Editor’s note: The 1970 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
The 1970 season was the second year of divisional play as the Baltimore Orioles would defeat the Cincinnati Reds four games to one in the World Series.
Three-game sweeps were on tap in the playoffs as Baltimore beat the Minnesota Twins in the American League, while the Reds took care of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League.
Individually, Boog Powell of the Orioles and Johnny Bench of the Reds were the Most Valuable Players in their leagues. Minnesota’s Jim Perry claimed the AL Cy Young Award as Bob Gibson earned the honor in the NL. Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees was the AL Rookie of the Year with Montreal Expos hurler Carl Morton picked in the NL.
The brackets will be broken down by divisions and they will be seeded by overall record. In this single elimination tournament, which teams have the best chance to win?
1970 Tournament First Round Divisional Pairings
American League East
(1) Baltimore Orioles (108-54), bye
(5) Cleveland Indians (76-86) at (4) Detroit Tigers (79-83)
(6) Washington Senators (70-92) at (3) Boston Red Sox (87-75)
(2) New York Yankees (93-69), bye
National League East
(1) Pittsburgh Pirates (89-73), bye
(5) Philadelphia Phillies (73-88) at (4) St. Louis Cardinals (76-86)
(6) Montreal Expos (73-89) at (3) New York Mets (83-79)
(2) Chicago Cubs (84-78), bye
National League West
(1) Cincinnati Reds (102-60), Bye
(5) Atlanta Braves (76-86) at (4) Houston Astros (73-89)
(6) San Diego Padres (63-99) at (3) San Francisco Giants (86-76)
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (87-77), bye
American League West
(1) Minnesota Twins (98-64), bye
(5) Milwaukee Brewers (65-97) at (4) Kansas City Royals (65-97)
(6) Chicago White Sox (56-106) at (3) California Angels (86-76)
(2) Oakland Athletics (89-73), bye