2001 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
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The upcoming MWWL World Series clash between the Chicago Demolition and the Flora-Bama Mullets promises to be a thrilling showdown. The Mullets, with a record of 109-53, boast a formidable defense and pitching staff, ranking second in both defensive efficiency (.986) and ERA (3.58) in the league. Meanwhile, the Demolition, with a 101-61 record, have shown their prowess in scoring, leading with 897 runs this season. Both teams share a batting average of .273, but Chicago has a slight edge in on-base percentage (.346 vs. .333). Given Flora-Bama’s superior defensive and pitching stats, they might be considered slight favorites, but Chicago’s offensive strength makes this series too close to call definitively. Expect a tightly contested series with both teams having a strong chance to claim the title.
CATCHER:
In 2001, Mike Piazza had a significantly better season than Charles Johnson, despite both being excellent catchers; Piazza had 35 Home Runs, while Johnson hit 26, and Piazza also posted higher batting averages and on-base percentages, making him the clear choice overall.
Key points comparing the two:
Overall Impact / Advantage: While Johnson was still a very good catcher, Piazza’s superior offensive production made him the standout performer in 2001.
FIRST BASE:
In 2001, Carlos Delgado had a significantly better season than John Olerud based on key offensive statistics like home runs, RBIs, and batting average, despite both players having strong years.
Delgado outperformed Olerud with a much higher home run total (35 vs 22). While both players had strong RBI numbers, Delgado led with 116 compared to Olerud’s 78.
Though close, Olerud also had a slightly higher batting average at ..272 compared to Delgado’s .258.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Based on these statistics, Carlos Delgado had a more impactful offensive season, demonstrating greater power and run production compared to John Olerud.
SECOND BASE:
Roberto Alomar had a batting average of .356, with 18 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.
Adam Kennedy had a solid season but not as remarkable as Alomar’s. Kennedy had a batting average of .269, with 6 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Roberto Alomar had the better season, with superior offensive statistics and accolades.
THIRD BASE:
Phil Nevin had a standout year, hitting .278 with 50 home runs and 136 RBIs, & was outstanding in the American League Championship Series. David Bell, had a solid season as well, contributing to the Mullets’ 109-win season with a .243 batting average, 7 home runs, and 55 RBIs.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Phil Nevin had the more statistically impressive season in terms of individual performance.
SHORTSTOP:
Edgar Renteria had a solid season with a meager batting average of .209, 11 home runs, and 56 RBIs. He was known for his defensive skills and contributed significantly to his team’s success.
Neifi Perez had a batting average of .290, 9 home runs, and 66 RBIs. Perez was also recognized for his defensive abilities but had a less impactful offensive season than Renteria.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Neifi Perez had a better season in 2001, primarily due to his higher batting average and offensive contributions.
OUTFIELD:
Lance Berkman and Juan Gonzalez both have significantly higher home run totals and RBIs compared to any player on the Chicago team. Berkman, in particular, stands out with 46 home runs and 117 RBIs, coupled with a high batting average and on-base percentage. Berkman also leads in batting average (.328) and on-base percentage (.428), which indicates his ability to consistently get on base and contribute to scoring opportunities. While Chicago’s Shannon Stewart has a solid batting average and Bobby Higginson contributes with steals, the overall offensive impact of Flora-Bama’s players, especially Berkman and Gonzalez, is superior in terms of power and run production.
Overall Impact / Advantage: The Flora-Bama Mullets have the advantage due to their superior power hitters and higher run production capabilities.
STARTING PITCHING:
Overall Grades: Flora-Bama’s pitchers have grades of Randy Johnson – 20, Curt Schilling – 15, & Robert Person – 12, totaling 47, compared to Chicago’s total of 46 Roger Clemens – 14, Pedro Martinez – 19, & Darryl Kile – 13). Wins: Flora-Bama’s pitchers have a combined total of 68 wins, while Chicago’s have 46 wins. Losses: Flora-Bama’s pitchers have fewer total losses (23) compared to Chicago’s (24).
Innings Pitched: Flora-Bama’s pitchers have pitched more innings (785.9) compared to Chicago’s (580.4).
ERA and WHIP: Flora-Bama’s pitchers have a lower combined ERA and WHIP, indicating better performance in terms of runs allowed and baserunners per inning.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Flora-Bama’s rotation shows stronger performance across most metrics, particularly in wins, innings pitched, and ERA, giving them the edge.
RELIEF PITCHING:
Chicago:
Jeff Zimmerman: High saves (11), low ERA (2.85), and excellent WHIP (0.93).
Billy Wagner: Very low ERA (1.62) and WHIP (0.72), indicating strong performance.
Robb Nen: High saves (15), low ERA (1.70), and good WHIP (0.92).
Flora-Bama:
Kazuhiro Sasaki: High wins (7), very low ERA (2.06), and excellent WHIP (0.68).
Jose Mesa: Moderate saves (12), higher ERA (3.38), and decent WHIP (0.95).
Norm Charlton: Low ERA (2.63) and good WHIP (0.92).
Chicago has a slight edge in ERA and WHIP across their pitchers, indicating better control and effectiveness in preventing runs.
Flora-Bama has more wins and saves, particularly due to Sasaki’s performance, but their ERA and WHIP are slightly higher overall.
Overall Impact / Advantage: Chicago’s bullpen has the advantage due to their lower ERA and WHIP, which are critical for pitching effectiveness, despite Flora-Bama’s higher win and save totals.
2001 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION:
In the 2001 MWWL World Series, the Flora-Bama Mullets appear to have a slight advantage over the Chicago Demolition. The Mullets’ strengths lie in their superior defensive efficiency and pitching staff, crucial in a high-stakes series. Their starting rotation, featuring Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, has shown stronger performance metrics, including more wins and innings pitched, as well as a lower ERA and WHIP compared to Chicago’s rotation. Additionally, Flora-Bama’s outfield, led by power hitters like Lance Berkman, offers significant offensive firepower. However, Chicago’s offensive capabilities, particularly their higher on-base percentage and robust bullpen performance, make them formidable opponents.
Prediction: While Flora-Bama’s pitching and power-hitting give them a slight edge, the series is expected to be closely contested. The Mullets are predicted to win the series in seven games, leveraging their pitching depth and offensive power to outlast the Demolition.