[PilotMan]

1991 Playoffs

NLCS

New York Mets (102-60) v. Houston Astros (99-63)

Mets

Most runs scored, least runs allowed, best record in MLB.

Lead by 30+HR bombers Bobby Bonilla (.300/30/96) and Reuben Sierra (.310/34/124) and a double play combo that has 8 gold gloves between them of Ozzie Smith and Robby Thompson. A pitching staff with Doc Gooden (16-7, 1.91 ERA). A reborn Jack Morris who missed nearly 16 months recovering from shoulder surgery the last 2 seasons only to put up a 2.55 ERA and throw 225 innings on his 36 yr old, reconstructed shoulder. Mike Morgan, whose only 2 winning seasons have been the last 2, and who probably wishes he'd made the All Star game putting up a 6.5 WAR. Then look at the bullpen where either Roger McDowell or Randy Myers can finish the night, and the team is free to use Charlie Liebrandt (2.93 ERA/ 221 IP/ 133 ERA+) now in the playoffs. This is the team to beat.

Houston Astros

NL Leaders in HR's, 3rd in offense, 2nd in runs against, and #1 defense.

Lead by Fred McGriff (.261/33/114), John Kruk (.324/18/91), Barry Larkin (.268/17/73), and Benito Santiago ( .274/20/88). The biggest blow is the recent loss of Lenny Dykstra to injury for the rest of the year, with a broken thumb.

This team has always had pitching, and this year it continues. Tom Candiotti (188 ERA+, 270 IP, 24-5, 2.03 ERA, 0.94 WHIP), Greg Swindell (2.11, 181 ERA+), Dennis Martinez (2.62, 146 ERA+), and Bruce Hurst (2.57, 149 ERA+). In the pen, it's Tom Henke (32S/ 2.08 ERA), trade acquisition Mark Eichhorn (the Expos former closer)(15S, 4.16) and Alejandro Pena (2.43, 5S, 157 ERA+).

The 'Stros aren't as stocked as they have been, but they are still dangerous.


ALCS


Baltimore Orioles v. Chicago White Sox
both at 101-61

Baltimore Orioles

2nd in runs, 5th in runs against, first in defense

A blasting offense with Griffey Jr (.328/32/134), Ripken Jr (.287/30/127), Wally Joyner (.280/27/101), Ellis Burks (.255/28/112). Both Delino Deshields (.314) and Kenny Lofton (.308) added offense.

The staff consists of Jimmy Key (3.18, 134 ERA+, 1.13 WHIP), Nolan Ryan (3.78, 113 ERA+, 1.34 WHIP) and closer Xavier Hernandez (36S, 1.83 ERA), who happens to be a rookie who was drafted by the Cubs and released by 3 teams before he got here.

Chicago White Sox

Best offense overall, 6th in runs against, 11 in defense.

This team has one of the best offenses of all time. They don't even need a pitching staff.

Barry Bonds (40/40; .335/45/137, 44SB, 206 OPS+, 1.096 OPS); Albert Belle (.315/58/171, 182 OPS+, 1.019 OPS), Paul Molitor (NL Batting Champ; .350/18/91), Todd Zeile (.305/29/102), Harold Baines (.276/22/82), and Devon White (.259/16/79; 41 SB).

Pitching? Who cares?

Only Jose DeLeon (107 ERA+) was above 100 as a starter. Lee Smith closes (29S; 2.33 WHIP, 182 ERA+)

I just want to say LA was dumb for trading Smith for Darryl Boston, even though Boston has added something to this loser team

And....AND!!! We have to talk about this trade that sent Belle from the Rangers to the White Sox THIS YEAR! On Feb 12, right before the start of spring training, the Rangers acquired OF Troy Neel. Neel at one point was the #74 prospect in MLB in '89, was selected to the AAA All Star game that year, and last year came off the bench for the Sox. Apparently, the Rangers thought he was hot shit. He did bat .277/20/82, with a 4.9 WAR and .800 OPS. Not awful, but my god, Belle had already homered 33 times in '89, then spent most of '90 in AAA where he won a Silver Slugger, but who would have seen what happened this year? Oh, and they also shipped Doug Jones, who had been an absolute bullpen horse for the Rangers, saving 30 in '88 and 19 in '89. In fact, he'd been important. With the White Sox, he only pitched in 74 games and threw 122 innings, with a 4.20 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP. That has to be the worst fucking trade of the year.