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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 21, 2000
1. Chuck Knoblauch, DH
Key stat: .361 post-season OBP
2. Derek Jeter, SS
Key stat: .400 post-season OBP
3. David Justice, LF
Key stat: .227 post-season avg.
4. Bernie Williams, CF
Key stat: Hit .151 in past Series
5. Tino Martinez, 1B
Key stat: .364 post-season avg.
6. Jorge Posada, C
Key stat: .194 post-season avg.
7. Paul O'Neill, RF
Key stat: .348 avg. vs. left-handers
8. Scott Brosius, 3B
Key stat: 1 post-season RBI
9. Jose Vizcaino, 2B
Key stat: 2 post-season at-bats
The Yankees have a tremendous edge in World Series experience, with the bulk of the club having gone through this many times. That may not matter much, but it can be a big deal if things start to go bad. Plus, they've won 12 straight Series games.
The rotation is stocked with big-game hunters. Orlando Hernandez is 8-0 in the post-season, Roger Clemens is coming off a one-hit, 15-strikeout performance, and Andy Pettitte might be the best of them all. Potential Game 4 starter David Cone is worn down but wily.
David Justice has been a key contributor since being acquired June 29 from Cleveland, and he came up bigger than ever in the ALCS. He hit left-handers better than right-handers this year (.321 to .299), which will help against the Mets' Al Leiter and Mike Hampton.
The Yankees are committed to using Chuck Knoblauch at second base for the DH-less games at Shea Stadium, and that could be interesting. His erratic arm can make the whole team tense.
MARC TOPKIN'S PICK: Mets in 6.
GARY SHELTON'S PICK: Yankees in 7.