The Durham Bulls quest for a three-peat begins today.
In the first round of the International League playoffs, the Bulls (77-67) will square off against Buffalo (83-61) in a best-of-five series. The Bulls are seeking their third Governor’s Cup in a row. Games one and two will be played in Durham, before the series shifts to Buffalo for the remainder of the series.
This year marks Durham’s sixth trip to the playoffs in seven years, but its first as the wild card. In that span, the Bulls have faced Buffalo two times in the postseason—losing in 1998 and winning in 2002—but they have never faced the Cleveland Indians affiliate in the first round.
The Bulls will likely have their hands full with the Bison. Buffalo’s record was the league’s best this season, as it won the North Division by 10 games over Pawtucket. The Bison compiled a record of 5-3 against Durham. The last time the two teams met was just before the All-Star Break in July.
The Bison tend to win games with their bats—they led the league in batting average (.270) and runs scored (5.90 per game) and were second in home runs (188). Their offensive prowess helped them overcome the worst pitching staff in the league, with a team ERA of 4.71.
Buffalo’s heavy hitters are led by International League MVP Jhonny Peralta. The shortstop batted .333, good for second in the league, and established league records for hits, runs and doubles. He was especially potent against Durham’s pitching, batting .480 in six games.
All-Star designated hitter Eric Young is also a threat. His 98 RBIs were best in the league and his 25 home runs were good for sixth place.
To counter the Bison offense, Durham will dispatch the league’s fourth best pitching staff. The Bulls’ pitchers have been successful although none of them finishing in the top 10 in wins, ERA or strikeouts in the International League.
All-Star right-fielder Matt Diaz led Durham’s offense this season. He batted .331 and finished in the league’s top 10 in six other offensive categories.
The team also hopes to get big contributions from its two “Mr. Septembers.”
Catcher Paul Hoover was September’s big producer last year, batting .476 with two home runs in Durham’s march to the title. Thus far this September, outfielder Jonny Gomes has shined, hitting home runs in four of six games and earning Player of the Week honors in the final week of the regular season.
In game one, Durham’s Jason Standridge (8-4, 3.85 ERA) will pitch against Buffalo’s Kyle Denney (10-5, 4.41). Standridge was effective in his only start against the Bison this season, lasting seven innings and giving up only three runs on as many hits. Denney pitched twice against the Bulls, winning once and taking a no decision after failing to finish the fifth inning in the second.
In game two, Durham will send out Jim Magrane (8-5, 3.93) to face Kenny Rayborn (8-2. 3.64). In both of Magrane’s starts against Buffalo, the Bulls lost, with only one charged to Magrane. Rayborn also started twice against the Bulls, with his team losing both times.
Game three in Buffalo will feature Durham’s Todd Ritchie (4-6, 6.29) and the Bison’s Francisco Cruceta (6-5. 3.25). Ritchie is 0-1 in two starts against Buffalo, pitching poorly in both. Cruceta won his only start against Durham, scattering five hits over five innings and allowing only one run.
Game four will pit Durham’s John Webb (1-3, 3.27) against the Bison’s Fausto Carmona (1-0, 6.00). Game five’s starters have not been announced.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.