WORLD SERIES NOTES

National League umpire Gerry Davis is scheduled to work behind the plate for Game 6 tonight, and Yankee starter Jimmy Key believes that may favor Brave pitcher Greg Maddux.

“I need to adjust to his strike zone,” Key said. “The last time I pitched [in Game 2], I didn’t fit my pitches into what the umpire was calling. That’s a little advantage for Greg, because [Davis] knows what he’s throwing and Greg knows how [Davis] calls a game.”

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Yankee General Manager Bob Watson was barbecued by the New York press for his August deal that brought injured reliever Graeme Lloyd and utility player Pat Listach to New York, but Lloyd’s remarkable comeback in the playoffs--the left-hander has given up one hit and no runs in five innings--has helped vindicate Watson.

Manager Joe Torre has also gone out of his way this week to praise Watson for the job he has done this year, particularly swinging the deals that brought Lloyd, reliever David Weathers and third baseman Charlie Hayes to New York. Watson has admitted his job may be in jeopardy.

“I’m not sure if public opinion is going to make a difference,” Torre said. “I just want people to know that after all the abuse Bob has taken, that when things go right, he should get the credit.”