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2024 Playoffs
World Series
The 2024 World Series pitted Denver, the defending Champions, against playoff newcomers Chicago. The Wildcats boasted a plethora of big-name players with big game experience and the league’s most powerful offense capable of turning a game on its head in an instant, while their opponents Chicago possessed the eastern league’s No2 scoring offense and second-best pitching but would have their work cut out against Denver’s big game players. Game 1 in Denver went to plan for the Wildcats, who hit three homeruns on the way to a routine 6-2 win, The Zephyrs stunned Denver in game two, a solid start from Jose Cuesta plus a steady stream of runs led to a 9-2 Chicago win. Game three was a pitching battle until Chicago finally broke through when Juan Fuentes scored on a Scott Winters sacrifice fly, Denver pegged them back when Dixon Bodean hit solo homerun in the top of the eighth only for Chicago rookie Matt Henderson, on pinch hitting duties, to slug a homerun of his own to give the Zephyrs the lead back. Chicago’s 38-year-old veteran closer, Alfonso Vargas, kept Denver off the scoreboard in the ninth to secure the 2-1 win. The following night, Denver’s offense broke out early slamming three homers and six runs off Chicago starter Jose Mejia and chasing him from the game before the end of the third inning. The Zephyrs bullpen wrestled a measure of control back allowing a single run the rest of the game but the damage had been done and Denver ran out easy 7-1 winners to even the series once again. Game five was Chicago’s last home game of the season and the fans turned out in record numbers, playing in front of the raucous crowd the Zephyrs did not disappoint. Starter Justin Babbitt kept Denver’s potent offense quiet while Chicago built a 4-0 lead courtesy of a 3-run homer from Jose Munoz and a solo shot from Scott Coleman, the Wildcats finally got on the scoreboard and chased Babbitt in the seventh, only for Chicago relievers Paul Shaw, Jorge Carrasco and closer Alfonso Vargas to hold them in check the rest of the way and give the Zephyrs a 4-1 win. Game 6 was back in Denver with the home team knowing it was do or die, Ron Henderson drew the start for the Wildcats while Chicago countered with their ace Jose Cuesta. Denver scored first when Raul Escobar hit a leadoff triple then scored on Andrew Parker’s single, catcher Mark Abraham clubbed a solo homer in the fourth, doubling Denver’s lead. Chicago finally got on the board in the seventh halving the deficit, before tying the game in the eighth and completing the turnaround in the ninth with SS Kevin Nelson scoring on a 3B Jose Munoz sacrifice fly stunning the Denver crowd. Chicago closer Alfonso Vargas took the mound for the bottom of the ninth needing three outs to secure Chicago their first World Series, Escobar singled and then stole second before the next two Denver batters struck out, Jamie Boden hit a sharp single into right field and Escobar was waved home from second. Chicago RF Juan Fuentes launched the ball to home where catcher Scott Coleman was waiting, ball and man arrived at the same time with Escobar barreling into the Chicago catcher only for Coleman to hang onto the ball and Escobar to be called out, preserving Chicago’s 3-2 lead and handing the Zephyrs the World Series in the most dramatic fashion.
2024 Playoff Recap
Divisional Series
EL: Chicago 3-1 Boston, Indianapolis 3-1 New Orleans
WL: Denver 3-0 Austin, Los Angeles 3-0 Oklahoma City
Championship Series
EL: Chicago 4-0 Indianapolis
WL: Denver 4-1 Los Angeles
World Series
Chicago 4-2 Denver
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