PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #9
1964 Philadelphia Phillies (92-70) vs 2014 Chicago White Sox (73-89)
One of the greatest fails in baseball history will take the field in series 9. Gene Mauch and his men of course "Pholded" in September leading the National League by 6.5 games it would all evaporate away. It will be interesting to see if some of that curse comes across in this tournament or will the Phills start to make amends right awat against the White Sox. Either way this team is very talented with Dick Allen having one of the greatest rookie seasons anyone ever saw with an 8.8 WAR, 13 triples, and 91 driven in. Jim Bunning won 19 games including throwing a perfect game in 64, Chris Short won 17 games with a 2.20 ERA. So many Phillies fans would love to finally but ghosts to bed and see redemption for this team.
Robin Ventura was another manager who could never get the most of his team. The 2014 White Sox had high expectations but fell flat. Leading the way was starter Chris Sale who struck out 208 in just over 170 innings. Jose Abreu hit 36 home runs and hit .317 but the offense underwhelmed overall with the likes of Adam Dunn hitting .220. The Sox were also a very poor defensive club and will need to play much better if they are to compete in this series. Another very interesting matchup where the clubs records may be tossed aside.
Game 1 At Connie Mack Stadium
Partly cloudy 64 Wind blowing out right 11mph
1964 Phillies...............2
2014 White Sox..........1
WP: C. Short LP: C. Sale S: J. Baldshun
The type of pitching matchup we imagined in game one as the Phillies scored twice in the first two innings and Chris Short and his closer made it all hold up. Alejandro De Aza made a big error in left field to allow the opening run to score and Short himself drove in the second on an infield single. Chris Sale settled down after the start but the Sox bats couldnt get going. Tyler Flowers did cut the lead in the sixth, but it wouldnt be enough. A major hurdle passed for Philly as they beat the Sox and their ace.
Game 2 At Connie Mack Stadium
Clear 74 Wind blowing left to right 10mph
1964 Phillies...............1
2014 White Sox..........0
WP: J. Bunning LP: J. Quintana
HR: None
For the second consecutive game, Phillies pitching carried the day and White Sox bats looked overwhelmed as Philadelphia takes a 2 game lead in the series. Jim Bunning went the distance and struck out 12 men while allowing only four hits, he had it all working. Even Jose Abreu boiled over when he was ejected in this once for arguing a called third strike. Jose Quintana was also very good for the losing side, but Ruben Amaro had the only big hit of the day, an RBI double in the 6th.
Game 3 At US Cellular Field
Rain Wind blowing out to right 11mph
2014 White Sox...............7
1964 Phillies....................3
WP: J. Danks LP: D. Bennett S: R. Belisario
HR: J. Callison, J. Abreu, M. Semien, G. Beckham, A. Ramirez, A.Dunn
The White Sox hammer 5 home runs as the wind was blowing out in Chicago and the home side took advantage. Adam Dunn went 3-4 with 2 runs and Mark Semien added a two run bomb as Dennis Bennett didnt have much. Tony Taylor went 3-5 for the losing side but John Danks avoided the big mistakes and kept the ball down in a happy day for Sox fans.
Game 4 At US Cellular Field
Clear Wind blowing out to left 8mph
2014 White Sox.................4
1964 Phillies......................5
WP: R. Culp LP: S. Carroll
HR: A. Dunn 2; W. Covington, J. Callison
Johnny Callison hit a solo shot in the top of the 7th that would hold up as the Phillies win their 3rd and close in on the series. The game was tight as Adam Dun n hit two out for the home team but Bobby Wine had two RBI and along with Callison, Wes Covington went deep in this one. Chris Sale will now take the mound for the Sox in hopes of extending the series back to Philadelphia.
Game 5 At US Cellular Field
Clear skies Wind blowing in 15 mph
2014 White Sox.................6
1964 Phillies......................3
WP: C. Sale LP: C. Short
HR: C. Darylmple; A. Dunn 2
The wind blowing in still couldnt slow down the power stroke of Adam Dunn who hit two more home runs, thats 4 in two games as the Sox stayed alive and push the series to 6. Chicago was down in this one but the big blow from Dunn came in the 7th with 2 men on off of Chris Short. Chris Sale struck out 8 and got the win as somehow everyone knew that things were never going to be easy for this particular Phillies club.
Game 6 At Connie Mack Stadium
Partly cloudy Wind blowing left to right 11mph
1964 Phillies.................7
2014 White Sox............2
WP: J. Bunning LP: J. Quintana
HR: J. Callison, D. Allen, T. Flowers
Jim Bunning was dominant again this time striking out 13 White Sox over 9 innings to clinch the series for Philly in front of their home fans. Johnny Callison hit his third home run of the series and Dick Allen hit his first at an opportune time as Jose Quintana did not have his best stuff. A six run third inning eased the pressure in this one and few could argue the Phillies had the better club, especially pitching, throughout.
1964 Philadelphia Phillies win Series 4 games to 2
Series MVP:
Jim Bunning
(2-0, 2 CG, 3 BB, 25 K, 0.50 ERA, 0.78 WHIP)