1993 WORD SERIES PREVIEW

Once again Jarl Jackson provides the Mid-West Winter League with his World Series Preview.

Two teams who have recent World Series history meet for the 1993 MWWL World Series! The Black Bears went to the World Series twice winning in 1981 and losing in 1988. The Chihuahuas won the title in 1989. Both teams still have players from their last World Series appearance although the Chihuahuas have the advantage here 9 players (Mattingly, Reynolds, Dykstra, Gwynn, Mitchell, Fernandez, Darwin, Bosio, Russell) to 4 for the Black Bears (Galarraga, Williams, Briley, Henke)

Both teams had identical 59-22 home records during the 1993 season. Missouri had the tougher route to the World Series as they had to face the two other 100 plus win teams in the National League. Mexico City was fortunate to avoid the California Quakes – the American League juggernaut in the ALCS as the MWWL Team leader in wins was upset in the Division round by the Ft. Worth Panthers.

Harper was 8^th in the AL in AVG and had an errorless streak of 67 games. Piazza was 10^th in Hits, 9^th in HR, and 9^th in RBI in the NL. Piazza also had an errorless streak of 93 games.  Although their both good offensive catchers the advantage in average and homers gives Piazza the edge. Advantage MBB

In the AL Jefferies was 7^th in AVG, 5^th in OBP, 3^rd in Hits, 3^rd in Runs, and 7^th in SB. Kruk didn’t have enough PA to qualify for the NL leader boards, but if he did he would be in the top 10 for AVG, OBP, and SLG. His OBP would have led the league. Kruk had a 61-game errorless streak. Jefferies steals make this close, but Kruk still comes out on top. Advantage MBB

Reynolds was a good defender during the 1993 season compiling an errorless streak of 68 games, but both Missouri second basemen out performed him offensively and Fletcher actually had a better Fielding average. Advantage MBB

If you combine the two Mexico City shortstops they would be in the top 15 all over the AL leader board except for homers. Smith, who was 5^th in Triples, alone makes this a win for Mexico City.  Advantage MEX

Buechele lead the entire MWWL in fielding average for third basemen at .993 and had an errorless streak of 67 games. Williams was 5^th in SLG and HR in the NL. He was also 7^th in RBI.  Advantage MBB

In the AL Dykstra was 3^rd in Triples, had a 29 game on base streak (6), and had an errorless streak of 94 games. Kirby had an errorless streak of 80 games. Gwynn was 2^nd in AVG, 4^th in OBP, 2^nd in SLG, had a 15-game hitting streak good for 5^th best and a on base streak of 30 games (4).  On the NL side Bichette was 7^th in Triples and had an on base streak of 29 games good for 4^th best. Bonds was 1^st in OBP, 3^rd in SLG, 2^nd in Runs, 2^nd in HR, 4^th in RBI, and had an errorless streak of 87 games. Gonzalez had a 73-game errorless streak. At the plate he was 8^th in AVG, 2^nd in SLG, 5^th in HR, and 6^th in RBI. Gwynn’s high average makes things close, but the trio from Missouri are just too much to overcome.  Advantage MBB

Mitchell didn’t have enough PA to qualify among the leaders. If he did he would be in the top 5 for AVG, OBP, and SLG. He can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. The big Cat had the 2^nd longest hitting streak in the NL at 21 games and was a well rounded offensive force except when came to driving in runs. Since they have roughly the same number of at bats this difference can’t be overlooked.  Advantage MEX

Here’s how the SP ranked among SP in their league. For Mexico City Swift was 8^th in Wins, 5^th in ERA, 4^th in CG, 2^nd in QS Streak at 8 games, and was 5^th in OBA at .215. Fernandez had the 5^th longest SHO-IP streak at 17 innings. Darwin was 7^th in Wins, 4^th in ERA, 5^th in CG, 3^rd in longest SHO-IP streak at 18 innings, and 8^th best in OBA at .225. McDonald was 9^th in Wins (he had two wins in relief), 3^rd in ERA, 7^th in QS, 4^th in SO/9, and 6^th in OBA at .221. Bosio was 9^th in Wins and 9^th in OBA at .229. For Missouri McDowell 3^rd in Wins, 8^th in QS, and 4^th in QS Streak at 8 games. Portugal was 7^th in Wins, 8^th in QS, 4^th in QS Streak at 8 games, and 6^th in OBA at .219. Viola was 10^th in OBA at .225. Burkett was 5^th in Wins, 9^th in ERA, and 5^th in QS. Rogers was 9^th in Wins and 3^rd in SO/9. Starting pitching was one of the strengths for Mexico City and they easily win this category. Advantage MEX

The relievers comparison was a complete flip of the starting pitching comparison. In the AL among relivers Russel was 9^th in Wins and 10^th in Saves. Kilgus was 6^th in Saves. Dewey was 5^th in Holds. On the NL side Wetteland 1^st in Wins, 5^th in Saves, 2^nd in IP, 7^th in GIR, 4^th in SO/9, and the leader in OBA at .146. Henke was 3^rd in Holds, 3^rd in ERA, 1^st in SO/9, and 2^nd in OBA at .152. Lloyd was 5^th in ERA and 8^th in OBA at .207. Missouri only had 7 blown saves all year compared to 14 for Mexico City. With Henke and Wetteland if Missouri gets to the 7^th with a lead it’ll be Na nan a na for Mexico City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6RoOwSKI7M    Advantage MBB

Overall team stats and MWWL League rankings:

The two teams are pretty close on the offensive side with a slight edge to Mexico City even with the huge gap in home runs. Mexico City has the better starting pitching while Missouri has the advantage in the bullpen.  Defensively Mexico City has the advantage.

It should be a competitive World Series with the key for Mexico City having strong pitching performance from their starting pitchers, so they can go into the late innings with a lead. For Missouri their goal should be to get the lead by 6^th inning and let their dominate Pen shut the door.

In the end Missouri’s power and bullpen will be too much for Mexico City. Missouri in 6 games.