2003 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #17

While the records suggest a mismatch, the rosters—built on 2002 MLB statistics—tell a story of elite star power on both sides.

Chicago Demolition: The Powerhouse Contender
Chicago enters the series with one of the most feared pitching rotations in the league. Their staff is anchored by two of the greatest to ever do it, coming off massive 2002 campaigns:

The Rotation: Pedro Martinez (2.26 ERA, 239 K in 2002) and Roger Clemens (13 wins, 192 K) provide a 1-2 punch that can stifle any lineup. They are supported by Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood, making this a nightmare series for Houghton’s hitters.

The Lineup: The Demolition offense is built around the elite production of Carlos Delgado (.277, 33 HR, 108 RBI in ’02) and the veteran leadership of Roberto Alomar. With Edgar Renteria and Hideki Matsui (preparing for his MWWL impact) in the mix, Chicago has no easy outs.

Houghton Penguins: The Underdog Spoilers
Despite their record, Houghton possesses a few “Equalizers”—players capable of winning a game single-handedly.

The Big Bats: The Penguins feature the 2002 NL MVP Albert Pujols (.314, 34 HR, 127 RBI) and a young Miguel Cabrera. If Chicago’s pitchers make a mistake, Pujols is the player most likely to punish them. They also boast the high-octane Pat Burrell (37 HR in ’02) and the perennial All-Star Jeff Kent.

The Ace: Houghton will likely lean on Mark Buehrle, who was a workhorse in 2002 (19 wins, 239 IP). If Buehrle can outduel a Martinez or Clemens, the Penguins could steal the series opener.

Key Matchup to Watch
Pedro Martinez vs. Albert Pujols This is a “Titan vs. Titan” showdown. In 2002, Pedro was nearly unhittable, but Pujols was a vacuum at the plate with elite contact and power. Whether Pedro can blow the fastball past Pujols or if Albert can find the gap will likely determine the momentum of the entire series.

Series Outlook
Chicago is the heavy favorite due to their deep pitching and consistent winning culture this season. However, Houghton’s lineup has enough “lightning in a bottle” with Pujols and Burrell to make Chicago sweat.

Prediction: Chicago’s rotation is too deep for the struggling Penguins to overcome over a full series. Expect Chicago to take 3 out of 4, but don’t be surprised if Pujols carries Houghton to one dramatic victory.

The game broke open in the later frames. After Mark McLemore drove in two runs with a sixth-inning single, Carlos Delgado crushed a three-run homer in the seventh to extend the lead to 6-1. Chicago added two more insurance runs in the eighth courtesy of a Bobby Higginson solo blast and an RBI double by Edgar Renteria. Houghton’s lone spark came from Jeff Kent, who hit a solo home run in the seventh, but the Penguins’ bullpen struggled to contain the Chicago onslaught.

Final Score: Chicago 8 – Houghton 1

Win: Kevin Millwood 6-8 (3.28)
Loss: Ted Lilly 3-14 (4.72)

Chicago’s offense capitalized on small-ball opportunities early, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning after Bobby Higginson’s RBI single. They extended the lead to 2-1 in the fifth following a run-scoring single by Carlos Delgado. Houghton’s lone score was a result of aggressive baserunning in the third, as Shane Victorino executed a rare steal of home during a double-steal play. Chicago put the game away in the late innings, highlighted by Hideki Matsui’s solo blast in the eighth. Billy Wagner shut the door with two perfect innings of relief to secure his 19th save of the season.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Houghton 1

Win: Pedro Martinez 13-4 (1.46)
Loss: Aaron Harang 2-9 (6.30)
Save: Billy Wagner #19

The Demolition offense wasted no time, as Bobby Higginson ignited the crowd in the second inning with a two-run homer. Chicago effectively put the game out of reach in a five-run fifth inning; Charles Johnson led off the frame with a solo shot, followed by a Shannon Stewart sacrifice fly and a towering two-run blast from Tim Salmon. Houghton’s Mark Buehrle struggled to keep the ball in the park, surrendering seven runs and three home runs before being chased in the fifth.

The Penguins managed minor resistance with a Miguel Cabrera solo home run and RBI production from Albert Pujols, but Chicago’s bullpen, led by John Franco’s perfect ninth, slammed the door shut.

Final Score: Chicago 8 – Houghton 3

Win: Jason Schmidt 11-4 (2.17)
Loss: Mark Buehrle 9-8 (3.73)

Chicago took an early lead in the first on a Tim Salmon RBI double, but Houghton clawed back to tie it twice. Chone Figgins was a spark for the Penguins, recording a triple and a run scored, while Jeff Kent added an RBI double in the eighth to bring Houghton within one. However, Chicago’s Tony Batista provided the decisive blow with a solo home run in the fourth inning.

The Demolition bullpen proved critical. Billy Wagner entered in the seventh and navigated a shaky eighth inning to secure a 2.1-inning save, his 20th of the season. Despite Houghton putting the tying run in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings, Wagner’s velocity and composure slammed the door on any comeback hopes.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Houghton 3

Win: Jae Seo 8-5 (4.67)
Loss: Darren Oliver 5-9 (5.88)
Save: Billy Wagner #20

The Penguins regained the lead in the fourth and fifth, sparked by a Chone Figgins triple, but the Demolition refused to go away. Carlos Delgado brought Chicago within one with a towering solo home run in the fifth, and a Shannon Stewart sacrifice fly in the seventh tied the game at 4-4.

The bullpens took over from there, with Chicago’s Brendan Donnelly and Terry Adams escaping several bases-loaded jams. The stalemate finally broke in the bottom of the 11th when Hideki Matsui doubled to lead off the inning. Tony Batista then played the hero, lining a walk-off single up the middle to drive in Matsui and secure the win.

Final Score: Chicago 5 – Houghton 4 (11 Innings)

Win: Terry Adams 3-1 (3.43)
Loss: Mike Williams 0-1 (3.93)

The game remained a scoreless stalemate until the bottom of the third inning. After Shannon Stewart reached on a two-out single to record his 100th hit of the season, Carlos Delgado broke the tie with a towering two-run home run to right field. Those two runs were all Millwood and the Chicago bullpen would need.

Houghton’s Ted Lilly pitched valiantly in a losing effort, striking out six over eight innings, but his offense could never find a rhythm. Billy Wagner entered in the eighth and was perfect through the final two frames, striking out two to secure his eighth consecutive save and preserve the shutout.

Final Score: Chicago 2 – Penguins 0

Win: Kevin Millwood 7-8 (3.10)
Loss: Ted Lilly 3-15 (4.56)
Save: Billy Wagner #21

Final Score: FWP 4, DEW 0

Final Score: FWP 7, DEW 5

Final Score: FWP 6, DEW 5

Final Score: FWP 16, DEW 9

Final Score: FWP 12, DEW 1

Final Score: FWP 5, DEW 4