CHICAGO vs. SEATTLE

Today: Seattle (Garcia 9-5) at Chicago (Parque, 13-6), 1 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday: Seattle (Abbott 9-7) at Chicago (Sirotka 15-10), 10 a.m., ESPN

Friday: Chicago (Baldwin 14-7) at Seattle (Sele 17-10), 1 p.m., ESPN

* Saturday: Chicago at Seattle, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11

* Sunday: Seattle at Chicago, TBA

* If necessary All times PDT

SEATTLE AT A GLANCE

Lineup

*--*

Po Player HR RBI Avg. LF Mike Cameron 19 78 .267 CF Stan Javier 5 40 .275 SS Alex Rodriguez 41 132 .316 DH Edgar Martinez 37 145 .324 1B John Olerud 14 103 .285 RF Jay Buhner 26 82 .253 3B David Bell 11 47 .247 C Dan Wilson 5 27 .235 2B Mark McLemore 3 46 .245 P Freddy Garcia 9-5, 3.91 ERA

*--*

Analysis: Seattle let a seven-game August lead slip away and lost the AL West title to Oakland, but they finished strong in September and closed with two must-win victories over the Angels to gain the wild-card spot. Rodriguez had a huge series in Anaheim, knocking in seven runs in Saturday’s win and sparking Sunday’s win with a home run. Like its playoff teams of 1997 and 1995, Seattle has plenty of pop--Rodriguez, Martinez and Buhner combined for 104 home runs and 359 RBIs. But this is a more balanced offense that can steal bases, hit and run, go from first to third on singles and manufacture runs better. Unlike past Mariner teams, playoff or otherwise, Seattle has a superior bullpen featuring Kazuhiro Sasaki, the Japanese closer who has a wicked forkball; left-hander Arthur Rhodes, who has been invaluable in a setup role; and Jose Paniagua, the hard-throwing right-hander.

* Key reserves: OF Al Martin (4 HR, 9 RBI, .285), INF Carlos Guillen (7, 42, .257), C Joe Oliver (10, 35, .265), OF Raul Ibanez (2, 15, .229).

* Team batting: .269 (11th in AL)

* Team pitching: 4.49 ERA (2nd)

CHICAGO AT GLANCE

Lineup

*--*

Po Player HR RBI Avg. 2B Ray Durham 17 75 .280 SS Jose Valentin 25 92 .273 DH Frank Thomas 43 143 .328 RF Magglio Ordonez 32 126 .315 LF Carlos Lee 24 92 .301 3B Herbert Perry 12 62 .302 1B Paul Konerko 21 97 .298 CF Chris Singleton 11 62 .254 C Charles Johnson 31 91 .304 P Jim Parque 13-6, 4.28 ERA

*--*

Analysis: Sirotka, the ace left-hander who has been slowed by an elbow injury, tested his arm during a workout Monday and said he felt strong enough to pitch, but Manager Jerry Manuel pushed him back to Game 2 and will start Parque, another left-hander, in Game 1. Sean Lowe, a converted reliever, will probably be the third starter if James Baldwin, slowed by a sore shoulder for much of September, can’t pitch. The White Sox have a relentless offense that combines good speed at the top of the order with Durham and lethal power in the middle with Valentin, Thomas and Ordonez, who have combined for 100 home runs and 361 RBIs. Johnson, acquired from the Orioles at the trading deadline, has bolstered the defense with his strong arm, and also the offense at the bottom of the batting order. Chicago has one glaring weakness--defense. Valentin has made 36 errors at shortstop, and Lee has very little range and a weak throwing arm in left.

* Key reserves: OF Jeff Abbott (3 HR, 29 RBIs, .274), INF--Tony Graffanino (2 HR, 17 RBIs, .274), DH Harold Baines (11 HR, 39 RBIs, .254).

* Team batting: .286 (3rd in AL)

* Team pitching: 4.66 ERA (4th)

KEYS TO THE SERIES

Seattle’s home earned-run average (3.84) in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field is far better than its road ERA (5.20), so the Mariners must pitch better in Comiskey Park to have a chance. Another key will be how Parque and Sirotka handle a Mariner lineup that has power mostly from the right side. Defense always seems to play a more prominent role in the postseason, and Seattle’s infielders, with the exception of a rough August stretch, have been outstanding, while Chicago has struggled.

* Records: White Sox 95-67, Mariners 91-71

* Head to head: White Sox, 7-5.