Benintendi and Hinske Ready For MLB Playoffs
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Legends are born in October, and two former Razorbacks look to write their own page in history as the 2016 MLB Playoffs get underway this month.
Andrew Benintendi, who made an immediate splash in his rookie season with the Boston Red Sox, prepares for his first playoffs, while Eric Hinske, now as a coach, enters the playoffs looking to help lead the Chicago Cubs to a historic World Series.
Benintendi, a member of the 2015 College World Series team and a first-round selection by the Red Sox in the 2015 MLB Draft, completed a meteoric rise through the minor leagues, receiving the call-up to the Red Sox on August 2. His ascent to the major leagues was the fastest for any former Razorback player and the fastest by a Red Sox player since Fred Lynn in 1974.
He played in 34 games during the regular season, becoming the team’s regular left fielder. He hit at a .295 clip with two home runs and 14 RBIs, to go along with a .359 on-base percentage and .476 slugging percentage. He helped the Red Sox to a last-to-first turnaround from last season, winning the American League East Division with a 93-69 record. They will play the Cleveland Indians, winners of the AL Central with a 94-67 record, in the AL Division Series.
Benintendi Snags Nominee For Web Gem Of Year
Eric Hinske Makes Fifth Postseason, First As Coach
Hinske, a 12-year MLB veteran with seven different teams, is in his third season as a coach with the Cubs, including his second as assistant hitting coach. Hinske, the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year, is no stranger to the postseason, appearing in four straight postseasons from 2007-10, doing so with four different teams (Boston, Tampa Bay, NY Yankees, Atlanta) and becoming a two-time World Series champion with Boston in 2007 and New York in 2009.
The Cubs had the best record in baseball, going 103-58, winning the NL Central Division by 17.5 games over the St. Louis Cardinals. Seeking their first World Series since 1908, and first appearance since 1945, the Cubs begin postseason play against the winner of the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets in the NL Division Series.
Boston Red Sox ALDS Schedule
| Date | Time (CT)/TV Network | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Thurs., Oct. 6 | 7:08 p.m./TBS | Boston at Cleveland |
| Fri., Oct. 7 | 3:08 p.m./TBS | Boston at Cleveland |
| Sun., Oct. 9 | 3:38 p.m./TBS | Cleveland at Boston |
| Mon., Oct. 10 | TBA/TBS | Cleveland at Boston (if necessary) |
| Wed., Oct. 12 | TBA/TBS | Boston at Cleveland (if necessary) |
Chicago Cubs NLDS Schedule
| Date | Time (CT)/TV Network | Matchup (Location) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., March 10 | 5 p.m./MLB Network | United States vs. Colombia (Miami) |
| Sat., March 11 | 5:30 p.m./MLB Network | United States vs. Dominican Republic (Miami) |
| Sun., March 12 | 6 p.m./MLB Network | United States vs. Canada (Miami) |
| Mon., March 13 | TBA/MLB Network | TBA vs. TBA (tiebreaker game, if necessary) (Miami) |
| Tues., March 14-Sun., March 19 | TBA/MLB Network | Second Round (San Diego) |
| Mon., March 20-Wed., March 22 | TBA/MLB Network | Championship Round (Los Angeles) |
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