SERIES AT A GLANCE

All games on Channel 11 and PDT

Today: Atlanta (Greg Maddux, 0-0) at Arizona (Randy Johnson, 0-1), 1:15 p.m

Wednesday: Atlanta (Tom Glavine, 1-0) at Arizona (Miguel Batista, 1-0), 5:15 p.m.

Friday: Arizona (Curt Schilling, 2-0) at Atlanta (John Burkett, 1-0), 5:15 p.m.

Saturday: Arizona (Albie Lopez, 0-1) at Atlanta (Kevin Millwood, 0-0), 4:45 p.m.

Sunday: Arizona (Johnson) at Atlanta (Maddux), 4:45 p.m.*

Oct. 23: Atlanta (Glavine) at Arizona (Batista), 5:15 p.m.*

Oct. 24: Atlanta (Burkett) at Arizona (Schilling), 5:15 p.m.*

*If necessary

ATLANTA AT A GLANCE

Game 1 Lineup

*--*

Po Player HR RBI Avg 2B Marcus Giles 9 31 .262 1B Julio Franco 3 11 .300 3B Chipper Jones 38 102 .330 RF Brian Jordan 25 97 .295 LF Bernard Gilkey 2 14 .274 CF Andruw Jones 34 104 .251 SS Rey Sanchez 0 9 .227 C Paul Bako 2 15 .212

*--*

Pitcher: G. Maddux 17-11, 3.05 ERA

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS: Their experience. The Braves know how to win in the NL playoffs, as evidenced by their three-game sweep of the supposedly stronger Houston Astros in the division series. Maddux, Glavine and Burkett pitched well in the previous series, and No. 4 starter Millwood, added to the playoff roster, had success in the 1999 championship series. Chipper and Andruw Jones are hot at the right time for the Braves, and closer John Smoltz is a force.

WEAKNESSES: Brian Jordan batted only .182 against Houston. The cleanup batter might have to do much more this series. The bench is not especially deep, even with Gilkey starting in place of everyday left fielder B.J. Surhoff because the left-handed Randy Johnson is starting for Arizona.

KEY RESERVES: OF B.J. Surhoff (.271, 10 HRs, 58 RBIs), OF Dave Martinez (.287, 2, 20), IF Keith Lockhart (.219, 3, 12).

TEAM BATTING: .260 (ninth in NL)

TEAM PITCHING: 3.59 ERA (first)

ARIZONA AT A GLANCE

Game 1 Lineup

*--*

Po Player HR RBI Avg SS Tony Womack 3 30 .266 2B Craig Counsell 4 38 .275 LF Luis Gonzalez 57 142 .325 RF Reg. Sanders 33 90 .263 CF Steve Finley 14 73 .275 1B Mark Grace 15 78 .298 3B Matt Williams 16 65 .275 C Damian Miller 13 47 .271

*--*

Pitcher: R. Johnson 21-6, 2.49 ERA

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS: The hottest postseason pitcher in Curt Schilling. The right-hander overwhelmed the St. Louis Cardinals in the division series, tossing two complete-game victories, giving up only one run and striking out 18. Steve Finley provided a spark on offense with eight hits in 19 at-bats against St. Louis. And despite a 2-7 postseason record, Johnson must be listed in this category on intimidation alone.

WEAKNESSES: The Diamondbacks still have rotation problems behind Schilling and Johnson. Miguel Batista had a strong start in a playoff victory, but Albie Lopez was pounded in a defeat. Arizona relievers were effective in the division series, but they’re still a shaky bunch.

KEY RESERVES: INF Jay Bell (.248, 13 HRs, 46 RBI), OF David Dellucci

(.276, 10, 40), IF Erubiel Durazo (.269, 12, 38)

TEAM BATTING: .267 (fourth in NL)

TEAM PITCHING: 3.87 ERA (sixth)

KEYS TO THE SERIES

Who fares better in the starting matchup should determine the league’s World Series representative. The Braves seemingly have an edge because Maddux and Glavine have traveled this road often, but Johnson and Schilling won’t be intimidated by the Braves’ playoff success. The Diamondbacks need more clutch hits from Matt Williams, whose ninth-inning double in Game 5 against St. Louis led to the game-winning run, and the Braves need Chipper Jones to just keeping swinging as he did against Houston. Maddux and Glavine appear to have more rotation and bullpen help than their Arizona counterparts, and that could be the difference.

Records: Braves 88-74, Diamondbacks 92-70

Head to head: Diamondbacks, 5-2