Washington To Face Phoenix This Afternoon
October 5, 2001
(AP) WASHINGTON--Somehow, we saw this coming before
the 2001 season. When Washington acquired Reggie
Jefferson before the season started, it became pretty
plain that the Sea Dogs weren't going to accept the
2000 season as happenstance.
"Let's put this simply," manager Aaron Weiner said.
"We knew we couldn't blame last year on anyone, but it
was clear we had offensive deficiencies that needed to
be addressed."
Nobody in the front office missed the fact that the
Sea Dogs missed the playoffs by just two games last
season. The logic, then, was that the Sea Dogs, with
a full season from Eric Young and Reggie Jefferson,
would be at least two games better.
Turns out they were right - by a factor of eight.
Washington's 102 wins were third overall in the PVBL,
and as late as mid-September, the Sea Dogs had a
chance to win the division.
All of this should scare Phoenix, who, despite a PVBL
record 115 wins in a watered-down Defiant League, have
played Washington roughly even this year, discounting
a late sweep when Washington was forced to throw Jose
Rijo and Dwight Gooden against the juggernaut offense.
There will be no pitchers appearing like that for the
Sea Dogs in this series, as Weiner plans to throw a
three-man rotation of Joey Hamilton, Shawn Estes and
Hideo Nomo against the Gila Monsters. Combined ERA:
2.41.
"I'm really looking forward to the playoffs," said
Game 1 starter Joey Hamilton (19-7, 2.11). "I've
never been there, but I'm sure I can perform up to
standards."
Unfortunately for the Sea Dogs, Hamilton will face
Shane Reynolds in Game 1. Reynolds, who became a
shoo-in for the Cy Young with his nineteenth win
against only two losses, had a league-best 1.67 ERA.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again; for my
money, there's no pitcher as good as Joey Hamilton -
unless it's Shane Reynolds," Weiner said. "Game 1 is
impossible to handicap, but it could easily be a 1-0
game."
Washington has managed more success against Reynolds
than some. The last time they had their full squadron
against Reynolds, Washington took four runs from him
in seven innings.
However, not a lot of teams have done that this year,
and the Sea Dogs will be hard-pressed to repeat the
feat.
Game 1 is a sellout; even the squirrels don't have
room to move in the XRAY. Phoenix and Washington have
a 1-1 record in playoff series; the Sea Dogs winning
in 1998 and Phoenix in 1999. Phoenix has never failed
to make the playoffs but has lost two of four
first-round series and has never made the World
Series.
It is possible that Shane Reynolds, who pitched in
emergency relief three days ago, may not pitch game 1,
in which case, Greg Maddux (16-8, 2.69) or Pedro
Astacio (20-6, 3.91) will be the likely game 1
starter.
Injury Report:
Only one player will be on the disabled list for
either team in this series. Phoenix starter Steve
Avery, who has missed much of the last two months, may
be available later in the series but will be unable to
pitch early on.
Injuries were a potential concern for the Sea Dogs, as
the absence of key performers such as Chuck Knoblauch
and Shawn Estes threatened to hurt the Sea Dogs'
chances.
"We're pleased to have a full compliment of players
going into the playoffs," Weiner said.
Phoenix is a little banged up, however. Rafael
Palmeiro (.257-34-78) has the venemous bruised heel,
and the team's top reliever, Matt Whiseant, has a
stiff shoulder.
