didn’t have his best, or even his “meh,” but he gave the Cardinals enough. Just enough to let the bats take over and punch Baltimore right in the beak.

And the bats did their job. Oh boy, did they. Leuri Ramírez said, “Grand slam? Sure, why not?” in the fourth, taking a hanger from Torque Hercules (fake name, terrible result) and parking it somewhere in the Gateway Arch. Ramírez’s five RBIs carried the night, but don’t sleep on Alec Fernández, who had the audacity to follow up Ramírez’s heroics with a two-run moonshot of his own. Not a man alive in Baltimore is sleeping well tonight.

For the Orioles, they got plenty from their big boys—Jean Bouché and Derrick Madden were tearing the cover off the ball—but their pitchers might as well have been throwing BP. Hercules gave up 10 hits in three innings. Ten! That’s a stat line that gets you DFA’d, not starting a World Series game.

So here we are, tied up at 4-4, headed for a Game 9 bloodbath in Baltimore. Anything could happen. Urban Henry might pitch again. Torque Hercules might try to redeem himself (he won’t). Leuri Ramírez might hit another grand slam just to see if he can break science. All we know is it’s gonna be chaos, and it’s gonna rule.

[Young Drachma]

Game 9 Preview: History Awaits in Baltimore

After a series that's featured everything from pitching duels to offensive explosions, from rain-soaked classics to momentum swings, it all comes down to this. Game 9 at Camden Yards. Winner take all. The Orioles seeking their first title since 2039 on their home turf, the Cardinals trying to become the first team to win Games 7, 8, and 9 on the road to end their drought stretching back to 2011.

The Pitching Matchup
Baltimore is going all-in with their ace, Jesús Dávilos. The 22-year-old Dominican has been everything you could want in a franchise pitcher, posting a 2.44 ERA over 243.2 innings this season. His postseason numbers have been equally impressive, and now he gets the chance to close it out in front of the Camden faithful.

The Cardinals' starter remains unannounced, but the whispers around the visitors' clubhouse suggest we might see something unprecedented. With Urban Henry potentially available out of the bullpen for the first time in his career, the Cardinals could piece together a "bullpen game" that ends with their ace closing things out.

The Series So Far

Game 1: BAL 3, STL 2
Game 2: BAL 7, STL 0
Game 3: BAL 4, STL 3
Game 4: STL 10, BAL 0
Game 5: BAL 3, STL 2
Game 6: BAL 7, STL 1
Game 7: STL 6, BAL 1
Game 8: STL 4, BAL 2

The Numbers Game
The Cardinals' pitching stats this series tell a fascinating story. Mark Wleh has been otherworldly (1.24 ERA in 29 IP), while Oscar Regalado has struggled mightily (10.54 ERA). Chase Benjamin's perfect 9-inning performance in Game 8 gives the Cardinals hope that they can piece together another masterpiece, even away from Busch Stadium.

The Key Decision
The Cardinals' pitching decision might be the most crucial of the series. Do they start someone like Kelly Gibbons (despite his 12.60 ERA in his one series appearance) and save Henry for relief, or do they roll the dice with Henry on short rest? The bullpen has been solid, with Logan Cash (4.26 ERA) and others providing reliable innings.

The Bottom Line
This series has defied conventional wisdom at every turn. Baltimore dominated early, winning the first three games at home, watched St. Louis steal momentum, but now returns to Camden Yards with a chance to celebrate in front of their home crowd. The Cardinals have won two straight, but must now do something no team has done before - win Games 7, 8, and 9 of a World Series with the final three all coming on the road.

In the end, it might come down to which manager plays their pitching cards right. Baltimore's strategy is clear with Dávilos. The Cardinals' approach - particularly regarding Henry's potential relief appearance - could be the difference between celebration and heartbreak.

History at Stake: Game 9's Place in Baseball Lore
As Baltimore and St. Louis prepare for just the sixth decisive Game 9 since the best-of-nine format returned in 2043, it's worth noting the historical weight of tonight's matchup. This isn't just about two teams seeking to end championship droughts - it's about adding their names to a very select list of teams who've gone the distance in baseball's most grueling format.

Best-of-Nine Decisive Games (Since 2043)

2045: Boise Spuds def. Mets
2049: Brewers def. Sacramento
2061: Mets def. Twins

The Ladder playoff format, reintroduced in 2059, has added another layer of intrigue to this matchup. The Cardinals, having earned their way to the World Series through the traditional path, face a Baltimore team that dominated the American League all season to secure their spot.

What makes tonight particularly special is that no team has ever overcome a 4-2 deficit in a best-of-nine World Series. The Cardinals aren't just trying to end their 51-year championship drought - they're attempting to make history in a format that's seen just three previous Game 9s in the modern era.
The last team to win a decisive World Series game on the road? The 2061 Mets at Minnesota. Before that, you have to go back to the best-of-seven era and the 2036 Dodgers winning Game 7 in Seattle.

Tonight at Camden Yards, we're not just watching Game 9 of the 2062 World Series. We're watching a potential chapter in baseball's evolving history, as two storied franchises face off in a format that continues to produce unprecedented moments.

[Young Drachma]

Veterans Chase One More Ring: The Championship Pedigree in Game 9

In a series where history looms large, the handful of players who have felt the weight of a World Series ring could prove decisive in tonight's Game 9. The stories of how these veterans found their way to this moment add another layer of intrigue to an already compelling finale.

The Cardinals' Ring Collection
- Flynn Rodriguez: The most decorated player in this game, with three championships from Cleveland's mini-dynasty of the 2050s
- Urban Henry: Earned his ring with the 2058 Rangers
- Mark Wleh: A three-time champion, winning with the Rockies (2054, 2056) and adding another with the '58 Rangers

The Orioles' Champions
- Adrián Núñez: Part of the Yankees' 2053 championship team
- Torque Hercules: Shared that 2058 Rangers title with Henry and Wleh

But perhaps the most compelling story belongs to Orioles outfielder Spencer Van Doren. The Cardinals' first-round pick (21st overall) in 2055 spent seven years in St. Louis before being dealt to Texas. Now, after a mid-season trade to Baltimore, he has the chance to deny his original team their first title since 2011.

The Rangers Connection
That 2058 Rangers team has become an unlikely nexus of this series, with Henry and Wleh now trying to beat their former teammates Hercules and Van Doren. Henry could potentially close out Game 9 against the very players he once celebrated with.

Experience When It Matters
Combined, these veterans bring eight World Series rings into Game 9. Wleh's masterful Game 7 performance (8 IP, 1 R) showed how that championship experience can manifest in crucial moments. The question now: which of these proven winners will add another ring to their collection?

"You never forget what it feels like to win that last game," Wleh said after Game 8. "But you never forget what it feels like to lose it either. That's what makes Game 9 so special - everyone in both clubhouses knows exactly what's at stake."

For the dozens of players seeking their first championship tonight, they need look no further than their veteran teammates to understand both the glory and pressure that awaits in the season's final game.

[Young Drachma]

Cardinals Shuffle Deck for Game 9: Breaking Down the Bold New Lineup

In addition to the surprising Cho announcement, the Cardinals are rolling out a dramatically different lineup for the most important game of the year. Manager Wookie Rogers has clearly decided that if they're going down, they're going down swinging – and with some fresh faces.

The New-Look Cardinals Lineup
1. SS José Cordero (.386/.444/.561 this postseason)
2. RF Leuri Ramirez (.214/.290/.321)
3. LF Pinwheel Brown (.289/.360/.333, 11 SB)
4. 1B Archer Fernández (.333/.444/.604, 3 HR)
5. DH Chase Zuniga (First postseason appearance)
6. 3B Sandy Cook (.294/.379/.333)
7. 2B Flynn Rodriguez (First postseason appearance)
8. CF Asher Novak (0-for-1 in series)
9. C Ralph Judd (First postseason appearance)

Key Changes
- Inserting the veteran three-time champion Rodriguez at second base
- Giving Zuniga his first start at DH
- Moving Ramirez to the 2-hole
- Complete refresh of the bottom third of the lineup

The Strategy
Rogers appears to be betting on a combination of proven postseason performers (Cordero, Fernández) and fresh legs (Zuniga, Judd) who haven't been worn down by the long series. The inclusion of Rodriguez, with his three rings from Cleveland, adds championship experience to a pressure-packed situation.

The Risk
Starting three players who haven't appeared in the series (Zuniga, Rodriguez, Judd) in Game 9 of the World Series is practically unprecedented. But facing elimination for the third straight game, perhaps conventional wisdom no longer applies.

Combined with the Cho pitching decision, the Cardinals are essentially pushing all their chips to the center of the table with a completely reimagined approach. Sometimes the best adjustment is the one your opponent hasn't prepared for.

"Everyone in that lineup was chosen for a specific reason," Rogers said pre-game. "Whether it's experience, matchups, or just having fresh legs - we believe this group gives us the best chance to make history tonight."

[Young Drachma]

The Cardinals' Game 9 Strategy Was Like Bringing A Plastic Fork To A Gunfight

Look, I get it. When you're desperate, you do desperate things. Like asking your friend who "knows cars" to fix your transmission. Or trying to cure a hangover with more alcohol. Or, if you're the St. Louis Cardinals, throwing Ji-Won Cho out there in Game 9 of the World Series against a goddamn pitching terminator.

Jesús Dávilos didn't just beat the Cardinals last night. He performed baseball's version of a ritual sacrifice, methodically dismembering their offense in front of 47,722 bloodthirsty witnesses. Fifteen strikeouts. FIFTEEN. Ralph Judd went down three times looking so lost he probably needed Google Maps to find the dugout. The entire bottom third of the Cardinals' lineup looked like they were swinging pool noodles up there.

The decision to start Cho wasn't just desperate - it was the baseball equivalent of showing up to a sword fight with a butter knife wrapped in tin foil. By the fourth inning, when Spencer Van Doren (because OF COURSE it had to be their old draft pick) launched a three-run homer that probably still hasn't landed, the Cardinals' master plan had all the structural integrity of a wet paper bag.

But here's the thing: It didn't matter who they started. Dávilos was going to shove that trophy down St. Louis's throat no matter what. The guy threw 139 pitches like he was playing catch in the backyard. The Cardinals managed three hits. THREE. I've seen better offensive performances in Little League games where everyone gets a participation trophy.

The true comedy was watching the Cardinals trot out three guys who hadn't appeared in the series yet for Game 9 of the World Series. Chase Zuniga played third base like he was using Google Translate to understand the position. The error he made in the fourth looked like me trying to do calculus after six beers.

And now the drought continues. Fifty-one years since 2011. The Cardinals have now lost more World Series games than some expansion teams have played playoff games. Their "bold" Game 9 strategy will be taught in baseball courses as "What Not To Do When Facing Elimination, Chapter 1."

But really, what were they supposed to do? Dávilos was dealing like a blackjack player with cards up his sleeve. The Cardinals could have started Sandy Koufax in his prime and still lost, because Baltimore's ace decided to turn Game 9 into his personal pitching clinic.

At least Cardinals fans can drown their sorrows in toasted ravioli and remind themselves that hey, at least they're not the Cubs.

Drew Magary is a contributing editor for Some Website That Used To Be Cool and author of "Why Your Team's World Series Hopes Are Dumber Than A Box Of Rocks."

[Young Drachma]

2062 WORLD SERIES GAME 9: Orioles 9, Cardinals 2

ST. LOUIS BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
J. Cordero SS    4   0  1   0    0   2  0    .365 2   13
F. Rodriguez 2B  3   1  1   0    1   1  1    .500 0   0
A. Fernández 1B  3   1  0   0    1   2  2    .302 3   10
P. Brown DH      4   0  0   0    0   0  4    .265 0   2
L. Ramírez CF    3   0  1   2    0   0  0    .233 1   13
C. Zuniga 3B     3   0  0   0    0   2  1    .000 0   0
M. Matsui LF     3   0  0   0    0   3  0    .152 0   1
R. Judd C        3   0  0   0    0   3  0    .000 0   0
A. Novak RF      2   0  0   0    1   2  0    .000 0   0
Totals           28  2  3   2    3  15 8    

BATTING
Doubles: L. Ramírez (1, 4th Inning off J. Dávilos, 2 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: J. Cordero, F. Rodriguez, L. Ramírez 2
2-out RBI: L. Ramírez
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: C. Zuniga
GIDP: P. Brown
Team LOB: 2

BASERUNNING
CS: F. Rodriguez (1), A. Novak (1)

FIELDING
Errors: C. Zuniga
Double Plays: 2 (Zuniga-Rodriguez-Fernández, Cordero-Rodriguez-Fernández)
OF assists: 1 (Ramírez(Madden at home))
PB: R. Judd

BALTIMORE BATTING LINESCORE
Player           AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG   HR  RBI
S. Van Doren LF  5   2  2   3    0   0  4    .270 1   6
J. Bouché 1B     5   0  1   0    0   2  0    .302 2   8
A. Narcisse RF   3   1  0   0    1   0  2    .214 1   6
B. Moreno SS     4   0  0   0    0   0  1    .208 0   0
K. Soutillan DH  3   3  2   1    1   0  0    .158 1   4
D. Madden CF     3   0  1   0    1   0  1    .370 5   13
J. Cisneros 3B   4   1  3   3    0   0  0    .261 2   14
K. Kobayashi C   3   1  0   0    1   1  2    .216 0   2
K. Richardson 2B 3   1  2   0    1   1  3    .231 0   2
Totals           33  9  11  7    5   4  13   

BATTING
Home Runs: S. Van Doren (1, 4th Inning off J. Cho, 2 on, 2 outs), K. Soutillan (1, 7th Inning off C. Fawcett, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: S. Van Doren 5, J. Bouché, K. Soutillan 5, D. Madden, J. Cisneros 3, K. Richardson 2
2-out RBI: S. Van Doren, J. Cisneros
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: S. Van Doren, K. Kobayashi
GIDP: S. Van Doren, A. Narcisse
Team LOB: 5

FIELDING
Errors: J. Bouché
Double Plays: 2 (Kobayashi-Richardson, Moreno-Richardson-Bouché)

ST. LOUIS PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
J. Cho L (0-1)       3.2  7   6   1   2   2  1   86  2.45  
D. Harper            0.2  1   2   2   2   0  0   27  7.36  
M. Avery             1.2  1   0   0   1   2  0   29  2.57  
C. Fawcett           2.0  2   1   1   0   0  1   21  1.80  

BALTIMORE PITCHING LINESCORE
Player               IP   H   R   ER  BB  K  HR  PI  ERA   
J. Dávilos W (3-0)   8.1  3   2   2   3   15 0   139 1.21  
T. Kichikawa         0.2  0   0   0   0   0  0   8   0.00  

[Young Drachma]

The Great Migration: How Tax Breaks and Failed Stadiums Reshaped Baseball's Landscape

Because baseball apparently hasn't had enough chaos in 2062, we're now witnessing one of the most significant franchise relocations in recent memory. Let's break down this fever dream of franchise musical chairs, shall we?

The Tampa Bay Giants: Because Florida Needed More Baseball Drama
In a move that would make Horace Stoneham blush, the Giants are abandoning the Bay Area for... another bay area. After 125 years in San Francisco (and another 75 before that in New York), they're headed to Tampa because their tech bro owner discovered Florida's tax code.

The franchise that gave us Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, and Buster Posey will now play in something called "Publix Park," which I assume will feature pub sub stands instead of hot dog vendors.

The cruel irony? They're moving to a city that's already lost two MLB teams. The Rays vanished into the ether of baseball history years ago, and the Cannons treated Tampa like a bad Airbnb – stayed for a bit, made a mess, then left.

The San Francisco Seals: The Prodigal Franchise Returns
Speaking of the Cannons, they're completing baseball's version of a spouse swap by moving into the Giants' old digs. Let's recap their journey:

2040: Born in Oklahoma City as the Twisters
2043: Moved to Calgary
2048: Hello, Tampa!
2059: Back to Calgary
2062: San Francisco bound

They're basically baseball's version of that friend who can't hold down a permanent address. Though reviving the Seals name – a nod to the historic PCL franchise – is a nice touch. Maybe the eighth time's the charm?

Baseball's new three-division format means saying goodbye to the four-division experiment. The Ladder playoff system remains, giving 12 teams a shot at October glory through a format that looks like someone threw a March Madness bracket into a blender.

The sport that once prided itself on tradition now has teams playing musical chairs across the continent. But hey, at least we still have the Cubs at Wrigley Field. For now.

Winners and Losers of the Great Migration
Winners:

• Florida's tax accountants
• Publix marketing department
• San Francisco hipsters who can now ironically wear Seals gear
• The NL East's competitive balance

Losers:

• Baseball tradition
• The Dodgers-Giants rivalry
• Calgary's civic pride
• Anyone trying to explain MLB geography to children