CLEVELAND vs. BALTIMORE

SCHEDULE

* Today--Cleveland (Charles Nagy 17-5) at Baltimore (David Wells 11-14), 10 a.m., ESPN.

* Wednesday--Cleveland (Orel Hershiser 15-9) at Baltimore (Scott Erickson 13-12), 10 a.m., ESPN.

* Friday--Baltimore (Mike Mussina 19-11) at Cleveland (Jack McDowell 13-9), 1 p.m., ESPN.

* Saturday--(If necessary) Baltimore at Cleveland, 10 a.m., ESPN or ESPN2.

* Sunday--(If necessary) Baltimore at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m., Channel 11.

RECORDS

Cleveland 99-62, Baltimore 88-74

HEAD TO HEAD

Cleveland won season series, 7-5

INDIANS AT A GLANCE

STARTING LINEUP

Pos: CF

Player: Kenny Lofton

Avg: .317

*

Pos: DH

Player: Kevin Seitzer

Avg: .326

*

Pos: 3B

Player: Jim Thome

Avg: .311

*

Pos: LF

Player: Albert Belle

Avg: .311

*

Pos: 1B

Player: Julio Franco

Avg: .322

*

Pos: RF

Player: Manny Ramirez

Avg: .309

*

Pos: 2B

Player: Jeff Kent

Avg: .265

*

Pos: C

Player: Sandy Alomar

Avg: .263

*

Pos: SS

Player: Omar Vizquel

Avg: .297

* Analysis: The Indians won the American League Central title and led the majors in victories for the second consecutive season. Lost in six games to Atlanta in World Series last year. Team batting average and earned-run average led the league. Lofton led the majors in stolen bases. Belle led the league in runs batted in. Nagy’s 3.41 ERA was third-best in the league. They field well and the bench is stronger than in ’95. Plus, there’s a sense of unfinished business after last year’s World Series loss. If there’s a weakness here it’s difficult to find.

* Key reserves: Outfielder Brian Giles (.355 in 51 games), outfielder Casey Candaele (.250 in 24 games), infielder Jose Vizcaino (.285).

* Team batting: .293, tops in the majors.

* Team pitching: 4.34 ERA, best in the American League.

ORIOLES AT A GLANCE

STARTING LINEUP

Pos: CF

Player: Brady Anderson

Avg: .297

*

Pos: 2B

Player: Roberto Alomar

Avg: .328

*

Pos: 3B

Player: Todd Zeile

Avg: .239

*

Pos: 1B

Player: Rafael Palmeiro

Avg: .289

*

Pos: RF

Player: Bobby Bonilla

Avg: .287

*

Pos: SS

Player: Cal Ripken Jr.

Avg: .278

*

Pos: DH

Player: Eddie Murray

Avg: .260

*

Pos: LF

Player: B.J. Surhoff

Avg: .292

*

Pos: C

Player: Chris Hoiles

Avg: .258

* Analysis: The Orioles are making their first postseason appearance since winning the 1983 World Series, Ripken’s second full season in the majors. Set a major league record by hitting 257 home runs, breaking the 1961 Yankees’ mark of 240. Every player in the lineup hit 20 or more homers with Murray and Zeile hitting a majority of their homers for other teams. Murray, acquired from Cleveland, added much-needed experience and leadership for the stretch drive. Pitching is biggest shortcoming.

* Key reserves: Outfielder Mike Devereaux (.229 in 127 games), outfielder Pete Incaviglia (.303 in 12 games), infielder Bill Ripken (.230 in 57 games).

* Team batting: .274 average, 10th in American League; 257 homers, tops in major league history.

* Team pitching: 5.14 ERA, ninth in league.

KEY TO THE SERIES

Can either offense be stopped? Cleveland has superior pitching, led by Nagy, Hershiser and closer Jose Mesa, who had 39 saves. Hershiser is 5-1 with a 1.64 ERA in 13 postseason starts. Chad Ogea (10-6 in 29 appearances) can start or relieve. Aside from Mussina, the Orioles can’t match up. Wells was 0-1, giving up 21 earned runs and eight homers in 13 2/3 innings in his final three starts. Closer Randy Myers had 31 saves, but wasn’t impressive. Reliever Alan Mills has a strained groin and isn’t likely to pitch until Game 3. Add hitter-friendly ballparks--Baltimore’s Camden Yards and Cleveland’s Jacobs Field--to the mix and this series could become a home-run hitting contest. Pitching gives the Indians the edge.