Rochester, Minn. – As the MLB World Series begins tonight, two former Northwoods League players are looking for their first championship ring.

In his first appearance in a World Series, Chris Sale will take the mound in game one for the American League Champion Red Sox. For the regular season, Sale was 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA. He struck out 237 batters in 158 innings and had a 0.86 WHIP. During the 2018 postseason Sale is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA. He has pitched in two games and has 14 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Sale pitched for the La Crosse Loggers in 2008.

In the National League, Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes is making his second appearance in the World Series. Barnes was a member of the 2010 St. Cloud River Bats. During the 2018 regular season Barnes hit .205 with four home runs and 14 RBI over 200 at bats. Another former Logger, Scott Alexander, was on the Dodgers NLDS roster. During the regular season, Alexander was 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA over 73 games. He had a 1.27 WHIP and struck out 56 batters in 66 innings. Alexander pitched in La Crosse during the 2008 season.

Nine other Northwoods League alums have also participated in the 2018 MLB playoffs in the earlier rounds.

In the National League, Curtis Granderson (Mankato ’01) was with the National League Central Division Champion Milwaukee Brewers. Alec Mills (Madison ’12) and Ben Zobrist (Wisconsin ’03) were in the National League Wild Card game for the Chicago Cubs. Lucas Duda (Alexandria ’06) was with National League East Division Champion Atlanta Braves through the NLDS.

On the American League side, Matt Chapman (La Crosse ’12), Marcus Semien (Alexandria ’09-’10) and Mark Canha (St. Cloud ’08) were with the Oakland A’s who lost to the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game. Adam Cimber (Green Bay ’11) was with the American League Central Division Champion Indians through the ALDS and Tony Kemp (Rochester ’11) was with the defending World Series Champion Astros through the ALCS.

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