Here we are.... The Portland Lumberjacks are 4 wins away from the Brewster Series. Al that stands in the way is Goliath. The Juggernaut. The Powerhouse. The record holder of the most wins in a single season in Brewster Baseball History.
The Nashville Bluebirds.
The two teams met for a total of eight games during the regular season. Nashville won 6 of those 8 meetings. They did so by outscoring Portland 58-42 in the series matchup. Two games are outliers here as Portland won the season opening meeting by the score of 13-7. But then they lost the season finale by the score of 11-1. The other games, well, they were somewhat close. Four of the eight meetings were decided by 2 runs or fewer. That leaves only the other two matchups that resulted in 4-run and 3-run victories by Nashville.
"We were competitive with them this season, but they're an outstanding ballclub" commented Portland manager Mons Raider on the eve of the big series. "It will take our best and possibly a little more for us to pull this thing out. They're the clear favorite. No one but someone looking to win big is betting on us in this series. But, I guess that's why we play the games, huh?"
There are some other crazy factors at play tonight. This will be Portland's third ever trip to the Cartright Series. Portland has never lost in the Cartright Series. In 2049, the Lumberjacks defeated the Madison Wolves in 6 games. Two years later, in 2051, Portland returned to the Cartright Series where Yellow Springs awaited. Portland disposed of the Nine that year in 5 games.
Want more favorable news, Lumberjacks fans? Well, this will be the third ever meeting between the Portland Lumberjacks and Nashville Bluebirds in the post-season. These two teams also met one another in 2049 and 2051, though be it in the Doubleday Series. Obviously Portland won both, but did so in a deciding game 7.
So what does it all mean?
"It means we get swept tonight" chimed in Chris Wilson, sipping his coffee.
"We've enjoyed the ride" added Sandy Mounds, also sipping her coffee.
