American League
Boston Red Sox (94-68) v Minnesota Twins (92-71)
This year’s playoffs will almost be as much affected by those players not playing as those who are, this series in particular. The Red Sox are without both Reggie Smith and Tony Perez, but that is almost at full-strength compared to the poor old Twins, who go into it without Roy Smalley, Rick Manning, Marty Bystrom, Steve Howe and Bake McBride, among others. For them to have got past the A’s in the manner they did and get this far is an achievement in itself.
They keep it going with a comeback 7-3 win in 10 in the opening game at Fenway and push the Sox all the way in Game 2, which remains scoreless until Ruppert Jones walks it off for the home side with an RBI single in the 13th.
A walkoff 4-3 home win in 10 gets them within one of the Big Dance but a huge blowout 17-1 Boston win in Game 4 necessitates an elimination decider. In one of the best LCS we’ve seen, the Twinkies get it done with a thrilling 4-3 road win to take the club's 10th AL Pennant and move on.
MVP honours go to Gary Gaetti.
National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (95-67) v Atlanta Braves (82-80)
The Braves have also been decimated by injuries, with Doc Medich, William Ewing, Bobby Thompson, Pascual Perez and a few others all missing here. That, and their 82-80 regular season record, might make them seem vulnerable. I might agree with that if I had more confidence in my own group’s ability to deliver. But I honestly have absolutely no idea how we’ll go from here. We’re as likely to win it all without losing a game as we are being swept here and making an ignominious exit despite posting the best record of any club.
Case in point as we kick things off with a dreadful performance in a 7-1 loss, lose again 3-2 the next game and make that exit I spoke of with another lame effort in Game 3.
It honestly comes as no surprise to me at all. No doubt this club has lost that winning feeling for now.
Glenn Hubbard takes home the MVP.
