ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996 TAG: 9610010014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping last year's playoff patterns hold true again this season.
In all six matchups in 1995, the team that won the head-to-head series in the regular season also won when they played in the postseason.
The NL Central champion Cardinals want to continue their success against San Diego when they open their best-of-five series Tuesday in Busch Stadium.
Todd Stottlemyre will pitch the opener for St.Louis against Joey Hamilton.
The Dodgers wound up as the NL wild card, and will face the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves. That series starts Wednesday in Los Angeles, with John Smoltz pitching for Atlanta against Ramon Martinez.
The Braves are playing in their fifth consecutive postseason, although they went just 5-7 against Los Angeles.
In the AL, the East champion New York Yankees will be at home Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers, making their first-ever playoff appearance.
David Cone starts for New York while John Burkett pitches for the AL West champion Rangers, who were 7-5 against the Yankees.
The AL Central champion Cleveland Indians will be in Baltimore for Game 1 Tuesday. The Indians were 7-5 against the Orioles this year.
Charles Nagy will start the opener for Cleveland against David Wells.
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB