Series #30
Preliminary Round
1968 Detroit Tigers
Record: 103-59
Finish: World Champions
Manager: Mayo Smith
Ball Park: Tiger Stadium
WAR Leader: Denny McLain (7.4)
Hall of Famers: (2) Eddie Mathews, Al Kaline
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1968.shtml
The 1968 Detroit Tigers were a talented baseball team that won the World Series that year. Led by manager Mayo Smith and star players like pitcher Denny McLain and outfielder Al Kaline, the Tigers finished the regular season with a record of 103-59, which was the best in the American League. In the World Series, they faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals and won in seven games, thanks in large part to the clutch hitting of Mickey Lolich, who won three games as the starting pitcher. The 1968 Tigers are remembered as one of the greatest teams in Detroit sports history and their championship run remains a source of pride for fans to this day.
2020 Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 29-31
Finish: Lost in NL Wild Card
Manager: Craig Counsell
Ball Park: Miller Park
WAR Leader: Brandon Woodruff (2.1)
Hall of Famers: (0) None
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2020.shtml
The 2020 Milwaukee Brewers were a baseball team that competed in the shortened 60-game season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Brewers had a strong showing, finishing the regular season with a record of 29-31 and qualifying for the expanded playoffs. The team was led by Christian Yelich, who had another outstanding season with a .205 batting average and 12 home runs. On the pitching side, the Brewers relied heavily on Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes, who both had strong performances throughout the season. In the playoffs, the Brewers faced the eventual National League champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and were swept in the wild card round. Despite the disappointing end to their season, the 2020 Milwaukee Brewers showed resilience and competitiveness in a unique and challenging season.
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Game 1
At Tiger Stadium
Clear 61
2020 Brewers.........................14
1968 Tigers.............................4
WP: B. Woodruff (1-0) LP: D. McLain (0-1)
HR: A. Kaline (1), D. Wert (1), O. Navaraez (1), A. Garcia (1), O. Arcia (1)
POG: Avisail Garcia (2-4, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R)
2020 Brewers Lead Series 1-0
Game 2
At Tiger Stadium
Partly Cloudy 61
2020 Brewers...............................3
1968 Tigers..................................4
WP: M. Lolich (1-0) LP: C. Burnes (0-1) S: D. Patterson (1)
HR: J. Gyorko (1), J. Northrup (1)
POG: Mickey Lolich (8 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)
Series Tied At 1
Game 3
At Miller Park
Partly Cloudy 58
1968 Tigers.........................4
2020 Brewers......................0
WP: E. Wilson (1-0) LP: F. Peralta (0-1)
HR: W. Horton (1)
POG: Earl Wilson (9 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 109 P)
1968 Tigers Lead Series 2-1
Game 4
At Miller Park
Partly Cloudy 57
1968 Tigers..........................1
2020 Brewers.......................7
WP: J. Hader (1-0) LP: J. Rooker (0-1)
HR: R. Braun (1), J. Gyorko (2)
POG: Jedd Gyorko (1-2, Grand slam, 4 RBI)
Series Tied At 2
Game 5
At Miller Park
Partly Cloudy 57
1968 Tigers.................................4
2020 Brewers..............................6
WP: B. Woodruff (2-0) LP: D. McLain (0-2)
HR: J. Northrup (2), B. Freehan (1), T. Taylor 2 (2)
POG: Tyrone Taylor (2-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
2020 Brewers Lead Series 3-2
Game 6
At Tiger Stadium
Partly Cloudy 54
2020 Brewers....................5
1968 Tigers........................0
WP: C. Burnes (1-0) LP: M. Lolich (1-1)
HR: J. Gyorko 3 (3)
POG: Jedd Gyorko (3-4, 3 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI)
2020 Milwaukee Brewers Win Series 4 Games To 2
The first championship club of this tournament is eliminated. The 1968 Tigers even with their 103 wins were done in by dominant pitching from the Brewers, especially from their two aces. Brandon Woodruff beat Denny McLain not once, but twice, striking out 14 while the Tigers 30 game winner was hit hard ending with a 7.94 ERA in both his starts. Milwaukee in fact scored 14 runs in the opening game but after the series was tied at 2 games a piece, some great individual performances made the difference. In game In game five Tyrone Taylor hit two clutch home runs for a 6-4 win and in the clinching effort of game six it was Jedd Gyorko who hammered three home runs and behind Corbin Burnes the Brewers closed out the upset. In a seven game series baseball can be a funny game, and one of the best clubs in Detroit history is now exactly that, past history.
Series MVP:
.300, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 3 HR Game, 1.46 OPS)