The Mashers finished 90-72, good for first in their division by a hair. Zack Wheeler led the conference in wins and ERA.
In the division series, the Mashers easily swept the Mexico City Frijoles behind strong pitching performances from Wheeler, Woodruff, and Syndergaard.
Wheeler didn't pitch so great to start the sub-league series against the Kilkenny Castile, but new acquisition Buck O'Neil ended game 1 with a walk-off double. After trading a few close games, Wheeler pitched well enough on short rest to give the Mashers a 3-2 series lead. Unfortunately, a largely bullpen effort fell short in the potential game 6 clincher, as Kirby Yates gave up the tying runs on the back half of a six-out save. Medford then turned to Noah Syndergaard, who went an unlucky 4-17 in the regular season. Syndergaard did not disappoint in his moment in the spotlight, pitching 7 strong innings and keeping the game within reach for Andrelton Simmons, who knocked in the go-ahead run in the 8th before 89 Seaver shut down the Castile in a 7-pitch 9th to send the Mashers to the finals.
On regular rest, Wheeler continued to campaign for a Cy Young nomination with 7.2 innings of 2-run ball in a game 1 victory. Unfortunately, his team let him down in games 2 and 3, losing each by one run. He took the hill on short rest in a crucial game 4 and was mediocre, allowing four runs. But in the late innings, O'Neil and co. staged a dramatic comeback, scoring one in the 6th and three in the 7th, capping it off with a walk-off HR from pinch hitter Adrian Gonzalez in what was likely his last meaningful at-bat with the team. Syndergaard failed to keep the momentum going in game 5 as the Mashers fell 9-2. With the season on the line, Brandon Woodruff delivered a quality start in game 6 and the bats did the rest, forcing a game 7 with both teams' aces going on short rest in what promised to be a tense game. The promise held up for six innings; as neither starter was particularly effective. Each allowed four runs over that span. But then, with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 7th against Billy Wagner, Buck O'Neil delivered a bases-clearing double, breaking open the game. The bullpen took it home to secure the Mashers' second Gold League title. Andrelton Simmons was named series MVP for batting .333 with 1 HR, 2 3B, and 7 RBI.
Time to get smacked around in Diamond again.
