NOTES

They grew up together in Los Angeles, and they’ve graciously shared the Yankee designated hitter job for the last several weeks, but when the World Series begins Saturday night in Atlanta, both Chili Davis and Darryl Strawberry will be on the bench because the DH isn’t used in the National League park.

Most American League managers would say that gives the Braves an advantage, because Atlanta is more accustomed to playing without the DH, and when the Series shifts to New York for Games 3, 4 and 5, the Braves can insert an extra hitter, almost as an added bonus, into their lineup.

The Yankees never seem to be at a disadvantage in National League parks, though. They have won their last five World Series games on the road, two in San Diego in 1998 and three in Atlanta in 1996.

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Yankee Manager Joe Torre said he will go with a rotation of Orlando Hernandez, David Cone, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, meaning that Pettitte would start a Game 7 and Clemens, who was expected to be the team’s ace when the Yankees traded David Wells for him, will start only once in the Series.