Playoff Preview

Keith Hernandez , 1b. Situation hitter. Will give up pitches early in game to set up pitchers for late innings. Wears out Hershiser. Master at first.

Darryl Strawberry , rf. Hits balls on outer half of plate a mile, but fastballs inside and high can handcuff him. Career .181 vs. L.A. Shaky defense.

Kevin McReynolds , lf. Superb base runner, strong arm, best leftfielder in game. Crushes pitches from the thigh to belt, and also will hit behind runners.

Gary Carter , c. Knees limit his throwing, but still terrific handling pitchers, blocking balls in dirt. Bat has quickened down stretch.

Howard Johnson , ss-3b. Sits and waits for heat to hit out and doesn't miss often. Average hands, great arm. Aggressive runner.

Wally Backman , 2b. Opposite-field slap hitter, no power. Rarely hits right-handed. Limited range, arm-but Mets seem better with him.

Dwight Gooden , rhp. Fastball has lost some hop, but he has great command. Sinks the heater, has great curve and uses gas more sparingly. Good hitter.

David Cone , rhp. May be best in league, with 94-95 mph fastball, tight-rotation curve that bites sharply, good changeup—all with fine control.

Ron Darling , rhp. An artist. Two different fastballs, splitter, curveball, slider-and changes off most of them. Superb fielder. Quick move to first.

Sid Fernandez , lhp. Odd delivery; slings ball upward with rotation that makes 86-mph fastball look like it's going 96. Slow off mound; vulnerable to bunts.