SERIES #1 - (1)1975 REDS v (16)1981 EXPOS

The opening series in the competition pits the #1 seeded 1975 Cincinnati Reds against the #16 seed 1981 Montreal Expos. Let's take a look at each team a little closer and break down the matchup.

1975 Cincinnati Reds

The 1975 version of the Big Red Machine compiled a 108-54 regular season record, winning the NL West division by 20 games.  After dispatching the Pittsburgh Pirates in three quick games in the NLCS, they competed in an epic World Series against the Boston Red Sox, another team in this competition.  The Series went seven full games, with the Reds coming out on top in the end, securing their #1 seed in this tournament.

Paced by MVP Joe Morgan (.974 OPS, 64 SB), Johnny Bench (.878 OPS, 28 HR, 110 RBI), Tony Perez (.816 OPS, 20 HR, 109 RBI), Pete Rose (.838 OPS, 210 H, 112 R) and George Foster (.875 OPS, 23 HR), this team led or nearly led the league in every offensive category.  They outscored their closest rival by more than 100 runs, and outpaced the league average by nearly 200.

While the pitching could not compare in firepower to the team offense, the staff did compile a team ERA of 3.37 which ranked third in the league.  Gary Nolan, Jack Billingham and Don Gullett all won at least 15 games.

1981 Montreal Expos

Due to an extended player strike in the middle of the year, the 1981 season was divided into two halves with the first and second half champs facing each other in a divisional round prior to the league championship series.  The Expos had the most wins in the NL East, compiling a 60-48 record.  After dispatching the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in the Division Series, they fell to the eventual World Series Champion Los Angelas Dodgers in the NLCS 3-2.


The Expos offense was a potent one, led by HOFers Andre Dawson and Gary Carter, who finished 2nd and 6th respectively in the MVP voting in 1981, as well as Tim Raines, who finished 2nd in ROY voting.  Raines came into the league running, literally.  He stole 71 bases in only 88 games.

Their pitching was led by the underrated staff ace Steve Rogers as well as youngsters Bill Gullickson and Steve Sanderson, who both posted ERAs under 3.00 for the season. 

PREDICTION:  This is a tough spot for the Expos.  If they can get a game at home they have a fighting chance.  Easier said than done.  If they don't win both at Olympic Stadium, they face the daunting task of having to take two of three at Riverfront.  The Big Red Machine is stocked at every position and should be able to dispatch the #16 seed with ease.  Reds 3-1.

Game 1
Olympic Stadium

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cincinnati 1975 (0-1)	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1		3	9	2
Montreal 1981 (1-0)	0	0	0	0	6	1	2	1	X		10	10	1
	W: B. Gullickson (1-0)   L: D. Gullett (0-1)

Reds were coasting along up 1-0 and pitcher Don Gullett tossing a no-hitter through four innings, but the wheels fell off in a big way in the 5th.  The home team exploded for a six spot in their half capped off by a Andre Dawson three-run blast.  Tim Raines went 3-5 with 2 R, 2 RBI and a SB.  Bill Gullickson got the game one start and came up big, tossing eight strong innings to secure the win.

Game 2
Olympic Stadium

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cincinnati 1975 (1-1)	1	0	1	0	0	0	3	1	0		6	14	1
Montreal 1981 (1-1)	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		1	5	0
	W: G. Nolan (1-0)   L: R. Burris (0-1)

Cincinnati evens up the series with a convincing 6-1 victory on the road.  Reds needed this one and it was apparent from the start.  Ken Griffey, batting second, was ejected for arguing a strike call in the 1st inning.  Gary Nolan and three relievers combined to limit Montreal to just five hits.  Series shifts to the Queen City all knotted up at one game apiece.

Game 3
Riverfront Stadium

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Montreal 1981 (1-2)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0		2	4	0
Cincinnati 1975 (2-1)	0	0	1	0	3	1	0	0	X		5	13	0
	W: F. Norman (1-0)   L: S. Rogers (0-1)

The Expos trot out their staff ace Steve Rogers in an attempt to steal a game on the road.  Unfortunately, Rogers didn't have his A-game in this one, allowing five runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.  His counterpart, Fred Norman, carried a no-hitter into the 7th in this one.  He went the distance allowing only four hits.  Five Reds had multiple hits in this game, who are win win away from advancing to the next round.

Game 4
Riverfront Stadium

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Montreal 1981 (1-3)	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	2		5	9	1
Cincinnati 1975 (3-1)	0	0	2	1	1	0	5	0	X		9	16	0
	W: J. Billingham (1-0)   L: S. Sanderson (0-1)

Cincinnati sent out Don Gullett on three days rest in this one, but he couldn't get past the first batter he faced, suffering a rib strain, forcing him to leave the game.  Jack Billingham got the call in his place and lasted into the 5th.  Fortunately for him, the home team scored in the bottom half and never looked back to secure him the win.  Ken Griffey came up big-time, going 4-5 with a HR and 4 RBI.  The Reds cruise to the 9-5 victory and secure a spot in the second round of the tournament.

Series Recap


The opening round matchup went pretty much as expected for the Big Red Machine.  After dropping the first game in Montreal, the team cruised to three easy victories to close out the series.  Ken Griffey earns the MVP honors despite being tossed in game two during his first AB of the game for arguing a strike call.  He ends up going 8-14 for a .571 BA with a HR, four runs scored and 5 RBI.  Fred Norman also garnered consideration with his complete game four hitter in game three.

Up next for the 1975 Reds is the winner of the matchup between the #8 seeded 2004 St. Louis Cardinals and the #9 seed 1979 "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates.