NEW YORK VS. TEXAS

NEW YORK AT A GLANCE

Lineup

*--*

2B Chuck Knoblauch .292 SS Derek Jeter .349 RF Paul O’Neill .285 CF Bernie Williams .342 1B Tino Martinez .263 DH Darryl Strawberry .327 C Jorge Posada .245 LF Ricky Ledee .276 3B Scott Brosius .247

*--*

* Analysis: New York may not be the juggernaut it was last year, when the Yankees won a record 125 games en route to their 24th World Series title, but it’s not too shabby, either. The Yankees won 98 games, finished first for the 37th time in franchise history and had the best record in the American League for the second consecutive season. Still, seldom has a team looked so good yet so ho-hum in taking care of business. Many believe the Yankees, with a shortage of offense coming off the bench and a pitching rotation growing older by the outing, are susceptible.

* Key Reserves: DH/OF Chili Davis (.269), OF Chad Curtis (.262), C Joe Girardi (.239).

* Team batting average: .282 (4th in the AL).

* Team pitching: 4.13 ERA (2nd in the AL).

*

TEXAS AT A GLANCE

Lineup

*--*

2B Mark McLemore .274 C Ivan Rodriguez .332 LF Rusty Greer .300 RF Juan Gonzalez .326 1B Rafael Palmeiro .324 3B Todd Zeile .293 DH Lee Stevens .282 SS Royce Clayton .288 CF Tom Goodwin .259

*--*

* Analysis: In the playoffs, the Rangers have been like the neighborhood bully who turns to mush when confronted. The offensive monster during the regular season goes gently into the night. Texas fans hope the return of Palmeiro, who had an MVP-type year with triple-crown numbers, not only strengthened the middle of the lineup, but will also provide a realistic chance at beating the Yankees. The Rangers led the majors in batting average, .293; hits, 1,653; total bases, 2,705, and slugging percentage, .480, while scoring a franchise-record 945 runs--second in the league behind Cleveland.

* Key reserves: INF Luis Alicea (.201), OF Roberto Kelly (.300), INF Jon Shave (.288).

* Team batting average: .293 (1st in the AL).

* Team pitching: 5.07 ERA (11th in the AL).

KEYS TO THE SERIES

Much has been made of Texas’ power and New York’s craftiness, but this series will come down to the Ranger pitching. Texas’ offense, with Palmeiro in the middle of the lineup, is sure to score runs this time around. The only other real question is whether the Rangers have grown mentally from their postseason flops against the Yankees.

* Records: Yankees, 98-64; Rangers 95-67.

* Head to Head: Yankees won season series, 8-4.