Wrigley Field

AMERICAN LEAGUE Who's hot Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox has a 12-game hitting streak. Who's not The Blue Jays have committed an error in five straight games. Line of the day Travis Harper, Devil Rays, starting pitcher IP .... R ..... H ..... BB ..... SO 2 ..... 7 ..... 4 ...... 3....... 1 NATIONAL LEAGUE Who's hot The Giants have the longest string of con secutive sellouts in the majors with 84 Who's not The Expos have lost three straight and six of seven after a 6-1 start. Line of the day Todd Zeile, Mets, first baseman AB .....

SAN FRANCISCO - The proud owner of the San Francisco Giants stands in the upper deck at brand-new Pacific Bell Park, nearly 400 feet from home plate, and points toward one of the most beautiful cityscapes in America. The Bay Bridge rises majestically in the distance. Ships navigate scenic San Francisco Bay. There is a glimpse of downtown and a view of Oakland on the other side of the water. Peter McGowan, who presided over the construction of the first privately financed major league facility in 35 years, still can't get over it. "These," he says, "are supposed to be the worst seats in the house."

Quote: "There was one Wrigley Field when I played. Now there's what, 10? Four or five in the National League." - Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on the proliferation of home runs in smaller ballparks It's a fact: The Marlins' Mike Lowell is hitting .404 in day games, as compared with .200 at night. Who's hot: The Expos have an National League-leading 142 doubles. Who's not: The Brewers' Charlie Hayes is mired in an 0-for-19 skid after going hitless in four at-bats on Monday. On deck: The visiting Padres, who have yet to face another NL West club, play the Diamondbacks for the 13th time in their first 70 games.

SINCE ONE OF our teen-age sons is going to visit Chicago, I figured it was time to introduce him to the Italian beef sandwich.Anyone who has spent time in Chicago has fond memories of this mixture of shaved beef, broth and pickled vegetable topping. Like the pit beef in Baltimore and the cheese steak in Philadelphia, the Italian beef is the unofficial sandwich of the city. If you have visited Chicago and returned without any Italian beef stains on your shirt, then you really haven't been there.

CHICAGO -- The script couldn't be more dramatic. Trailing the Atlanta Braves, 2-0, in their best-of-five National League Division Series, the Chicago Cubs are giving the ball to 21-year-old rookie sensation Kerry Wood tonight at Wrigley Field.All they want Wood to do is come off the disabled list after not pitching for a month because of a sore elbow and go head-to-head with four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux in a desperate effort to preserve the playoff hopes of a franchise that is making only its third postseason appearance since 1945.