By DAVE ANDERSON, Sports Editor
GEORGE FOSTER
Cincinnati Reds Left Fielder
.318 AVG, 6 HR, 10 RBI
JIM PALMER
Baltimore Orioles Ace Pitcher
2-0, 0.71 ERA, 26 SO
BALTIMORE — The stage is set for the grand finale of the Sensational 70s baseball season with a much anticipated World Series matchup featuring the powerhouse Cincinnati Reds preparing to face the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 on Friday night. Fittingly, this is a rematch of the first World Series of the 70s decade as both clubs faced off in the Fall Classic in 1970. The weather forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60s for Friday's 8:00 PM start time, with a sellout crowd expected at Memorial Stadium.
The Reds, dubbed the "Big Red Machine" for their devastating offensive attack, swept through the National League Championship Series with a dominant display that left the Atlanta Braves wondering what hit them. Cincinnati (96-66) entered the playoffs in one of the wildcard spots. They snuck past the Montreal Expos in three games and then began to find their footing, ousting a talented Pittsburgh Pirates squad in four games in the National League Division Series.
"We've been waiting all season for this moment," said Reds manager Sparky Anderson during yesterday's workout. "This team has the heart of champions, and we're ready to prove it on the biggest stage."
But standing in their way are the defending American League champions from Baltimore, a team built around one of the most formidable pitching rotations in recent memory. Baltimore was the class of the majors posting a 115-47 record. The Orioles, led by future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, the crafty Mike Cuellar (19-11, 2.81 ERA), Scott MacGregor (13-7, 2.76 ERA), and Mike Flanagan (17-7 2.92 ERA) reached the World Series three times in the 1970s. Even though pitching has always been their strength, their offensive attack is potent anchored by Eddie Murray (.342, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Doug DeCinces (.324, 3 HR, 10 RBI), and the veteran presence of slugger Boog Powell (.289, 2 HR, 4 RBI). Center fielder Paul Blair (.268, 2 HR 7 RBI) provides speed and defensive excellence in the outfield. Baltimore leads all playoff teams in on-base percentage (.358) as they have amassed 41 free passes.
Baltimore manager Earl Weaver, known for his fiery temperament and strategic brilliance, believes his team's experience will be the deciding factor. "We've been here before," Weaver noted. "October baseball is different from the regular season, and we know how to win when it matters most."
The Orioles captured the AL pennant by defeating the Texas Rangers in five games. Texas took the first game of the series, but the Orioles then reeled off four consecutive victories. The upstart California Angels gave Baltimore a scare in the American League Divisional Series taking them to a deciding fifth game, but Orioles' ace Jim Palmer led the team to a 4-0 victory with a complete game gem.
CINCINNATI REDS
Record:9-2
Team BA: .304
Home Runs: 20
Team ERA: 2.38
Manager: Sparky Anderson
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Record: 7-3
Team BA: .275
Home Runs: 12
Team ERA: 2.53
Manager: Earl Weaver
The series opens with a pitching matchup that has fans salivating: Cincinnati's Don Gullett, who went 16-13 with a 2.50 ERA during the regular season, will face Baltimore's Jim Palmer, the winningest pitcher in the 1970s with 186 victories. He posted a 21-3 record during the Sensational 70s season with a 1.69 ERA.
"Palmer's got that high fastball and that devastating curve. We'll have to be patient and work the count." — Pete Rose on facing Jim Palmer
Cincinnati all-star left fielder George Foster has enjoyed a sizzling playoff run (.318, 6 HR, 10 RBI), picking up from a tremndous regular season (.288 40 HR, 120 RBI). Both he and catcher Johnny Bench (.378 5 HR 14 RBI) have provided plenty of thump. Pete Rose (.292, 2 HR, 7 RBI), Joe Morgan (.298, 2 HR, 6 RBI), and Bernie Carbo (.361, 2 HR, 5 RBI) add tremendous depth to Cincinnati's powerful lineup, and Cesar Geronimo has been a revelation leading the team with 19 hits and batting a scalding .475. Cincinnati leads all postseason teams with a .547 slugging percentage.
A key storyline to watch could include the battle between bullpens. Cincinnati closer Rawley Eastwick has 4 saves in 6 appearances in the playoffs, and high leverage middle men Tom Hall and Doug Bair have yet to surrender any runs in a combined 6.2 innings of relief work. Orioles' closer pete Richert has only had to answer the call once, notching his only save of the playoffs. Grant Jackson and Tim Stoddard have been in shutdown mode combining for 13 strikeouts in 11.2 innings, and Jackson has only allowed one run. Baltimore will need to keep the heavy-hitting Reds at bay and get length from their starting corps. They lead all postseason teams with 4 complete games.
Cincinnati has an advantage in the running game, leading all playoff teams with 7 thefts. The Orioles will need to keep Cesar Geronimo and Joe Morgan off the bases as they each have swiped 2 bags apiece, and Morgan leads in runs scored, crossing the plate 11 times. Perennial tablesetter Rose is tied for third with 8 runs scored.
This promises to be a long, gruelling series, and as baseball fans prepare to follow the action, they will be pondering these questions: Can the Reds impose their offensive might and strafe the vaunted pitching staff of the Orioles, or will the Baltimore hurlers subdue the volatile bats of "The Big Red Machine" and keep the baseball in the ballpark?
Series TV & Radio Broadcast Teams:
Radio: NBC Radio Network (Jim Simpson, Chuck Thompson)
Television: NBC-TV (Curt Gowdy, Jim McIntyre, Tony Kubek, Joe Garagiola)
,
GAME 1 - FRIDAY, OCT. 27
at Memorial Stadium
CIN: Don Gullett (1-0, 1.37 ERA, 17 SO)
vs
BAL: Jim Palmer (2-0, 0.71 ERA, 26 SO)
GAME 2 - SATURDAY, OCT. 28
at Memorial Stadium
CIN: Jack Billingham (2-0, 1.80 ERA, 10 SO)
vs
BAL: Mike Cuellar (1-1, 6.00 ERA, 13 SO)
GAME 3 - MONDAY, OCT. 30
at Riverfront Stadium
BAL: Scott MacGregor (1-1, 1.54 ERA, 7 SO)
vs
CIN: Jim Merritt (3-0, 2.08 ERA, 20 SO)
GAME 4 - TUESDAY, OCT. 31
at Riverfront Stadium
BAL: Dennis Martinez (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 SO)
vs
CIN: Gary Nolan (1-0, 1.16 ERA, 13 SO)
Complete World Series coverage on YouTube channel @greenmonster37ft
