BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : NATIONAL: San Francisco vs. St. Louis : Notebook : Herzog Is a Bit Hazy on Lineup, Rotation and Status of Clark

In the aftermath of the St. Louis Cardinals’ pennant-clinching 6-0 win over the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Whitey Herzog could not say what lineup he will use against the Minnesota Twins in the World Series, which begins Saturday night at Minneapolis.

When he awakens this morning, the manager probably still will have a hazy picture of his patchwork lineup for the Cardinals’ second trip to the World Series in three seasons.

His starting pitching rotation?

“I don’t even know who’s going to play,” Herzog said. “I’ve got to talk to my coaches and scouts and see what they say about the Twins.”

However, Herzog said John Tudor will pitch Game 2 Sunday at Minneapolis and Danny Cox will pitch Game 3 Tuesday at St. Louis. The opening-game starter figures to be either Joe Magrane or Greg Mathews.

Magrane allowed four runs in four innings of Game 3 against the Giants. Mathews was the opening-game winner against the Giants but lasted only three innings in Game 5 because of a strained thigh muscle.

An outside choice would be veteran Bob Forsch, but Herzog has preferred to use him as a long reliever.

How many pitchers will Herzog activate?

In the playoffs, Herzog went with only eight pitchers and complained about it the entire series. He said Wednesday he will go with nine pitchers, most likely activating Bill Dawley.

What is Jack Clark’s status?

Herzog said Clark will test his severely sprained right ankle tonight and Friday at Minneapolis in a simulated game. If Clark is not able to run, Herzog said the first baseman will not be put on the World Series roster.

Clark made only one pinch-hitting appearance in the playoffs, striking out in Game 3 against Atlee Hammaker.

Will Terry Pendleton play?

Pendleton, the Cardinals’ third baseman and second-leading run producer, suffered a sprained ankle last week during a workout in San Francisco and missed one start.

He pulled a muscle in his left side Wednesday night while running to third base on a second-inning single, then left the game an inning later.

“Terry is a gamer,” Herzog said. “He played in 158 games in (each of) the last two years. He didn’t want to come out tonight, but after trying it for an inning, he came to me and said he couldn’t make it. Knowing Terry, he’ll play.”

If not, either Tom Lawless or perhaps Jose Oquendo will start at third base.

Although several batting and pitching records for league championship series play were tied in this series, only two records were set. Both had to do with fielding.

The Giants set a playoff record with 10 double plays, and the teams combined for a record 15 double plays. This should not come as a surprise, since the Giants led the National League in double plays this season.

Kevin Mitchell, the Giants’ third baseman, unthinkingly borrowed teammate Jeffrey Leonard’s warmup jacket with “Hac-Man” stitched across the back. After receiving taunts from the fans while running sprints in the outfield, Mitchell made it back to the dugout unscathed and changed jackets.

“I wanted to take it off before I got sniped at,” Mitchell said, smiling.

Craig, however, said he rates St. Louis fans among the best and most polite in the league.

“There are a lot worse, let me tell you,” Craig said. “Normally, they are good. Jeffrey brings a lot of that on himself. But I told him not to change because he plays better when he stirs it up. But the fans shouldn’t be throwing things at him. We threatened (Tuesday night) to pull the team off (the field).”

The letters to the editor in Wednesday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch included one from a San Franciscan who attended Games 1 and 2 at Busch Stadium.

“St. Louis is surely one of the class cities in America. Everyone I saw was courteous, friendly and hospitable--especially the Cardinals. Although I’m a fan of the Giants, I truly left my heart in your warm and gracious city.

“Good luck and thank you all for a most happy stopover and good memories about St. Louis.”

The letter was from Mayor Dianne Feinstein of San Francisco, who obviously mailed it before the treatment Leonard got at Games 6 and 7.

Once again, the World Series won’t be West vs. West.

Since divisional play began, there have only been two matching champions of both West Divisions: Oakland vs. Cincinnati in 1972 and Oakland vs. the Dodgers in 1974.

Times staff writer Mike Downey contributed to this story.