2021 AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES “C”

SERIES PREVIEW – Two familiar foes in the playoffs face off once again. This is the first time they will face off against each other in the Wild Card round, having only faced each other in the League Championship series prior. Chicago currently leads the series 3 series wins to 2.

2005: Chicago over Hollywood (4-1)
2013: Chicago over Hollywood (4-3)
2015: Hollywood over Chicago (4-1)
2017: Chicago over Hollywood (4-1)
2020: Hollywood over Chicago (4-1)

The World Champs weren’t expected to be in the playoffs this year and traded (3) high valued pitchers during the season when it looked like they would not make it. Chicago on the other hand was expected to make the playoffs and one of the favorites to represent the AL in the World Series.

Christian Yelich leads off the game ripping a double down the right-field line. Then with 1-out, AL Batting Champ, Paul Goldschmidt singles to right, scoring Yelich, staking Kershaw with a 1-0 lead. The game stayed that way until the 3rd inning when Yelich hammers a home run to right, giving Hollywood a 2-0 lead. Kershaw looked brilliant taking Hollywood to the 5th inning leading 2-0 when “soon to be retired” Alex Gordon walks to lead off the inning. He is forced out by a Hanser Alberto fielder’s choice, leading to 2-outs with Goldschmidt due up. Goldy rips a double to left, scoring Alberto, giving Kershaw a 3-0 lead. At that point, it was all she wrote as Hollywood rode Kershaw to a compete came 2-hit shut-out, 3-0 victory. Hollywood shocks Chicago with a game 1. victory. Hollywood leads the series 1-0.

Hollywood 3 – Chicago 0

Jose Iglesias gets Chicago started in the bottom of the first with a single to right. After a wild pitch, Joey Votto and Nelson Cruz are walked to load the bases for Alex Bregman. BREGMAN piles into this pitch … this could be trouble…GORDON races it to the wall … picked clean! … Iglesias tags and walks into home to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. If May doesn’t settle in, this game will get out of control early. He then gets Andrew McCutchen on a lazy fly and he can blow a sigh of relief. With 2-outs in the top of the 2nd, Christian Vazquez doubles to right then scores when Jake Cronenworth follows with a double of his own. The score is 1-1. Hill gets out of the jam. Chicago doesn’t do much in the bottom half and we move to the 3rd inning. Gordon walks to lead off the inning. With 1-out, Alberto doubles to left, putting runners at 2nd & 3rd with 1-out. After Goldy is intentionally walked, Ketel Marte steps up. Marte rips one to right, Gordon & Alberto score to make it 3-1 Hollywood. The Chicago fans are in SHOCK! Hill settles down and gets out of it limiting the damage to two runs. Dustin May stays locked in, Hollywood throws up 4 runs in the 8th to blow Chicago our 7-1 giving them a 2 games to 0 series lead. Game shifting to Hollywood.

Hollywood 7 – Chicago 1

The last time Craig Morton took the mound, was in Game 7 of the World Series in Hollywood last season. He was brilliant with 8-innings of shutout ball and hopes to re-live that magic. With 2-outs in the 2nd, Andrew McCutchen gets a hold of one to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Urias looks to have the game under control, holding Chicago to no nits entering into the top of the 5th. With 2-outs, Iglesias doubles to center bringing up Tucker Barnhart. Here’s a pitch … BARNHART goes out and gets it … long ball … down the left field line…curving … curving … is it or isn’t it? … the ump signals … home run!! Chicago has a 3-0 lead. The game moves to the bottom of the 5th and with 1-out Vazquez steps in for Hollywood. VAZQUEZ facing URIAS…He cranks and fires … VAZQUEZ puts a charge into this pitch … it might fly….Mike TAUCHMAN races back to the wall … he times his leap and comes down with a glove full of dead homer! … terrific play! … two down!! Then after 2 walks, Alex Gordon steps in… grounded hard to short … IGLESIAS fields it … flips to ARRAEZ at second and they get him … to retire the side. Urias has no-hit Hollywood through 5 innings. Chicago puts the game away with 5 runs in the top of the 6th, but the story is Urias…He takes a no-hitter to the 9th inning with an 11-0 lead. ALBERTO facing URIAS … fly ball left field … it’s playable … TAUCHMAN moves under it and he’s got it … one down!! Next up is GOLDSCHMIDT…URIAS fires it in … it misses … ball four … and GOLDSCHMIDT goes to first. With 1-out that brings up…..MARTE…First baseman VOTTO’s on the bag … URIAS rocks and fires … cut on … it’s a high fly to straightaway center … AKIYAMA has it measured … he brings it down … two gone!!! GOLDSCHMIDT gets back to first and sends up Matt OLSON as their last hope… Julio URIAS takes a deep breath and comes home…called STRIKE ONE. Francisco Cervelli tosses it back to Urias. Urias looks in….shakes off the sign…..gives a nod…A SWING AND A MISS!!! STRIKE TWO!!! OLSON steps out….takes a couple of practice swings…steps back in…..URIAS looks in… It gives a solid nod…..THE PITCH…..OLSON SWINGS WILDLY FOR STRIKE THREE…..CERVELLI CHARGES THE MOUND!!! URIAS THROWS A NO-HITTER…URIAS THROWS A NO-HITTER!!! Chicago grabs game 3 and now trails the series 2 games to 1.

Chicago 11 – Hollywood 0

Lance McCullers vs Jon Lester. Hollywood throws 4 grade, Jon Lester, in game 4 with the hopes of getting 3 innings from him. They have the bullpen at the ready and will pull at the first sign of trouble. No-hitter aside…this was by far the BEST game of the series.
1st: Lester walks 1, but gets out of it. McCullers gets Hollywood 1-2-3
2nd: With 1-out, Lester gives up a single to Kolten Wong, but induces a double play to get out of it. McCullers walks one but gets out of the jam.
3rd: Lester gives up a single to Cervelli, but induces another double play. McCullers gives up a lead-off double to Matt Chapman. Alex Gordon attempts to sacrifice him over the 3rd, but the bunt is back to the mound and McCullers cuts down Chapman at 3rd base! McCullers then hits Yelich on the hand, which causes him to leave the game for Sam Haggerty. With 1-out and runners at 1st & 2nd base, McCullers induces a double play to end the threat
4th: With 1-out in the top half Joey Votto doubles off Lester and Nelson Cruz walks. Lester gets a visit from the pitching coach. That settles Lester down as he strikes out Alex Bregman then gets Wong on a bounce out to first. McCullers gives up a walk but gets out of it and the score remains 0-0 thru 4 innings
5th: After a walk, Lester induces his third double play of the game. McCullers creates an error but gets out of it to keep the game scoreless
6th: Lester is on a short leash having pitched 5 brilliant innings and gives up a lead-off double to Iglesias. A bounce-out moves him to third base with 1-out. That brings up Votto, who is just looking for a sacrifice fly… LESTER brings it to the plate … it’s rapped back to the mound … LESTER scoops it…looks at third…fires to first … two down! … and IGLESIAS has to hold third. He then gets Nelson Cruz on a bounce out to get out of it. McCullers continues his brilliance with a 1-2-3 inning. At the end of 6…no score
7th: Lester throws his first 1-2-3 inning. McCullers throws another 1-2-3 inning
8th: Lester throws another 1-2-3 inning. With McCullers on the mound still and 2-outs… Haggerty, who replaced Yelich in the 3rd, singles. With the hit-and-run on, Alberto moves him all the way to 3rd base. Alex Colome comes in and walks Goldy to get to Marte. Marte flies out and the 0-0 game is intact.
9th: Lester is still on the mound and with 2-outs, Nelson CRUZ sends it in the air … deep right-center field…HAGGERTY goes over….GORDON goes over … and GORDON chases it down … three away! Lester has made it through 9 scoreless innings. Colome gets them 1-2-3 to send us into extra innings
10th: In a shocking move, Hollywood sends Lester out to begin the 10th, but the bullpen is getting ready. He gets Bregman on a groundout and Wong on a pop-out behind the plate which brings up Yandy Diaz. Diaz singles and that’s if for Jon Lester. He leaves the mound to a standing ovation!! Hollywood turns to Rich Rodriguez to get them out of this. Kevin Kiermaier goes out to pinch run for Diaz. GOLDSCHMIDT holding the runner on … RODRIGUEZ comes to him … high and inside and KIERMAIER takes off for second….here’s the peg from VAZQUEZ … the sweep tag … CRONENWORTH tags him out … three away! WOW! Colome gives up a walk but gets out of it uneventfully and the game is STILL 0-0 after 10 innings!
11th: Rodriguez still out on the mound for Hollywood gets them 1-2-3. Colome is still out there for Chicago, gives up a leadoff single to Goldschmid, and is promptly lifted for Amir Garrett. Garrett gets Marte to fly out so that brings up Matt Olson. Hollywood trying to get a running in scoring positions sends GOLDSCHMIDT…..good jump off first…BARNHART comes up throwing … the sweep tag and IGLESIAS tags him out … two down! Garrett gets Olson swinging and the game is STILL SCORELESS
12th: Hollywood turns to Diego Castillo who gets a standing ovation. The last time Castillo pitched in Hollywood was Game 6 of the World Series where he was brilliant to get them to a game 7 last year. Castillo continues that brilliance to the tune of 1-2-3. Garrett & Jeremey Jeffress combine for a 1-2-3 of their own for Chicago and we move the 13th inning still scoreless
13th: Castillo gives up a lead-off single to Bregman. Wong & Kiermaier fly out and Tauchman strikeout. With 1-out in the bottom half, Jeffress walks Haggerty. HAGGERTY is running…here’s the peg from BARNHART … WONG tags him out … it’s getting late and they’re trying to make something happen … but BARNHART had other ideas and that’s the WEREWOLVES 2nd time caught stealing … two downJeffress gets a flyout and we’re still scoreless.
14th: Hollywood takes the ball from Castillo and turns to Brandon Leibrandt. He gets them 1-2-3 to send us to the bottom of the 14th. Jeffress is still on the mound for Chicago. Goldschmidt singles to lead off the inning. With Ketel Marte up, Hollywood has GOLDSCHMIDT going with the pitch … Jeffress brings it home … MARTE ropes it hard to right…into the corner … McCutchen’s after it … GOLDSCHMIDT’s digging … he’s around third….he’s coming down the line…here’s the throw…. it’s all over! … GOLDSCHMIDT SCORES AND HOLLYWOOD WINS 1-0. UNBELIEVABLE!! Hollywood is now up 3 games to 1 in the series.

Hollywood 1 – Chicago 0 (14 Innings)

Hollywood looking to clinch, sends their ace out to try and win it. Kershaw and Bauer trade zeroes into the third inning. In the top half of the 3rd, Diaz singles for Chicago with 1-out to put a runner on. Bregman follows with an infield hit and the runners are at 1st & 2nd for Nelson Cruz. Kershaw loses his control for a short spell, hitting Cruz to load the bases, then giving Chicago the lead with a Joey Votto walk. Kershaw clearly upset at himself then looks into Andrew McCutchen. The pitch from KERSHAW … lined hard to right…base hit … GORDON is after it … he cuts it off deep in the gap … BREGMAN scores, TAUCHMAN and Chicago now lead 3-0! Bauer looks to be in control, takes the lead into the bottom of the 5th. With 2-outs, Alex Gordon walks and Yelich walks, bringing up Alberto. Albert follows with a double to right, cutting the lead to 3-2 Chicago. Chicago hands the ball to the bullpen who blanks Hollywood in the 6th & 7th. As we move into the 8th, with Amir Garrett on the mound, he gets an easy 2-outs, bringing up Matt Chapman. Garrett walks him bringing up Alex Gordon. Gordon steps toward the plate as he is about to settle in, Hollywood calls timeout. Looks like they are sending Alejandro Kirk to pinch hit for Gordon.

KIRK EMBRACES GORDON WITH A HUG!! THE FANS GO WILD AS THEY POTENTIALLY WATCH ALEX GORDON LEAVE THE FIELD FOR THE LAST TIME. A STANDING OVATION FOR GORDON WITH A CURTAIN CALL AS THE CHICAGO PLAYERS AND HOLLYWOOD PLAYERS ALIKE JOIN IN WITH THE CHEERS…

As the stadium settles down, Chicago changes pitchers to Jeremy Jeffress, and Kirk steps in. The pitch … grounded right at BREGMAN … this should do it … throws to second … three away! Chicago still leads 3-2 after eight. Chicago goes quietly in the top of the ninth, leading to the top of the Hollywood order. Yelich reaches on a Jeffress error. Moves to 2nd base on a FC for Goldschmidt and Marte to try and tie it. Jeffress hits Goldschmidt, putting the winning run on 1st base. Marte steps in…Jeffress cranks and fires … OOOOF! … MARTE flails the air … but fails to make contact that’s strike three … and Ketel is headed back to the bench … two down!! Chicago brings in Adolis Chapman to face Matt Olson…Chapman gets Olson to pop out and Chicago lives another day. Hollywood now leads the series 3 games to 2.

Chicago 3 – Hollywood 2

The game shift back to Chicago with the home team desperate for a win to keep them going. Hollywood turns to their #2 starter Gingergaard with hopes to wrap it up. If they lose, they will have to turn to 5 grade Charlie Morton in game 7. Hill & May exchange goose eggs into the 4th inning. Hill gets Hollywood 1-2-3. Votto walks in the bottom half to lead off the inning and that brings up Nelson Cruz. High fly ball to center…YELICH’s racing to the track … he’s against the wall … but there’s nothing he can do…it’s long gone! Chicago has a 2-0 lead! Hill continues his brilliance keeping Hollywood at bay with 6 no-hit innings. As they head to the bottom of the 6th, Chicago leads 2-0 still, and with 1-out, Cruz singles for his second hit of the games. After Bregman reaches on a fielders choice, McCutchen steps in. MAY into his motion … delivers … McCutchen swings … it’s hard and long …sending MARTE back..will it be deep enough? … goodbye… a two-run shot and Chicago now has a 4-0 lead. The story is Rich Hill and Chicago possibly pitching (2) no-hitters in the Wild Card series as we move to the 9th inning now up 5-0. HILL ON TE MOUND….. GORDON up…The pitch comes in … swung on … popped foul behind first … WONG’s racing over…waves off VOTTO … and he gloves it … one down! This brings up YELICH…HILL lets it go … fastball … badly fooled … strike three … two down!!! The GOLDEN SOMBRERO FOR YELICH as he has now struck out 4 times!! The last man standing between HILL and his no-hitter is Hanser Alberto. HILL comes to the plate … ALBERTO lashes one to right … it falls….and ALBERTO’s on with a single … for HOLLYWOOD … the 1st hit in this game…breaking up the no-hitter for Rich HILL with two away here in the 9th!! While Hill is disappointed, Chicago is not…they finish off the game, shutting Hollywood out 5-0 and have no evened the series for the pivotal game 7.

Chicago 5 – Hollywood 0

Hollywood sends their 7th game magic-man (5-grade) Charlie Morton to the mound vs Chicago’s own magic man, 14-grade Julio Urias. The last time Hollywood faced Urias, they were no-hit. Chicago is looking for the same magic while Hollywood looks for the upset. Hollywood looks to have the bullpen up early, just in case…..Hollywood breaks up the no-hitter early this time, in the second inning, with a single by Vazquez, which leads to nothing. The game is scoreless entering the third inning when Matt Chapman steps in to lead off the inning. URIAS with the offering … that’s rocked to deep left-center … it is high … and long….and gone! … CHAPMAN trots around the bases giving Hollywood a 1-0 lead. As the game moves to the 4th, Hollywood still clings to the 1-0 lead. With 1-out, Urias walks Marte. He promptly steals second with Matt Olson in the box, who goes down on strikes. With 2-outs, Vazquez steps in against Urias. MARTE now with an aggressive lead … the pitch comes in … swung on … base hit left field….TAUCHMAN’s after it … toward the gap … MARTE’s well around third and he’ll score to give Hollywood a 2-0 lead! Morton cruises in the 4th and Hollywood holds the 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the 5th. With 1-out, Kolten Wong walks, which brings up Cervelli. MORTON sets….the delivery … hit toward MARTE in deep left … he’s chasing it down…
he’s at the warning track … and he watches it sail over the wall as Cervelli circles the bases to tie the game at 2-2!!! The crowd goes crazy and with one swing of the bat, Hollywood’s bullpen starts getting ready again…fast. The game moves to the top of the 6th, as Alberto leads off the inning with a single. With 1-out, Hollywood puts the runner in motion for Ketel Marte who moves him to 2nd base with 2-outs. With 2-outs Olson steps in. The pitch … it’s a shot down the right-field line … kicks up some chalk dust…McCutchen cuts it off in foul territory … ALBERTO around third … he will score…the WEREWOLVES have the lead! … and OLSON motors in to second with a stand-up double and a 3-2 Hollywood lead! Urias gets out of it and the game heads to the bottom of the 6th. Hollywood pulls Morton out and sends in Diego Castillo in relief. Castillo gets them 1-2-3 to preserve the Hollywood lead. With Urias still on the mound, the game moves to the 7th. With 2-outs, Chicago turns to lefty Tyler Matzek to face lefty Alex Gordon. MATZEK with the pitch…. it’s pulled hard to right … it’s deep enough if it’s fair … hooking….fair ball! … home run for GORDON and Hollywood now leads 4-2!! Castillo is sent back out there in the bottom of the 7th. He walks Diaz to lead off the inning. He moves to 2nd on a McCutchen groundout. Castillo gets Wong on a checked swing and Cervelli on a popout…The game moves into the 8th inning. The game is still 4-2 Hollywood as they turn to Brandon Leibrandt to hold off Chicago. He does the job getting Chicago 1-2-3 to send the game into the 9th inning up 4-2. Hollywood goes quietly in the top half and turns to their closer Richard Rodriguez in the bottom half. With the series on the line, he needs to go through the heart of the order, Votto-Cruz-Diaz. He gets Votto on a flyout and strikes out Cruz, which leaves Diaz the last Chicago hope. With the count 3-2, RODRIGUEZ is into his motion … delivers … that’s a half swing … yes! … DIAZ went too far and HOLLYWOOD COMPLETES THE UPSET WITH A 4-2 WIN, TAKING THE SERIES 4 GAMES TO 3.

Hollywood 4 – Chicago 2