Nail Biting Time

As for the Yankees, "All I want," says Torre, "is a healthy David Cone."

After missing a month with tendinitis in his right shoulder, Cone threw five innings last Saturday against Toronto and allowed two earned runs. Torre intends to use him in Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 4. Though he is 32-22 in his career in September and October, Cone's stamina and sharpness remain in question. With Cone and lefthander Andy Pettitte (18-7, 2.86 ERA) giving him a formidable duo, Torre will have to give one start either to Wells, lefty Kenny Rogers or righthanders Dwight Gooden or Ramiro Mendoza. Through Sunday, Wells was 0-5 in his last six starts and Rogers and Gooden were a combined 2-3 with a 5.96 ERA this month.

Cox, meanwhile, has no such worries about his rotation. Atlanta ended the week on a 10-4 run during which its starters had a 2.05 ERA. Smoltz and Glavine shut down the Montreal Expos last Friday and Saturday, respectively, allowing a total of two runs on seven hits. To Turner's relief, the bullpen door remained as closed as North Korea. "It's still our blessing," Smoltz says of the depth of" Atlanta's starters. "For most teams the first round is like the World Series. We're built for the long haul."