King Of The Hill

[monkeyman576]

Win and you go on. Lose and you go home. I start by picking two random teams, and then after the first best of seven series I'll pick a new team to challenge the winner and see who can stay on top the longest!

1983 Padres vs. 2005 Orioles – Best-of-7 Pregame Breakdown

1983 Padres: An 81–81 club on the rise, precursor to the ’84 pennant. Built on balance, fundamentals, and pitching depth. Dick Williams’ group wasn’t flashy but was tough, disciplined, and steady. Young Tony Gwynn hit .309 and was already a nightmare for pitchers. Garvey supplied veteran leadership, while Richards/Wiggins added speed and pressure. Rotation of Whitson–Show–Lollar was solid, and Goose Gossage gave them a serious late-inning hammer. Strengths: pitching, defense, situational hitting, bullpen. Weaknesses: not much power, can struggle to play from behind.

2005 Orioles: A tale of two halves—42–28 start, then a collapse to 74–88. Still a dangerous, star-heavy lineup. Tejada was a top shortstop (.304, 26 HR), Brian Roberts was an MVP-level spark (45 SB, tons of doubles), Melvin Mora had a huge offensive year, and Palmeiro added some pop before the drama overshadowed everything. Offensively they can put crooked numbers up fast. Pitching, however, was the issue: Bruce Chen as the de facto “ace,” Lopez inconsistent, and a shaky bullpen. Strengths: big bats, athletic infield, early-game scoring punch. Weaknesses: pitching depth, bullpen volatility, defensive inconsistency, emotional swings.

Matchup Dynamics: SD wants low-scoring, controlled games where their bullpen and defense take over. BAL wants fast starts and 5th-inning leads, forcing the Padres to chase. Padres thrive in tight games; Orioles thrive in shootouts. Whichever pace dictates the series probably wins.

Prediction: Padres 4–2. Baltimore steals a couple games with offense, but San Diego’s steadier pitching and late-inning edge wins a postseason-style series.

***********************************************
The Result:
Game 1: Orioles 2005 beat Padres 1983, 5–3.
Baltimore grabs the opener. Erik Bedard outduels Dave Dravecky, with B.J. Ryan earning the save. Homers: BAL Rafael Palmeiro, SD R. Jones.

Game 2: Padres 1983 beat Orioles 2005, 1–0.
A tight pitchers’ duel. Mark Thurmond shuts down Baltimore, outpitching Daniel Cabrera. The game’s only HR: SD’s L. Salazar.

Game 3: Orioles 2005 beat Padres 1983, 10–1.
Baltimore explodes offensively. Rodrigo López beats Eric Show. Homers: SD T. Kennedy; BAL R. Palmeiro (2), Brian Roberts, Miguel Tejada (2).

Game 4: Orioles 2005 beat Padres 1983, 5–0.
Baltimore takes control of the series. Bruce Chen blanks San Diego, defeating A. Hawkins. No homers.

Game 5: Orioles 2005 beat Padres 1983, 3–2, winning the World Series.
Bedard wins again over Dravecky, with B.J. Ryan securing another save. Homers: BAL Melvin Mora, M. Tejada (3 total for series).

Series MVP: Miguel Tejada, Orioles 2005.

2005 Orioles defeat 1983 Padres 4-1

[monkeyman576]

The next team up is...
The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies!

King Of The Hill Streak: 2005 Orioles(1)

2005 Orioles vs 2008 Phillies – Best-of-7 Preview

Orioles (2005) – Finished 74-88, rebuilding mode but with some intriguing pieces. Miguel Tejada remains the heart of the lineup, still capable of carrying a series with power and clutch hitting. Rafael Palmeiro provides veteran presence and consistency, though the team overall struggles with depth. Pitching is uneven: Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez have had flashes but the rotation lacks true dominance. Bullpen is shaky; closer B.J. Ryan is solid but can’t cover all the gaps. Team speed and defense are average; expect small-ball attempts if games get tight.

Phillies (2008) – 92-70, NL East champs, loaded on both sides. Cole Hamels and Brett Myers anchor a deep rotation; Hamels’ postseason experience is a major edge. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley bring elite offense and situational hitting, while Ryan Howard can change a game with one swing. Pat Burrell adds power depth; bench isn’t glamorous but serviceable. Bullpen led by Brad Lidge is lights-out; lock-down closer with postseason poise. Fielding is top-tier, especially in the infield.

Storylines – Orioles will try to exploit any overconfidence from Philly, leaning on veteran hitters and opportunistic baserunning. Can Tejada carry a struggling lineup past Hamels/Howard? Phillies look to enforce pitching depth and defensive consistency; Hamels vs. Tejada is a marquee matchup. Series could turn on Orioles’ bullpen vs. Phillies’ power hitters.

Weaknesses/Edge – Orioles lack depth, pitching consistency, and high-end bullpen; Phillies have few true weaknesses, maybe a lineup that isn’t extremely fast on the bases. Phillies’ edge is experience, depth, and balance. Orioles’ only hope is hot streaks from Tejada or Palmeiro.

Prediction – Phillies in 5. Depth, pitching, and power likely too much for Orioles to handle consistently, though a couple of games could be tight if Tejada goes off.
************************************************** ****
Game 1: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Philadelphia 2008 Phillies, 6-3
Mora Blasts Phillies, Orioles Take Game 1, 6-3
W: E. Bedard (1-0) | L: C. Hamels (0-1) | S: B. Ryan (1)
HR – BAL2005: J. Lopez (1), M. Mora 2 (2), R. Palmeiro (1)

Game 2: Philadelphia 2008 Phillies defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 8-7
Orioles Hammered by Burrell, Drop Game 2 to Phillies
W: R. Seanez (1-0) | L: T. Byrdak (0-1) | S: B. Lidge (1)
HR – BAL2005: J. Gibbons (1), R. Palmeiro (2) | PHI2008: P. Burrell 2 (2), J. Rollins (1), C. Utley (1)

Game 3: Philadelphia 2008 Phillies defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 10-8 (15 innings)
Philadelphia 2008 Takes 2-1 Series Lead Behind 5 RBIs from RF Werth
W: T. Gordon (1-0) | L: A. Rakers (0-1)
HR – PHI2008: P. Feliz (1), J. Werth (1) | BAL2005: J. Gibbons (2)

Game 4: Philadelphia 2008 Phillies defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 6-4
Almost There; Philadelphia 2008 On Cusp of World Series Triumph After Game 4
W: R. Madson (1-0) | L: T. Williams (0-1) | S: R. Seanez (1)
HR – PHI2008: C. Utley (2) | BAL2005: J. Lopez (2)

Game 5: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Philadelphia 2008 Phillies, 5-4
Palmeiro Blasts Phillies, Orioles Take Game 5, 5-4
W: E. Bedard (2-0) | L: C. Hamels (0-2)
HR – BAL2005: R. Palmeiro (3)

Game 6: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Philadelphia 2008 Phillies, 9-5
Phillies Hammered by Palmeiro, Drop Game 6 to Orioles
W: C. Ray (1-0) | L: R. Madson (1-1)
HR – BAL2005: E. Byrnes (1), R. Palmeiro 2 (5), M. Tejada (1) | PHI2008: J. Werth 2 (3)

Game 7: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Philadelphia 2008 Phillies, 14-4
Baltimore 2005 World Series Champions
W: B. Chen (1-0) | L: J. Moyer (0-1)
HR – BAL2005: J. Gibbons (3), L. Matos (1), R. Palmeiro (6), M. Tejada 2 (3) | PHI2008: G. Jenkins (1), J. Rollins (2), S. Victorino (1)

Series MVP: 1B Rafael Palmeiro (Baltimore 2005 Orioles)

2005 Orioles defeat 2008 Phillies 4-3

[monkeyman576]

The Next Team Up Is...
The 2017 Minnesota Twins!

2005 Orioles vs. 2017 Twins

King of the Hill streak: 2005 Orioles(2)

Jim Reynolds: “Alright, here we go, Orioles coming in 74-88 in ’05, not exactly a powerhouse, but you can’t sleep on Miguel Tejada. That guy’s still clutch, always driving in runs when you need ’em.”

Mark Callahan: “True, and Melvin Mora gives them some pop, but beyond that? Their lineup’s a little thin. Starting pitching’s been inconsistent too—Ponson’s streaky, and the rest of the rotation? Question marks. Bullpen’s shaky at best.”

Jim Reynolds: “Contrast that with the 2017 Twins, though. They’re 85-77, solid pitching from Santana, Gibson, and a bullpen that can close games. Offensively, they’ve got power with Dozier, steadiness with Mauer, and Rosario’s emerging. Plus, their defense up the middle is really tight.”

Mark Callahan: “Exactly, and the Twins can play situational baseball too. Speed’s not elite, but they move runners smartly. Orioles are going to need timely hits and maybe some small-ball magic if they want a shot here.”

Jim Reynolds: “Storylines are clear: can Tejada carry Baltimore over Minnesota’s pitching depth? Can the Orioles’ streaky offense find a rhythm against a disciplined Twins rotation?”

Mark Callahan: “My money’s on Minnesota, honestly. Pitching depth plus a balanced lineup—Orioles are gonna need a miracle. I see this going six games, Twins taking it, though I wouldn’t rule out a few Orioles blowouts if Tejada and Mora get hot.”

Jim Reynolds: “Agreed, Twins in six. Orioles might steal a game or two, but overall Minnesota’s consistency wins out.”
*********************************************
Game 1: Minnesota 2017 Twins defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 9 to 4

Headline: Minnesota 2017 Takes World Series Opener, 9-4

W: E. Santana (1-0) L: E. Bedard (0-1)

HR: MIN2017: M. Kepler (1)

Game 2: Minnesota 2017 Twins defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 12 to 8

Headline: Grossman, Twins Sink Orioles Again in Game 2

W: R. Pressly (1-0) L: A. Rakers (0-1)

HR: MIN2017: B. Buxton (1), R. Grossman 2 (2)

Game 3: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Minnesota 2017 Twins, 7 to 3

Headline: Home Loss Shrinks Twins Series Lead to 2-1

W: B. Chen (1-0) L: P. Hughes (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (1), M. Mora (1)

Game 4: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Minnesota 2017 Twins, 11 to 7

Headline: Baltimore 2005 Win to Pull Even With Minnesota 2017

W: A. Rakers (1-1) L: M. Belisle (0-1) S: B. Ryan (1)

HR: MIN2017: J. Mauer (1)

Game 5: Minnesota 2017 Twins defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 4 to 3

Headline: Pivotal Game 5 Goes to Host Twins, 4-3

W: R. Pressly (2-0) L: T. Williams (0-1) S: T. Hildenberger (1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (2)

Game 6: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Minnesota 2017 Twins, 12 to 4

Headline: Tejada Blasts Twins, Orioles Take Game 6, 12-4

W: D. Cabrera (1-0) L: J. Berrios (0-1)

HR: MIN2017: B. Buxton (2) BAL2005: E. Byrnes (1), M. Tejada (1)

Game 7: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Minnesota 2017 Twins, 7 to 3

Headline: Orioles Top Twins

W: B. Chen (2-0) L: P. Hughes (0-2)

HR: MIN2017: E. Rosario (1) BAL2005: J. Lopez (1), B. Roberts (1)

MVP: 2B Brian Roberts(BAL)

2005 Orioles defeat 2017 Twins 4-3

[monkeyman576]

The Next Team Is...

The 1954 Pittsburgh Pirates!

King of the Hill streak: 2005 Orioles(3)

2005 Orioles vs. 1953 Pirates

Tom Harrington: “Alright, Orioles come in 74-88 in ’05. Miguel Tejada’s the guy carrying the offense, and Melvin Mora adds a little pop. Beyond that? Offense can be streaky, and the pitching rotation—well, Ponson’s got his moments, but depth’s a real concern.”

Rick Calloway: “Exactly, Tom. Bullpen’s shaky, defense is average, and speed on the bases? Not much. They’re going to need timely hitting and some veteran savvy to handle even a weak team like the ’53 Pirates.”

Tom Harrington: “Speaking of the Pirates, this ’53 club’s 50-104. Offense is thin, pitching inconsistent, defense shaky. They’ve got flashes though—Roberto Clemente’s a rookie you can’t ignore, and a few others might surprise in small bursts.”

Rick Calloway: “True, but fundamentally, this is a struggling squad. Orioles’ experience and talent should give them the edge. The key question: can Tejada and Mora stay hot, or do the Pirates sneak in an upset if Clemente and a few others get hot at the plate?”

Tom Harrington: “I’m leaning Baltimore. The veteran bats, combined with depth, should carry them through. Pirates might steal a game or two, but Orioles have too much firepower.”

Rick Calloway: “Agreed. Orioles in five. It’ll be fun to watch them handle a historically weak team, but let’s not discount Clemente’s flashes—could make one game really interesting.”
************************************************
Game 1: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Pittsburgh 1953 Pirates, 13 to 1

Headline: Home Field Advantage; Gibbons, Baltimore 2005 Open World Series with

W: E. Bedard (1-0) L: P. LaPalme (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (1)

Game 2: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Pittsburgh 1953 Pirates, 11 to 0

Headline: Baltimore 2005 Over Pittsburgh 1953 in 11-0 Romp

W: D. Cabrera (1-0) L: B. Friend (0-1) S: T. Byrdak (1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Lopez (1)

Game 3: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Pittsburgh 1953 Pirates, 5 to 4

Headline: Pirates Hammered by Gibbons, Fall Further Behind in WS

W: R. Lopez (1-0) L: M. Dickson (0-1) S: B. Ryan (1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (2) PIT1953: D. O'Connell (1)

Game 4: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Pittsburgh 1953 Pirates, 9 to 1

Headline: Baltimore 2005 Orioles Sweep World Series

W: B. Chen (1-0) L: B. Hall (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: L. Matos (1), B. Roberts (1), M. Tejada (1) PIT1953: J. O'Brien (1)

Series MVP: RF Jay Gibbons (Baltimore 2005 Orioles)

2005 Orioles d. 1953 Pirates 4-0!

[monkeyman576]

The next team is...

The 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers!

King of the Hill streak: 2005 Orioles(4)

2005 Orioles vs. 2007 Dodgers – Pregame Booth Chat

Jim Reynolds: “Orioles come in 74-88 in ’05. Tejada’s still the heartbeat, Melvin Mora adds pop, but beyond that, it’s streaky offense. Rotation’s thin—Ponson has flashes, bullpen’s shaky, defense is average. They’ll need timely hitting to hang with a deep team like the Dodgers.”

Mark Callahan: “And the ’07 Dodgers are 82-80, but don’t let that record fool you—they’ve got solid pitching from Derek Lowe and Brad Penny, plus Chad Billingsley emerging. Offense is balanced too: Nomar Garciaparra brings contact, Russell Martin’s catching, and Matt Kemp’s flashes of power make them dangerous.”

Jim Reynolds: “Key storylines: Can Orioles’ veterans overcome Dodgers’ pitching depth? Can Tejada and Mora find consistency against Lowe, Penny, and company? Matchups in the 2-5 slots of the lineup will be huge—Orioles need small ball and patience.”

Mark Callahan: “Dodgers can control tempo with that pitching and situational hitting. Defense up the middle is solid, and their bullpen’s reliable enough to hold leads. Orioles will have to capitalize early if they want to make a dent.”

Jim Reynolds: “I’m leaning on the Dodgers. Orioles might steal a game if Tejada gets hot, but overall, L.A.’s depth and balanced lineup should win out.”

Mark Callahan: “Agreed. Dodgers in six. Orioles can surprise in spurts, but Dodgers’ pitching and lineup balance carry the day.”
********************************
Game 1: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 4 to [Cut off]

Headline: Orioles Hammered by Kemp, Drop Game 1 to Dodgers

W: B. Penny (1-0) L: E. Bedard (0-1) S: T. Saito (1)

HR: LAN2007: R. Furcal (1), M. Kemp (1), J. Loney (1)

Game 2: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers, 6 to 1

Headline: Raucous Oriole Park at Camden Yards 1992-2011 Crowd Propels Oriole...

W: D. Cabrera (1-0) L: D. Lowe (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: B. Roberts (1)

Game 3: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 6 to 5

Headline: Dodgers Rally Past Orioles to Claim 2-1 Series Lead

W: T. Saito (1-0) L: B. Ryan (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (1), M. Mora (1), R. Palmeiro (1), B. Roberts (2)

LAN2007: L. Gonzalez (1), M. Kemp (2), J. Loney (2), R. Martin (1)

Game 4: Baltimore 2005 Orioles defeat Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers, 8 to 5

Headline: Mora Blasts Dodgers, Orioles Take Game 4, 8-5

W: R. Lopez (1-0) L: R. Wolf (0-1)

HR: BAL2005: J. Gibbons (2), M. Mora (2), R. Palmeiro (2) LAN2007: A. Ethier (1), L. Gonzalez (2), A. LaRoche (1)

Game 5: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 8 to 1

Headline: Pivotal Game 5 Goes to Host Dodgers, 8-1

W: B. Penny (2-0) L: E. Bedard (0-2)

HR: LAN2007: J. Kent (1)

Game 6: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Baltimore 2005 Orioles, 12 to 7

Headline: Los Angeles 2007 Tops Baltimore 2005

W: D. Lowe (1-1) L: D. Cabrera (1-1) S: M. Hendrickson (1)

HR: LAN2007: J. Kent (2)

Series MVP: 2B Jeff Kent (Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers)

2007 Dodgers defeat 2005 Orioles 4-2

[monkeyman576]

The next team chosen is...

The 1984 Detroit Tigers!

King Of The Hill Streak: 2007 Dodgers(2)

BOB: Good evening, baseball fans, and welcome to the Time-Warp Classic! What a treat we have tonight, Skip. It’s the sheer, relentless force of Sparky Anderson’s 1984 Detroit Tigers against the high-flying, young talent of the 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers!

SKIP: Bob, this isn’t just a matchup; it’s a study in contrasting styles. The ’84 Tigers were a wire-to-wire machine. I mean, they started the season 35-and-5! They finished the season with an impressive 104 wins and 58 losses, marching through the postseason by sweeping the Royals in the ALCS before claiming the World Series. That’s dominance you simply don't see in modern baseball. They had a plan, and that plan was winning.

BOB: And that plan starts on the mound with the big-game guy, Jack Morris. But the real story for Detroit, I think, is how short they make the game.

SKIP: You said it, Bob. Once Morris hands the ball over, forget about it. When you’ve got a Cy Young/MVP winner in Willie Hernández and the electric Aurelio "Señor Smoke" López coming out of that bullpen? That game shortens up to seven innings, every single night. And don’t forget that keystone defense—Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell—they simply don't make mistakes behind those pitchers.

BOB: Now, over to the Dodgers, Skip. They're a fascinating club. They finished just over .500, with a final record of 88 wins and 74 losses. They made the playoffs as the Wild Card but were eliminated by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS. A tough end, but they were loaded with star power and potential, weren't they?

SKIP: Absolutely. It’s the old guard meeting the new. You’ve got Jeff Kent, still launching home runs at second base, paired with the emerging superstar, Russell Martin, who had a phenomenal 5.6 WAR season. But watch the kids: Matt Kemp and James Loney both hitting well over .330 in their call-up campaigns. And the biggest factor, Bob, is Juan Pierre. Fifty-four stolen bases! That is a constant headache for any pitcher.

BOB: So, this series boils down to the classic duel: Speed and Potential vs. The Stone Wall Bullpen. Can Pierre and the young Dodgers break through the Tigers' elite defense and shutdown back-end?

SKIP: That’s the question in a nutshell. If James Loney and Russell Martin can knock Jack Morris around in the first four innings, the Dodgers are in the ballgame. But if the Tigers get a two-run lead in the sixth, the Dodgers are going to run head-first into the most unforgiving bullpen in time-warp history. The Tigers are too complete.

BOB: Your final word, Skip. Who takes the Classic?

SKIP: I have to go with the machine, Bob. The complete, balanced attack and the overwhelming bullpen depth of the '84 Tigers is just too much. I see the 1984 Detroit Tigers taking this series in 5 games. It's tough to beat a team that never gives up a lead.
***********************************************
LA Dodgers 2007 vs. Detroit Tigers 1984

Game Summaries
Game Result (Score) WP/LP/Sv HR(s)
1 DET '84 (5) def LAD '07 (2) J. Morris / H. Kuroda / W. Hernandez L. Herndon (DET)
2 DET '84 (6) def LAD '07 (3) D. Petry / B. Penny / A. Lopez M. Kemp (LAD)
3 LAD '07 (7) def DET '84 (2) C. Billingsley / M. Wilcox / T. Saito J. Kent 2 (LAD)
4 LAD '07 (3) def DET '84 (2) E. Stults / J. Morris / T. Saito A. Trammell (DET)
5 LAD '07 (5) def DET '84 (3) D. Lowe / D. Petry / T. Saito R. Martin (LAD)
6 LAD '07 (6) def DET '84 (4) B. Penny / M. Wilcox / T. Saito J. Kent (LAD), I. Rodriguez (DET)

Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers win 4 games to 2

Series MVP: C Russell Martin (LAD)

[monkeyman576]

The Next Team Chosen Is...

The 1976 Montreal Expos!

King of the Hill Streak: 2007 Dodgers(3)

2007 Los Angeles Dodgers (82‑80) vs. 1976 Montreal Expos (55‑107)

Joe Buck: “Alright folks — tonight we’ve got a cross-era showdown: the 82‑80 Dodgers of 2007 taking on the 55‑107 Expos of 1976. On paper, this one’s a mismatch, but baseball always has its surprises.”

Tim McCarver: “That’s right, Joe. The Dodgers were just above .500 in ’07, but they had solid pieces: Derek Lowe and Brad Penny anchoring the rotation, plus Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra providing pop in the lineup. Not dominant, but dangerous.”

Buck: “Meanwhile, the ’76 Expos had a rough season — 55 wins, 107 losses — but they had some bright spots: Gary Carter showing flashes behind the plate and Andre Dawson starting to make a name for himself in the outfield. Depth and pitching beyond Steve Rogers? Not so much.”

McCarver: “Storyline angle: Dodgers’ power versus Expos’ fundamentals. Can Montreal’s small-ball approach, speed, and defensive skill disrupt LA’s hitters? The Dodgers’ bullpen could be vulnerable late, but the Expos have to execute perfectly to exploit it.”

Buck: “Other key points: Carter vs. Manny is a duel to watch. Rogers has to be sharp every start. Dodgers’ firepower is real, but Montreal’s scrappiness might steal a game if things break right.”

McCarver: “Over seven games, it’s going to be a clash of strategy and sluggers, but the talent gap is too wide. The Dodgers have the tools to win consistently.”

Prediction: Dodgers in 5.

************************************************** *****

Game 1: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Montreal 1976 Expos, 2 to 1 Penny, Dodgers Take Dramatic Game 1 for 1-0 Series Lead W: T. Saito (1-0) L: D. Murray (0-1) HR - None Boxscore Game Log

Game 2: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Montreal 1976 Expos, 3 to 2 Los Angeles 2007 Wins Again, 3-2 W: D. Lowe (1-0) L: W. Fryman (0-1) S: T. Saito (1) HR - MON1976: G. Carter (1) Boxscore Game Log

Game 3: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Montreal 1976 Expos, 8 to 4 Dodgers Win to Extend Series Lead to 3-0 W: C. Billingsley (1-0) L: D. Stanhouse (0-1) HR - MON1976: G. Carter (2), B. Foote (1) Boxscore Game Log

Game 4: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Montreal 1976 Expos, 7 to 0 Dodgers Sweep World Series W: R. Wolf (1-0) L: D. Warthen (0-1) HR - None Boxscore Game Log

Series MVP: RF Andre Ethier (Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers)

2007 Dodgers d. 1976 Expos 4-0

[monkeyman576]

The Next Team Chosen Is...

The 1915 Chicago Cubs!

King of the Hill Streak: 2007 Dodgers(4)

1915 Chicago Cubs vs. 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 82-80 (.506), 3rd NL West

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Manager: Grady Little – 1st season with Dodgers, 15th MLB season overall

Stadium: Dodger Stadium – iconic hilltop ballpark in Chavez Ravine, largest MLB seating capacity

Attendance: 3,593,571 (1st NL, 2nd MLB)

Top 5 Players (WAR):

Russell Martin (4.6) – catcher, breakout season

Nomar Garciaparra (3.7) – veteran infielder, strong on-base skills

Brad Penny (3.5) – ace starting pitcher

Andruw Jones (3.3) – power bat, Gold Glove CF

James Loney (2.9) – rookie 1B, solid defensive and offensive contribution

3 Interesting Things:

Nomar Garciaparra’s midseason trade from Red Sox boosted the offense.

Rookie James Loney hit .292, solidifying 1B.

Dodgers led MLB in attendance despite a middling record.

1915 Chicago Cubs

Record: 73-80 (.477), 5th NL

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Manager: Roger Bresnahan – 1st season managing Cubs, 5th MLB season overall (player-manager)

Stadium: West Side Park – classic early-20th-century ballpark, intimate with cozy foul territory

Attendance: ~400,000 (approximate; era tracking less precise)

Top 5 Players (WAR):

Hippo Vaughn (5.2) – ace pitcher

Larry Doyle (4.8) – 2B, strong all-around contribution

Frank Schulte (4.2) – OF, veteran bat

Heinie Zimmerman (3.9) – 3B, key contributor

Jimmy Sheckard (3.5) – OF, reliable hitter

3 Interesting Things:

Cubs struggled offensively, finishing 73-80 despite strong individual performances.

Hippo Vaughn was a workhorse with a strong ERA and innings pitched.

Roger Bresnahan adjusted from player to manager, facing typical rookie-season challenges.

Prediction – Best of 7 Series:

Dodgers’ modern talent, pitching depth, and balanced lineup give them the edge over the Cubs’ old-school grit.

Result: Dodgers win 4-1
************************************************
Game 1: CHN 10, LA 7

Result: Chicago 1915 Cubs defeat Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers, 10 to 7

Headline: Chicago 1915 Takes World Series Opener, 10-7

Pitching: W: P. Douglas (1-0) | L: B. Penny (0-1) | S: P. Standridge (1)

Home Runs: CHN1915: B. Fisher (1), R. Murray (1), V. Saier (1) | LAN2007: J. Kent (1)

Game 2: LA 4, CHN 2

Result: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Chicago 1915 Cubs, 4 to 2

Headline: Dodgers Even With Cubs After Home Win

Pitching: W: D. Lowe (1-0) | L: H. Vaughn (0-1) | S: T. Saito (1)

Home Runs: CHN1915: V. Saier 2 (3) | LAN2007: A. Ethier (1), L. Gonzalez (1)

Game 3: CHN 10, LA 1

Result: Chicago 1915 Cubs defeat Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers, 10 to 1

Headline: Murray, Cubs Wallop Dodgers in Game 3 of WS

Pitching: W: G. Pierce (1-0) | L: C. Billingsley (0-1)

Home Runs: CHN1915: R. Murray (2), A. Phelan (1), F. Schulte (1), C. Williams (1)

Game 4: LA 9, CHN 8

Result: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Chicago 1915 Cubs, 9 to 8

Headline: Cubs Hammered by Ethier, Drop Game 4 to Dodgers

Pitching: W: T. Saito (1-0) | L: B. Humphries (0-1) | S: M. Hendrickson (1)

Home Runs: LAN2007: A. Ethier (2), L. Gonzalez (2) | CHN1915: F. Schulte (2), C. Williams (2)

Game 5: LA 7, CHN 0

Result: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Chicago 1915 Cubs, 7 to 0

Headline: Host Cubs Drop Pivotal Game 5, Now Trail Series 3-2

Pitching: W: B. Penny (1-1) | L: P. Douglas (1-1)

Home Runs: LAN2007: L. Gonzalez (3)

Game 6: LA 9, CHN 2

Result: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers defeat Chicago 1915 Cubs, 9 to 2

Headline: Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers Win World Series

Pitching: W: D. Lowe (2-0) | L: H. Vaughn (0-2)

Home Runs: CHN1915: F. Schulte (3) | LAN2007: L. Gonzalez (4), R. Martin (1)

SERIES MVP: LF Luis Gonzalez (Los Angeles 2007 Dodgers)

2007 Dodgers defeat 1915 Cubs 4-2