The Orioles sweep the Rangers to set up the rematch of last years ALWS. It is the 5th time the Royals and Orioles have met in the postseason, with the Royals holding a 3-1 advantage. The Royals won the regular season series 5-1.
The Orioles rely on contact and relief pitching, with the best average in the American League and the 3rd best bullpen ERA.
The offence leans heavily on 2035 trade acquisition 1B Gilberto Carrillo, leading the club with 105 RBI while finishing 2nd in HRs (25) and AVG (.277). 2030 trade acquisition LF Sam Blade led the HRs with 27, while their 2034 1st Round pick SS Jon Clabaugh produced a .287 average and Jackson Holliday, who has spent his entire career with the Orioles, stealing 25 bases.
Cliff Stratton (2033 Trade STL) is their nominal ace, a 4.70 ERA in 185 IP suggests that he can targeted. If it gets to the bullpen, then the Orioles will use middle relievers such as Jonathan Kent (2035 Waivers ATL) to get to setup man Dane Thames (2031 5th Round) and superstar closer Jim Kelley (2035 Free Agent), who the Orioles signed over the Royals with a three-year $28.4m contract!
Wednesday, October 1st , 2036
1B Juan Moreno diagnosed with a torn posterior cruciate ligament, will miss 9-10 months.
A devastating blow as the Royals headed into the playoffs as Rookie Moreno will tears his PCL and faces a long journey back. Bobby Witt Jr. will step into the everyday 1B position for the postseason.
Game 1 in Kansas City: Mike Hoffer vs. Sam Bigelow (2035 Trade LAD)
Baltimore WINS 8-6
Bigelow: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R
Hoffer: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R
Jared Caudillo (W): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R
Jim Kelley (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Shawn Bass (L)(BS): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R
Mike Lyas (POTG): 3-4, GS HR
Baltimore HRs: Lyas GS (7th), Gilberto Carrillo (9th)
1-0 Baltimore
Game 2 in Kansas City: Daniel Nava vs. Cliff Stratton (2033 Trade STL)
Baltimore WINS 7-4
Stratton 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3R
Nava: 5.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R
Dane Thames (W)(BS): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R
Mike Bonetti (SV): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Billy Nicklas (L): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R
2-0 Baltimore
Game 3 in Baltimore: Curt Bogans vs Tony Moser (2031 7th Round)
Kansas City WINS 11-7
Bogans (W): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R
Moser (L): 2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R
Kansas City HRs: Edgar Mir (1st), Drew Burress (3rd)
2-1 Baltimore
Game 4 in Baltimore: Cade Townsend vs Julio Castillo (2034 Waivers BOS)
Baltimore WINS 9-0
Castillo: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R
Townsend (L): 6.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R
Jonathan Kent (W): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Juan Ramos (POTG): 2-4, GS HR, 5 RBI
Baltimore HRs: Ramos GS (7th), Holliday 2R (7th)
3-1 Baltimore WINS
Series MVP: Mike Lyas .500, 2 HR, 6 RBI
A disastrous end to the season for the Royals as the Orioles cruise past them 3-1, gaining revenge for last years Wild Card series defeat.