Season 4
Final Standings
American League Championship Series
2013 Arizona Diamondbacks (93-69) vs 1969 Pittsburgh Pirates (90-72)
The 2013 Diamondbacks are able to survive and put a dagger to Joe Jackson and the sentimental favorite 1919 White Sox. Arizona played much better then anticipated as star Paul Goldschmidt hit 39 home runs and he and Aaron Hill both drove in over 100 RBI. The team was also best of the bases and were tops in defensive efficiency. David Hernandez and JJ Putz made what was likely the best pen in the league. Arizona proved that they really dont have a glaring weakness.
On the other side are the 1969 Pirates who were lost for most of the early season but after the all star break really turned it on and ran away with things in their division; in fact they were the very fist club to clinch. Bob veale went 22-8 in an outstanding season while Bob Moose won 18 games and was almost just as good. Dock Ellis actually moved to the pen and looked competent while the Pirates offense was middle of the road but seemed to get the big hits when they need them. The above all star for the club is Roberto Clemente who had 115 RBI and a knack to do it all on the field. Two unheralded franchises get a chance to play it out for a chance to advance and win the pennant.
National League Championship Series
1924 New York Giants (99-63) vs 2018 New York Mets (81-81)
It will be the battle of modern New York with the glory of its past in the NLCS. The 2018 Mets lead from wire to wire in the East as their three headed monster at the top of their rotation was lights out. Jacob DeGrom won 21 games while Zack Wheeler made a great number two with Syndegaard and Matz adding more depth. Seth Lugo saved 41 games and the Mets as a unit lead the league in FIP. Yoenis Cespedes was worth all the hype with 36 HR and 112 RBI. Jeff McNeil hit .321 and Brandon Nimmo blasted 21 home runs. This Mets team did only win 81 games and isn't seeming to get the respect they deserve, but here they are trying to make a miracle of a post season pennant run.
The 1924 Giants learned the hard way not to take anything for granted as the 1944 Cubs were on their heels all season long. Still the Giants found a way as John McGraw often does and the famous club ended with the best record in the league with 99 wins. Virgil Barnes won 23 games and the staff held its own but it was Giants hitting that shined this season. The club hit 256 home runs and big Hack Wilson had 44 of them while the club .277 average was also tops. New York did lead the league in errors but many say that is just a result of their aggressive style in the field. The series should be a fine one in the biggest stage of them all. Many feel however that the Giants can only beat themselves and should lift the flag.
Leaders
Batting Champion
Joe Jackson (1919 White Sox) - .344 with 207 hits