1929 LCS

Giants vs. Expos I: Welcome to the Show, Newbie. Now Go Home

The Giants and the Expos entered the series with near identical records. The Giants finished the year with a 87-70 record and the wildcard spot. Sporting a lineup with sluggers Lefty O'Doul (359/420/586) and Al Simmons (340/362/610) and a solid pitching staff the Giants were a team without any real weakness. The defending champion Expos slipped a little this season to an 88-68 record but that was still good enough for their second Central division title. Once again they were built around excellent pitching and a balanced lineup supplemented by extensive use of platoons. While it looked like the Expos had a small edge all signs pointed to a very competitive series.

Game one didn't disappoint as probably Cy Young winner Ray Kremer (25-5 3.03) matched up against Charlie Root (12-10 4.60) . This game was all about defense. The Expos committed four errors but only allowed one unearned run. The teams traded the lead in the early innings until Bibb Falk singled home Earle Combs and Mickey Cochrane in the seventh to give the Expos a 5-4 lead. They would never trail again in the series. At this point the Expos defense took over. In the top of the eight inning Cliff Heathcote threw out Red Kress at third on a bang bang play. Then in the top of the ninth with a man on first and two out Al Simmons grounded a ball over the bag at third, Joe Sewell made a running backhand grab in foul territory and threw him out to close the game. Ray Kremer went the distance for the victory.

Game two was another close game. The Expos took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a Jim Bottomley three run HR and then held on the rest of the way for a 6-3 victory. Red Lucas went the distance for the victory and Mickey Cochrane was four for four.

The Giants returned home hoping to get back into the series in front of the home town fans. Unfortunately for them it only got worse as the Giants didn't score another run the rest of the series falling 6-0 and 10-0.

The numbers for the series are ugly for the Giants. They were outscored 27-7. Their high powered offense was held to a collective 216/271/313 line. Sluggers Al Simmons and Lefty O'Doul played especially poorly each contributing only a couple of hits. The Expos were led by superior pitching across the board and stellar performances from their two through five hitters. Earle Combs 6/15 with 3 walks and 7 runs, Mickey Cochrane 8/16 with 2 walks 4 runs and 5 RBIs, Jim Bottomley 4/14 with 10 RBIs, Bibb Falk 8/15 with 5 RBIs.

Series MVP: Mickey Cochrane