On paper, the pitching matchups for the series favor the Orioles twice (Ben McDonald in Game 1, Mike Mussina in Game 3), the Indians once (Dennis Martinez in Game 2), with one draw (Jason Grimsley vs. Sid Fernandez in Game 4).
Power-hitting Indians second baseman Carlos Baerga, out with a sprained right ankle, did not leave with the team for Baltimore last night and could miss the entire series.
The Indians find themselves in unfamiliar territory, playing in pressure-packed games, which is fine with them.
"I'd rather play big games than little games," Indians manager Mike Hargrove said. "We played enough little ones to last us all a lifetime."
Those cagey schedule makers must have had a crystal ball at computer's side when making out the 1994 schedule. The Orioles play the final three games of their season at Cleveland's Jacobs Field.
NOTES: Orioles scout Fred Uhlman Sr. watched Philadelphia left-hander Danny Jackson pitch seven strong innings Sunday. Meanwhile the Cincinnati Reds continued discussions with the Phillies regarding Jackson and talked about sending a package of minor-league prospects to the Phillies, who plan to attempt to reacquire Jackson in the free-agent market. . . Jeff Tackett's wife Wendy gave birth to son Mack, the couple's third child, yesterday.
