NEW YORK AT A GLANCELineupLF Rickey Henderson:...

NEW YORK AT A GLANCE

Lineup

LF Rickey Henderson: .315

2B Edgardo Alfonzo: .305

1B John Olerud: .298

C Mike Piazza: .303

3B Robin Ventura: .301

CF Darryl Hamilton: .315

RF Roger Cedeno: .313

SS Rey Ordonez: .258

P Masato Yoshii: .164

* Analysis: The Mets overcame the odds and themselves to qualify for the playoffs. They rebounded from their late-season, Atlanta-induced tailspin and defeated the Cincinnati Reds in a one-game playoff to earn the wild-card berth. They completed their division-series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on backup catcher Todd Pratt’s stirring, 10th-inning homer in Game 4. That’s a season’s worth of emotion in a few weeks. Now, the Mets must overcome their biggest hurdle--the Braves.

The Mets’ infield is the best in the business defensively, their lineup is balanced and the bullpen provides’ big-time relief.

The question is, will the Mets’ mediocre starting staff continue its recent strong work? Catcher Mike Piazza is expected to play after sitting out the final two games of the division series because of an allergic reaction to a cortisone shot in his sprained left thumb.

* Key Reserves: OF Benny Agbayani (.286), OF Matt Franco (.235), INF Shawon Dunston (.321).

* Team batting: .279 (2nd in NL).

* Team pitching: 4.27 (6th in NL).

ATLANTA AT A GLANCE

Lineup

LF Gerald Williams: .275

2B Bret Boone: .252

3B Chipper Jones: .319

RF Brian Jordan: .283

1B Ryan Klesko: .297

CF Andruw Jones: .275

SS Jose Hernandez: .266

C Eddie Perez: .249

P Greg Maddux: .153

* Analysis: The Braves also have cleared many hurdles in making their eighth consecutive appearance in the championship series. Pitching still powers “the Team of the Decade,” and that was the key in the Braves’ division-series victory over the Houston Astros.

Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz performed up to their Cy Young Award-winning reputations, but Kevin Millwood was the dominant member of the group. The second-year right-hander threw a one-hitter in the Braves’ Game 2 victory and earned the save in Game 3 on one day’s rest. Closer John Rocker was equally impressive, escaping a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the 10th inning of Game 3.

The Astros elected to pitch around Chipper Jones, and Brian Jordan made them pay by hitting .471 with a home run and seven runs batted in. Both Joneses--third baseman Chipper and center fielder Andruw--must do more offensively in this round.

* Key Reserves: INF Walt Weiss (.226), OF Otis Nixon (.206), 2B Keith Lockhart (.261).

* Team batting: .279 (2nd in NL).

* Team pitching: 4.27 ERA (6th in NL).

KEYS TO THE SERIES

Do the Mets believe they can defeat the Braves? The Braves have pounded the Mets repeatedly, pushing them down each time they have tried to ascend in the NL East. The Mets’ everyday lineup is formidable--considered better than the Braves’. Although the Braves have the edge in pitching, the Met staff is solid. The Mets have a mental block regarding the Braves, and the championship series will end quickly unless the Mets overcome their battered psyche. It’s as simple as that.

* Records: Mets 97-66, Braves 103-59.

* Head to Head: Braves won season series, 9-3.