Braves, Phillies to Try for Edge

America’s Team will play host to America’s most wanted tonight at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, where one of them could win the National League pennant at the conclusion of the next three games.

Atlanta accomplished what it wanted in Philadelphia, returning home Friday with a 1-1 split with the Phillies in the best-of-seven series. The Braves’ victory Thursday couldn’t have been more dominating--a 14-3 rocket launching in Game 2 that had Philadelphia’s Lenny Dykstra literally howling at the moon from center field.

Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox gave his team the day off, and most of the players hit the golf course. Some of the Phillies came grumbling into Atlanta’a Hartsfield International Airport because they were scheduled for a late afternoon workout.

The Phillies probably wanted a day off, said Manager Jim Fregosi. But because the team hadn’t played on grass for about three weeks, Fregosi felt they needed a short workout.

“I think the pressure is on them,” said left-hander Tom Glavine, a 22-game winner, who will start today for the Braves against left-hander Terry Mulholland, who threw only five innings in September because of a hip injury. “Now, we are 1-1 going home, and it puts us in the driver’s seat.”

After Thursday night’s beating, Fregosi, Darren Daulton and a nucleus of players stayed around the clubhouse until nearly 2 a.m., their usual closing time. They went over the game, as they always do. And Daulton said the team isn’t feeling pressure.

“If there was a positive in losing, we got beat in a laugher rather than a one-run loss or on an error,” he said. “We have faced two of the best pitchers in the league, and I don’t think anybody here ever said that we were going to sweep the Braves.

“It was one loss, and we have the opportunity to go out again. That’s all you need, the opportunity. What we have done this year hasn’t been easy.”

It doesn’t figure to get any easier for the Phillies. After Glavine--who has not pitched well in the playoffs--they will face John Smoltz on Sunday. He usually does his best pitching in the postseason.

“First, we face Steve Avery and Greg Maddux, then get a breather and get to face Glavine and Smoltz,” John Kruk said with a deadpan expression.

After Mulholland, the Braves will face Danny Jackson, whom they beat up in the playoffs last year, when he was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Phillies have had success against Glavine, who is 1-1 with an 8.27 earned-run average against them this season. They batted .313 against him. Mulholland is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA this season against the Braves, who batted .325 against him.

Mulholland says his body and arm are both well rested. “I’ve got a lot of quality work on the side,” he said. “I’m not insecure or worried about how I will do.”

A strongpoint for Mulholland is holding runners on base, even Brave leadoff hitter Otis Nixon, who is five for eight, with two runs scored and four runs batted in, for a .727 on-base percentage. Dykstra, Nixon’s counterpart, is two for eight, with two runs scored and one RBI, for a .400 on-base percentage. Neither has stolen a base.

“I can’t remember stealing a base on him, except on a hit and run,” Nixon said. “He makes it almost impossible for you to run against. You just have to find another way to beat him.”

The Braves are batting .309 in the series, the Phillies, .232. The only regular Brave not to get a hit is David Justice.

“If (Mulholland) lasts six innings, I will tip my cap to him,” Daulton said. “Then, we can turn it over to our bullpen.”

In Game 2, five Philadelphia relievers combined for an 8.10 ERA, facing 32 batters over 6 2/3 innings.

“You can make a joke,” Daulton said. “(But) we’re NL East champions. Scary as that may seem, we’re here. You go with what we got. We can’t change now. Obviously, somebody (in the bullpen) did the job to win the East.”