Playoff Opponents Wait In The Wings

Roberto Alomar and the Baltimore Orioles know what to expect in the next few days: An unruly crowd at Yankee Stadium, and a couple of games of home run derby against New York.

In many ways, it should be classic American League baseball.

“I didn’t worry about them booing me - I just went out there and played the way I know how to play the game,” Alomar said after his 12th-inning homer completed the Orioles’ surprising playoff win in Cleveland.

Tom Glavine and the World Series champion Atlanta Braves figure to see something different when the St. Louis Cardinals show up this week: Tight, well-pitched games that keep fans tense.

In other words, classic National League baseball.

The second round of the playoffs could well be a study in contrasts, showcasing the best that both leagues have to offer.

In the A.L., that means power.

The Orioles hit a major league record 257 home runs this season, breaking the mark of 240 set by the 1961 Yankees. They connected for nine more in four games in knocking out the A.L. champion Indians, the last one coming when Alomar capped the most controversial week in his career with a home run.

Both best-of-7 series start Tuesday night.