1.   Atlanta will open the NLCS on Tuesday in Cincinnati after dispatching the free-swinging Rockies three games to one in the divisional playoffs.

2.   Atlanta will face the winner of the Florida-San Francisco divisional playoff in the four-of-seven-game league championship series that begins Tuesday.

3.   Because of that, it is hard to believe the Rams will advance beyond the divisional playoff round.

4.   Bobby Ayala probably has made his only meaningful appearance in the American League divisional playoffs.

5.   After sweeping the Houston Astros in a divisional playoff series, the Braves have their sights set on bigger fish, namely the Florida Marlins.

6.   Buchanan made Jerry Rice irrelevant in a divisional playoff win.

7.   Burkett and Hill are also in line to pitch the first two games of the divisional playoff series if the Rangers make the playoffs.

8.   But Plummer is not the reason the Cardinals will face Minnesota in the NFC divisional playoffs while the Cowboys watch from home.

9.   But the next week in the divisional playoff game at Pittsburgh, Testaverde fell back to earth.

10.   But Williams came on against the Eagles in the divisional playoffs last Sunday, holding defensive end William Fuller to one tackle and no sacks.