October 8, 2072
Montreal Exports sweep Santo Domingo Rum Runners, 3-0
Montreal made quick work of Santo Domingo, closing it out with a 5-2 win in the finale. Closer Fred Rodda took series MVP honors after allowing nothing across 4 scoreless innings, going 1-0 in the process. “We’re in good shape going into the Divisional Series,” Rodda said afterward. “If we play like this going forward, we’ll definitely win the Brewmasters Cup.”
Washington Bats sweep Batavia Muckdogs, 3-0
Washington finished off the sweep with a 5-3 win in the decider. First baseman Nathan Hume was named series MVP, hitting .462 with a .500 on-base percentage, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, and 5 runs scored over the three games. Batavia manager Harris Pan didn’t sugarcoat it afterward: “This wasn’t really the effort we hoped for.”
Baltimore Bulldogs defeat Seattle Sasquatch, 3-1
Baltimore closed it out on the road at The Port of Seattle, winning the clincher 5-3. Brian Hermes earned series MVP honors, hitting .357 with a .357 on-base percentage, 5 hits, a home run, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored. “The fans are going to be behind us 100 percent,” Hermes said, looking ahead to the Divisional Series. “There’s a lot of motivation in our clubhouse right now to make sure we give them something to cheer about.”
Wilmington Sorcery defeat Pawtucket Patriots, 3-2
This was the only series to go the distance. Wilmington won the decisive Game 5 by a 3-1 count at Riverfront Park to take the series. Left fielder Adlai Lowe was named MVP after a big series at the plate. “I don’t play differently in the regular season or playoffs,” he said. “It’s certainly nice to play in the big game, but you can’t let it get to your head and change your focus.”
Montreal (88-74, Away: 44-37, 755 RS/700 RA) at Pittsburgh (101-61, Home: 60-21, 834 RS/629 RA)
Pittsburgh dominated the season series 10-1 and carries the best run differential in the bracket at plus-205. Andy Blake (16-9, 3.32) fronts Montreal’s rotation, and the Exports are getting big innings from their bullpen right now: Fred Rodda has converted 12 straight save chances at a 0.00 ERA over his last 16 outings, and Andre Guse has settled in as a reliable starter (3-1, 2.68 over his last 9). Pittsburgh counters with the deepest staff left standing. Benedict Zacarias is 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA over his last 8 starts, Rohan Zezulka and Willie Frizzi are both dealing, and Isaac Lewis (41 HR, 113 RBI on the year) is locked in at .348 with 4 homers over his last 6. Camron Rispoli is scuffling at .115 over his last 9, the one soft spot in an otherwise stacked roster.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5.
Wilmington (95-67, Away: 37-44, 800 RS/665 RA) at New Orleans (96-66, Home: 57-24, 943 RS/738 RA)
Wilmington actually won the season series 7-5. Adlai Lowe hasn’t cooled off since his wild card MVP run, hitting .483 with 3 homers over his last 8, and Jeremy Salmon has caught fire right alongside him at .500 with 3 homers over his last 9. Catcher Avery Moon is the cold spot at .069 over his last 9. Wilmington’s rotation depth (Hakki 17-10, Wilfert 15-10, Burell 15-9) gives it a real shot against New Orleans’ historic offense, the best in the league at 943 runs scored and led by Ethan Pollert’s 49 homers and 134 RBI. Landon Robinette is dealing for New Orleans too (3-1, 1.73 over his last 4), and closer Cole Shelton has been nearly untouchable (7 saves, 0.47 ERA over his last 17). Jensen Bishop is the hottest bat in this series at .550 with 3 homers over his last 6.
Prediction: Wilmington in 6.
Baltimore (91-71, Away: 37-44, 841 RS/718 RA) at Philadelphia (98-64, Home: 54-27, 860 RS/698 RA)
Philadelphia won the season series 8-4 and still has the best individual arm in the bracket in Tarik Williams (15-2, 2.53 on the year, 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA over his last 10 starts). Baltimore’s rotation has found some life at just the right time, with Grant Henry (1-0, 0.60 over his last 2) and Cole Good (4-0, 2.60 over his last 6) both pitching well, but the lineup remains the issue: Jeffery Barrett is buried at .042 over his last 7, and catcher Brennan Hunt has joined him at .128 over his last 13. Philadelphia’s own soft spots, Brayden Strollo (.150), Jacque Cruz (.091), and Trevor Fisher (.100), give Baltimore an opening if its bats can wake up.
Prediction: Philadelphia in 5.
Washington (93-69, Away: 52-29, 887 RS/758 RA) at Phoenix (97-65, Home: 52-29, 855 RS/715 RA)
Phoenix won the season series 7-4 and brings the deepest, hottest bullpen left in October: Ben Woehler, Allen Ahern, and closer DeAndre Hart (15 saves, 0.40 ERA over his last 22 outings) are all rolling, with ace Franklin Pennell (18-5, 3.16, 179 K on the year) fronting the staff. Washington’s answer is its offense, the second-best among the eight playoff teams at 887 runs, and Nathan Hume is somehow even hotter than during the wild card round, hitting .536 with 4 homers over his last 7. Chandler Qualls is riding a strong stretch too (.381), while Mark Zimmerly (.160) is the one cold bat. On the mound, Matt Benjaminson has looked sharp (3-0, 2.45 over his last 7) and Erich Mosqueda has stabilized the back of the pen, easing some of the concern about Washington’s rotation depth.
Prediction: Washington in 7.
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