[PilotMan]

1992 Playoffs

NLCS

Houston Astros (95-67) v. Pittsburgh Pirates (101-61)

Houston Astros

2nd in Runs scored and against; 7-5 against the Pirates

The defending World Series champs have a chance to repeat, but are far from the dominant team they have been. The Astros topped the West by 4 games over Atlanta. This is their 4th straight appearance in the NLCS. They have more fantastic pitching lead by Tom Candiotti (15-8, 2.84); Gred Swindell (11-14, 2.78); Oil Can Boyd (19-7, 3.26); and Bruce Hurst (12-9, 3.18). The back of the pen is locked down by Rodger McDowell (9-6, 26S, 2.65). Dennis Martinez had held down the other spot, but he was lost a couple months ago with an old man, arthritic elbow.

Offense is set by CF Lenny Dykstra (.289/.360/.409, 59SB), SS Barry Larkin (.284/.357/.447, 20HR), Fred McGriff (.265/.346/.443, 27HR), Edgar Martinez (.285/.370/.430) and team HR leader Rob Deer (.213/.296/.419, 30HR). Not the dominant force that they once had, but there's plenty there to scare any staff.

Pittsburgh Pirates

7th in runs scored, 1st in runs against.

The Pirates put up the best record in baseball and plowed the Phillies by 14 games in the East. They have the best pitching staff in the National League and possibly the best in baseball. With the holes in their offense, they'll need every bit of it. Their rotation consists of Melido Perez (21-10, 2.52); Jack McDowell (18-7, 2.58); Doug Drabek (17-9, 2.55), and Steve Avery (12-14, 3.06). Even better is the bullpen with closer Mike Henneman (46S, 2.15); last year's Astros closer, Tom Henke (3.78), Paul Assenmacher (1.33), and Mark Guthrie (4.53). They can easily shot down anyone.

On offense LF Chili Davis (.261/.366/.386) lead the team in HR's with 15. Only 3 players had more than 10. A shortfall that will surely be a threat against the Astros. They do have guys who can get on through, with 2B Bip Roberts (.300/.349/.381), SS Tim Naehring (.296/.371/.371), C Brian Harper (.300/.337/.382), and CF Robin Yount (.304/.346/.419).

ALCS

Chicago White Sox (87-75) v. New York Yankees (96-66)

Chicago White Sox

1st in runs scored, 10th in runs against; 6-6 against the Yankees

The White Sox won on the last day of the year. The Mariners had lead all year long but stumbled to a 2-8 finish at the end, losing the last 4. The White Sox had to win 5 in a row to overtake them, then broke the hearts of the Rangers fans who had seen their team win 7 straight, and 9 of 10 to charge into the picture, only to be held off at the very end. It was something to see!

The Sox are hoping to get another chance after last year's loss to the Astros. With a loaded batting order, their pitching has been needed to be less than stellar. However, their pitching is still quality. Lead by Jack Morris (13-12, 3.67), Jose Guzman (16-8, 2.89), Bobby Witt (17-12, 3.75) and Luis Aquino (11-8, 4.64). The Sox pen has some big names, who had underwhelming seasons. They lost former Dodger closer John Franco to a shoulder injury, but still have. Doug Jones (19S, 5.00), Rick Aguilera (4.17) and Jeff Russell (4.48).

The batting order is next level, but even then, they lost the big bat in the lineup after 93 games with a broken kneecap Barry Bonds (.323/.399/.559, 20HR, 22SB). While the loss of Bonds hurts, they still have plenty of firepower. You don't get to be the #1 offense with one guy. Todd Zeile at 3B (.274/.343/.388), RF Harold Baines had a huge, resurgent year (.324/.380/.504, 30HR), LF Albert Belle (.298/.360/.541, 38 HR (lead the AL)), 2B Lou Whitaker (.303/.411/.466), DH Andres Gallaraga could be comeback player of the year (.283/.316/.466, 28HR), and C BJ Surhoff (remember him?)(.287/.318/.357).

New York Yankees

5th in runs scored, 5th in runs against

The Yankees are the hottest team in the playoffs. After fighting the Orioles all year, they pulled away winning 10 in a row to finish 4 up and take the AL East. Heading up the rotation is Bret Saberhagen (16-6, 2.85), Jim Abbott (14-10, 4.01), Kevin Gross (14-8, 4.45) and Kirk McCaskill (8-14, 5.24). Not satsified with a back end bullpen of Rob Murphy (3.99) and closer Lee Smith (25S, 3.40) they pulled a deadline deal for Angels closer Jeff Montgomery (40S, 3.08) and he took over the job.

There's plenty of spark up and down the lineup too. From LF Brady Anderson (.272/.359/.409), 2B Carlos Baerga (.350/.384/.468), 1B John Olerud (.329/.443/.506, 23 HR), C Mickey Tettleton (.248/.363/.455, 23 HR), DH Don Mattingly (.303/.338/.439, 17HR), RF Dave Winfield (.269/.307/.411) and former Dodger SS Dick Schofield.