Game 1 in Boston
Frank Sullivan (15-12, 3.27) v Connie Johnson (13-10, 2.77)
Little surprise with so many good players involved that this series kicks off with what should be a cracking pitchers’ duel between two guys who can be almost unhittable on their day, Connie Johnson and Frank Sullivan. Connie gets the nod here due to the guys above him in our spin being used over those crucial last few games. I’m not expecting there’ll be many chances, so what we get we will need to take. Al Smith gets the nod in RF over Jim Lemon for Game 1, but this will be a day-to-day decision. I’ll take a split here at Fenway, or even two from two…
The opener doesn’t pan out anything like I expected. Instead, it is a shootout that sees the teams combine for 30 hits as we lead from the front without ever being in control and hang on for dear life and a 7-6 win. Vic Power paces the bats with 3 hits and 3 RBI and Dick Groat also has a 3-hit game, while Seth Morehead is cold as ice with 2 scoreless to close it out. An instant classic to get us underway and I am braced for more of the same.
Game 2 in Boston
Camilo Pascual (15-5, 3.12) v Lew Burdette (14-13, 4.61)
Pirates lead series 1-0
Another day, another two pitching superstars on display as Camilo Pascual and Billy Pierce go mano e mano in this one. Pierce is an out-and-out gun who should be extremely prominent come awards season, while
Patato is one of the fiercest competitors I have had the privilege of managing. Let’s see what they have for us today.
We manage to get at Pierce early and eventually win comfortably for our sixth straight victory against the Sox. Jim Lemon, in against the lefty, comes through big time with 3 hits including an early homer that sets the tone, with Thomas and Power also going deep. Camilo is rarely troubled, going 7+ for just 5 hits and a run conceded, as we head home feeling pretty good about where we are at.
Game 3 in Pittsburgh
Johnny Podres (18-5, 2.67) v Paul Foytack (13-9, 3.94)
Pirates lead series 2-0
What a bounceback season for John Podres, who is a short-priced favourite to win this year’s NL Johnson-Waddell Medal. Having missed out last year, he is amped for this one and so keeping a lid on things is the key for him here as he faces the tricky Paul Foytack and we look to fully press home our advantage in front of a huge home crowd.
And this is certainly how things play out as Johnny is wild and wobbly early, falling behind 3-0 early before the bats get to work and then settling right down as we overrun them late to go three games up. Lockman and Thomas drive in a pair each in a hard-fought 5-3 final, while Morehead is again a rock for us to earn his 3rd save with six scoreless outs.
Game 4 in Pittsburgh
Larry Jackson (15-8, 3.75) v Chuck Stobbs (11-9, 3.70)
Pirates lead series 3-0
While he has struggled at times, Larry Jackson’s first season with us has shown us he is an integral part of this franchise’s plans for the future. With Johnny Pod and Camilo already secured away on long-term deals and Mike McCormick, Bob Friend and others in the wings the club looks set for a nice little run into the 1960s. None of which matters much today, as Larry takes on former Pirate Chuck Stobbs with the chance to close this out with a minimum of fuss.
But instead it is Stobbs in total control here to keep the Sox in the game with a really controlled 7-hit shutout win. We never really look like scoring to be honest, and let’s hope this isn’t the start of one of our dry spells because things can turn so quickly in these short series. Jackson does all he can over 8 quality innings but they do just enough to take the game 3-0.
Game 5 in Pittsburgh
Frank Sullivan (15-12, 3.27) v Connie Johnson (13-10, 2.77)
Pirates lead series 3-1
And just like that, the barometer swings back just enough to make things slightly uncomfortable at base camp. A loss today would see us give back all of our advantage and force us to win one more at Fenway with the momentum having done a complete about-face. Obviously, none of these thoughts are ones we want to entertain. Let’s just wrap it up here and now, thanks very much. Game 1 pitchers are back up for this one.
The boys obviously share my sentiments as they get to Sullivan early and control things from there to give us our 20th World Championship with a fine 6-3 win. A great and deserving honour for Connie J in what will almost certainly be his final game for us, and the big guy goes 8+ and never looks like losing. Frank Thomas finds his form just at the right time, adding two more hits and RBI in this one to take the MVP award. Another fantastic effort from this young group.
PITTSBURGH WINS SERIES 4-1
SERIES MVP: Frank Thomas (Pittsburgh)
