Oct. 2, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. – Three former Auburn baseball players will compete for a World Series title as David Ross (Cubs), Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) and Grant Dayton (Dodgers) all qualified for the MLB Playoffs.
Ross and the Cubs won the National League Central title. The 15-year veteran appeared in 67 games for Chicago in 2016 as a reserve catcher. He eclipsed 100 career home runs in May.
Donaldson, the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player, hit .284 on the season with 37 home runs and 99 RBI. He has 30 or more home runs in four-straight seasons. His Blue Jays secured a Wild Card spot on Sunday and are in the postseason for the second consecutive year after reaching the AL Championship Series in 2015.
Dayton made his Major League debut with Los Angeles (NL) in July. The rookie left-hander went on to pitch in 25 games with 39 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. He tallied a 2.05 ERA in the regular season to help the Dodgers to a National League West title.
Donaldson and the Blue Jays will square off with visiting Baltimore on Tuesday in a Wild Card battle. The Dodgers will host Washington beginning Friday in the National League Division Series.
The Cubs will welcome the winner of the NL Wild Card showdown between San Francisco and the Mets to Wrigley Field in Chicago on Friday.