BLUE JAYS VS. YANKEES

The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees in four games to become the first team to clinch a spot in the Championship Series. Toronto was led by a pair of USA Baseball alums on the mound, as Kevin Gausman (2009 18U, 2010 CNT) and Trey Yesavage (2023 CNT) combined to go 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings on the mound. Gausman got the nod in Game 1 for the Blue Jays and pitched 5.2 strong innings, scattering four hits and allowing just one run in a 10-1 Toronto victory. Gausman was one-upped by Yesavage in Game 2; the rookie right-hander tossed 5.1 hitless frames with 11 strikeouts and just one walk as the Blue Jays took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. At the plate, George Springer (2010 CNT) and Daulton Varsho (2019 Pro) helped Toronto score 34 runs over the four games. Varsho batted .438, collecting seven hits–including a four-hit, two-home-run day in Game 2–to lead the Blue Jays’ offense. He also had a two-hit game in the series opener. Springer started all four games at DH and picked up three hits, including a solo homer in a Game 2 victory.

For New York, 2023 WBC alum David Bednar stood out in the bullpen. The Yankees’ closer pitched 3.1 innings and allowed just a hit and no runs, striking out five while also notching a save in Game 3. Bednar’s WBC teammate, Devin Williams, also shined in relief for the Yankees as he pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Two-time Team USA alum Giancarlo Stanton had four hits in the four games, driving in two runs in both Game 2 and Game 3. Trent Grisham (2014 18U) notched two hits and scored three runs in the series, reaching base twice in the Yankees’ Game 3 win.

CUBS VS. BREWERS

The Brewers are headed to the NLCS for the first time since 2018 and third time in franchise history after defeating the Cubs in five games. After winning the first two games and then the Cubs evening the series by winning the next two, Milwaukee secured a 3-1 win in Game 5 behind home runs from a pair of USA Baseball alums. Andrew Vaughn (2013 15U, 2017 & 2018 CNT, 2019 Pro) hit the go-ahead run in the fourth inning while Brice Turang (2014 15U, 2016 & 2017 18U) in the seventh. For Vaughn, it was the second time he had played hero for his team after he hit a game-tying three-run home run in Game 2 to help Milwaukee earn a 7-3 win. He tallied a hit in four of the five games and had a combine four RBIs in the series, while Turang and fellow Brewer Christian Yelich (2017 WBC) tallied a combined eight hits, five runs scored, and two RBIs at the plate.

Despite the series loss, several Team USA alumni stood out on the Cubs roster, headlined by Nico Hoerner (2011 14U, 2012 15U), who went 9-for-20 (.450) with three multi-hit games and four runs scored. Pete Crow-Armstrong (2014 12U, 2017 15U, 2018 & 2019 18U) played a pivotal role for the Cubs in Game 3 when he delivered a 2-RBI single in the first inning for the game-tying and go-ahead run in a 4-3 win. Matt Shaw (2024 Pro) and Kyle Tucker (2012 15U, 2023 WBC) contributed at the plate in Game 4 as Shaw hit an RBI single in in the sixth and Tucker homered in the seventh en route to push a Game 5. On the bump, Drew Pomeranz (2009 CNT) was clutch in relief, as he made four appearances in the series and thew a hitless inning in each one while racking up a combined six strikeouts. Additionally, Caleb Theilbar (2019 Pro) made three appearances out of the pen and threw a combined 2.1 hitless innings.

TIGERS VS. MARINERS

Scoring the final run of the five-game series and sending the Seattle Mariners to its first American League Championship Series since 2001 was 2009 14U National Team alum J.P. Crawford. It was his leadoff single in the bottom of the 15th inning that started the rally in the longest winner-take-all game in MLB postseason history, coming around to score four batters later on a walk-off base hit to keep the Mariners in the chase for the American League pennant. Crawford contributed five base knocks over the five-game set, including homering during a 2-for-2 day at the plate in Game 3.

Meanwhile, Riley Greene (2018 18U) and Spencer Torkelson (2018 & 2019 CNT) – Detroit’s everyday left fielder and first baseman, respectively – kept the Tigers in the fight for the duration of the series. Greene posted a two-hit day in Detroit’s extra-inning win in Game 1 and belted a 454-foot home run in a must-win Game 4. Torkelson picked up a hit or more in three games and drove in a pair of runs in both Game 2 and 3. 2017 Collegiate National Team teammates Casey Mize (2017 CNT) and Tyler Holton both saw playing time; Mize got the nod in the Tigers’ must-win Game 4 and delivered a quality three-inning performance where he allowed only one run and fanned six while Holton made three appearances out of the bullpen. 2013 18U alum Jack Flaherty made two showings on the bump, including a start in Game 3 and an effective two-inning appearance in relief during Friday’s 15-inning marathon.

DODGERS VS. PHILLIES

Four Team USA alumni helped power Los Angeles to its seventh National League Championship Series since 2016, leading the Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies in four games, 3-1. With the win, the Dodgers travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers in a battle for the NL pennant. Mookie Betts (2023 WBC) consistently found success at the plate, as Los Angeles’ everyday shortstop ended the four-game set on a three-game hit streak. Two-time alum Freddie Freeman picked up a hit in three games while Will Smith found his first playing time in nearly a month after suffering a hairline fracture in his hand in the beginning of September. Smith caught in every game and delivered a timely two-RBI base knock in an eventual 4-3 Dodgers win in Game 2. Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw (2005 18U) made his Postseason debut and tossed two innings in relief in Game 3.

For the Phillies, eight Team USA alumni represented the City of Brotherly love in the Division Series. Kyle Schwarber (2013 CNT, 2023 WBC) took over Game 3, homering twice and driving in three runs for Philadelphia while Bryce Harper (2008 16U, 2009 18U) also picked up a multi-hit outing in the Phillies 8-2 win in the third game of the series. JT Realumuto (2023 Pro) was arguably one of Philadelphia’s top performers at the plate, going 6-for-17 including two two-hit days. 2019 Professional Team alum Alec Bohm ended his season on a three-game hit streak and drew six walks over four games while 2009 18U alum Nick Castellanos drove in three runs on two hits. Trea Turner’s (2012 & 2013 CNT, 2023 WBC) week was highlighted by a 3-for-5, two-RBI Game 3 performance and Bryson Stott (2018 CNT) tallied a pair of hits in the series. In addition, 17-year MLB veteran David Robertson made an appearance in relief in Game 1.