European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 03, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 the stars and stripes tuesday october 3,1989 Layoff matchup Weatherman May decide outcome of Windy no series Nyji Odonaghy a p baseball writer the fortunes of the Chicago cubs and san Francisco giants in the National league playoffs May be Blowin in the wind. The swirls and gusts at Wrigley Field and candlestick Park arc legendary. Game is scheduled for wednesday night at Wrigley and the giants would like nothing be incr than will Clark Kevin Mitchell and Matt Williams to get a Little help from a 20 Mph wind. At candlestick Chicago Rookie Outfield ers Dwight Smith and Jerome Walton will have nightmares if things arc Normal. Sec Ond baseman sync Sandburg had prob lems Fielding against san Francisco during the season making four errors in 12 games. Chicago was the Best hitting club in the no with a .261 average. The giants were fourth at .250 and were second to the acts with 141 Home runs. The cubs were fifth incomers with 124. San Francisco was third in the league with a 3.30 earned run average while Chi Cago playing half its games at Wrigley was sixth Ai 3,43. Both teams were dominant at Home the cubs went 48-33 and the giants were 53 28, the Best Home record in the league. But san Francisco hopped on the Road going 39-42 while the cubs were 45-36. The two teams split their 12 games this year. The key to this series could be the Bull pen and How much the cubs get from Andre Dawson. A position by position look at the teams Firtl Balm Witt it arc. Olenti dark lust missed becoming it first giant toe a the Mays in 1954 to win a batting tid. In each of his Tost three masons crack has knocked in 90 or More runs and has developed into one of the Best defensive first baseman in the game he s the giants  and or. Leader. Merlc Grace. Cuba Grace also a Gold Glove candidate provided Tome unexpected Power too. Last season. Henh seven Home runs an on the Road Grace was the player of the month Tor july with five homers and 24 rib slight Edge to the of Flatt. Second twin Rebby Thompson giants Thompson s average was Down but he was bothered by several nagging injures he can get Down a bunt or hit a Home run.  struck out 133 limes High on the club. That s not Good for a Contact Hitler. Thompson is among the be stat making the Pivot on the double play. Ryne Sandberg cubs Sandberg is the Only current cub who was starter on the i9b4 no East  got hot in the Middle of the season and carried the cubs through the time they usually Lade Sandberg who May be heeding for Han of Fame consideration Imi shod the season with 90 consecutive errorless games to set Amajor league record Lor second basemen. Offensively he s the key for the cubs Edge to Chicago. Shortstop Itom Uribe glints Urbo made 18 errors but he usually steady on defense. He s not an automatic out but close. Shewn Dunston Cuba along with Sandte tag got red hot at it season and kept it going. He reaches balls most shortstops would t think of trying to Field. Dunston has the Best Arm in baseball he can be erratic and sometimes undisciplined a the plate still Edge to the cubs. Third base Matt Ruhema giants Williams who was sent Back tothe minors Earty in the season did t rut for average but he s a dangerous Power Hitler 18 homers the opposition could t Pilch around Kevin Mitchell for tear Williams might hit it out. Vance us or Luis Salater Cuba Law did t match last season s .293 and the cubs win look for a third base Man during the Winter. Salazar who can us about play anywhere had three big Gama waning hits alter he was acquired from san Diego. Slight Edge to the giants. Left Field Kevin match he. Zunli with his 47 Home runs and 125rbis, Mitchell is the no s map. His torrid Scarf got the giants into first place to stay. Mitchell hit nine homers inlay and the giants went 17-10. In june. Mitchell i 10 homers and san Francisco won 1b of 28. The giants too Possession of first for Good Ort june 17. Dwt Ahl Smith Cuba Smith a Rookie got his Chance when Mitch Webster and Andre Dawson went on the disabled hot Earty it the season. He ended up with a starting Job and was one of the main reasons the cubs  was particularly dangerous against the second place new York Mats. Edge to the giant. Center of few Brett butter Glen butter and Thompson Are the will Clark and Kevin Mitchell had Only 12 of their 236 total Bis against Chicago. Ute sofers for the glints and butter is one of Iho be stat it. The cubs have to watch Tor the bunt. Butler makes ail the catches and has an accurate Arm. Jerome Wagon Cuba Walton figures to be no Rookie of the year with Smjth a close second. Walton had a 30 game hitting Streak from july 2l-Aud. 21, the club s Long est in the Ruth Century. He had 30 infield hits. Including in bunt singles. He missed most of the last two weeks of the season with lightness in his right hamstring. Edge even. Right held Candy Maldonado or Pat Sheridan Olani Macdona do a lability on defense slumped on offence. Sheridan .5better defensively and has a Little Power. The giants will be looking for a right fielder Over the Winter but for right now it s a problem spot Andre of Avion cubs along with Sandberg. If the cubs re to beat the giants they need some clutch hits irom Dawson. The 35-Yoar-ofd had arthroscopic surgery on May 11 to repair cart age damage in his fight knee. He catered on june 13. Missing 33 games but had trouble getting going Edge to the cubs. Catcher to Rry Kennedy giants Kennedy s skills have diminished but he can still provide a clutch hit or two. The cubs will run on him whenever possible. Rick Wrone Joe Gerard a Cuba Wrona and Girardi have shown their Tea Perince White fitting in for the injured Damon Berryhill. In a playoff situation that could to problem and it gives a slight Edge to the giants. Starting pitchers Scott Garrard Rick it Michel. Kelly Downs Mike la cots Don Robinson giants manager Roger Craig has worked magic with a staff decimated of injuries. In All the giants used 15 pitchers this season. Garrelts a converted reliever won the Era title with a 2.28 Mark. Rou Schief i17-6 has t been 100 percent physically in the second half and Robinson is hurting too. Greg Madduri. Mike bet Eek flick Sutcliffe. Scot Sanderson cubs Tel Acyl was the big Surprise on the cubs staff going 18-7. Sut Difate had a tender Arm m thelast month but will pitch it the playoffs. Edge to the cube. Relief Pitcher Steve Bedrosyan. Craig Letherta Bob Knepper. Quilts since dining the giants on june in from Philadelphia Bedrosyan has 17 saves it 22 opportunities. Knepper can be Tough on certain left handers. Mitch win Tams Lea Lancaster Paul Kurgus Steve wit son. Cubs Wlliams had 36 save and Lancaster a 30 2-3 inning scoreless Streak. Last season the cubs had 29saves for the entire season. Cubs have slight Edge. Bench giants Ken Oberkfell set a club record with 18 Pinch hits and Ernes riles can play several positions and hit. Cubs Lloyd Mcciendon played first third and left Hel the cubs were 44-25 in the games Mcciendon started. The cubs also got big contributions off the Bench from Luis Salazar. Curtis writ person. Marvel Wynne. Mitch Webster and Domingo Ramos. The cubs Bench May have made the difference and they have a big Edge. Manager Roger Craig giants Craig look Over for Jim Davenport in late 19b5 As the giants finished 62-100. The next sea son Craig turned them into winners 83-79 and in 1987the giants came within a game of going to the world series. Craig is known As the guru of the split fingered fastball. Don Zimmet Cuba the cubs veterans and younger players alike Tove playing for Zimmer. You never know what Don is going to do it s Lun baseball Sandberg  will nit end run with the bases loaded Ana try a squeeze in the second inning however the giants pipe thence and Power should Prev Lai. Al contenders trying to Bury some ghosts by Ben Walker a baseball writer Oakland and Toronto each enter the american league playoffs with something to prove. The athletics still want to show they were the Best team in baseball last season while the Blue jays want to end their image As big game losers. Pitching usually dominates the postseason and the a s have it they led the league in Era. Neither team hits for average but both can hit for Power. Each club is aggressive on the bases and average in the Field. Oakland went 99-63 in winning the West division and had the Best record in the majors for the second straight year. The athletics were 54-27 at Home also the Best but were Only s-10 in extra innings. The Blue jays won the East at 89-73 and Drew 3.37 million fans a league  were helped by the move to the sky dome where they were 35-20 Overall and 10-0 when the retractable roof was closed. Look for the dome to be shut no matter what the weather. Oakland which has the Home Field advantage won seven of 12 games against the Blue jays this season going 4-2 at Home and splitting six in Toronto. The athletics Are trying to become the Only team this decade to reach the world series in two consecutive seasons. There has never been a world series in Canada. A position by position look at the teams first base Meik my Owlet attic so m 33 i Nuil and drove in s5 runs. Has hot by least 30 Home runs in each of his first three seasons. Batted Only .205 against Toronto this year but m three homers with 10 Bis in 39 at bats. Bats .184 on artificial turf. Fred Mcgrift Blue jays led league with 36 Home Runsafter hitting 34 last year in first Lull season. Did not Homer after sept. 4, a Span of 24 games. Drew 119 walks. Bartod.21 7 against Oakland with three homers and eight Bis in 46 at bits and struck out nine times. Mocq Milf is a More consistent hitter and a bettor fielder. Edge to Toronto. Second base Tony Phillips athletics balled .262 Wlton 47 Bis. Was lust 3-for-ll in steal attempts. Hit .1b2 with 10 strikeouts in 33 at bats against Toronto. Nelson Uriano or Manny Lee Blue jays Bolt Are switch tuners but Uriano is Likely to Start More often be cause he hits better left handed and is smoother on Dou ble plays. Lee hit 100 Points higher on grass ikan Turl probably the weakest spot Lor both teams. No Edge. Shortstop Mike a Fiego athletics took Over when waft Weiss was injured and did Well enough to keep the lob. Contact hitter at .252. Hit .323 against Toronto. Tony Feman det Blue jays made just seven errors one More than the league record Lor shortstops Mil Ca reer High 11 Home runs and batted near .300 after he was moved Down to the sixth spot on aug. 12. Batted .310 against Oakland in 333m the 9bs playoffs. Fernanda was one of baseball s top players before injuries slowed rum. Still a big Edge to the Blue jays. Third base Carney Lanaford. Athletics fitted .33$, second in the league. Hit .392 versus left handers and was 50 Points higher on the Road than at Home. Had .440 on base percentage against Toronto. Batted .294 m each of two pre Vious playoffs. Kerr Truber Blue Jaye a career nigh 18  72 errors nine More than landlord batted .316 with tour homers and 10 Bis in 36 at Ost against Oakland. Lansford la a proven steady player. Or bar might produce big Thuja . Oakland gets a aught Edge left Field Rickey Henderson athletics led majors with 76 stolen bases was caught 14 times. Batted .274 and led league with 124 walks. A right handed hitter yet batted 40 Point higher against re gems. Has improved in the Outfield and gave Oakland the Radolt hitter it needed. George he Blue jays. Got 104 Bis the third time m tour seasons with at least 100. Started at designated hitter19 times including the last eight because of an inflamed right Elbow without any argument. Was suspended twice for disputes with umpires. H7 .331 in the 1 985 playoff 4. Two completely different players each the key to their team s offence. No Edge. Center Field Dave Henderson. Athletics career .329 Heltor with four Home runs in the postseason. Loves big games. Hit 60points higher at Home .250 Overall. Lloyd Moseby Blue jays hit .440 during first week of september but is in i f -for-56 slump. Hit .221 Overall and just .160 at Home. Edgar Hookland. Right fled Jose Canseco athletics hit 1 7 Homo runs alter not play ing unit the As Star break because of a wrist injury. Hom ered twice m 14 at bats against Toronto. Based .170 on Turl. Hit .313 with three Home runs in Lour games in last year s playoffs and hit a grand slam in his first at to in the work series but finished m an o-Lor-18 rut. Moo tue Wilson Blue jays Canada s newest and biggest hero. Acquired from the new York mets on aug. 1 end credited with sparing the Blue jays to their  .296 and has stolen 12 straight bases. Wilson s Hustle gats Toronto going but if Canseco swings a big Bat Oakland Wil win. Edge to Oakland. Catcher Terry Stel Bech or Ron Heaney athletics  against Teft Landeis Hassey goes is. No hts. Stem Bach slumped after an As. Vat hat half. Batted .364 against Toronto. Hassey 4-for-ij it tur year s playoffs. Emle Whitt or Pel Borders Blue jays Wnm. The Las remaining original Blue Jay starts against right handers and Borders plays against bellies Wnm ended flee season a 9-for-s7 slump. Borders hit .290 Al night 100 Points higher than Dunn the Day. Oakland platoon has More potential and the Edge. Starting pitchers Dave Stewart Mike Moore boo Welch and storm Davis athletics Stewart. 21-9, is the first Pill a to win20 games in three straight seasons since Jim Palmer in 1975-78. Had 2.77 Era at Home. 3.91 on the Road. Is 6-5lifetime against Toronto. Moore 1 9-1 1. Held opponents to a .219 batting average but is just 4-12 career is. . 19-7, went 2-0 against the Blue jays this season and pitched t2 1-3 scoreless innings in last year s play Orfa. Welch. 17-8. Has allowed 19 earned runs in 22 Post season innings. Dave Sueb. Todd Slot Emyre Jimmy key and Mike Flanagan Bike Jeys Stieb. 17-8. Is the Only one with a winning record. Opponents hit. .219 against him lost oame 7 of the 1985 playoffs. Slow Emyre. 7-7, is bettor Elhome but will Start Amo 2 m Oakland. Key. 13-15. Gave up Lour Home runs in 17v innings to Oakland this season and was 0-2. Flanagan 6-10, Tugo 12 Days without pitch ing but is 16-7 lifetime against the athletics. The numbers m favor the athletics but Are they big game pitchers maybe although Oakland s Edge is not As big As the slats might seem to show. Relief pitchers Dennis Eckersley. Oune Nelson Rick Honeycutt an Todd Buma athletics Eckersley Savod 33 games and right handers hit just .121 against him. Nelson allowed one run in 10 innings in last year s postseason. Honeycu held lefties to a .156 average. Tom Henke Jim Acker. Deve Wens Duane Ward and John Ponitti Blue Jeya Henke struck out 116 batters in 89 innings with 20 saves. Had an 0.93 Era after Toronto s12-24 Start. Acker had 1.59 Era alter being traded by Atlanta n late August. Wells was 7-4 in Middle reel. Be run was 1111 in 31 starts but is 0-6 Kletto against Oakland and More adaptable to a Relief Rale. Both teams rely Ceavtry on their but Lions. Each dub has several Middle relievers a left handed specialist and a excellent closer. Slight Edge to Oakland. Designated hitter Dave Parker. Athletics hit 22 Home runs with 97  into 21 double plays tied with landlord and two behind a Cotro. Lee Sii Loffl. Blue Jeys joined Toronto a Day after Wilson arrived irom the Mots. Batted .227, but is Good at drawing walks. Same Edge to Oakland. Bench athletics Ken photos Wes 11 .for-38 with three Homer and 13 Bis As a Pinch hitter. Oakland got him in late August irom the Yankees. Walt Weiss Rookie of the Yearin 1988. Was o-Lor-11 against Toronto this season. Stan Javier waa 4-Tor-6 in last year s postseason. Blue jays Junior Felix helped Toronto Early in the sea son but the Rookie slumped when the league got a better look at him. Sun he hit nine homers with 46 Bis. Tom Lawless is 12-Lor-13in steal tries. Tony la Russa athletics prepared himself and his team for each game As Well As anyone in baseball clot Weston. Blue jays took Over when Toronto waa12-24 the Blue jays went 77-49 altar that the Best in the majors in that time la not flashy but is Well liked and Well respected by his Payera. Neither manager Rotas on Lasorda like emotion which carried los Angeles last season. Experience will help la Russa the second time around so Oakland gets the Edge