National Baseball League

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COLIN COWHERD:
Alright, let’s start here — the Braves are inevitable. Every October, same story. Atlanta at home, Atlanta with the bye, Atlanta throwing the first punch. And in Game 1 of the NLCS, they didn’t just beat Arizona… they sent a message. 11–4, and it honestly wasn’t even that close.
This series? It’s about star power and organizational confidence. And Alex Fernandez is the perfect symbol of that.
Two home runs. Big swing in the first inning. Crowd roaring. Series tone set immediately. That’s what elite teams do — they don’t feel you out. They grab control early and dare you to catch up.
Arizona scored first? Cute. Atlanta answered right back and never looked back.
MICHAEL KAY:
Yeah, and Colin, what stood out to me was how calm Atlanta looked. No panic. Down 1–0 in the first inning? Fernandez comes up, boom — two-run homer. That’s playoff baseball. You get punched, you punch back harder.
And look at the depth here. Fernandez is the headline, sure, but this wasn’t a one-man show. McKnight homered. Mireles homered. Cardona homered. This lineup just keeps coming at you. Fifteen hits. Eleven runs. No wasted at-bats.
This is why they keep getting the bye every year.
COWHERD:
Exactly. And let’s talk big-picture psychology. Arizona just won a dramatic World Series a couple years back. They’ve got talent. But what they don’t have is margin for error against Atlanta.
Their starter, J. Martin? Three home runs allowed in under five innings. That’s not a bad outing — that’s a death sentence in this ballpark. Against this lineup, mistakes don’t land in gloves. They land in the seats.
Meanwhile, Sandoval for Atlanta? Not flashy. Just solid. Ate innings. Limited damage. That’s October pitching. You don’t need perfection — you need reliability.
KAY:
And here’s the thing about Fernandez — this isn’t some fluke. He’s now got eight postseason homers. He rises to the moment. You can feel it when he’s at the plate. He’s not guessing. He’s waiting.
When you’re Arizona, you look up in the third inning and suddenly it’s 5–1, then 6–1, then 8–1… and you start pressing. Rekstad hits a late homer, sure, but by then the game’s already written.
That’s what great teams do. They make your big moments meaningless.
COWHERD:
And zooming out — this is why nothing changes in the National League. Same teams. Same byes. Same powers. Atlanta doesn’t rebuild. They reload. They don’t hope. They expect.
Arizona’s good. But Atlanta? Atlanta walks into October like they own the place.
Game 1 down. Tone established. Pressure officially on the Diamondbacks.
KAY:
Absolutely. Braves take a 1–0 series lead, and you get the sense this was Atlanta reminding everyone: If you’re going to knock us out, you’re going to have to do it the hard way.
Because at Truist Park? With that lineup? And stars delivering early?
Good luck.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Alright, so let’s get right to it — Atlanta is just running away with this series. Game 2, 11–5 over Arizona, and it’s not even a shock at this point. Troy McKnight, three hits, including a homer, two singles. He’s scoring, he’s driving in runs — the guy’s doing everything, and Atlanta’s lineup is just relentless.
You look at Arizona — they keep trying. They hit some shots, they’re getting on base, but it doesn’t matter. When you face a team that can punish every mistake like Atlanta, you’re in for a long afternoon. This is playoff baseball, and Atlanta is showing why they’re the real deal — depth, timing, and the ability to hit in clutch situations.
VIN SCULLY:
And as I look at Truist Park on this mild October afternoon, you could feel the rhythm of the Braves in every inning. There’s a certain poetry to McKnight’s swing. You watch him stride, and there’s the crack of the bat, the ball carrying just enough, and Atlanta’s fans rise again. It’s like a symphony, really — one movement after another, a crescendo that never seems to stop.
Chris Deaver, coming up with the bases loaded in the third, stroked that single to center — the sort of at-bat that defines a series. Not flashy, not a home run, just precision, placement, and timing. That’s the kind of play that separates good teams from great ones.
COWHERD:
And don’t sleep on the power balance here. Fernandez, McKnight, Cardona, Deaver — this isn’t a one-man show. Atlanta just keeps hitting, and Arizona is chasing shadows. Their pitchers, Worthen and Rivera, they gave up eight home runs across the series now. That’s not just pitching mistakes, that’s facing a machine.
This 2–0 lead isn’t a fluke — it’s a statement. Atlanta came out swinging in Game 1, and Game 2? Same story, just louder.
SCULLY:
Indeed, Colin. And the game has a way of telling its own story. The Diamondbacks tried to fight, tried to put their mark on the scoreboard, but Atlanta’s offense was like a river — once it breaks through, it flows unrelenting. There is a kind of beauty in that dominance, even for those not cheering for the Braves.
One can only watch and appreciate the precision, the timing, and the poise. And when McKnight rounds third, or Fernandez connects, you see why baseball — in its slow, measured way — can be as thrilling as any high-octane sport on the calendar.
COWHERD:
Bottom line: Atlanta is in control. Arizona’s going back home facing a two-game deficit. McKnight’s the star today, but the whole lineup’s a threat. It’s going to take a masterclass from Arizona to get back into this series. And right now, Atlanta’s setting the standard.
SCULLY:
And as the sun sets on Truist Park, you can almost hear the echoes of the crowd, the crack of the bat, and the gentle swish of gloves — a reminder that, sometimes, baseball is both a contest and a work of art. And today, Atlanta painted a vivid picture.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Alright, here’s the thing — Tampa Bay’s big, high-powered offense gets slowed down by a single performance from a guy who’s locked in. Billy Horn, 3-for-5, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored. That’s not luck, that’s dominance, and it turned Game 3 in Toronto’s favor. You talk about momentum — the Blue Jays just closed the gap to 2-1 in this series, and now Tampa Bay’s advantage isn’t as intimidating.
And let’s be honest — Jared Miller’s 2-run triple in the third? That’s a perfect example of timing meeting opportunity. You get one pitch, make the adjustment, and suddenly the scoreboard swings. That’s playoff baseball. That’s the difference between being a good team and being a great one.
BOB COSTAS:
Indeed, Colin. There’s something elegant about watching Horn’s approach at the plate. He seems to anticipate the pitcher’s intent, then patiently waits for his pitch. When he connected on that first-inning homer off Maggard, you sensed that it might be the catalyst for Toronto. And it was — the Blue Jays seemed to feed off his energy.
What’s fascinating here is the back-and-forth nature of the game. Tampa Bay plated runs early, Toronto responded in force in the middle innings. The lead changed hands, and you could almost feel the series tension ratcheting up in real time. These are the games that define playoff baseball, where every at-bat carries weight, and momentum can swing like a pendulum.
COWHERD:
Exactly, Bob. And don’t overlook Tampa Bay — they still scored eight runs. They’ve got the power, the depth, but Horn and the Blue Jays made them pay for every misstep. It’s a chess match at this level — one mistake, one pitch, and you’re on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
COSTAS:
And, Colin, there’s a subtle artistry here as well. Watch how Horn rounds first, the eyes of the Rogers Centre crowd following him. Baseball, at its core, is a game of moments, of calculated bursts of athletic brilliance. And today, Horn provided that spark, a reminder that in the postseason, heroes can emerge in a single inning and shift the trajectory of a series.
COWHERD:
Bottom line: Toronto’s back in this thing. Tampa Bay still leads the series, but the Jays showed they can punch back. Game 4 is massive — and if Horn keeps swinging like this, we could be looking at a full-blown series battle.
COSTAS:
Indeed, and as the October sun set over Rogers Centre, it was clear that both teams were reminding us why playoff baseball captivates — high stakes, precise execution, and the ever-present thrill of the unexpected.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Alright, folks, here’s what you need to understand — home teams are absolutely dominating this series. Tampa Bay can’t win on the road, Toronto can’t lose at home. It’s that simple. Friday’s game? A 14-9 slugfest in favor of the Blue Jays. Jose Villavicencio goes 4-for-5, drives in 4, scores once. That’s a guy who took the Rogers Centre and said, “Tonight, I’m the story.”
Look, Tampa Bay had some moments — Mojica goes 4-for-5, hits a homer — but when you give up 14 runs, you’re not going anywhere. The series is now tied 2-2, and momentum swings back to Toronto because they’re at home for Game 5. If you’re betting on who’s in control, you’re looking at the Jays.
MIKE FRANCESA:
I’m telling you — it’s the same old story. Home team advantage is huge in the playoffs. You can’t tell me otherwise. I don’t care if it’s Tampa Bay or Toronto, it’s the same pattern: the crowd, the familiarity, the comfort. It’s giving Toronto that edge, plain and simple. And Villavicencio? That’s a shortstop making a statement. 4-for-5? That’s not luck, that’s skill.
Capriotti and Childress gave up 13 combined runs. 13! That’s not pitching — that’s surrendering. You can’t win a playoff series giving up runs like that at home. It’s a recipe for disaster.
CHRIS RUSSO:
Forget about it, Francesa — I’m screaming! Home teams are running the show. Look at the scoreline: 14-9! That’s a baseball game that got out of control in the most entertaining way possible. Toronto exploded in the fourth inning, eight runs! That’s like a playoff highlight reel in one frame. And the crowd? That’s a factor, too. Rogers Centre was rocking, and every single Toronto player fed off that energy.
Capriotti? He’s getting bombed, the Rays’ bullpen isn’t much better. Toronto’s hitting every pitch like it’s a fastball in the batting cage. It’s pandemonium!
BOB COSTAS:
And yet, amidst the chaos, there’s a rhythm to it. Villavicencio’s four singles, Polidori’s home run in the first, Diaz delivering in the fourth — these are the orchestrated bursts of brilliance that make postseason baseball so compelling. There’s artistry in the mayhem. Even when Tampa Bay attempted to rally, the Jays’ home-field energy seemed to absorb every effort and redirect it into offensive production.
It’s rare to see a game so high-scoring yet so precise. Each run tells a story — a misplayed pitch, a perfectly placed hit, a stolen base — all contributing to the narrative. And after Game 4, the series is beautifully balanced, setting the stage for an electrifying continuation.
COWHERD:
Bottom line: home teams dominate, and Toronto’s now got the upper hand. The Rays need to respond in Game 5, and they have to do it on the road. History says that’s a tough task.
FRANCESCA:
Tied series. Home team advantage. Toronto likes this. Tampa Bay? They need a miracle away from Tropicana.
RUSSO:
The fans made a difference! Toronto’s crowd was insane, and the players fed off that energy. This series is turning into a classic.
COSTAS:
Indeed, and as the night settled over Rogers Centre, one could almost feel the weight of each swing, each decision. Baseball, at its core, is a game of moments — and tonight, Toronto owned every single one.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Folks, let’s cut to the chase — home-field advantage is real, but Atlanta just treated Chase Field like it was their personal playground. 26-9 over Arizona. I don’t even know where to start — Eddie Quizhpe, 5 hits, 3 home runs, 9 RBIs. He wasn’t just hitting; he was punishing. And Alex Fernandez? Hit for the cycle in the same game! This is a nightmare for Arizona and a showcase of what happens when everything clicks.
Let me tell you something — when a team puts up 26 runs in a playoff game, you are not just winning, you are sending a message. Atlanta is saying, “We’re not just going to the Series — we’re coming to dominate.”
MIKE FRANCESA:
I mean, come on! 26-9! Look at the stat line — Quizhpe ties the Braves’ playoff records in hits, home runs, RBIs. Fernandez ties hits, hits for the cycle. Cardona? 5-for-6. This is insane. And Arizona? You can’t keep giving up runs like this. You can’t pitch like this in the postseason. You’re basically inviting a blowout, and Atlanta gladly accepted.
Arizona’s pitching staff is just getting shelled. Every time you look up, someone’s on base, someone’s scoring. It’s a rout. There’s nothing more to say — the Braves are on another level right now.
BOB COSTAS:
It’s almost surreal. The magnitude of Atlanta’s offensive display — the precision, the timing — it reads like a symphony of calculated power. Quizhpe, Fernandez, Cardona — they each produced historically significant performances, yet it was all in harmony. 26 runs on 29 hits is an extraordinary demonstration of sustained excellence. The numbers themselves convey the story: the Braves weren’t merely winning, they were orchestrating a spectacle that Arizona could not counter.
And it wasn’t just about the home runs. Doubles, triples, singles, scoring in every inning — this is baseball in its most exhilarating, almost operatic form.
CHRIS RUSSO:
Unbelievable! This is why we watch postseason baseball! 26-9! Eddie Quizhpe with a 5-hit day and 3 bombs — the guy’s a wrecking machine. Fernandez hits for the cycle, Cardona’s on fire — it’s like a video game out there! Arizona’s pitchers are waving white flags, and why wouldn’t they? Look at that scoreboard!
I’ve been doing this a long time, and I don’t remember a playoff game where one team just steamrolled the other like this. It’s chaos, it’s fun, it’s everything postseason baseball is supposed to be — and Atlanta’s loving every second.
COWHERD:
Bottom line, Atlanta’s now 3-0 in this LCS. Arizona’s in deep trouble. You can’t just hit like this — you’ve got to match the intensity, and Arizona hasn’t.
FRANCESCA:
Exactly. When Quizhpe’s dropping 9 RBIs and Fernandez hits for the cycle, there’s no hope for a comeback in the next game. Arizona has to regroup — and fast.
RUSSO:
26 runs, 5-hit days, cycle, home runs flying everywhere — the fans at Chase Field just witnessed a clinic. This is a team peaking at the right time.
COSTAS:
And as the final out settled, one couldn’t help but reflect on the historical resonance of such a game. Individual brilliance interwoven with collective dominance — a rare, almost cinematic postseason moment that will linger in the memories of Braves fans for decades.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Alright, let’s talk about Tampa Bay — because this is becoming a thing. Tampa has a problem in these playoffs, and it’s not talent, it’s not effort, it’s not heart. It’s geography.
At home? They’re unbeatable. 5–0. Confident, aggressive, loose.
On the road? 0–5. And after this 10–6 loss in Toronto, you can’t ignore it anymore.
This wasn’t a fluke. Toronto didn’t steal one. They controlled the game. Jared Miller runs the show, German Diaz goes yard, and Tampa is once again chasing the game in a hostile building. Same script, different city.
Here’s the issue: championship teams travel. Period. You don’t get to pick where October baseball happens. If you need perfect conditions, familiar walls, and friendly crowds to win, you’re not a champion — you’re a really good home act.
Look at the numbers. Tampa hits a few late home runs, sure — Walters, Petro, Smith, Crismond — but it’s cosmetic. Toronto already had the lead, already had momentum, already had control. Rays starter Renny Craft gets tagged early, the crowd smells blood, and suddenly this feels familiar. Too familiar.
And now the pressure flips. Toronto goes back to Tampa up 3–2, knowing they’ve already cracked the Rays once in this series — and knowing Tampa has to be perfect at home again just to survive.
That’s the danger zone. Because when a team’s identity becomes “we can’t win on the road,” it’s not just about talent anymore. It’s mental. It tightens at-bats, shortens swings, rushes pitchers.
Bottom line? Tampa Bay is still very good. But right now, they’re two different teams — and the version that gets on a plane? That team isn’t built to finish the job.

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COLIN COWHERD:
Okay, stop the sweep talk. Stop the coronation. Arizona just reminded Atlanta — and everyone else — that October doesn’t do inevitability.
This is what desperation looks like. Backed into a corner, season on life support, and Arizona doesn’t blink. They don’t play tight, they play angry. And it starts with Ricky Hernandez — veteran, big moment, no fear. Two home runs, four RBIs, and every one of them felt like a rebuttal to the idea this series was over.
Here’s the thing about Atlanta: they’re powerful, they’re deep, they’re scary — but they are also human. You get a lead, you don’t finish it, and suddenly the other dugout believes again. Hernandez goes deep early, then again in the fifth, and now the Braves are thinking instead of swinging.
And then comes the swing of the night — Jose Chapa in the seventh. Boom. Two-run homer, Chase Field explodes, Arizona grabs the lead, and for the first time all series Atlanta looks… uncomfortable.
Let’s be clear: Arizona didn’t win pretty. They didn’t dominate. They survived. The bullpen wobbled, the lead was fragile, but they made the plays they had to make. That’s playoff muscle memory.
Now zoom out. Is Arizona suddenly winning this series? Probably not. Atlanta is still up 3–1 and loaded. But momentum in October isn’t logical — it’s emotional. And tonight, Arizona took Atlanta’s sense of inevitability and cracked it just enough.
Because once you lose the sweep, the math changes.
Once you lose the sweep, pressure creeps back in.
And once you lose the sweep, the team with nothing to lose becomes dangerous.
Arizona didn’t save the series tonight.
They saved tomorrow.

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Atlanta Braves: 1932 National League Champions (5th NL Pennant)
1911 1927 1929 1931 1932

COLIN COWHERD:
This is what great teams do — they listen, then they respond.
Arizona had the moment yesterday. The crowd was loud, the belief crept back in, and for about 24 hours people started asking the question: “Uh oh… is this thing turning?”
And Atlanta answered it in one inning.
Here’s the difference between good and elite: elite teams don’t let doubt breathe. Fifth inning, tie game, and the Braves flip the switch. Six runs. Bang. Done. Series over. That’s championship muscle memory.
Alex Fernandez? This wasn’t just a hot series — this was a takeover. Series MVP, hitting over .500, delivering every time Atlanta needed oxygen. He’s the guy who settles everybody down in the dugout and quietly says, “Relax. I’ve got this.” That’s what stars do in October.
And notice something: when Arizona punched back early, Atlanta didn’t panic. They absorbed it. They waited. Then they buried them. That’s experience. That’s scar tissue. That’s a team that still remembers getting embarrassed by Houston last year and filed it away.
Arizona deserves credit — they fought, they extended the series, they showed real fight. But the gap showed today. Atlanta’s lineup is relentless, one through nine. You make one mistake, it’s not a double — it’s a crooked number.
So now the Braves are headed back to the World Series, fourth time in six years. And let’s be honest: this isn’t about getting there anymore.
This is about unfinished business.
They don’t know if it’s Tampa or Toronto. They don’t care. They’re healthier, deeper, calmer — and they look like a team that learned the hard way that talent alone isn’t enough.
Atlanta didn’t just win today.
They closed the book.

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1932 NLCS summary

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Colin Cowherd
“I’ll say it again: Toronto has a talent advantage, but not a moment advantage.
This is now a pattern, not a fluke. Three outs from the World Series—again—and the door is wide open. And Tampa? Tampa is the weirdest team in baseball. Unbeatable at home. Lost everywhere else.
They’re 6–0 at Tropicana, 0–5 on the road. That’s not baseball, that’s a psychology experiment.
And Brian Petro? That’s not a grand slam—that’s a career swing. You don’t forget the guy who turns your season from funeral to parade with one pitch.”*
Bob Costas
“Baseball has always had a particular cruelty, but few scenes capture it more vividly than what Toronto endured here.
They stood just three outs from the World Series, with the weight of history finally seeming to lift—and then, in a torrent of sound and disbelief, five runs crossed the plate.
Brian Petro’s grand slam was not merely decisive; it was operatic. A changeup left up, a swing etched instantly into October lore.
For Toronto, it is another chapter in a growing anthology of near-misses. For Tampa Bay, it is a reminder that at home—under this roof, on this field—they become something almost mythical.”
Mike Francesa
“Let’s be very clear here, okay? This is unacceptable if you’re Toronto. Unacceptable.
You score twelve runs, you get sixteen hits, you lead late—you have to close that game. Curtis has been shaky the whole series. You can’t be surprised!
And Tampa? Listen, I don’t care what their road record is. At home, they’re a different animal. Six and oh. That ballpark messes with teams. The crowd was into it. Petro was sitting on that pitch.
Now it’s Game 7. Anything can happen. But Toronto had control—and they lost it.”
Chris Russo
“MIKE, MIKE, THIS IS WHY BASEBALL IS NUTS!
How do you lose this game?! FIVE RUNS! FIVE! You’re one strike away!
Toronto fans are ripping their TVs off the wall right now! This is brutal! Absolutely brutal!
And Tampa—are you kidding me?! 6–0 at home, 0–5 on the road?! What are they, the ‘27 Yankees at home and the ’62 Mets outside?!
Petro hits a GRAND SLAM with TWO OUTS?! This is why October is the best thing we have! GAME SEVEN, BABY!”
If you want, next we can:
Frame Game 7 as a legacy game for Toronto
Do a Cowherd Herd Hierarchy-style reset after this chaos
Or write the Game 7 intro like a national broadcast open
This series is living up to every ounce of October madness ⚾🔥

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Toronto Blue Jays: 1932 American League Champions (1st pennant)
1932

Colin Cowherd
“This is why I talk about growth moments. Toronto didn’t flinch.
They blew it yesterday—everybody saw it—but instead of shrinking, they punched back harder. That’s a real team.
And Tampa? All year we heard ‘unbeatable at home.’ Well, myths end eventually. They were living on margins.
Now Toronto goes to the World Series for the first time ever, and here’s the thing—pressure flips. Atlanta has the legacy. Toronto has the freedom. Upsets live right there.”
Bob Costas
“For the first time in their history, the Toronto Blue Jays are bound for the World Series.
They arrived here carrying the weight of near-collapse, and left having authored their finest hour.
Tampa Bay, flawless at home until this night, finally faltered when perfection was most required.
Toronto’s offense was relentless, almost defiant, as if determined to leave no room for doubt.
Now, they advance to face the Atlanta Braves—a franchise steeped in October tradition—while Toronto steps onto baseball’s grandest stage with nothing but belief and momentum.”
Mike Francesa
“This is how you answer adversity. This is how you do it.
Toronto comes back after that disaster in Game 6 and scores sixteen runs in Game 7. Sixteen! That’s not luck—that’s resolve.
Tampa had been unbeatable at home, but eventually, if you keep playing with fire, you get burned.
Now Toronto’s in the World Series for the first time, and let’s be honest—they’re the underdog against Atlanta. But they’re loose. And loose teams are dangerous.”
Chris Russo
“MIKE! THEY FINALLY LOST AT HOME!
This was the worst possible time! You can’t lose THIS one!
Toronto came in like a wrecking ball—hit after hit after hit! They didn’t just win, they announced themselves!
First World Series EVER! And now they get the Braves?! Are you kidding me?!
Nobody believes in Toronto—and that is EXACTLY when crazy stuff happens in October! I LOVE THIS SPORT!”

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ALCS summary

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1932 World Series

Atlanta gets another chance at a 4th World Series title. Their previous championships came in 1911, 1927 and 1929.

Toronto is in the World Series for the first time.