Welcome to the most exciting time of the season! The playoffs are under way as all six of our teams begin to jockey for their chance to raise the coveted Reaper Cup!
The first round started off with a bang, as we saw two exciting matchups with the Braves versus the Cubs, and the Orioles versus the Mariners!
Let's start by taking a look back at that series between the high-powered Orioles and the upstart Mariners.
Game 1 saw a pitching matchup between the returning Adam Firestone for the M's, and fireballer, Mitch Sadofsky! While the Mariners would score early, the Orioles would have the last laugh, putting up 19 runs on their way to routing their opponent in game 1.
Lost in the offensive showing was Mariners top pitcher, Josh Winer, returning from injury and putting on his best Jim Abbot impression in the hopes of giving his team a chance to come back.
Game 2 would lead to much of the same, as the Mariners were very quickly swept away thanks to the Orioles onslaught of offence and pitching prowess. While the Mariners gave it their best, they just could not overcome the play of their opponent.
The Orioles now begin Round 2 against the first place Athletics as they look to keep up their pace on their way to the Cup!
Now we turn to an unexpected RHMRBL classic between the Stache-powered Braves, and veteran Cubs!
Game 1 would feature a pitching matchup between two of the league's young and upcoming starters. Softmore starter for the Braves, Chris MacLean would square off against the Cubs fiery rookie, Hunter Lee. Both would show off their best stuff, but the Cubs just couldn't come up with the plays on the field, allowing the Braves to walk away with a victory.
With backs against the wall, the Cubs would turn to pitching legend, Waylen Nelson, in the hopes of forcing a game 3. After getting down early in game 2, the Cubs would muster everything they had to storm a comeback in the 8th inning against top pitcher, James Allison. Putting up 7 runs with two outs, the Cubs would secure the walkoff victory in one of the most exciting games of 2022, pushing the Braves to the brink for a game 3 situation.
The Braves leaned on their young starter, as Chris MacLean once again took the bump against Waylen Nelson. The game stood tied into the 4th inning, when the flood gates opened and the Braves would put up 6 unanswered runs without recording an out.
The Cubs, looking to keep the game close as Waylen came out due to injury, turned once again to Hunter Lee to finish the game. Lee would provide the Cubs with everything they could ask for, keeping them in the game as they attempted to figure out MacLean.
The Cubs would come close, having the tying run on third base before Braves Rookie, Josiah Pratt would come in to strike out Farhaan Mian to secure the series for the Braves.
The Braves now find themselves battling the Twins for a chance to reach the finals!
Round 2 is under way! Best of luck to all teams still hoping to make their Reaper Cup dreams come true!