GAME REPORT

SERIES AT A GLANCE

SCHEDULE

* Today--Florida (Kevin Brown, 16-8) at Atlanta (Greg Maddux, 19-4), 5 p.m., Channel 4.

* Wednesday--Florida (Alex Fernandez, 17-12) at Atlanta (Tom Glavine, 14-7), 1 p.m., Channel 4.

* Friday--Atlanta (John Smoltz, 15-12) at Florida (Tony Saunders, 4-6), 5 p.m., Channel 4.

* Saturday--Atlanta (Denny Neagle, 20-5) at Florida (Brown), 4:30 p.m., Channel 4.

* Sunday--(if necessary) Atlanta at Florida, 1 p.m., Channel 4.

* Tuesday--(if necessary) Florida at Atlanta, 5 p.m., Channel 4.

* Wednesday--(if necessary) Florida at Atlanta, 5 p.m., Channel 4.

RECORDS

Florida 92-70, Atlanta 101-61.

HEAD TO HEAD

Florida won season series, 8-4.

MARLINS AT A GLANCE

STARTING LINEUP

*--*

Pos. Player Avg. 2B Craig Counsell .299 SS Edgar Renteria .277 RF Gary Sheffield .250 3B Bobby Bonilla .297 LF Moises Alou .292 1B Jeff Conine .242 C Charles Johnson .250 CF Devon White .245 P Kevin Brown 16-8

*--*

* ANALYSIS: The fifth-year Marlins are playing as if they’ve been to this neighborhood before--the vacationing Giants won’t argue--although this is their first postseason appearance. Florida swept San Francisco in a stirring three-game series that captivated South Florida. Florida clearly had the superior talent in the division series, overwhelming the Giants at every key moment in winning each game after trailing. Alou, Bonilla and Fernandez, high-profile free-agent acquisitions, did what was expected of them, making owner Wayne Huizenga feel about as good as anyone could who gambled $89 million.

* KEY RESERVES: Infielder Kurt Abbott (.274 in 94 games), outfielder Jim Eisenreich (.280 in 120 games), infielder-outfielder Darren Daulton (.263 in 136 games).

* TEAM BATTING: .259 average, eighth in National League.

* TEAM PITCHING: 3.76 ERA, fourth in National League.

BRAVES AT A GLANCE

STARTING LINEUPS

*--*

Pos. Player Avg. CF Kenny Lofton .333 SS Jeff Blauser .308 3B Chipper Jones .295 1B Fred McGriff .277 LF Ryan Klesko .261 C Javy Lopez .295 RF Michael Tucker .283 2B Keith Lockhart .279 P Greg Maddux 19-4

*--*

* ANALYSIS: Here they go again. The two-time defending NL champions are comfortable in their surroundings, having played in the previous five league championship series and won four. The Braves tuned up for this, the second leg of their almost annual postseason journey, by sweeping the overmatched Houston Astros in the division series. Pitching, as always, is the Braves’ strength, and Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz were typically impressive against the Astros. They were so efficient that Neagle, among the leading candidates for the Cy Young award, didn’t have the opportunity to face Houston. Manager Bobby Cox is an old hand at finding the right combinations at this time of season.

* KEY RESERVES: Outfielder Andruw Jones (.231, 18 home runs, 70 RBIs in 153 games), infielder Tony Graffanino (.258 in 104 games), infielder Greg Colbrunn (.278 in 28 games).

* TEAM BATTING: .270, third in National League.

* TEAM PITCHING: 3.18 ERA, led major leagues.

KEY TO THE SERIES

The Marlins gave the Braves fits, pushing Atlanta in the East Division before winding up with the wild-card berth. Each team is stacked with big-time talent, and led by a manager who misses little. The difference between these division foes isn’t much. The difference in the series? How about a few unexpected inspired performances. Surprising though it may seem, Saunders has handled the Braves with ease. The rookie left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA against Atlanta, including two victories in a week. The Marlins’ dominance during the regular season should give the Braves something to consider. But remember, the New York Mets defeated the Dodgers in 11 of 12 games in 1988--then lost to the Dodgers in the championship series. Regardless, Atlanta still is the favorite. The Braves have been here and done this too many times to discount their experience, and they have home-field advantage. Brace yourself, though, this could be a wild ride.