AL Wildcard Series --- Springfield Isotopes (97-66) verse Los Angeles Halos (103-69) 

Before jumping into the series, I wanted to pay tribute to the historic “Division of Death”, the American League West. Since the TBBL realigned for the 2017 season, one division as stood out as the most difficult division in the TBBL. The AL West has produced nine 100-win teams over the 4 seasons and 2 trips to the World Series (out of the 3 completed seasons) and a championship (Springfield). The second-best division at producing 100-win teams was the AL West who had four teams.  In 2020, the AL West recorded 408 wins (two 100-win teams, San Carlo and Los Angeles) for a .627 win% (.673 win% against team outside of their division). The next best division was the NL West with 344 wins and a .531 win%. As a further testimony to the dominance of the AL West, they collectively had a +849 run-differential. While the NL West was only a +535 run-differential. The AL West is also the only division in TBBL history to have all its teams play more than 162 games. The division produced 3 playoff teams and needed a 1-game playoff between Springfield and Colorado to settle that 3^rd spot. Congrats to Jeff Thomas (San Carlo Aces 112-50), Greg W (Los Angeles Halos 103-59), John Eaton (Springfield Isotopes 97-66)) and Casey Judson (Colorado Gladiators 96-67) for achieving such a high level of greatness! 

Now on to the Wildcard series …. Since the realignment in 2017, John Eaton has had the Springfield Isotopes on an amazing run as the have won 107, 108, 113 and 97 games for an average of 106+ wins per year. The run included 2 straight trips to the World Series in 2017 and 2018, and a World championship in 2017. They advanced to the AL LCS series in 2019. Meanwhile, the once dominate Los Angeles Halos did not fare as well during that period as they won only 43, 83, 75 and then finally 103 in 2020 where they have made the playoffs for the 1^st time since 2016. Los Angeles saw their streak of 12 straight trips to the playoffs end in 2017. The Halos spent most of their time outside the playoffs trading bull-pen pieces to the Isotopes for their World Series runs. These two teams are meeting in the playoffs for the 1^st time ever after Los Angeles took the season series 8-6. 

Game #1 – at Los Angeles  

Noah Syndergaard (14-8) for ISO against Luis Castillo (22-5) for LAH 

We got the expected pitchers duel for the 1^st 6 innings as both pitchers put up goose eggs. Castillo only allowed a BB & HBP in the 2^nd and finally a single in the 5^th to Carpenter. Syndergaard allowed some runners (3 hits & 3 BB’s) but really didn’t stress during the 1^st 6 innings. Things changed in the 7^th as Avila started the inning with a solo blast to put ISO up 1-0. That was not the end of the damage as Eaton doubled and eventually scored on a sac fly by Carpenter to put ISO up 2-0. That was still not the end of it as Hernandez doubled and Bettis tripled to put ISO up 3-0. That was all for Castillo as Taylor came on to finally end it by getting Freeman to ground out.  

With a 3-run lead and Syndergaard at 87 pitches, ISO goes to the bullpen after a lead-off double by Jo Ramirez (thank you Casey). Hirano came on and looked like he would put out the small fire as he got Gardner and Chavis to ground out. Sanchez had other ideas as he lines a single to right to score Ramirez cutting the lead to 3-1. Turner also singled to right putting runners on the corners with 2-outs. Choo (thank you Casey) did what he is good at and draws a BB to load things up. That was all for Hirano as Holland came on to face Merrifield. His 1^st pitch goes to the backstop and the lead is down to 1, 3-2. Then 4 pitches later, Merrifield takes him deep to center for a 3-run shot and LAH now leads 5-3.  

That was the end of the scoring as Workman and Hendriks go the final 1.2 innings allowing only a BB with 4 k’s to preserve the 5-3 win. 

Despite their strong starts, Syndergaard 6ip 4h 1er 3bb 3k and Castillo 6.2 ip 6h 3er 1bb 7k neither got a decision. Hirano took the L while Holland was tagged with a BS. Taylor got the W, Workman the H and Hendriks the S. 

Game #2 – at Springfield 

Eduardo Rodriguez (21-8) for LAH against Mike Clevinger (9-4) for ISO 

The scoring started sooner in this one as a pair of doubles (Turner and Meadows) plated a run in the 1^st for LAH. While ERod faced only 1 batter over the minimum over the 1^st 3 innings (only allowed a BB), Clevinger after a perfect 2^nd ran into trouble again in the 3^rd. He wiggled out of 1^st and 3^rd by getting Jo Ramirez (Curses Casey) to ground out to end the inning keeping the game at 1-0 LAH. He was not as skilled/lucky in the 4^th as this time with 2 on and 2 out, Sanchez takes him deep for a 3-run shot and LAH is up 4-0.  

Erod is perfect in the 4^th and 5^th but finally ISO gets to him in the 6^th. Donaldson BB’s to open the inning but is immediately erased on a GBDP. Hilliard then goes deep to right as ISO now trails 4-1.  

Clevinger who had settled down finally gives way to Kela in the 7^th after 106 pchs. Erod gives way to Workman in the 7^th as well after 100 pchs. No more excitement the rest of the way as ISO bully goes 2.2 ip 1h 0er 0bb 3k and LAH bully goes 2.1ip 0h 0er 2bb 2k.  

LAH holds on to win game #2 4-1 and wins the series 2-0. 

Erod gets the W after 6.2ip 2h 1er 2bb 7k, Workman his 2^nd H and Hendriks his 2^nd S.  

Clevinger takes the L after 6.1ip 7h 4er 1bb 8k. 

Congrats John on a great season … and a really amazing multi-year run!  

NL Wildcard Series --- Cracksville Plumbers (92-70) verse Beartooth Bitteroots (90-72) 

TBD