National Baseball League

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Pittsburgh Pirates: 3rd NLCS berth
1902 1916 1921

Greg Brown (excited, voice cracking a bit):
“JOE, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! THE PIRATES HAVE DONE IT! They come into Cincinnati, hostile territory, winner-take-all—and they STUN the Reds! Eleven to six, the final! The BUCS are headed to the National League Championship Series for just the third time in franchise history!”

Joe Block (measured, smiling tone):
“Greg, what a performance. You talk about resilience—this Pirates team went toe-to-toe with their division rivals and never backed down. Seventeen hits, contributions up and down the lineup, and how about Darrell Verni? Two doubles, a triple, three RBIs—he was locked in all day long.”

Greg Brown:
“And don’t forget about Isidro Pruneda—named the MVP of the series! Joe, he hit .526 against Reds pitching, he was on base every time you looked up. He drove this lineup, and the Reds had no answer for him.”

Joe Block:
“Pruneda’s been the table-setter, and Verni was the run-producer. And when you get timely hits from guys like Gillard, Barros, Vargas—you’re gonna win ballgames.”
Greg Brown (fired up):

“THE BUCS WIN THE SERIES! They SHOCK the Reds, they SILENCE this ballpark, and now they’re moving on! It’s the Pirates and the Mets in the NLCS! Joe, get ready—this city is about to go crazy!”
Joe Block (calm wrap-up):

“Yeah, Greg, this is a team that believes. They’ve knocked off their rivals, and now they’ve got a chance to play for the first National League pennant in Pirates history. What a moment for Pittsburgh.”

Greg Brown (with one last blast):
“RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!”

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Cleveland Indians: 4th ALCS berth
1902 1919 1920 1921

Alright folks—hold onto your hats! The Indians have survived! Chief Wahoo and the Tribe pound the Mariners into the turf, 10-1, and advance to the ALDS for the third straight season, the fourth time in franchise history!
Seattle thought they had a shot? Forget it! Cleveland put up five runs before you could even finish your first hot dog, and that was all she wrote. Mike Niccolai—cooler than the other side of the pillow—goes eight innings, gives up just one run, and says “Thanks for coming, Seattle, don’t forget your luggage on the way out.”
How about Jesús Satiago? A couple of bombs in the series, and today he sets the tone early with a big fly. Pat Kresse says, “Yeah, I’ll join the party,” and puts one in the seats too. Everybody in the Tribe lineup’s hitting—13 knocks, 10 runs—and they looked every bit like the two-time champs gunning for number three.
And now the big question: who’s next? Yankees or Rangers. Doesn’t matter who it is, Cleveland will be favored, and let’s be honest—they’ve got their eyes on another trip to the Fall Classic.
FINAL SCORE—Indians 10, Mariners 1. Tribe takes the series, moves on, and the three-peat dream is very much alive!

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New York Yankees: 8th ALCS appearance
1904 1905 1909 1910 1912 1913 1920 1921

[John Sterling voice]
Thuuuuh Yankees win! Thuuuuh Yankees win!
For the second straight year and the eighth time in franchise history, the New York Yankees are headed to the American League Championship Series! And Suzyn, this sets up a colossal showdown—a rematch with the mighty Cleveland Indians, the two-time defending champions, for the right to represent the American League in the 1921 World Series!

[Suzyn Waldman voice]
John, this was just a tremendous effort by the Yankees. Nate Moser—you can make the case he’s been the MVP of the entire postseason so far! Three RBIs tonight, ten in the series, he has carried this lineup. And how about the pitching from Deming, going into the ninth inning? He really gave the Yankees everything they needed.

[Sterling]
And Suzyn, how about Sam Kim? Sam I Am—yes, I am—with a two-run homer in the third inning to set the tone! And Shackford, Garcia, Romero—everybody contributed. This was a true team victory.

[Suzyn]
It was, John. And you can hear this crowd—they know what’s coming. Yankees versus Indians. The champions against the challengers. This is the matchup the whole league has been waiting for.

[Sterling]
So the final again, Yankees 10, Rangers 5. The Yankees win the Division Series three games to two. And now—it’s on to Cleveland!

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2021 lcs

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This is Mike Francesa, and listen—let me tell ya somethin’—that was as good a performance as you’re ever gonna see from Bobby Colon. The Mets open the NLCS, they shut out Pittsburgh, five–nothing, at Citi Field. Colon was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Seven-plus innings, three hits, eight strikeouts, over a hundred pitches—he completely dominated that Pirates lineup.
Now, look… you hold that offense to no runs in October? That’s big-time. And the Mets, they didn’t need to score ten runs. They put up five, they got the big blow from Porche, he hits the two-run homer, Alicea was terrific, Stacks comes through—everybody contributed. But make no mistake, this was Colon’s night.
Here’s the thing. You win Game 1 at home, that’s what you have to do. You cannot let a team like Pittsburgh steal the opener, take momentum away from you. And now, the Mets, they’ve got the edge in the series, they’ve set the tone, and they look like the better club right now.
And I’m tellin’ ya, if Colon keeps pitchin’ like this, and this offense just does enough—they’ve got a real shot. They’ve got a real shot to finally reach the World Series.
Bottom line: Mets win it, five–nothing. They lead the series, one game to none.

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Mike (Francesa voice):
Alright, Dog, lemme tell ya somethin’—that was one of the wildest ALCS openers you’re ever gonna see. Yankees go up 4-0, then fall behind nine-four, they come stormin’ back, and they beat the defending champion Indians, eleven to ten, right in Cleveland.

Mad Dog (Russo voice):
OHHH, Mikey! What a game, what a game! Back and forth, haymakers left and right, but the Yankees, THEY FIND A WAY! Sung-hyo Kim—FOUR FOR FOUR, a homer, a double, he’s on base five times, scores three runs—what a performance, Mikey!

Mike:
Listen, you’re down in that ballpark, the crowd is goin’ nuts, Cleveland’s got a 9–4 lead, they think it’s a wrap, and the Yankees just chip away, chip away… and in the ninth inning, Angel Pena pinch hit single to tie it, Marco Garcia with the RBI single, puts ‘em up 11–10. That’s how you steal a ballgame.

Mad Dog:
STOLE IT! You’re absolutely right! Indians had this one, Mikey, they had it—and the Yankees, they show heart, they show guts, they show championship moxie! You wanna beat the two-time defending champs, you gotta PUNCH ‘EM in the mouth, and the Yankees did that today!

Mike:
Now let’s not get carried away. It’s only one game. Cleveland’s still the better team, still the champs, still favored to win the series. But the Yankees just put doubt in their minds. You cannot blow leads like that at home in October.

Mad Dog:
Fair point, Mikey, fair point—but listen, Yankees up 1-0, they’ve flipped the script. Indians are on the ropes. Tomorrow’s Game 2 is HUGE. You cannot lose two at home if you’re Cleveland. The pressure’s all on the champs now!

Mike:
No question. Yankees win it, 11–10. Kim the star, bullpen hangs on. Game 2 tomorrow afternoon, and it’s already must-win for the Indians.

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Mike (Francesa voice):
Dog, lemme tell ya somethin’, this was domination. Mets win it 9–2, they go up two games to none in the NLCS, and they just pounded the Pirates at Citi Field. Pedro Alicea—two homers, four runs driven in, he was tremendous.

Mad Dog (Russo voice):
OHHHHH, Mikey, the Mets are ROLLIN’! They’re hittin’ the ball outta the ballpark left and right, Alicea, two BOMBS, Contreras with one, Richards, Huerta—EVERYBODY hittin’! And how about JORGE ROJAS, Mikey, eight innings, two runs, steady, kept the Bucs off balance all afternoon!

Mike:
Yeah, and here’s the thing—this series is basically over. I know, I know, it’s best-of-seven, you still gotta win two more, but the Mets are in complete control. Pirates’ pitching has been brutal. Mendoza gave up three homers, Hodgson comes in, gives up two more. You’re not winnin’ games that way in October.

Mad Dog:
CAN’T DO IT, MIKEY! You can’t give up long balls left and right, not against THIS Mets lineup. They’re too good, they’re too deep. And now you’re down two games to none, you gotta go back to Pittsburgh, and you gotta win FOUR outta FIVE—IMPOSSIBLE against a team playin’ like this!

Mike:
I won’t say impossible, but the Pirates are in huge trouble. You fall behind 2–0, now you gotta win in your own building, and you gotta find a way to slow down this Mets offense. Good luck with that.

Mad Dog:
HA! Good luck is right! Mets, Mets, Mets—9–2 winners, up two-nothing, and they’re SMELLIN’ the pennant, Mikey!

Mike:
Game 3 in Pittsburgh, Wednesday. Pirates need it, Mets can bury ‘em.

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Mike (Francesa):
Dog, this was an absolute rout. Yankees 13, Indians 3. And listen — Jose Castillo, three hits, a homer, three runs driven in — he was the star. But up and down the Yankee lineup, everybody hit. Fourteen hits, thirteen runs, they destroyed Cleveland’s pitching staff.

Mad Dog:
OHHHHH MIKEY, THIS SERIES IS OVAH if Cleveland don’t wake up! Two games to NONE, the Yankees goin’ back home, AND THEY JUST POUNDED the two-time defending champs! Castillo, Moser, Pirelli, everybody hittin’ the ball ALL over Jacobs Field! Cleveland looked DEAD, Mikey, DEAD!

Mike:
Well, let’s be fair. The Indians are still the defending champs, they’re still loaded, but right now they’re in trouble. Their pitching’s been atrocious. Jun-seo Kim got shelled, bullpen was no better. You can’t give up thirteen runs in October and expect to win.

Harry Doyle (deadpan, sarcastic):
Well folks, in case you didn’t notice, Cleveland didn’t quite get it done today. Yankees win 13-3. That’s a touchdown and two field goals, in case you’re scoring at home. Or even if you’re alone.

Mad Dog (laughing):
HAHAHA! HARRY’S RIGHT! That looked like a football score, Mikey! New York Giants woulda been proud of that one!

Mike:
Dog, the thing is — this is not what we expected. Cleveland was the favorite, two-time champs, home-field, all of it. But the Yankees came in here, they win Game 1 in a thriller, and then they just bury Cleveland in Game 2.

Harry Doyle:
Cleveland fans, don’t panic. Just remember, last time I checked, this is a best-of-seven. Indians just gotta win four before the Yankees do. Piece of cake, right? …Right?

Mad Dog:
NOT A CHANCE, HARRY! THIS IS THE YANKEES’ SERIES RIGHT NOW, MIKEY!

Mike:
Yankees in control, heading back to the Bronx. Game 3’s gonna be massive.

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Here's more on this game:

Mike Francesa:
“Well, lemme tell ya, da Yankees just hammered Cleveland today. I mean, this was ovah in the middle innings. Jose Castillo? Three hits, three ribbies, a homer, a double — the guy did everything. And listen, folks, they’re up 2-0 now. You goin’ back to Yankee Stadium with a chance to bury ‘em. Cleveland’s the two-time defending champs, but right now? The Yankees look like the bettah team.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“MIKEY! MIKEY! Slow down, slow down! The Yankees played great, no question, but let’s not forget — Cleveland’s been here before! They’ve been down before! Last series against Seattle, Cleveland was down 2 -1, came back to win! So, I’m not ready to throw dirt on the Indians yet, Mikey!”
Harry Doyle (Major League style):
“Well folks, today was not exactly Cleveland’s shining moment. The defending champs looked more like the Bad News Bears out there — three errors, wild pitches, bullpen coughing it up. If you’re scoring at home, or even if you’re by yourself, that’s 13 runs for the Yankees and one very long afternoon for the Tribe faithful. But hey — the good news is, they’ve got another chance. That’s the beauty of baseball: tomorrow’s always another day… unless you’re a Cleveland reliever.”
Francesa:
“Listen, da pitching’s a mess right now. Jun-seo Kim? ERA of eighteen in the postseason. You can’t win like that. Can’t happen.”
Russo:
“OH! TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! And how about that grand slam yesterday from Laird, and today it’s Castillo? The Yankees are gettin’ the big hits, Mikey! The BIG HITS! Cleveland’s gotta answer back or this thing’s OVAH!”
Harry Doyle:
“On the bright side, beer sales were brisk, so not a total loss here at Jacobs Field.”

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Mike Francesa:
“Dog, listen, the Mets had this game right where they wanted it. Up 2-0 in the series, they grab an early lead, and then what happens? Pittsburgh finally wakes up. Fifteen hits, Dog. FIFTEEN. You’re not gonna win when you give up that many baserunners.”

Mad Dog Russo:
“MIKEY! MIKEY! You said it! FIFTEEN HITS! They were all over the place! And Tommy Loder! Seven innings, three hits, only two runs, the guy was terrific! TERRIFIC! Mets could not touch him! Richards hits the homer, Alicea late bomb, but otherwise NOTHING, Mikey!”

Francesa:
“Yeah, and the Pruneda walk, bases loaded, two outs, tie game — that’s where it turned. You cannot walk a guy there, Dog. Peters on the mound, long at-bat, and he loses him. That’s the game.”

Russo:
“Oh! TERRIBLE! You can’t walk him, you can’t! And then you bring in Pineda, BOOM, double by Macias, Pirates pull away. Ballgame. You give a team like that extra chances, you pay for it. And the Mets, they had four hits total until the ninth inning! FOUR!”

Francesa:
“Well, listen, the Mets are still in control here. It’s 2-1, they got another one in Pittsburgh tomorrow. You win that, you go home 3-1, you’re in great shape. But the longer you let the Pirates hang around, the more dangerous it gets.”

Russo:
“EXACTLY! This is why you bury a team when you have the chance, Mikey! You don’t let ‘em back in. Now Pittsburgh’s got life, that ballpark was rockin’, fifty thousand fans! And if Loder’s pitching like that, you got a series!”

Francesa:
“Yeah, but don’t forget, Villalobos almost gave it away in the ninth. He gives up the Alicea homer, then a walk, then another baserunner — tying run at the plate. So, it’s not like the Mets didn’t have their shot.”

Russo:
“Still! Still! You don’t win with five hits in a playoff game! You don’t! Mets gotta bounce back tomorrow or we got ourselves a whole new series, Mikey!”

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