SAN FRANCISCO -- When the subject turned to his starting rotation for the World Series on Wednesday, Dusty Baker tapdanced more than Gregory Hines.

"You guys want all these answers today," Baker jabbed his media inquisitors at the Giants' pre-World Series workout Wednesday at Pac Bell Park. "Well, we've got all day to make them. We don't have to do it now."

After flying down the coast Thursday, Baker announced his big decision: Jason Schmidt will be followed by Russ Ortiz, Livan Hernandez and Kirk Rueter.

Game 1 starter Saturday will be Schmidt is coming off a dominating 7 2/3-inning four-hitter against the Cardinals in the second game of the National League Championship Series.

	Jason Schmidt Starting pitcher San Francisco Giants Profile
	2002 POSTSEASON STATISTICS GM IP W-L BB SO ERA 2 13 1-1 5 13 3.46

"When you factor in everything, you almost have to start Jason in Game 1," said Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "Plus, I heard it on TV last night. So I guess I'm just confirming it.

"That," Righetti said, "was an easier decision than the next choices. We can really mix and match in Games 2, 3 and 4 any way we want."

``We had two or three different orders. We thought this was the best one for a seven-game series,'' Baker said Thursday.

Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia announced his full rotation Friday, saying Washburn would be followed by Kevin Appier, Ramon Ortiz and John Lackey.

Baker had simple reasons for making his choices.

``Our two hottest pitchers are Jason Schmidt and Russ Ortiz,'' he said, standing behind the batting cage. ``Also, if there's a Game 7, Livan can handle it as well as anybody. He's the only guy who's been there before.''

Hernandez was the MVP of the 1997 NL championship series and World Series for Florida. He started Games 1 and 5 of the Marlins' seven-game victory over Cleveland in the World Series.

Schmidt it 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two postseason starts, while Ortiz is 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in three starts. Hernandez is 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA in two starts, and Rueter is 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts.

In the first-round series, Russ Ortiz opened for the Giants at Atlanta's Turner Field, and was followed by Rueter, Schmidt and Hernandez. Ortiz also pitched Game 5.

In the league championship series, Rueter pitched the opener at St. Louis, followed by Schmidt, Ortiz and Hernandez, then pitched six shutout innings in Game 5 Monday as the Giants won 2-1 to finish off the Cardinals.

Baker still hasn't decided if he will make any roster changes before Saturday's 10 a.m. deadline and said he hasn't decided on his designated hitter in the AL ballpark.

The Giants may not have a Johnson or a Schilling at the top of their rotation -- "but we can't go out and sign anybody now," Righetti laughed. Nevertheless, the depth of their rotation has been one of their biggest strengths in a season in which they had to use only six starters all year. So however they line these guys up, they have a chance to be right.

"Right now," Baker said, "all four of them are my best pitcher."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Jayson Stark, a senior writer for ESPN.com, contributed to this report.