[ayaghmour2]

October 19th, 2030: This is it! A rematch of the 2024 World Series will start tomorrow as we host the Orioles to start the 7 game series!

I'll do a little team-by-team comparison before the series starts:

Catcher: Jackson Miller (5th) vs. Daniel Rosica (26th): Not even close here, as Miller is far superior to Rosica. The 34-year-old veteran was acquired from the Twins this July, while Miller has been with the club since a 2026 offseason trade with the Phillies.

First base: Mac Horvath (4th) vs. Jim Cavanagh (22nd): Another one where we blow them out of the water. Cavanagh, a former 9th Round Pick of the Blue Jays came over in a New Year's Eve trade in 2028. Horvath, the 10th Overall Pick by the Cubs in 2020, was acquired in a December trade in 2026.

Second base: Noah Smith (16th) vs. Logan Davidson (2nd): The 42nd Overall Pick in the 2018 draft out of Clemson, the switch hitting Davidson is one of the Orioles collection of 5* hitters. He's one of the best players in the League, and the longtime Oriole is making an insane $53 million this year. Smith is a solid second basemen, but he's likely a free agent at the years end. The former 9th Overall Pick in the 2021 draft by the Nationals, he's been here since December of 2027.

Third base: Fernando Tatis Jr. (6th) vs. Juan Alfredo Walls (5th) (injured): Before the comparison starts, let's make it clear that Tatis is a better player despite Walls' higher ranking. Walls is also injured, which means Jimmy Turnage (a waiver claim from Seattle) is starting at the hot corner. He's no where near Tatis' skill level, and this first (and likely last) year Marlin is by far the better player.

Shortstop: Rogelio Maldonado (9th) vs. Jorge Alanis (4th): Neither guy is starting at short, with Maldonado not on the playoff roster and Alanis injured. Smith is actually playing at short (with Jon Reid at 2B) and playoff hero Alerick Soularie gets the nod for the Orioles. Smith and Reid are much better then Soularie, who as explained, is a journeyman and former 19th Round Pick by the Mets back in 2018. Reid, a former 34th Round Pick, came off waivers from St. Louis in 2025, but has really developed into a productive big league regular.

Leftfield: Juan Ramirez (1st) vs. Sean Stahl (5th): This one is close, but a healthy Ramirez is the best player in baseball. Stahl is no slouch, as the 2028 Rule-5 Pick from the Dodgers has turned tinto an excellent slugger. He's actually a former 2nd Rounder of the Phillies. Ramirez was signed way back in 2019 as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela.

Centerfield: Juan Simental (13th) vs. Mike Verbeck (2nd): Simental is currently injured, but should be able to play as early as game three. Even if he's fully healthy, Mike Verbeck is miles better. One of the best players in the league, Verbeck is a legit 5* with no real flaws. The former 2nd Overall Pick is in his 7th season with Baltimore. Simental came from waivers via. Arizona in 2028.

Rightfield: Ernie Frye (t-3rd) vs. Josh Parker (23rd): In a few years, this might be closer, as Parker, a 5th Rounder from 2026 is not quite fully developes. He's a solid player, but the NL Batting Leader Ernie Frye is one of the better players in the league. The former 3rd Rounder came from Tampa in the offseason.

Starting Pitching: Esteban Aguirre (1st) vs. Juan Medina (20th): This is no knock to Medina, as only the best pitcher is shown in the overall rotation ranks. Medina, the 4th Overall Pick, in 2023 is a dominate hurler, but Sergio Garza, Godrell Kennebrew, and Franklin Perez are all 2 stars or less. We know the legend of Esteban Aguirre, but Dursun Erbakan is on par with Medina, and Steve Paustian and Pat Saitta would each be the undisputed #2 in Baltimore.

Relief Pitching: C.J. LaFever (1st) vs. Ken Adams (5th): Again, a group ranking, but what other reliever has started an All-Star Game? Just C.J.! Adams, the former 18th Overall Pick in 2026 is a steallar young releiver, but he tore his rotator cuff and won't pitch for a long time. With what's left, Randy Lawrence and Shamar Olsison have the 7th and 8th, but they would be at the back of my pen. They are in line with Jamie Priest, Dan-zu Hoong, and Shiro Hiraki and only better then Ken Adeniran. Juan Toribio and Steve Hudson (even though he doesn't pitch like it) would pitch the 8th and 7th for Baltimore, and C.J. LaFever would be the closer.

Closer: Chad Scoles (2nd) vs. Josh Brown (9th): Brown used to pitch the 8th for Scoles. Enough said...

No knock towards Brown, as the lefty is a dominate anchor, but LaFever would be the closer in Baltimore. Scoles has to be the most dependable 9th inning guy, and I don't know who ranks ahead of him.

Enough of the paper, time for simulated baseball!

October 20th, 2030: Here we go! Game 1 of the 2030 World Series took place at beautiful Marlins Park with the living legend Estevan Aguirre (15-9, 2.54 ERA, 0.94 WHIP; 3-0, 0.48 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) taking on Sergio Garza (9-10, 5.77 ERA, 1.52 WHIP; 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP). Aguirre was solid enough, and we were able to edge the AL Champions 4-3.

Aguirre tossed 6 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts. Dan-zu Hoong blew the game, allowing a walk, hit, and run without getting an out. Chad Scoes got the win, tossing 1.1 innings with a hit, walk, and 2 strikeouts. LaFever picked up the save, getting the final 2 outs in the 9th.

Noah Smith was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Mac Horvath was 2-for-3 with a walk and steal. Jackson Miller was 1-for-3 with a triple, walk, and run scored. Juan Ramirez was 1-for-4 with a three run homer in the 5th. Jon Reid was 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI. Ernie Frye was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored. Scoles was even 1-1.

October 21st, 2030: We looked to extend the Orioles road struggles with Dursun Erbakan (11-4, 3.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP; 1-1, 5.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) facing Godrell Kennebrew (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 2.00). For Kennebrew, he actually made his Major League Debut in the postseason, with his only Major League Appearence occurring on October 14th against the Mariners. The 23-year-old was the Orioles 2nd Round Pick in 2026. Trailing 5-4 in the 9th, Juan Ramirez was hit by a pitch with the bases juiced to tied the game at 5. Jon Reid then hit a walk-off single, and we'll head to Baltimore up 2-0 after a 6-5 comeback win!

Dan-zu Hoong may not make the trip, as he left with an injury...

Erbakan had a rough outing, lasting just 3 innings with 4 hits, 3 runs, a walk, but 6 strikeouts. Steve Hudson had it worse, 0.1 innigns with 3 hits and 2 runs. Luis Alcantra was dominate, 2.2 innings with 5 strikeouts. C.J. LaFever got the win, tossing an inning with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

October 22nd, 2030: Hoong ruptured his bicep tendon, and will have to rehab for 6 months. I added youngster Joe Martin to the playoff roster. A starter by trade, he's rated a 3.5/5* as a reliever, and he can pitch multiple innings with a lot of strikeouts and groundouts.

October 23rd, 2030: We arrived at Camden Yards with Pat Saitta (13-7, 4.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP; 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.61 WHIP) taking on Juan Medina (14-6, 3.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP; 2-0, 3.32 ERA, 1.29 WHIP). Baltimore is a perfect 6-0 at home, and they have their best starter on the mound. We couldn't get to Medina, and he left after 6 with a 2-0 lead. Luckily, their pen is weak, and we rallied for 4 in the 7th and 2 more in the 9th to win 6-2 and take a 3-0 lead. One more baby!

Saitta tossed 7 innings with 9 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Chad Scoles got the save, 2 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts.

Gregorio Alvarenga was 2-for-5 with a double. Jon Reid was 1-for-3 with 2 runs, 2 RBI's, and a homer. Mac Horvath was 1-for-3 with 2 runs scored, a steal, and walk. Juan Simental was 1-for-4 with a triple, sac-bunt, and 2 RBI's. Sergio Tello came off the bench and was 1-for-2 with a run scored and 2 RBI's.

October 24th, 2030: The nice and fancy postseason brooms were out, as Steve Paustian (10-12, 4.77 ERA, 1.36 WHIP; 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.81 WHIP) looked to out-duel Franklin Perez (6-9, 5.17 ERA, 1.28 WHIP; 0-2, 15.19 ERA, 2.34 WHIP) and end the Orioles season.

Seems to easy, right? How did this pitching staff makek the World Series?

The offense was relatively inept, but we did just barley enough to win 3-2. AND SWEEP THE ORIOLES!!!!

WE FINALLY WON AGAIN!!!

I DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT THE DEBT I'M GOING TO BE IN BECAUSE OF ESTEBAN AGUIRRE!!!

CAUSE WE WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!

Paustian pitched well, 6 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Juan Toribio and Chad Scoles got holds before C.J. LaFever earned the save.

And a tackle from Jackson Miller. And then the rest of the team.

Juan Ramirez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Jon Reid was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI's. Juan Simental was 1-for-3 with a run scored, walk, and steal. Gregorio Alvarenga was 1-for-4 with a run scored and a steal.

I earned the achievement "Doing it with Style" for the sweep.

Jon Reid was named series MVP. He was solid, but didn't really scream MVP. He was 5-for-15 with 3 runs, 4 RBI's, and a homer. He was an impressive .357/.449/.571 throughout the postseason, which should give him a nice payday in the offseason, unless I magically come up with like $100 million.

Man, this is going to be a fun offseason!