Round 1 Preview (#3 Texas vs. #6 Chicago)

By the Numbers:

Texas (104-58) vs. Chicago (86-76)

Pitching:
Texas team ERA 4.11 (4th in NL)
Chicago team ERA 4.27 (7th in NL)

Hitting:
Texas Batting AVG: .275 (2nd in NL)
Chicago Batting AVG: .263 (8th in NL)

History:
Texas is making its 4th playoff appearance in 5 years. Its 104 wins are the most in team history - yes - more wins than in season 2 when Texas captured the WS title.

Chicago is making its 2nd playoff appearance and first since season 2 when they won the NL East. The franchise is nothing if not consistent having never won less than 82 games in a season nor more than 86 games.

The Key Players - Hitters:
Texas:
JR Lankford 38 HRs, .358 BA, 39 steals (fell just short of the 40/40 club)
Billy Hernandez 54 HRS, .307 BA (led league in HRs)
Sean O'Toole 50 HRs, .271 BA
Valerio Bennett 41 HRs

Chicago:
Willie Skinner .319 BA
Harry Cela 39 HRs, .260 BA
Bob Jefferies 26 HRs, .282 BA

The Key Players - Pitchers:
Texas:
Albert Burks 19-6 3.73 ERA
Sal Freeman 16-8 4.21 ERA
Archie Burke 16-11 4.02 ERA

Chicago:
Santiago Crespo 13-4 2.31 ERA
Jolbert Nunez 13-6 3.38 ERA

Key to the Series:
Texas can hit. This much we know. Chicago has two pitchers in Crespo and Nunez that have the potential to contain those Texas bats. At the same time Texas has 3 starters in Burks, Freeman, and Burke that should be able to match the 2 Chicago pitchers. For you math majors out there: 3 > 2
Who gets the start in game 3 for Chicago? Can one of the 2 studs come back in game 3 on very short rest? If not, the other Chicago starters are not on the same level as their two aces and Texas might have batting practice in game 3. In a short series you can't afford to give a game away.

Prediction:
Crespo and Nunez are too talented not to pick up at least 1 win between them. Unfortunatley for Chicago, Texas can match the pitching and have the hitters that Chicago just can't match. Texas led the league with 251 HRs this year. Combine that with respectable pitching and Texas proves those 104 wins this year were no fluke. They earn a date with Pawtucket in round two.
Texas wins in 4 games.