2024 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #2

 

 

Chicago

Mobsters


vs.

Southbend

Lynx

 

SERIES PREVIEW – The upcoming series between the Chicago Mobsters and the Southbend Lynx promises to be an exciting matchup. The Chicago Mobsters, who finished first in the American League Central with a 90-72 record, are coming off a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Coconut Creek Crushers in the Wild Card Round. They have been solid all year, led by the powerful bats of Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman, and backed by a stellar bullpen.On the other hand, the Southbend Lynx, who finished second in the highly competitive American League West with a 103-59 record, swept the Tijuana Bottle Rockets 4-0 in their Wild Card Round. Southbend’s success this season has been driven by standout performances from Juan Soto, Jose Altuve, and Kyle Tucker.

This series will showcase a clash of heavy hitters and strong pitching, making it a must-watch for baseball fans.

Series Odds
Southbend Lynx: 60%
Chicago Mobsters: 40%

GAME #1 – Logan Gilbert 16-7 (3.11) vs. Freddy Peralta 14-7 (4.02)

In a thrilling championship game, the Chicago Mobsters emerged victorious over the Southbend Lynx with a final score of Chicago 8 – Southbend 3. The game, held at a packed stadium, showcased stellar performances and dramatic moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Top of the 1st Inning:
The Mobsters set the tone early with Yandy Diaz leading off with a single. Alex Bregman followed with a walk, putting runners on first and second. Despite a strikeout by Yordan Alvarez, Brandon Belt walked to load the bases. Julio Rodriguez then delivered a clutch hit, driving in two runs and giving the Mobsters an early 2-0 lead. Riley Greene added to the score with a single, bringing in two more runs to make it 4-0.

Bottom of the 3rd Inning:
The Lynx attempted a comeback when Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer, narrowing the gap to 5-2. However, Logan Gilbert, the Mobsters’ starting pitcher, maintained his composure and kept the Lynx at bay.

Top of the 3rd Inning:
Yordan Alvarez hit a solo home run, extending the Mobsters’ lead to 5-0. This prompted the Lynx to replace their starting pitcher, Freddy Peralta, who struggled throughout the game.

Top of the 6th Inning:
The Mobsters continued to dominate with Yandy Diaz driving in another run, making it 6-2. Despite multiple pitching changes by the Lynx, the Mobsters’ offense proved relentless.

Top of the 9th Inning:
Yandy Diaz hit a solo home run, and Willy Adames added an RBI single, bringing the score to 8-2. The Lynx managed to score one more run in the bottom of the 9th with a solo home run by Bo Bichette, but it was too little, too late.

Pitching Highlights:
Logan Gilbert earned the win with a solid performance, allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings. Freddy Peralta took the loss, giving up 5 runs in just 2 innings. The Mobsters’ bullpen, including Matt Moore, Camilo Doval, Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano, Aroldis Chapman, Bowden Francis, and Jhoan Duran, effectively shut down the Lynx’s offense.

The Chicago Mobsters’ victory was a testament to their balanced attack and strong pitching, securing them the championship title in a memorable game.

Chicago 8 – Southbend 3

Win: Logan Gilbert 1-0 (3.00)
Loss: Freddy Peralta 0-1 (22.50)

GAME #2 – Chris Bassitt 12-7 (3.24) vs. Nick Pivetta 15-9 (4.35)

The Chicago Mobsters emerged victorious over the Southbend Lynx with a final score of 6-2. The game was a showcase of strategic plays, clutch performances, and a few unexpected twists.

Pitching Duel and Defensive Highlights
The game began with a strong pitching duel between Chicago’s Nick Pivetta and Southbend’s Chris Bassitt. Pivetta was particularly dominant, striking out 10 batters over five innings. Despite his efforts, the game remained scoreless through the first five innings, with both teams displaying solid defensive plays.

Key Moments and Turning Points
The top of the 6th inning proved pivotal for the Mobsters. Kirby Yates, pitching for Southbend, struggled with control, issuing walks to Brandon Belt and Julio Rodriguez. A daring double steal by Leody Taveras and Rodriguez set the stage for Luis Arraez’s clutch hit, driving in three runs and giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.

Southbend responded in the bottom of the 6th with a two-run homer by Kyle Tucker off Devin Williams, narrowing the gap to 3-2. However, Chicago’s bullpen, featuring Aroldis Chapman and Felix Bautista, managed to hold the Lynx at bay.

Insurance Runs and Final Push
In the top of the 9th, Chicago added insurance runs. Gabriel Moreno’s double drove in Luis Arraez, and subsequent walks loaded the bases. Yordan Alvarez’s walk brought in another run, extending the lead to 5-2. A sacrifice fly by Julio Rodriguez added the final run, sealing the victory at 6-2.

Notable Performances

Southbend
Nick Pivetta: 5 IP, 10 K, 5 H
Kyle Tucker: 2-run HR

Chicago
Luis Arraez: 3 hits, 3 RBIs
Devin Williams: 1 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 K

Chicago 6 – Southbend 2

Win: Devin Williams 1-0 (18.00)
Loss: Kirby Yates 0-1 (27.00)

GAME #3 – Tommy Henry 6-4 (4.89) vs. Bryce Miller 11-9 (4.15)

The Southbend Lynx emerged victorious over the Chicago Mobsters with a final score of Southbend 7 – Chicago 5. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring stellar plays, crucial errors, and dramatic home runs.

The Lynx took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Bo Bichette’s single drove in Kyle Tucker, making it 1-0. However, the Mobsters quickly responded in the bottom of the first with a three-run homer by Yordan Alvarez, putting them ahead 3-1.

Southbend tied the game in the fourth inning with a two-run homer by Bo Bichette. The Mobsters regained the lead with a solo shot by Spencer Torkelson, but the Lynx fought back in the fifth inning. Kyle Tucker’s single drove in two runs, and a throwing error allowed another run to score, giving the Lynx a 6-5 lead.

Juan Soto added an insurance run with a solo home run in the seventh inning, making it 7-5. The Mobsters had opportunities to come back but were thwarted by the Lynx’s bullpen. Tyler Holton closed out the game, earning his first save of the series.

The game was marked by several standout moments, including a three-run homer by Yordan Alvarez and a crucial two-run single by Kyle Tucker. Defensive errors also played a significant role, with the Lynx committing two errors in the first inning alone.

The Lynx’s victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on the Mobsters’ mistakes. With this win, the Southbend Lynx have solidified their place as champions, leaving the Chicago Mobsters to ponder what could have been in a game that will be remembered for its intensity and drama.

Southbend 7 – Chicago 5

Win: Elvis Peguero 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Matt Moore 0-1 (0.00))
Save: Tyler Holton #1

GAME #4 – Freddy Peralta 14-7 (4.02) vs. Logan Gilbert 16-7 (3.11)

The Chicago Mobsters emerged victorious over the Southbend Lynx with a final score of Chicago 7 – Southbend 1. The game was marked by stellar performances and key moments that defined the outcome.

Top Performers
Win: Logan Gilbert (2-0, 1.50 ERA) delivered an outstanding performance, pitching six innings, allowing only four hits, and striking out seven batters. His control and precision kept the Lynx at bay throughout the game.

Loss: Freddy Peralta (0-2, 10.80 ERA) struggled on the mound, giving up three runs on six hits, including two home runs, in just four and two-thirds innings.

Brandon Belt was a standout for the Mobsters, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs, including a crucial two-run shot in the eighth inning that sealed the victory.

Game Highlights
The game started with both teams showing strong defensive plays. In the bottom of the first inning, Yandy Diaz hit a double, but the Lynx managed to hold him at second base, preventing an early score. The Mobsters broke the deadlock in the third inning when Diaz hit a solo home run, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Brandon Belt extended the Mobsters’ lead with a two-run homer, making it 3-0. The Lynx managed to get on the scoreboard in the seventh inning with a solo home run by Jake Fraley, but it was not enough to mount a comeback.

The Mobsters continued to dominate, with Belt hitting another two-run homer in the eighth inning, bringing the score to 7-1. The Lynx struggled to find their rhythm against the Mobsters’ bullpen, which included strong performances from Jhoan Duran, Camilo Doval, Aroldis Chapman, Bryan Abreu, Bowden Francis, and Felix Bautista.

Key Moments
Juan Soto’s Early Hit: Soto started strong with a single in the first inning, but the Lynx couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.

Defensive Excellence: The Mobsters’ defense was impeccable, with key plays from Luis Arraez and Gabriel Moreno, who made crucial stops and catches to keep the Lynx from scoring.

Belt’s Power: Brandon Belt’s two home runs were game-changers, providing the Mobsters with a comfortable lead and demoralizing the Lynx.

The Chicago Mobsters’ victory was a testament to their balanced attack and solid pitching. They celebrated their championship win, capping off an impressive season with a dominant performance in the final game.

Chicago  7 – Southbend 1

Win: Logan Gilbert 2-0 (1.50)
Loss: Freddy Peralta 0-2 (10.80)

GAME #5 – Nick Pivetta 15-9 (4.35) vs. Chris Bassitt 12-7 (3.24)

The Chicago Mobsters emerged victorious over the Southbend Lynx with a final score of Chicago 8 – Southbend 3. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their prowess on the field.

The Mobsters took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Yandy Diaz started the momentum with a single, followed by an RBI triple from Alex Bregman, bringing Diaz home. The Mobsters continued to dominate as Yordan Alvarez and Brandon Belt added to the score, making it 5-0 by the end of the first inning.

The Lynx struggled to find their footing initially but managed to get on the scoreboard in the third inning with a solo home run by Juan Soto. However, the Mobsters’ defense remained strong, preventing further advances.

In the sixth inning, the Lynx made a significant comeback. Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer, followed by a two-run shot from Max Muncy, tying the game at 5-5. The Mobsters quickly responded in the bottom of the sixth, with Yandy Diaz driving in the go-ahead run, making it 6-5.

The eighth inning saw more action as the Lynx tied the game again, but a wild throw allowed Andrew McCutchen to score, putting the Mobsters ahead 7-6. Felix Bautista then took the mound in the ninth inning, securing the save with two strikeouts and a walk, ensuring the Mobsters’ victory.

The game was filled with remarkable plays, including a stunning throw by Jake Fraley to home plate, preventing a run, and a crucial pinch-hit appearance by Spencer Torkelson. Despite the Lynx’s valiant efforts, the Mobsters’ early lead and strategic plays secured their championship win.

Chicago  8 – Southbend 3

Win: Bryan Abreu 1-0 (2.70)
Loss: Tom Cosgrove 0-1 (4.15)
Save: Felix Bautista #1

SERIES SUMMARY – The Chicago Mobsters triumphed over the Southbend Lynx in a thrilling series, clinching the victory 4 games to 1. This series was a showcase of strategic plays, clutch performances, and a few unexpected twists, making it a memorable matchup for all MWBL Fans.Series Highlights and Key Performances.

The Mobsters set the tone early in the series with a commanding 8-3 victory in the first game. Yandy Diaz and Julio Rodriguez delivered clutch hits, driving in multiple runs to give the Mobsters an early lead. Logan Gilbert’s solid pitching performance, allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings, was instrumental in securing the win.In the second game, the Mobsters continued their dominance with a 6-2 victory. Nick Pivetta’s stellar pitching, striking out 10 batters over five innings, kept the Lynx at bay. Luis Arraez’s clutch hit in the sixth inning drove in three runs, giving Chicago a decisive lead. Despite a two-run homer by Kyle Tucker, the Mobsters’ bullpen, featuring Aroldis Chapman and Felix Bautista, held strong.The Lynx fought back in the third game, winning 7-5 in a rollercoaster of emotions. Bo Bichette’s two-run homer and Kyle Tucker’s crucial two-run single were key moments that helped the Lynx overcome the Mobsters’ early lead. Juan Soto’s insurance run in the seventh inning sealed the victory for Southbend.In the fourth game, the Mobsters secured a 7-1 win, with Brandon Belt’s two home runs and Logan Gilbert’s outstanding pitching performance being the highlights. The Mobsters’ defense was impeccable, with key plays from Luis Arraez and Gabriel Moreno, preventing the Lynx from mounting a comeback.The decisive fifth game saw the Mobsters clinch the series with an 8-3 victory. Yandy Diaz’s early single and Alex Bregman’s RBI triple set the momentum for the Mobsters. Despite a significant comeback by the Lynx in the sixth inning, the Mobsters’ defense and strategic plays, including a crucial pinch-hit appearance by Spencer Torkelson, secured their championship win.The Chicago Mobsters’ victory over the Southbend Lynx was a testament to their balanced attack, strong pitching, and strategic plays. The series was filled with remarkable performances and dramatic moments, making it a must-watch for MWBL fans. With this win, the Mobsters have solidified their place in the American League Championship Seires, capping off an impressive post Season so far with a dominant performance in both series they have played.

RULE 5 DRAFT
PROTECTION LIST
DUE
SUNDAY
10/13/2024

AT 8:00 AM - ET!

Days
0
-1
Hrs
-1
-7
Min
-5
-3
Sec
-2
-9