Game Results:  Game 1 Springfield 5-2; Game 2 Springfield 9-4; Game 3 Springfield 6-1

This series goes the distance and Springfield comes out on top.  Mookie Betts MVP.

SPRINGFIELD -- In an ALDS matchup of two four-year old franchises, the Central Division Winner, Capital City Capitals visited the West Division Winner, Springfield Isotopes.  The Capitals feature a lockdown defense of four EX fielders across 1B, 2B, 3B and SS with an outfield of EX and VG fielders.  The Isotopes had no idea that defensive metrics even exist and went all offense.  Not surprisingly, the Capitals gave up the third fewest runs and the Isotopes scored the second most runs in the AL this year.  Something would have to give in this best of five series.

Game 1 saw Chris Archer (16-8) with his 11.1 K/9 take the hill for the Capitals against the Isotopes’ Aaron Sanchez and his 17-4 record.  Isotopes strike first with a walk to Correa.  A ground ball and wild pitch gets him to third.  Correa scores on a Bogaerts ground ball.  Isotopes scratch out a second run in the third on a Corey Seager double and Joc Pederson single.  Correa scores the third run in the sixth after singling and then a Bogaerts single, a Fowler walk and a Mookie sac fly.   

With a 3-0 lead in the 8^th, the Isotopes’ Correa gets on again.  Guyer does what he does best which is get hit by a pitch.  Fowler doubles in Correa who scores his third run.  After an intentional walk to Betts, Keone Kela walks Freddie Freeman to score Guyer and extend the Isotope lead to 5-0. 

After Aaron Sanchez limits the Capitals to two hits and two walks over 8 innings, the Capitals are happy to see anyone else and score two in the 9^th off Oliver Drake and Zach Duke on a Pedroia single, Dietrich double, and Lindor single.  Not enough though as Isotopes hang on for a 5-2 Game 1 win. 

Game 2 featured Danny Salazar for the Capitals and his .213 BA against versus 14-3 Michael Fulmer.   JD Martinez kicks off the scoring for the Capitals with a solo HR in the 2^nd.  Isotopes answer back in the bottom half with a Freddie Freeman solo shot.  After a Lindor single and stolen base, JD Martinez is back again to single in Lindor.  Capitals get to Fulmer again in the fifth with a Kiermeier walk, Pedroia single, Rizzo single and Lindor double.  Isotopes figure out that JD Martinez is good and intentionally walk him with two outs and get Realmuto to strike out to end the threat. 

Capitals are up 4-1 until the Isotopes get a solo shot by Willson Contreras.  Fowler and Betts single and a walk to Correa load the bases with no outs in the 6^th for the Isotopes.   Salazar works his magic and induces a ground ball force out at home, an infield pop up and a Freeman strike out to get out unscathed and retain their 4-2 lead.  Score remains the same until the bottom of the 8^th.  Salazar comes back out but walks Betts to open the frame.  Enter Brad Hand and his .191 BAA.   Taylor Motter greets Mr. Hand (insert your favorite Spicoli reference here) with a single followed by a Bogaerts walk to again load the bases with no outs.   Kevin Siegrist gets the call out of the pen to protect the lead but Steve Pearce rudely greets him with a grand slam shot down the line to put the Isotopes up 6-4.  Freeman then doubles and Guyer gets hit by a pitch a second time in his second plate appearance before Odor homers down the right field line.  Isotopes score 7 off the bullpen and win Game 2, 9-4.

Game 3 moves to Capital City.  Noah Syndergaard and his 6-7 record for the Isotopes take the hill against 13-10 Trevor Bauer.  It’s another tight game with the Isotopes scoring two in the fifth on a Bogaerts single, Joc single and then a couple of fielder choice ground outs.  Capitals respond with a Rizzo double and Pedroia single before the threat ends.   

Isotopes still up 2-1 in the 8^th.  Motter singles to start the inning for the Isotopes followed by Pearce and Freeman walks.  The Capitals closer, Edwin Diaz, comes in and Willson Contreras rockets one to deep left center for the Isotopes’ second 8^thinning grand slam in two games.  Addison Reed sets down the Capitals 1-2-3 in the 9^th to wrap up the three-game sweep.   

All three games were nail bitingly close entering the 8^th inning and easily could have gone either way.  Capitals outhit the Isotopes in two of the three games.  The entire/only difference in the series was the Isotopes getting all the 8^th inning breaks.   Four Capital relievers gave up runs, while six of seven Isotope relievers held the Capitals scoreless.  

Willson Contreras and Freddie Freeman share MVP honors as both have .500+ OBPs and .775+ SLG. 

Thanks to Jason for a great series – Jason was out here in Arizona to watch some AZ Fall League baseball so we got to play these games face to face!  Great season for the Capitals who have now made the playoffs in two of their four years in existence!  They return their entire roster next year while adding huge pieces in Ian Happ and Rhys Hopkins along with top prospects Ronald Acuna and Yusniel Diaz waiting in the wings!