[FuzzyRussianHat]

The 1888 American League Championship Series was guaranteed to crown a first-time pennant winner. It was the second chance for Milwaukee, who lost 4-1to Boston the prior year. This was Baltimore’s first shot having dethroned the two-time defending world champion Red Sox in the AL East. The Brewers and Orioles had split their six games in the regular season. Baltimore finished with two more wins and thus had home field advantage for the series.

The Brewers opened the series with a 6-3 road win thanks to a five-run third inning. The big swing of the inning was a three-run home run by former MVP Denny Lyons.



Baltimore held on 5-4 in game two to even the series as it shifted to Wisconsin. Milwaukee got the tying and winning runs on base in a two-run ninth inning, but couldn’t bring them in.



The Orioles led 5-0 after five innings on five consecutive solo spots. Milwaukee rallied, tying the game on a four-run eighth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Lyons got on via a four pitch walk. He stole second, then got to third on an error. Tip O’Neill then got an infield single that brought home Lyons for a 6-5 walkoff win.



The Brewers absolutely unloaded with a ten-run sixth inning en route to a 12-5 game four victory, putting them one away from the pennant. Milwaukee hit for the cycle in the inning with a homer, three doubles, one triple, and three singles. #9 hitter Dave Drew was 4-4 with three RBI and two runs, including a two-run homer in the sixth.



Milwaukee locked up the pennant in front of the home crowd at Borchert Field, defeating the Orioles 8-2 in game five. Red Ehret had a complete game win, scattering nine hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. 1B Denny Lyons was the series MVP, going 8-22 with 1 homer and 9 RBI.