MM-MDTL  since 1973

2020 MDTL World Series Recap

 

 

Hampton Wizards  vs  Walthall Warriors

 

 

The Wizards and Warriors meet for the MDTL title. This is a rematch of a 2019 playoff series between these two power laden teams.

 

 Game 1 Hill  vs deGrom at Walthall

            Solano singles on the first pitch of the game and Trout hits the second pitch over the wall for a 2-0 HW lead. Not the way the deGrom saw this one going. It stays close for a while but the Wizards blow it open late to take an easy 10-2 win in game 1. Hill and Ottavino combine to hold the Warriors to 2 hits.

 

Game 2 Fiers vs Verlander at Walthall

            After a quiet first 3 innings Simmons drives in2 for the Wizards in the 4th with a 2 out single. Ohtani answers with a solo shot in the bottom of the 4th to make it 2-1 but Arenado’s HR in the 5th makes it a 2 run lead again for HW. Warrior fans are getting nervous but the Warrior bats finally wake up in the bottom of the 5th when Freeman’s 3 run shot gives the Warriors their first lead of the series. From there Verlander kicks it into gear and the Warriors add a few more late runs to win going away 8-3 and even the series 1-1.

 

Game 3 DeSclafani vs Strasburg at Hampton

            Bellinger homers in the first for a 2-0 lead. Solano answers with a HR but Strasburg is hard to hit after that going 7 2/3 innings striking out 11 and Yates finishes things off for a 5-2 Warrior lead and a 2 games to 1 series lead. Albies and Freeman add key rbi’s.

 

  

Game 4 Hill vs deGrom at Hampton

            In a rematch of game 1 starters the Warriors are able to score 2 in the first on hits by Dickerson and Freeman. Murphy homers in the 3rd and it is 3-0. The Wizards don’t quit and Arenado does some magic in 3rd hitting a 3 run blast to tie the game. However, deGrom doesn’t allow a hit after that and the Warriors score 4 more led by Freese and DeJong to take a 7-3 win and a 3-1 series lead.

 

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Game 5 Fiers vs Verlander at Hampton

            Walthall sends their game 2 hero back to the mound hoping to close out the series. Walthall makes noise in the second inning scoring 3 runs on homeruns by Miller and Albies. However, the Wizard pitchers will not allow another hit after Albie’s homerun pitching 7 2/3 innings of no hit ball. Now they just need to get the bats going. The Wizards get a runner in scoring position in each of the first 3 innings but can’t get a 2 out hit. After the 3rd inning Verlander finds his rhythm and the Wizards don’t get another hit the rest of the way as Verlander throws a CG shutout to lead the Warriors to a 3-0 win and the 2020 World Series title!!!!

 

MVP - Justin Verlander  

There wasn’t much question about who deserved the MVP in this one. Justin Verlander wins the award winning both of his starts and holding the powerful Wizards to 3 runs and 8 hits over 16 innings while striking out 17. 

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