The ALCS:
The Miami Dolphins (97-65)
AT
The Denver Broncos (107-55)
Once more, it was do or die for Denver. Unfortunately, the hometown advantage that the Broncos might have hoped for with the return to Denver never materialized. Miami struck for 3 runs in the third inning, and made it 4-0 after the top of the fifth. The Broncos got back into the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring three runs- 2 from an
Ellis Bolling triple- but they would get no closer. Miami added a run in the ninth inning to complete the scoring. The Dolphins clinched the AL pennant with a 5-3 victory.
Ray Lockridge struck out 7 batters in 5 2/3 innings, but he also got pounded for 11 hits and 4 runs.
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And so, once again, the Broncos' season ends in disappointment. Ten consecutive playoff appearances and not one World Series appearance is a bitter pill to swallow. The upcoming offseason is going to be an interesting one. There are a number of key players who could become free agents, including
Kenny Pillsbury,
Ray Lockridge,
Alexis Vazquez,
Joseph Swayze, and
Tomas Sato. Right now, Denver's payroll is just a bit higher than it should be, so there is a very good chance that some of those players will not return as the Broncos try to adjust the payroll to a more manageable figure. Of course, the other problem right now is that Denver's organizational depth is almost nonexistant, so there are no obvious internal replacements for some of the players that might leave.
Next up: The World Series- San Diego Padres vs. Miami Dolphins