2019 NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES
Bethesda Bandicoots @ Columbus Explorers |
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SERIES PREVIEW – NL Wild-Card series featuring the Bethesda Bandicoots (94-68 and 1 game back in the NL East) vs. the Columbus Explorers (103-59 and 23 games back in the NL Central). Season series belonged to the Bandicoots 7-6 which included monster wins of 15-1 and 22-10 back in June. Columbus did rebound a bit winning 4 of 6 when Bethesda visited Columbus late in the season. Bethesda has a good edge in hitting (.256 vs .241) and the EBH or 291/42/217 vs. 242/37/192 shows they have no power as well. The ‘coots have better fielding as well. The only Explorer edge came in pitching at a 3.25 era vs. 3.57 for Bethesda. |
GAME #1 – Tyson Ross 14-9 (3.05) vs. J.A. Happ 20-3 (2.55)
The game features only 8 hits – but the day belonged to Happ – at least for the 6 innings he pitched. He was in complete control, fanning 9, walking none and giving up just 3 hits – and no runs. Columbus got on the board early – Dee Gordon opens with a single, steals 2nd and scores on a Shin-Soo Choo single for the 1-0 lead. Ross was having himself a very good day as well – until he hurt his own cause with a throwing error in the 6th which led to a 2nd Columbus run. Happ left the game after 6 and the trio of Tony Watson, Drew Steckenrider and Jose LeClerc closed out the game keeping Bethesda hitless and scoreless for the final 3. |
GAME #2 – Hyun-Jin Ryu 7-2 (1.78) vs. Julio Teheran 12-10 (3.83)
Game 2 looks a lot like a reverse of game 1. Ryu in complete command and the Bandicoots are getting the runs. The game was scoreless through 2 until Robinson Chirinos hits a fly ball that just clears Enrique Hernandez’s leaping glove and it clears the wall for a solo homer (1) and 1-0 Bethesda lead. The Ryu draws a walk and with 2 outs Jeff McNeil doubles scoring Ryu and it’s 2-0. |
GAME #3 – John Gant 10-6 (3.70) vs. Wade LeBlanc 11-10 (3.19)
Game is pretty much over after the 1st. Dee Gordon opens with a walk, steals 2nd and scores on a Shin-Soo Choo single for the 1-0 lead. 1 out and Matt Carpenter doubles him home. Brock Holt and Paul DeJong walk. Asdrubal Cabrera grounds into FC at 2nd, but a run scores. Alex Avila then doubles in 2 more for 5-0 lead after 1. |
SERIES WRAP UP – So the Explorers take the series in a close one 2 games to 1. |