[glenn]

Eastern League
Baltimore Renegades (87-81) at Detroit Mustangs (104-64)
21 game winner Jon Matlock leads a Renegade staff that finished third in ERA for the Eastern League with a 4.10 ERA. Doug Rau(13-12), Mike Caldwell(2-1), and Ron Schueler(10-14) round out the rotation. Tom Seaver was 6-4 since coming over from the Bronx in a July trade deadline deal will work out of the bullpen for the series, and fill-in where necessary. The offense is led by all-stars Steve Garvey (.315, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 15 SB), Mike Schmidt (.307, 39 HR, 122 RBI, 22 SB), and Cesar Cedeno (.281, 29 HR, 99 RBI, 24 SB).

The Mustangs feature the league’s best pitching staff (3.66 ERA), and the league’s second best line-up (.284 AVG). Alonso Caprasquillo leads the rotation (19-12, 2.58 ERA). Doc Medich (11-8), Dave Hamilton (13-8), and Don Hood (16-7) round out the rotation, and make Detroit a tough team to beat. The line-up features lots of speed, but little power. Mickey Rivers (68 SB), Ralph Garr (31 SB), Juan Mendoza (30 SB), and John Knox (23 SB) tore up the basepaths, and gave opposing pitchers fits.

Prediction: Detroit 4-2

Chicago Storm (92-76) at Boston Pilgrims (89-79)
The Storm come limping into the playoffs with several key players nursing minor injuries. Bert Blyleven (21-10, 2.80) and Jim Barr (19-7, 3.84) both are listed as day to day. The team needs Doyle Alexander (9-8, 4.84) and Jim Lonborg (17-17, 4.39 ERA) to step up, or it will be a long series for Chicago. Ultan Hazzard came to Chicago in a May trade from the Continental League, and has been dominating opposing pitchers since. Hazzard has hit .315 with 33 HR, and 95 RBI in 112 games with the Storm. Bobby Grich has done it all for Chicago (.412 OBP, 20 HR, 105 RBI, 103 R, 46 SB). Boston needs to keep both Hazzard and Grich in check in order to have a chance at the upset.

The Pilgrims finished the year with the worst ERA in the league (4.71) and the best batting average (.286). With a rotation of Gustavus Gwynn (17-10), Oleos Calzada (12-16), Dick Rutheven (8-12), and Tom Dettore (4-4), the Pilgrims are not capable of out pitching anyone, but have been winning by outscoring teams. The line-up is solid from top to bottom-Rick Miller(.403 OBP, 76 R, 22 SB), Davey Lopes (.341 AVG, 15 HR, 43 SB), Johnny Grubb (.400 OBP, 15 HR), Daisuike Chikafuji (.333 AVG, 15 HR, 57 RBI), Jimmy Winn (.352 OBP, 14 HR, 70 RBI), Bob Robertson (8 HR, 26 RBI), Norm Cash (.333 OBP, 13 RBI), John Lowenstein (.385 OBP, 10 HR, 12 SB), and Ellie Rodriguez (.355 OBP).

Prediction : Chicago 4-3

Western League

San Antonio Wranglers (85-84) at San Jose Bees (89-79)
San Antonio squeaked into the playoffs after winning a one game showdown with San Francisco. The Wranglers made a risky move starting their number five starter, but it paid off, and the Wranglers will have a well rested rotation for the series. Frank Tanana (15-14), Dick Tidrow (15-13), Bill Champion (15-12), and Bill Butler (13-14). The young rotation has been inconsistent all year, but has the talent to win. Ron Bloomberg (.434 OBP, 20 HR, 65 RBI), Fred Lynn (.378 OBP, 16 HR, 69 RBI), and Bill Buckner (.348 OBP, 10 HR, 75 RBI) have been solid in the middle of the line-up. Rusty Staub (.405 OBP, 15 HR, 75 RBI) and Garry Maddox (10 HR, 54 RBI, 18 SB) have come off the bench and filled in all year for the Wranglers. They will need to continue to contribute for San Antonio to be successful.

San Jose has a solid rotation and line-up, and would have finished higher if not for a dismal May (9-20). Gene Garber (13-11), Reggie Cleveland (8-9), Buzz Capra (18-8), and Ed Halicki (13-12) will pitch for San Jose. Mike Jorgensen (.482 OBP, 25 HR, 74 RBI, 94 R, 15 SB) has been San Jose’s most dangerous hitter all year. Andrew Wilson has had the benefit of hitting behind Jorgensen all year, driving in 117 runs, with 25 HR. Ray Ward (.362 OBP, 40 SB) and Pete Rose (.378 OBP, 82 R, 16 SB) have been getting the Bee’s offense started at the top of the line-up all season.

Prediction: San Jose 4-1

Fort Worth Cowboys (87-81) at Houston Stars (88-80)
Steve Rogers (14-15) is expected to miss the series with a tired arm. The Cowboys need Tommy John (17-9), Dock Ellis (9-9), and Pat Dobson (12-16) to step up. The Cowboys offense has relied on the long ball all season, which could hurt their chance if the big bats come up empty. Willie Stargell (31 HR), Ben Oglivie (25 HR), Eric Soderholm (19 HR), Darrel Porter (18 HR), Dusty Baker (14 HR), and Hank Aaron (12 HR) need to continue to produce in the playoffs.

Jerry Koosman (25-8, 2.43 ERA) leads the staff that features Andy McGaha (12-13), Harry Parker (11-8), and Larry Dierker (10-13). Catfish Hunter (6-7, 6.02 ERA) has struggled with injuries all year, but the stars hope he will come up big in the playoffs, working out of the bullpen. The Stars will be without one of their top hitters, Mike Hargrove (.418 OBP, 10 HR, 61 RBI) after Hargrove suffered a fractured wrist. The Stars are counting on Joe Morgan (.418 OBP, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 59 SB), Dwight Evans (.350 OBP, 27 HR, 120 RBI), and Graig Nettles (.342 OBP, 17 HR, 90 RBI) to fill the void.

Prediction: Fort Worth 4-3