THE MATCHUPS

FIRST BASE

Will Clark, Giants: Just missed becoming first Giant since Willie Mays in 1954 to win batting title. Has 90 or more RBIs in each of his first three seasons and is one of best defensive first baseman in game. He is the Giants’ leader and clutch hitter.

Mark Grace, Cubs: Also a Gold Glove candidate, and has some power. Hit seven home runs--all on the road. Player of the Month in July with five home runs and 24 RBIs.

Edge to Giants.

SECOND BASE

Robby Thompson, Giants: Known as a contact hitter, he struck out 133 times, highest on the club. However, he was bothered by several nagging injuries. Among the best at making the pivot on the double play.

Ryne Sandberg, Cubs: Offensively, the key for the Cubs. Got hot at midseason and carried team through the time it usually fades. Played in 90 consecutive games without making an error to set major league record for second baseman.

Edge to Cubs.

THIRD BASE

Matt Williams, Giants: Was sent back to minors early in season. Didn’t hit for average but is dangerous power hitter (18 home runs). Opposing pitchers found it difficult to pitch around Kevin Mitchell for fear Williams might hit it out.

Vance Law, Luis Salazar, Cubs: Law didn’t match last season’s .293 average. Salazar, who can play almost every position, had three game-winning hits after he was acquired from the Padres.

Slight edge to Giants.

SHORTSTOP

Jose Uribe, Giants: Made 18 errors, but is usually steady in the field. Not an automatic out, but close.

Shawon Dunston, Cubs: Reaches balls most shortstops wouldn’t think of trying for. And he has the one of the best arms in baseball. Can be erratic and sometimes undisciplined with the bat. Along with Sandberg, got red-hot at midseason.

Edge to Cubs.

CATCHER

Terry Kennedy, Giants: Although his skills have diminished, he can provide a clutch hit or two. Cubs will run on him whenever possible.

Rick Wrona, Joe Girardi, Cubs: Both have shown their inexperience while filling in for injured Damon Berryhill.

In playoffs, this could be a problem and gives slight edge to Giants.

LEFT FIELD

Kevin Mitchell, Giants: With 47 home runs and 125 RBIs, he is leading candidate for NL MVP. Hit nine home runs in May and Giants went 17-10. In June, he hit 10 home runs and team won 18 of 28. Giants went into first place for good on June 17.

Dwight Smith: Rookie got his chance when Mitch Webster and Andre Dawson went on disabled list. Ended up as starter and played particularly well against the New York Mets.

Edge to Giants.

CENTER FIELD

Brett Butler, Giants: Along with Thompson, ignites the offense. Especially adept at getting bunt singles. Is an excellent defensive player and has an accurate arm.

Jerome Wilson, Cubs: Candidate for Rookie of the Year, had a 30-game hitting streak, the club’s longest since 1900. Had 30 infield hits, including 18 bunt singles. Bothered by tightness in right hamstring the last two weeks of season.

Edge: Even.

RIGHT FIELD

Candy Maldonado, Pat Sheridan, Giants: Maldonado, never a good defensive player, slumped at the plate. Sheridan is better defensively and has a little more power. A problem spot for Giants.

Andre Dawson, Cubs: Cubs need his bat if they are to win. At 35, had surgery in May on right knee and missed 33 games. Returned June 13 and was slow coming back.

Edge to Cubs.

PITCHING

STARTERS: Scott Garrelts, Rick Reuschel, Kelly Downs, Mike LaCoss, Don Robinson, Giants: Manager Roger Craig has worked magic with a staff hit by injuries. In all, the Giants have used 15 pitchers this season. Garrelts, a converted reliever, won the ERA title with a 2.28 mark. Reuschel (17-8) hasn’t been physically sound since the All-Star break and Robinson is hurting, too.

STARTERS: Greg Maddux, Mike Bielecki, Rick Sutcliffe, Scott Sanderson, Cubs: Bielecki (10-7) was the big surprise on Chicago staff. Sutcliffe had a tender arm the last month, but will pitch in playoffs.

Edge to Cubs.

BULLPEN: Steve Bedrosian, Craig Lefferts, Jeff Brantley, Giants: Since coming from the Phillies in June, Bedrosian has 17 saves.

BULLPEN: Mitch Williams, Les Lancaster, Paul Kilgus, Steve Wilson, Cubs: Williams had 36 saves and Lancaster a 30 2/3-inning scoreless streak. The Cubs, who had 29 saves in 1988, have a slight edge.

BENCH

Ken Oberkfell, Ernest Riles, Giants: Oberkfell set club record with 18 pinch-hits and Riles can play several positions and hit.

Lloyd McClendon, Luis Salazar, Curtis Wilkerson, Marvell Wynne, Mitch Webster, Domingo Ramos, Cubs: McClendon played first, third and left field. Cubs were 44-25 in games he started.

Chicago’s bench may be the difference. A big edge to Cubs.

MANAGERS

Roger Craig, Giants: Known as the guru of the split-finger fastball, he turned the Giants into winners in 1986 (83-79). In 1987 the club came within a game of going to the World Series.

Don Zimmer, Cubs: The players love him. “You never know what Don is going to do, it’s fun baseball,” says Sandberg. Zimmer will hit-and-run with the bases loaded and try a squeeze in the second inning.

The Giants’ experience and power, however, gives Craig the edge.