New York vs. Texas

SCHEDULE

Tuesday--Texas (Stottlemyre 5-4) at New York (Wells 18-4), 5 p.m.

Wednesday--Texas (Helling 20-7) at New York (Pettitte 16-11), 5 p.m.

Friday--New York (Cone 20-7) at Texas (Sele 19-11), 5 p.m.

Saturday--New York at Texas, if necessary

Oct. 4--Texas at New York, if necessary

STARTING LINEUPS

Texas

Tom Goodwin, cf, .288, 101 runs

Mark McLemore, 2b, .247, .369 OB%

Rusty Greer, lf, .304, 105 runs

Juan Gonzalez, rf, .318, 45 HRs

Will Clark, dh, .305, 102 RBIs

Ivan Rodriguez, c, .321, 21 HRs

Lee Stevens, 1b, .265, 19 HRs

Todd Zeile, 3b, .266, 6 HRs

Royce Clayton, ss, .284

*

New York

Chuck Knoblauch, 2b, .264, 116 runs

Derek Jeter, ss, .325, 126 runs

Paul O’Neill, rf, .317, 115 RBIs

Bernie Williams, cf, .337, 26 HRs

Tino Martinez, 1b, .281, 122 RBIs

Chili Davis, dh, .283, .363 OB%

Jorge Posada, c, .271, 17 HRs

Chad Curtis, lf, .242, 21 steals

Scott Brosius, 3b, .302, 98 RBIs

* Postseason history: Texas--1 appearance, 0 World Series championships. New York--37 appearances, 23 championships (last one--1996).

* Team batting: Texas--.288 (1st in AL); New York--.287 (2nd).

* Team pitching: Texas--4.98 ERA (12th in AL), Starters ERA--5.42 ERA (last), Bullpen ERA--4.06 (5th); New York--3.85 ERA (1st in AL), Starters ERA--3.89 (1st), Bullpen ERA--3.74 (1st).

* Season series: New York won season series, 8-3.

* Key statistic: Yankees hit .335 with 22 homers in the 11 games against Texas this season.

* Key players: For Texas, Tom Goodwin and Mark McLemore. They have to get on base often to give the Rangers’ dangerous 3-4-5-6 hitters a chance to do some damage. For New York, David Cone. Ace of the Yankee staff will be called upon to pitch the most important games.

* Most probable surprise stars: For Texas, Mike Simms. Always a threat against left-handed pitchers. He has 16 homers this season. For New York, Scott Brosius. Often overlooked during the great season the Yankees have had, he has rebounded from an awful 1997.