Sports Briefs

Mets providing bulletin board material for Cards

NEW YORK (AP) - The Mets aren't shy about expressing their preference for playing St. Louis instead of their nemesis, the Atlanta Braves, in the NL championship series.

"I was a little relieved," reliever Turk Wendell said of the Braves being eliminated. "That is a team that mentally puts a lot of pressure on other teams. It puts pressure on guys to think that they have to be perfect."

New York has been far from it against Atlanta. The Mets are 14-29 against the Braves the past three seasons, including a loss in last year's NLCS.

And while the champagne was spraying throughout the New York clubhouse Sunday after eliminating San Francisco in four games, the Mets were happy not to have to answer questions about why they are spooked by Atlanta.

"Nothing derogatory against them, but I'm glad to see them lose," first baseman Todd Zeile said. "This team has not had much success against them. But I don't think anybody really cares who we're playing, as long as we're there."

The Mets are 26-10 against the Cardinals, making it is easy to understand why the Mets are relieved they are opening the best-of-seven NLCS tomorrow night in St. Louis instead of in Atlanta.

Mike Hampton (15-11) is expected to get the start for New York against St. Louis' Darryl Kile (21-9).

"I'm glad we don't have to answer questions about why we can't win in Atlanta," left-hander Al Leiter said. "That became a nuisance."

The Cardinals head into their first NLCS in four years well rested, having swept the Braves on Saturday. The Mets took an extra day to eliminate the Giants, but both teams have their pitching rotations set up perfectly.