WORLD SERIES : CINCINNATI REDS vs. OAKLAND ATHLETICS : HOW THEY MATCH UP : GAME 1 STARTING PITCHERS

Jose Rijo, Reds

Rijo, traded by Oakland to Cincinnati after the 1987 season for Dave Parker, was 14-8 and had a 1.27 ERA in nine starts down the stretch. Started twice in the playoffs and was so-so. Tom Browning, an exceptionally fast worker, was 15-9 and 1-1 in the playoffs. Danny Jackson was 6-6 and on the disabled list three times. He pitched well in two starts in the playoffs.

Dave Stewart, Athletics

Stewart, a 20-game winner for four consecutive seasons, has emerged as the best big-game pitcher in baseball. He is 7-1 in postseason, including two victories and the MVP trophy in the playoffs. Was MVP of last year’s World Series with two victories. Bob Welch is a 27-game winner. Mike Moore was 2-0 in World Series last year and won his only start of the playoffs.

RELIEF PITCHER Randy Myers, Reds

Cincinnati relievers converted 79% of their save chances and gave up only one earned run in 18 1/3 innings in the playoffs. Rob Dibble and Myers shared the MVP award in the playoffs. Myers, a left-hander, saved three games and pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Norm Charlton began the season as a stopper, filled in as a starter and is back in the bullpen as a setup man.

Dennis Eckersley, Athletics

Oakland’s bullpen converted 90% of its save opportunities and had a 2.35 ERA this season, and then worked 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs. Eckersley saved 48 of 50 chances, had an 0.61 ERA (0.24 on road) and has unintentionally walked only six batters in his last 131 innings. Rick Honeycutt is a left-handed specialist and Gene Nelson had a 1.57 ERA as setup man.

CATCHER Joe Oliver, Reds

Oliver, a right-hander hitter, batted only .231, but hit eight homers and drove in 52 runs in 121 games. Jeff Reed, a left-handed batter, hit .251 with three homers and 16 runs batted in. Neither did much at the plate in the playoffs. Oliver committed 16 passed balls, Reed had three and Reds catchers threw out only 60 of 195 (31%) opposing base stealers.

Terry Steinbach, Athletics

Steinbach had 57 RBIs in the No. 7 slot this season, hit .455 in the playoffs and batted .296 in last year’s World Series. Ron Hassey belongs to Bob Welch, catching 67 of his past 69 starts. Hit only .213, lowest since his rookie season. Steinbach had six passed balls, Hassey had five and Oakland catchers combined to throw out 44 of 117 (38%) base stealers.

FIRST BASE Hal Morris, Reds

Rookie hit .340 with 36 RBIs in 309 at-bats. Hit .417 in the playoffs. Began season with Cincinnati, but sent to minors after getting only 27 at-bats in the first two months. Returned to majors on June 19 and replaced Todd Benzinger as the regular first baseman around the All-Star break. Another of the many former New York Yankee prospects in the majors.

Mark McGwire, Athletics

Hit 39 homers with 108 RBIs, and is the only major leaguer to hit 30 homers in each of his first four seasons. Batted only .235, but 110 walks gave him a .370 on-base average. Rebounded from one-for-17 slump in ’88 World Series to hit .294 in last year’s sweep. Hit .154 in the playoffs. Excellent fielder, and at 6-5 can stretch to catch bad throws.

SECOND BASE Mariano Duncan, Reds

Contributes more with bat than glove. Hit .306, and his 11 triples were the most by a Red since Vada Pinson in 1967. Also had 22 doubles and 10 home runs. Can be flashy and can also make errors; fielded .973. Hit .300 in the playoffs and drove in four runs, tied for team lead. Split time with newcomer Bill Doran in final month, but Doran is out with back trouble.

Willie Randolph, Athletics

Acquired from Dodgers in May and batted .257 in platoon role. Became a starter in the playoffs because of an injury to Walt Weiss. Tied for team lead in the playoffs with three RBIs. A step slower at age 36, and that could show on turf. Still turns the double play nicely and was a .982 fielder. Batted .158 in three World Series with the Yankees.

THIRD BASE Chris Sabo, Reds

On a team with Eric Davis, he led Cincinnati with 25 home runs, one more than he hit in the last three years combined in the majors and minors. Also led club in runs scored with 95. Batted .270 with 71 RBIs, 38 doubles and stole 25 bases. Hit .227 in playoffs. Average fielder at .966. Nicknamed “Spuds” for his likeness to the famous beer mascot.

Carney Lansford, Athletics

Often a forgotten man in Oakland’s powerful lineup, he always plays well in big games. Batted only .268 during regular season and was successful on only 16 of 30 steal tries. Hit .300 on turf, .263 on grass. Batted .438 in the playoffs and is career .337 hitter in postseason. Reliable fielder at .970, although not exceptionally quick down the line.

SHORTSTOP Barry Larkin, Reds

Has quickly developed into one of best all-around offensive players in majors. Hit .301 with 67 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Led the team with 185 hits. He has a little power, with seven home runs. Could be more patient, drawing only 49 walks in 614 at-bats. Hit .261 with three steals in playoffs. Covers a lot of ground and fielded .977, same as Gallego.

Mike Gallego, Athletics

Did not start in last year’s World Series and gets chance this time because Walt Weiss is out. Usually a second baseman, played only 38 games at shortstop. A good fielder on grass, although his arm is not as strong as Weiss’ and that could result in some infield hits on balls to the hole on turf. Batted .206 in regular season and zoomed to .400 in playoffs.

LEFT FIELD Eric Davis, Reds

Was batting .224 on Aug. 19, but a late surge raised him to .260 with 24 homers and 86 RBIs. Stole 21 bases and was caught only three times. Went four for 23 (.174) in the playoffs and struck out nine times. Moved from center field to left in late August to help rest his ailing knees. Is capable of big plays--and bad ones; made both in the playoffs.

Rickey Henderson, Athletics

Batted .325, including .432 on turf. Hit 28 home runs, drew 97 walks, stole 65 bases and led majors with 119 runs. Batted .294 in playoffs and was caught stealing for the first time in 14 postseason attempts. Hit .474 with three steals in last year’s World Series. Loves to talk to fans when he’s in the field and in the on-deck circle. Has gotten better with the glove.

CENTER FIELD Billy Hatcher, Reds

Hit .276, including 29 infield hits, with 30 stolen bases during the season. Batted .333 in the playoffs. Came to Cincinnati a week before the season started from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers. Was scheduled to platoon in left field and took over in center when Davis was injured. Made only one error in 131 games. Herm Winningham could also play here.

Dave Henderson, Athletics

As in the playoffs, both Henderson and Willie McGee could start, McGee on turf and Henderson at home. McGee won the NL batting title at .335 and is familiar with the Reds. Henderson is one of the best postseason players ever, hitting .306 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 32 games. McGee hit .274 after being acquired from St. Louis on Aug. 29.

RIGHT FIELD Paul O’Neill, Reds

Not a slugger of Canseco’s stature, although he also helps on offense and defense. Batted .270 with 16 home runs and 78 RBIs in the regular season and was the Reds’ best hitter in the playoffs at .471 with three doubles, a homer and four RBIs. Had 12 assists--Cincinnati’s outfield led the majors with 47--and added three more in the playoffs.

Jose Canseco, Athletics

Is he ready or not? Missed 31 games because of back problems and is not swinging well; batted .182 in playoffs. Hit 37 homers with 101 RBIs, but has not homered since Sept. 16. Is an excellent fielder with a powerful arm, if uninjured. Which World Series performance will he duplicate--the one for 19 of 1988 or the five for 14 (.357) from last year?

DESIGNATED HITTER Todd Benzinger, Reds

Benzinger, a switch-hitter, batted .253 with 46 RBIs and was three for nine in the playoffs. Was 0 for 15 as a pinch-hitter this year. Glenn Braggs, a right-handed hitter, batted .299 with 28 RBIs as a platoon outfielder after Cincinnati got him from Milwaukee in June. A notoriously poor fielder, he made the biggest play of the playoffs on defense with a game-saving catch.

Harold Baines, Athletics

Has been a full-time DH for the past four seasons. He hit .284 overall, yet only .266 after being traded by Texas on Aug. 29. Had 16 home runs and 65 RBIs. Also grounded into 17 double plays. Batted .357 in the playoffs. First World Series in 11th season. White Sox retired his number. DH will be used only in three games in Oakland, look for Baines as a pinch-hitter.