2024 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #1
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| SERIES PREVIEW – The Division Series between the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas (87-75) and the Hollywood Werewolves (108-54) promises to be a thrilling matchup. Southwest Detroit, who finished second in the American League East, advanced by defeating the Fremont Cannons 4 games to 1 in the Wild Card Round. Hollywood, the top team in the American League West, also moved forward by beating the Gainesville Swamp Things 4 games to 1, including the Ghost win. During the regular season, Hollywood dominated the head-to-head battles, winning 9 out of 12 games.Both teams have high aspirations for the Division Series. Southwest Detroit boasts a very good bullpen, but Hollywood is equally strong in that area, making it difficult to declare a clear advantage. The starting rotations for both teams are also evenly matched. However, Hollywood holds the edge in hitting, though Southwest Detroit is not far behind.
Given the strengths and competitive nature of both teams, this series is expected to be very close and exciting. The odds slightly favor Hollywood due to their superior regular-season record and the head-to-head performance, but Southwest Detroit has shown they can compete at a high level. This series could easily go the distance and be decided by the smallest of margins. |
| GAME #1 – Corbin Burnes 8-10 (4.53) vs. Dustin May 5-1 (1.91)
The Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas edged out the Hollywood Werewolves with a final score of 2-1. The game was marked by stellar pitching performances and a few key moments that decided the outcome. Top of the 1st Inning: The Fighting Chihuahuas took an early lead when Harrison Bader‘s single drove in Willson Contreras, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Dansby Swanson also walked, setting up a potential double play, but the Werewolves couldn’t capitalize. The inning ended with the Fighting Chihuahuas leading 1-0. Bottom of the 1st Inning: Corbin Burnes of the Fighting Chihuahuas quickly established his dominance, retiring the side in order with a groundout, a strikeout, and another groundout. Top of the 3rd Inning: Contreras struck again, this time with a solo home run to extend the Fighting Chihuahuas’ lead to 2-0. Swanson nearly made it back-to-back homers but was caught just short of the wall. Bottom of the 7th Inning: Burnes was pitching a no-hitter until Aaron Judge broke it up with a single. Despite this, Burnes managed to get out of the inning without allowing a run, maintaining the 2-0 lead. Bottom of the 9th Inning: The Werewolves made a valiant effort to come back. J.P. Crawford hit a solo home run off Ryan Helsley to cut the lead to 2-1. Christian Yelich then doubled, putting the tying run in scoring position. However, Helsley managed to get Aaron Judge to fly out, ending the game. Southwest Detroit 2 – Hollywood 1 Win: Corbin Burnes 1-0 (0.00) |
| GAME #2 – Tyler Wells 7-8 (2.97) vs. Clayton Kershaw 19-0 (2.39)
In a nail-biting championship game, the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas narrowly defeated the Hollywood Werewolves with a final score of 3-2. The game was highlighted by strong pitching performances and a few critical plays that determined the outcome. Tyler Wells earned the win, Clayton Kershaw took the loss, and Ryan Helsley secured the save. Top of the 1st Inning: The Fighting Chihuahuas started strong with Travis Jankowski singling to center. A wild pitch allowed him to advance to second, but Kershaw managed to escape the inning unscathed. Bottom of the 2nd Inning: The Werewolves had a chance to score when Miguel Cabrera doubled, but Tyler Wells held firm, retiring Alejandro Kirk to end the inning. Top of the 3rd Inning: The Fighting Chihuahuas broke the deadlock. J.D. Davis doubled, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Brendan Rodgers. Jankowski then doubled, driving in two runs to make it 2-0. Top of the 7th Inning: Alec Burleson hit a solo home run off Kershaw, extending the lead to 3-0. Kershaw was then replaced by Jordan Romano. Bottom of the 8th Inning: The Werewolves mounted a comeback. Christian Yelich walked and stole second, followed by a single from Lane Thomas to score Yelich. Miguel Cabrera then singled to bring the score to 3-2. Bottom of the 9th Inning: Ryan Helsley came in to close the game. Despite walking Ketel Marte, Helsley struck out J.P. Crawford and retired Aaron Judge to secure the victory. The game also saw some unusual events, including Starling Marte getting hit by a pitch and having to leave the game, and Paul Goldschmidt getting injured after making a catch near the stands. Despite these setbacks, the Fighting Chihuahuas held on to win the championship game. Southwest Detroit 3 – Hollywood 2 Win: Tyler Wells 1-0 (0.00) |
| GAME #3 – Shane McClanahan 12-6 (2.97) vs. Jordan Montgomery 11-8 (3.25)
The Hollywood Werewolves triumphed over the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas with a final score of Hollywood 3 – Southwest Detroit 0. The game was marked by stellar pitching performances and key hits that sealed the victory for Hollywood. Shane McClanahan was dominant on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings and allowing just one hit. He earned the win, improving his record to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Peter Fairbanks closed out the game, securing his first save of the series. Jordan Montgomery took the loss for Southwest Detroit, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, with a 4.50 ERA. The action started early with J.P. Crawford doubling in the first inning, but Hollywood couldn’t capitalize until the third inning. Miguel Cabrera led off the third with a double, followed by Taylor Walls‘ RBI double to put Hollywood on the board. Aaron Judge then delivered a two-run homer, extending the lead to 3-0. Despite several opportunities, Southwest Detroit couldn’t break through against McClanahan and the Hollywood bullpen. A standout moment came in the fourth inning when Southwest Detroit loaded the bases with two outs, but McClanahan induced a flyout to end the threat. Alec Burleson was a bright spot for Southwest Detroit, hitting two doubles, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Hollywood’s early lead. Hollywood’s defense and pitching held firm, with Fairbanks closing the door in the ninth inning, ensuring the shutout victory. The Werewolves’ combination of timely hitting and dominant pitching proved too much for the Fighting Chihuahuas, securing Hollywood’s first win of the series. Hollywood 3 – Southwest Detroit 0 Win: Shane McClanahan 1-0 (0.00) |
| GAME #4 – Dustin May 5-1 (1.91) vs. Corbin Burnes 8-10 (4.53)
The Hollywood Werewolves emerged victorious over the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas with a final score of 8-3. The game started with a bang as Christian Yelich and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back home runs off Corbin Burnes in the top of the first inning, giving the Werewolves an early 2-0 lead. Matt Chapman added to the score with an RBI double, making it 3-0 by the end of the first inning. Burnes struggled throughout, allowing six runs on five hits, including three home runs, and was pulled in the fourth inning. Aaron Judge‘s second home run of the game, a two-run shot, extended the lead to 6-0, prompting Burnes’ exit. Lane Thomas later hit a two-run homer in the seventh, further solidifying the Werewolves’ dominance. Dustin May pitched five strong innings, allowing only one unearned run and two hits, earning his first win of the series. The Fighting Chihuahuas managed to score two runs in the ninth inning with a home run by C.J. Abrams, but it was too little too late. Hollywood’s defense was shaky, committing three errors, but their powerful offense carried them through to victory. Hollywood 8 – Southwest Detroit 3 Win: Dustin May #1-1 (1.80) |
| GAME #5 – Clayton Kershaw 19-0 (2.39) vs. Tyler Wells 7-8 (2.97)
Hollywood Werewolves Triumph in Extra-Inning Thriller Against Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas In a nail-biting game five, the Hollywood Werewolves edged out the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas with a final score of Hollywood 4 – Southwest Detroit 3 after 11 intense innings. The Werewolves took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt‘s triple brought in two runs, followed by Matt Chapman‘s single, making it 3-0. The Fighting Chihuahuas responded in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly by Ryan McMahon, scoring Travis Jankowski. The game saw a dramatic turn in the bottom of the ninth when Zach McKinstry hit a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3, sending it into extra innings. The Werewolves’ James McCann broke the deadlock with a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning. The game featured standout performances, including Goldschmidt’s two doubles and a triple, and McKinstry’s game-tying home run. The Werewolves’ bullpen was solid, with Fairbanks and Romano closing out the game effectively. This championship game will be remembered for its thrilling moments and clutch performances, epitomizing the excitement of baseball at its finest. Hollywood #4- Southwest Detroit 3 – 11 Innings Win: Peter Fairbanks 1-0 (2.08) |
| GAME #6 – Andrew Abbott 5-6 (3.87) vs. Shane McClanahan 12-6 (2.97)
The Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas clinched a decisive victory over the Hollywood Werewolves with a final score of 5-0. The game was marked by standout performances and a few extraordinary moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Andrew Abbott was the star of the show, pitching a complete game shutout and striking out 12 batters, earning his first win of the series with an impeccable 0.00 ERA. Shane McClanahan, on the other hand, struggled and was pulled after just two innings, having given up four runs on five hits, including two home runs. His ERA for the series rose to 4.50 with this loss, bringing his record to 1-1. The action started early with Dansby Swanson hitting a towering solo home run in the top of the first inning, giving the Fighting Chihuahuas an early lead. The second inning saw more excitement as Dominic Smith scored on a daring play at the plate, followed by an RBI single from Brendan Rodgers, extending the lead to 3-0. Swanson struck again in the fifth inning with his second home run of the game, solidifying the Chihuahuas’ dominance. Despite a valiant effort from the Werewolves, including a single from Ketel Marte and a stolen base by J.P. Crawford, they were unable to score against Abbott’s masterful pitching. The game concluded with Abbott striking out Lane Thomas, sealing the shutout and the championship for the Fighting Chihuahuas. Southwest Detroit 5 – Hollywood 0 Win: Andrew Abbott 1-0 (0.00) |
| GAME #7 – Corbin Burnes 8-10 (4.53) vs. Dustin May 5-1 (1.91)
Southwest Detroit Triumphs Over Hollywood in Championship Game In a thrilling championship game, the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas emerged victorious over the Hollywood Werewolves with a final score of 6-2. The game was marked by stellar performances and some unexpected twists. Game Highlights:
Notable Incidents:
Southwest Detroit’s victory was a testament to their resilience and strategic plays, securing them the championship title in a game filled with excitement and unexpected turns. Southwest Detroit 6 – Hollywood 2 Win: Corbin Burnes 2-1 (3.63) |
| SERIES SUMMARY – The Division Series between the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas and the Hollywood Werewolves was a thrilling and closely contested matchup. Southwest Detroit, who finished second in the American League East, advanced by defeating the Fremont Cannons 4 games to 1 in the Wild Card Round. Hollywood, the top team in the American League West, also moved forward by beating the Gainesville Swamp Things 4 games to 1. During the regular season, Hollywood dominated the head-to-head battles, winning 9 out of 12 games. Both teams had high aspirations for the Division Series, with Hollywood slightly favored due to their superior regular-season record and head-to-head performance. However, Southwest Detroit proved to be a formidable opponent, making the series highly competitive and exciting.The series kicked off with Southwest Detroit taking a narrow 2-1 victory in Game 1, thanks to stellar pitching from Corbin Burnes and a key home run by Willson Contreras. Game 2 saw another close contest, with Southwest Detroit edging out Hollywood 3-2, highlighted by a strong performance from Tyler Wells and a crucial home run by Alec Burleson.
Hollywood bounced back in Game 3 with a dominant 3-0 win, led by Shane McClanahan‘s impressive pitching and Aaron Judge‘s two-run homer. The Werewolves continued their momentum in Game 4, securing an 8-3 victory with back-to-back home runs from Christian Yelich and Aaron Judge, and a solid outing from Dustin May. Game 5 was a nail-biting extra-inning thriller, with Hollywood emerging victorious 4-3 after 11 innings, thanks to a clutch home run by James McCann. However, Southwest Detroit responded strongly in Game 6, clinching a decisive 5-0 win with Andrew Abbott‘s complete game shutout and Dansby Swanson‘s two home runs. The series culminated in a thrilling Game 7, where Southwest Detroit triumphed over Hollywood with a final score of 6-2. The game was marked by key hits and strategic plays, including a solo home run by Dominic Smith and a crucial home run by Willson Contreras. Despite Hollywood’s efforts, Southwest Detroit’s resilience and tactical prowess secured them the championship title. In summary, the Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas won the series 4 games to 3 against the Hollywood Werewolves. The series was characterized by exceptional pitching, timely hitting, and memorable performances from both teams, making it a memorable and exciting Division Series. |