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| | Tuesday, October 5 | |||||
| Records Braves 103-59, first in East; Astros 97-65, first in Central. How they got there The Braves posted the best record in the majors behind, as usual, the best pitching staff in the majors. Third baseman Chipper Jones led the way with an MVP-type year. The Astros held off a late charge by the Reds to clinch their third straight division title. The crucial game came last Wednesday when Mike Hampton earned a 4-1 victory over Cincinnati. The Astros also challenged the Braves' reputation with their own excellent staff, including the NL's only 20-game winners in Hampton and Jose Lima. Probable starters Season series Atlanta won 6-1, including the last six in a row. Houston's ace Hampton won the only game he pitched against Braves. Key for the Braves If Chipper Jones stays hot, the Braves stay hot. Home-field advantage could make a difference. Jones is hitting .366 in Atlanta and .275 on the road. Key for the Astros Hope stellar starting pitching staff can match Braves. If Astros can scratch across enough runs, nearly unhittable closer Billy Wagner could send Braves packing. Series notes Atlanta failed to have a 20-game winner for the first time in a full-season since 1990. Greg Maddux led the team with 19 wins, and Kevin Millwood had 18 ... Braves won at least 100 games for fourth time this decade, but they did not reach the World Series the three previous times they achieved that mark ... Braves had major league-best home record (56-25) ... Houston's Hampton is the first pitcher since Catfish Hunter in 1971 to win at least 20 games (22) and hit at least .300 (.310) ... Astros also are 29-5 in games Hampton started ... Jeff Bagwell led the league in runs scored with 143, while Craig Biggio was third with 123 ... Biggio led the league in doubles (56), the most in the NL since 1937. Compiled by Scripps Howard News Service |  | |||||