NLCS

In the 2018 National League Championship Series, freshly rebuilt Mauling Tigers found themselves battling for the pennant after upsetting #1 seed Danimals by a final of 10-5-1. Their NLCS opponent was Kelly’s Heroes, who upset #2 seed Rollin’ Goats in their NLDS game by a score of 13-3. This matchup saw Mauling Tigers, back in the postseason for the first time since 2011, taking on Kelly’s Heroes who returned to the postseason for the first time last year after a long drought.

Just like with the ALCS opponents, these two teams battled each other multiple times during the regular season, with one team (Kelly’s Heroes) dominating their matchups. Unfortunately for Kelly’s Heroes, their offense went the same direction as Your Mom did this week after having a strong offensive season and an incredible offensive outburst in the NLDS. Heroes did have two days of really strong offensive output on Tuesday and Friday, accumulating 22 hits, 14 runs, 5 HR, 11 RBI, and 10 walks combined on those days. However, they managed just 27 hits for the rest of the week. Heroes put up just a .232 average on the week and had only one player, Charlie Blackmon (.409 avg, 1.007 OPS), put up respectable numbers. Heroes was really let down by the likes of Trea Turner (.219 avg), Jed Lowrie (.130), Christian Yelich (.238), and Robinson Cano (.211).

On the mound, Heroes pitchers fared a little bitter, putting up a very strong 3.08 ERA and 1.21 WHIP- both better than or right in line with their regular season numbers. However, just like last year, Heroes was let down by their aces as NL Rick Vaughn winner Max Scherzer (13.50 ERA) and Corey Kluber (21.60 ERA) completely imploded and combined to give Heroes a combined 5.2 innings pitched while giving up 10 earned runs. In spite of that, Heroes was able to sneak 4 pitching categories from Tigers, thanks largely to their bullpen.

Heroes’ opponent this week, Mauling Tigers, was really the only team of the 4 this week to have a strong offensive showing. Whereas Your Mom, Scared Hitless, and Kelly’s Heroes combined to average 49 hits with a .235 batting average, Mauling Tigers hit .309 with 65 hits. Tigers led all Championship Series teams in hits, runs, home runs, walks, stolen bases, batting average, and OPS and took all 8 offensive categories from Kelly’s Heroes. With a team that has Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, and Shoehei Ohtani, the surprising MVP for Mauling Tigers this week was Adalberto Mondesi, who led the team in hits (10), RBI (6), stolen bases (3), and batting average (.455).

On the mound, Tigers led all Championship Series team with a 2.50 ERA, considerably lower than the 3.56 ERA they put up in the regular season. The rest of their pitching numbers were average overall, in part due to their decision to bench most of their pitchers on Sunday. Tigers finished with a 1.19 WHIP, the fewest innings and strikeouts among all Championship Series teams, tied You Mom for fewest wins (2), and only Your Mom finished the week with less saves+holds.

Mauling Tigers pulled away on Sunday and easily defeated Kelly’s Heroes by a final of 11-4-1. This is their first time back in the World Series since their defeat to Baby Seals back in 2010. Mauling Tigers owner Nate Woodard has done a remarkable job in completely rebuilding his team back into a championship-caliber squad, after making the decision to blow it up several years ago. He has made shrewd moves via free agent pickups, through the draft, and especially via trades. When he acquired Mike Trout many owners scoffed, with some saying that Trout would be wasting his best years on a team without a chance to compete. But in the last several years Nate has also added the likes of Jose Altuve, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rendon, Michael Brantley, and Shohei Ohtani. Finally, let’s not forget that just last season Mauling Tigers finished with a .402 winning percentage. This franchise took a huge step forward this season and finds themselves in the World Series, and one step closer towards joining the elite club of CPL owners who have more than one championship trophy. Congratulations to Mauling Tigers on their 2018 National League Pennant!