Editor’s note: The 1994 playoff games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for the American League contests as well as when those teams are at home during the World Series. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
The Texas Rangers appear to be the surprise team of the post-season.
After a losing mark during the regular season, the West Division champions are on a roll beating Chicago White Sox 7-2 for a second straight time.
Leading 2-0 in the best-of-five American League Division Series, the Rangers will have to win a road contest to advance.
Rick Helling (0-0) will start for the Rangers in Chicago as the White Sox counter with Wilson Alvarez (0-0).
A grand slam by Juan Gonzalez gave the Rangers a 4-0 lead in the third inning against Chicago starter Alex Fernandez.
One frame later, Fernandez would be gone after a RBI single by Ivan Rodriguez.
Jose DeLeon took over on the mound for the White Sox and he allowed a run to score when he failed to play a grounder from Jose Canseco as the Rangers led 6-0.
Texas picked up its final tally in the seventh as Manuel Lee had a run-scoring single off Paul Assenmacher.
The White Sox scored twice as Texas starter Kevin Brown began to wear down.
Julio Franco had a RBI single in the eighth and Lance Johnson scored on a wild pitch in the ninth.
Brown (1-0) allowed six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Fernandez (0-1) gave up six runs with five being earned on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout.
1994 Post-Season Tournament
National League Divisional Series
(1) Montreal Expos 5, (WC) Atlanta Braves 4
(WC) Atlanta Braves 5, (1) Montreal Expos 1
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos, if necessary
(2) Cincinnati Reds 3, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 1
(2) Cincinnati Reds 8, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 3
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
American League Divisional Series
(1) New York Yankees 5, (WC) Cleveland Indians 4 (10)
(1) New York Yankees 4, (WC) Cleveland Indians 2
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees, if necessary
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees, if necessary
(3) Texas Rangers 4, (2) Chicago White Sox 1
(3) Texas Rangers 7, (2) Chicago White Sox 2
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox, if necessary
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox, if necessary