Playoff Preview

(3) Charlotte Smurfs
AL South Champions (100-62)

vs.


(6) San Antonio Six Shooters
Wildcard #2 (93-69)


Two of the three AL South teams to gain entrance into the postseason, the Smurfs and Six Shooters duked it out in 10 games during the regular season series; and despite being the sixth seed, San Antonio won six of those 10 regular season games. Mac Smoltz's (6-7, 4.37 ERA) July 24 no-hitter was the highlight of a series that featured four one run games.

Charlotte
The Smurfs finished with the second-best ERA in the majors, posting a 3.58 ERA while walking 410 batters as a unit, the fewest in the league. Reigning Cy Young winner Ray Peterson posted a 13-6 record and 2.82 ERA. Carlos Bonilla and Benji Wilson tied for the club lead with 15 wins apiece, posting 3.33 and 2.98 ERAs, respectively.

Sluggers Sam Nicholson (.339, 43 HR, 128 RBI) and Joe Purcell (.341, 45 HR, 141 RBI) led a vaunted offense that finished fourth in the American League with 922 runs scored. Second baseman Brandon Hernandez (.345, 31 HR, 90 RBI)led the team in hitting.

San Antonio
Six Shooters' first baseman Ed Martin (.326, 58 HR, 148 RBI) is recieving MVP consideration after his strong season six campaign, but lacks support in a lineup that finished sixth in the American League with 857 runs. Center fielder Orlando Martin (.316, 22 HR, 97 RBI) will need to continue an excellent season to enable a deep playoff run by San Antonio.

The Six Shooters' pitching staff was paced by right handers Alfredo Bernard (15-12, 4.22 ERA) and Jon Kent (14-5, 3.82 ERA). Cleatus Lindsey posted a 4.04 ERA in mixed duties for the club. San Antonio's bullpen is bolstered by the lights out work of Kevin Mitchell (0-1, 2.96 ERA). Mitchell converted 37 of 38 save chances in season six and held opponents to a .198 average.