2034 Wild Card Results:
Delaware Conference
Brewers Advance to Conference Championship: While it wasn't a complete mismatch, the Milton Brewers showed themselves to be the superior team in the The Wild Card, downing the Milford Clippers 3-1. "Nothing is ever easy in the DELMARVA Baseball League playoffs. Whether you're a favorite or an underdog, you can't take anyone lightly or you'll get burned," said Bob Short, who was named series MVP after a standout offensive performance. Milton won the final game by a 6-3 count at Ballpark of Milton to clinch its spot in the next round. They will hope to once again rely on Short there, as he hit .308 with 1 home runs, 4 RBI 4 runs scored during the series. The Milton Brewers don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Newark Millers - Lewes Braves series. Lewes leads the series 2 game to 1. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.
The Wild Card Goes the Distance, Lewes Prevails: The Lewes Braves stormed onto the field at Braves Ballpark in celebration tonight after wrapping up the The Wild Card in an elimination game and knocking off the Newark Millers. Lewes moves on to the Conference Championship after a 5-4 win sealed the series 3-2. "It feels great to win and move on and it feels great to contribute to it," said Lewes starting pitcher Bud Jackson. Jackson certainly did more than contribute. He was named series MVP and had a 0.60 ERA over 15 innings pitched, with 10 strikeouts and a 2-0 record. "I guess I had a pretty good series," he said, smiling. "I hope to keep it going in the next round." The Lewes Braves will play against the Milton Brewers in the next round. Milton won their series against the Milford Clippers 3 games to 1. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.
After the dust settled the top team in the Delaware Conference was headed home. The Milford Clippers and their league high 113 W's just couldn't stop the red-hot Milton Brewers, the wild card team, and possible the favorite to head into the DBL Files from the DC. The Brewers are going to head over to Lewes where they will play their bitter division rival the Lewes Braves. These two teams match up well, but the Brewers headed into the playoffs on a hot streak, and based on what they did to the Clippers are remaining on that hot streak!
MarVa Conference
Annapolis Sweeps into the Conference Championship: With a 3-2 win to wrap up the series at Ballpark of Richmond, the Annapolis Admirals have eliminated the Richmond Cardinals in the The Wild Card and move on to the Conference Championship. Annapolis controlled the series from the outset and won it in a 3-0 sweep. Lúcio Peńa led the charge offensively for the victors, winning series MVP honors. He posted a .500 batting average, along with a .556 on-base percentage. He had 2 home runs, drove in 2 RBI and scored 5 runs. "We're not done yet," the MVP said. "There is still a lot to accomplish." The Annapolis Admirals don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Washington Senators - Norfolk Cavaliers series. Norfolk leads the series 2 games to 0. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.
Norfolk Moves on to Conference Championship: The Norfolk Cavaliers are riding high after winning the The Wild Card and eliminating the Washington Senators by a series score of 3-1. The final blow came tonight at Senators Stadium, when Norfolk secured its spot in the Conference Championship with a 8-7 victory. "It feels good to put them away because we really didn't want to let them crawl back into this series," said first baseman Oliver Ramos, who was named series MVP. "A team like that, you need to bury them when you get the chance." Ramos certainly helped his team's cause, as he hit .611 with a .632 on-base percentage in the series. He also chipped in 3 home runs, drove in 3 RBI and scored 6 runs. The Norfolk Cavaliers will play against the Annapolis Admirals in the next round. Annapolis won their series against the Richmond Cardinals 3 games to 0. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.
Nothing surprising here as the top two teams easily made their way through the playoffs. The Cardinals and the Senators didn't put up much of a fight, which sets up a wonderful Admirals Cavaliers Conference championship round. Both teams are solid teams with the Cavaliers having the edge on the pitching and the Admirals the edge with the bats. Lucio Pena the power hitting, MVP candidate, for the Admirals went down during the wild card and will miss the rest of the playoffs, this could turn the tides unless the Admirals offense can pick him up.
Around the League:
Ellicott City Express: OF Roman Aguilar announced he will hang it up. The 36-year-old came over from Cuba and played 5-sub-par seasons in Ellicott City. He finishes his career hitting .256-34-137.
Washington Senators: Lost Closer Lazzaro Tadiotto for the playoffs. It was announced the day before the playoff's started that Laz will miss 4-5 weeks with a stained abdominal muscle.
Milford Clippers: SP Seth Bennett, the 2024 Golden Arm Award Winner, has decided to hang it up after his 18th season was cut short with shoulder inflammation. Bennet, 39, will be remembered as one of the games most consistent pitchers, posting a 214-155 3.42 carer record with 2197 K's and a career 80.7 WAR.
Milford Clippers: Came to terms with their never aging closer, Ed Yoder, on a 2-year deal worth $11M per. The second year is a vesting option if he isn't used as the closer. This season Yoder went 7-4 1.85 with 46 saves in 74 games. He is the current all-time leader in saves and games in the DBL. The 40-year-old doesn't look to be stopping anytime soon.
Not much going on in Chadds Ford. Some complaining by Carl Oulton about how the clubhouse isn't "happy"... now remember he hasn't been around since June after being derailed with a bone spur. Oulton went 4-6 4.69 in 15 starts, his replacement? Jesus Lugo, who went 9-5 3.70 in 18 starts... guess who is expendable??
We also lost one member our of minor league staff, Dalton Whitaker. After 2-sub-par seasons in AA (126-164 .434) we let him go. It wasn't really his performance that cost him, but the teams attitude, his controlling personality, and the fact that one player on the roster actually liked him! Hopefully we will get someone else in there that will make things better.
Other than that I am chilling watching the playoffs and thinking of a game plan. Trade before arbitration? Who to deal? How can we get better with out giving up too much? A lot of big things on my mind this season.
Guess it is time for me to start building my off-season game plan, who is getting dealt? Who is getting called up? Who is going to lead this team?
Should be a real fun off-season... all that is assuming that our owner Corbin decides to bring me back.