Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters! The final game of the ALCS was played last night, which means the Fall Classic is nearly upon us. The Toronto Blue Jays staged a dramatic comeback win in game seven to defeat
the Mariners and move on to the last round of the postseason. Game one will be played in Toronto on Friday.
Why do we have to wait so long between game seven of the ALCS and the start of the World Series? It would be one thing if the series ended in four games. The Dodger, who did sweep, will have a week off between series. This makes no sense to me. The joys of possible games 163 were taken from us because there was just no room to spare in the playoff schedule, and yet we now have to wait? I do not care for that.
When the Championship Series began, there was one team who had never been to the World Series, one team who had been once but had never one, a third that had not won the World Series since 1993, and the Dodgers, who won last year. The most enjoyable thing for your regular baseball fan without a dog in the fight would be for the two teams who had never won to make it. But the Brewers fell completely silent against Dodgers pitching and never seemed to have a chance.
As for the Mariners, they played some very frustrating baseball in the past few days. On Sunday night, they grounded into inning-ending double plays in three straight innings. In two of those innings, they had multiple runners on base. They also made three errors in the field in the loss.
Last night, the Mariners took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning. Bryan Woo, in his third inning in relief, allowed the first two runners to reach. He got one out, then was pulled from the game. George Springer came to the plate representing the go-ahead run. In game seven. Instead of turning to closer Andrés Muñoz, manager Dan Wilson opted to bring in Eduard Bazardo. Springer responded by hitting a monster home run to put the Blue Jays 4-3, which was the final score.
For all we know, Springer would have done the same against Muñoz. But come on! If you lose, there are no more games this year. You gotta put your best out there. Muñoz did come on to pitch a scoreless eighth inning, but it was too little too late.
So now who do you root for in the World Series, if you root for anyone? Do you pick the Dodgers, who just won last year? Or the Blue Jays, who you are obligated to hate as part of the AL East? It’s a very hard choice for me. I think I root for neither with a slight nod to the Dodgers. I never want to see a team go back-to-back, but the Blue Jays are the worst. (I secretly like George Springer)
Links
Two more questions facing the Orioles – MASN Sports
Roch Kubatko takes a look at who will man center field and who will bat leadoff. Feels premature.
Orioles looking for impact hitter – MLB Trade Rumors
MLBTR pulled one line out of Kubatko’s story, “The front office is searching for an impact hitter” and extrapolated possible options. I’ll be honest, I don’t love the choices.
What the Orioles can learn from Trey Yesavage and the Blue Jays – The Baltimore Banner
The Blue Jays drafted Yesavage in the first round of 2024 and promoted him to the majors at an aggressive pace. It was worked out. It’s not something the Orioles do.
After practicing there last week, Rams will pay to resod Camden Yards – Pro Football Talk
It turns out that football teams are very hard on grass, so the Rams are replacing the sod at Camden Yards before next season. I hope someone consulted Nicole Sherry!
And speaking of Camden Yards conditions, the renovation of the scoreboard is underway. The generated images of what the new version will look like are very nice, I look forward to seeing it in person.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two Orioles birthday buddies. I am going to be honest with you, you didn’t get a good draw. Celebrating today is relief pitcher Matt Krook (31) who appeared in one game with the team in 2024. Your other birthday buddy is Valmy Thomas (b. 1925, d. 2010), an eight-gamer in 1960.
There isn’t any Orioles history to speak of today, so let’s get into some general baseball history.
On this day in 1973, the Oakland Athletics defeated the New York Mets in game seven of the World Series to become back-to-back WS champs.
In 1976, the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Yankees to sweep the World Series. They also became back-to-back champs.
In 1980, the Phillies won the World Series for the first time in their history. It took them 98 years.
In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Atlanta Braves to reach their first World Series, which they also won. It took them just four years to go from expansion team to champions.
In 2017, the Astros defeated the Yankees clinch their first AL pennant. A former NL team, they also went to the WS in 2005. The Astros went on to with their first World Series. A few years later we all learned they were cheaters.
