Its a 2030 rematch in the Division Series after the Mariners go into Cleveland and take two-of-three, including a 2-0 shutout in the decider, to knock out the 97-win Guardians.
The Royals swept the Mariners 6-0 during the regular season, which also gives pause for thought entering the postseason.
They are more of a pitching team (3rd in the AL in runs against), with their top two pitchers (Tyler Bremner and Billy Almarez) both recording season ERAs under 2.85. On the hitting side, the team is led by former ROTY, 2033 AL MVP, 6-time All star LF Mike Miller (playing CF for the Mariners this year) and their 2030 International Amateur two-time All-Star 2B Luis Santana.
Game 1 in Kansas City: Mike Hoffer vs. CJ Sampson (2037 Trade TEX)
Seattle wins 18-10
Sampson: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R
Hoffer (L): 1.2 IP, 7 H, 9 R
Q.V. Demaree (W): 2.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R
Seattle HRs: Mike Miller, Keon Johnson (3R), Kevon Blakes
POTY: Tim Storer 4-5
1-0 Seattle
Game 2 in Kansas City: Min-ho Kim vs. Gaige Sewell (2031 2nd Round)
Seattle wins 7-5
Sewell: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R
Kim: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Steve Beck (W): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Chris Wagner (L): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R
Amari Malachi (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
2-0 Seattle
Game 3 in Seattle: Curt Bogans vs. Tyler Bremner (2033 Trade MIN)
Seattle wins 2-1
Bremner: 6.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R
Bogans: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R
Malachi (W): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Jeremy Sidener (L): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R
Seattle WINS 3-0
MVP: Tim Storer .538, 1 HR, 3 RBI
The Royals are heartbroken as they are swept out of the playoffs by a Seattle team that they beat in 6 straight games during the regular season. The best regular season in history ends in familiar frustration for Stewart and Kansas City.