[PilotMan]

1989 Playoff Preview


NL
Phillies v. Astros


The defending champ, Houston Astros, are primed for another title. They were 3^rd in the NL in runs and average, and 2^nd in HR's. To go with that killer offense, the team lead the NL in pitching.


The Astros boast a lineup where 7 of the 8 players have been All Stars at one point in their careers. Many multiple times. The only reason, it's not all 8, is because of an injury to Barry Larkin that took him out for the rest of the year. Otherwise, everyone. Lead by Fred McGriff (.318/39/131), Joe Carter (.282/35/114), Carney Lansford (.318/4/55), Benito Santiago (.264/14/68) and George Bell (.318/15/74) this team is just loaded top to bottom. Dickie Thon replaces Barry Larkin in the playoffs and at second, Randy Ready has replaced Steve Buechele who was brought over in a trade mid season.


The pitching staff is even better. It's so good that they traded Dennis Martinez mid season for Buechele, and Martinez went on to pitch even better for the White Sox finishing with a 15-6, and 2.20 ERA. But he's not here and they really don't need him. Scary. So scary, that they have 3 guys with Cy Young aspirations. There are 2, 20 game winners in Swindell (22-2, 2.04, 0.97 WHIP), and Dave Stewart (21-5, 2.69, 1.14). Then there's knuckleballer, Tom Candiotti (17-10, 2.13, 0.98) and then old fireballer, Nolan Ryan (16-8, 2.76, 1.11). They have more than enough firepower to dominate any team. The team lost closer Tom Henke (39 saves, 3.32 ERA) for the season, but Tim Burke (10-3, 6 S, 1.86) has stepped in just fine. They also have Alejandro Pena (2.25) who can take them home. No wonder they are the best in the majors.


The Phillies are the #1 hitting team in the NL. The team is lead by NL batting champion Dave Magadan (.344), and an entire starting lineup who is under 30. This team is young, and good. Julio Franco went out for the season with an injury, otherwise he would break that up, and they will miss his .320 batting average and his team leading 4.6 WAR. They also have Larry Walker (.288/28/104, 33 SB), Mark Grace (.332/19/88), Ron Gant (.287/17/54), and Kevin McReynolds (.300/13/91). The aren't quite as scary as Houston, but they can get it done.


The pitching staff isn't as fearsome, and the bullpen is the weak spot of the team. The rotation has Greg Maddux in a breakthrough year (21-8, 2.25, 1.04 WHIP), 21yr old Kevin Appier (14-9, 3.38, 1.34) and Floyd Bannister (19-9, 4.18, 1.34). The 4^th slot will be unable to keep up with Houston. In the bullpen there's Mike Schooler and his 37 saves, 1.72 ERA, in 74 games.


Advantage Astros.


AL


Indians v. Angels


The Angels get home field by a couple of games. They have the best pitching staff in the AL, but their offense is not. Ranked 9^th in runs, and 11^th in average, they can be shut down. They were 2^nd in HR's though and for good reason.


Mark McGwire is the power behind the team. He put up mammoth numbers again this year, with 38 HR's and 107 RBI's. His 6.9 WAR lead the team and he played in all 162 games for the Angels. He is paired with Eric Davis (.260/29/104, 20 SB). The team is without All Star SS Alan Trammel who is recovering from a broken rib. Former Dodger, Fred Lynn pasted another 27 HR's this year, but with a .218 average and .661 OPS, how worthwhile he is, is really up for discussion. His WAR was a -0.5.


The strength of this team is on the mound. Bret Saberhagen (18-8, 8.6 WAR, 2.53 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) is the ace. Behind him are Mike Witt (17-11, 3.48, 1.21, 5.3), and Jim Deshaies (16-14, 3.64, 1.29, 3.5). In the bullpen is the best closer in baseball, Larry Andersen. Andersen was signed just before spring training to a 1 year deal for next to nothing. At 36, he's only notched 39 saves and posted a 0.66 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP and a .190 OAVG. They also have one of the best set up men in baseball in Gene Nelson (3-3, 2.26).


The Indians are, no question, the worst team of the teams in the playoffs. They didn't come on to pass the Yankees and Orioles until late in the year, but they did win. They were 6^th in the AL in runs scored and 4^th in AVG, 5^th in HR's. Their pitching staff is the weakness. The team is 9^th in the AL in runs against, starters were 8^th and the bullpen was 14^th, dead last. Fielding was nearly as bad in 13^th.


The offense is lead by Kelly Gruber and his team leading 23 HR's and 4.6 WAR. Roberto Alomar (.329/7/75, 34 SB), Glenn Braggs (.293/17/105), Jerome Walton (.304/2/37) round out the lineup. There's a few guys who can hit, but nobody really strikes fear in opponents.


The pitching staff ace is 2-time, Cy Young winner Roger Clemens. Clemens is in line for a possible 3^rd straight award, with an 18-7 record, 2.33 ERA, 233 K's and 1.05 WHIP. Eric Hanson (16-10, 3.69, 190 K's, 1.19) isn't quite on his level, but is still strong. The bullpen is awful. Closer Jeff Parrett (36 S, 4.01) pitched in 75 games, and he's the top dog. Tim Crews (3.88) and Mark Fellows (6.52) keep him company out there.


I just don't see how the Indians will get hits off the best staff in the AL, and I don't see how, unless Clemens pitches every game, that the Indians can keep the Angel bats quiet.