|
ELIMINATION SERIES PREVIEW: STAGS vs PILOTS
By Marcus Chen, Baseball Weekly
Two teams that weren't supposed to be here face off in a best-of-three that could define their seasons. The Carolina Pilots (90-72) host the surging Portland Stags (89-73) in what promises to be a fascinating contrast of styles.
TALE OF THE TAPE
OFFENSE
• Portland: MLB's best offense (.281 AVG, .822 OPS, 963 runs scored)
• Carolina: League average (.252 AVG, .749 OPS, 755 runs scored)
• Edge: PORTLAND
STARTING PITCHING
• Portland: 4.91 ERA (14th in AL), struggled down stretch
• Carolina: 4.00 ERA (3rd in AL), anchored by Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00)
• Edge: CAROLINA
BULLPEN
• Portland: 5.00 ERA, but Danny Beard closing strong
• Carolina: 3.84 ERA (5th in AL), Wally Rexford (41 SV)
• Edge: CAROLINA
KEY MATCHUPS
Game 1: LHP Rudy Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00) vs Portland TBA
Hutchinson leads a Carolina staff that ranked 1st in AL strikeouts. He'll face MLB's most potent lineup, led by Matias Santana (.372, 38 HR).
X-Factors
• Carolina: Justin Tarnowski (.335, 28 HR) and Jason Stratton (.298, 31 HR) provide pop
• Portland: Deadline acquisition E.J. Monaghan heating up at right time
HOME FIELD FACTOR
• Carolina: 52-29 at home (.642)
• Portland: 38-43 on road (.469)
PREDICTION
I cannot see a world where we can beat this Carolina pitching situation, we have the bats to compete, but Portland's staff is held up with mostly duct tape & chewing gum. I'm happy and impressed we got this far, with a team that is overachieving, but I suspect the playoff run ends here unless the bats declare otherwise.
Series opens tonight in Carolina, 8:05 PM ET
PLAYOFF MATCHUP: Game 1 Starters Announced
By Ryan Martinez, Stags Beat Writer
When Layton Willingham waived his no-trade clause to join Portland at the deadline, few expected him to be starting Game 1 of a playoff series. But baseball has a way of writing its own stories.
The former Cardinals ace (123-108, 4.09 ERA career) will face Carolina's Rudy Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00) in tonight's series opener. For Willingham, it's a chance at redemption after being relegated to St. Louis' bullpen this season.
"Sometimes you need a change of scenery," Willingham said yesterday. "This team reminds me of my early Cardinals days - young, hungry, nobody believing in us except ourselves."
TALE OF TWO SEASONS
With St. Louis (2062)
• 1-1, 2.93 ERA in 46.0 IP
• Moved to bullpen despite career 4.08 ERA as starter
• 11 years with Cardinals, including 19-win season in 2057
With Portland
• 1-1, 5.71 ERA in limited action
• Veteran presence for young staff
• Fresh arm after limited use this year
"Layton's seen everything," Manager Mike Wilson said. "Having someone who's pitched in big games, who's been an ace - that matters in October. He wanted to be here. He wanted this opportunity."
Against Hutchinson's power arsenal, Willingham will rely on guile and experience. In a series where Portland's offense meets Carolina's pitching, Game 1 might come down to which veteran starter blinks first.
First pitch: 8:05 PM ET at Carolina
|