It all comes down to this.
Their backs against the wall and staring at elimination, the Resolutes played their most complete game of the year, humiliating the hometown Blue Legs and setting the stage for what may be the biggest ballgame in the history of this league. The Resolutes have home-field advantage for the fifth and final game of the series, and they'll send ace John Clarkson back to the mound, opposed once again by his Blue Legs counterpart, Old Hoss Radbourn.
Some key storylines to watch:
- The King Is Back: Blue Legs catcher King Kelly returns to the lineup, and not a moment too soon. Frank Chance struggled mightily while Kelly was injured, allowing stolen bases on five out of six attempts.
- Brouthers in Arms: Big boppers Nap Lajoie, Dan Brouthers, and Sam Crawford need to step it up. Brouthers was probably the leading candidate for Playoff MVP prior to the Legs' disastrous Game 4 loss.
- Where's Clark(e) Kent?: Fred Clarke has a Clark Kent-esque ability to remain unnoticed until he appears to save the day in key moments, like he did in Game 1. The Resolutes will need Clarke to morph into Superman again in Game 5.
- Muggsy's Revenge: Resolutes rookie John McGraw got off to a slow start in his first season in this league. I viewed him as a potential leadoff man, but ultimately moved him down to second, seventh, eighth, and then right back to the bench after he started his career 0-for-19. His play gradually improved over the course of the season, but McGraw has really kicked it up a notch in the playoffs with four extra-base hits, including three triples. A stealth MVP candidate, perhaps?
Who will be the hero? Who will be the goat? I can't wait to find out!
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