Scouting the NL Central

CHICAGO CUBS

2003: 88-74, first place.

Manager: Dusty Baker

Projected Lineup: 2B Mark Grudzielanek (.314, 3, 38, .366 OBP, 38 2Bs), CF Corey Patterson (.298, 13, 55 in 83 games), RF Sammy Sosa (.279, 40, 103, .553 SLG, 143 Ks), LF Moises Alou (.280, 22, 91), 3B Aramis Ramirez (.274, 27, 106), 1B Derrek Lee (.271, 31, 92, 21 SBs), SS Alex Gonzalez (.228, 20, 59, 123 Ks), C Michael Barrett (.208, 10, 30 in 70 games).

Rotation: RHP Kerry Wood (14-11, 3.20, major league-high 266 Ks), RHP Greg Maddux (16-11, 3.96, 33 BBs), RHP Mark Prior (18-6, 2.43, 245 Ks), RHP Matt Clement (14-12, 4.11), RHP Carlos Zambrano (13-11, 3.11).

Key Relievers: RHP Joe Borowski (2-2, 2.63, 33/37 saves), RHP LaTroy Hawkins (9-3, 1.86 with Minnesota), RHP Kyle Farnsworth (3-2, 3.30).

Outlook: The Cubs have one of the best rotations around and solid game-enders in Hawkins and Borowski. The middle innings may be a concern but if the rotation can stay healthy, the Cubs should make a run at another division title.HOUSTON ASTROS

2003: 87-75, second place.

Manager: Jimy Williams

Projected Lineup: CF Craig Biggio (.264, 15, 62, 44 2Bs, 102 runs), SS Adam Everett (.256, 8, 51), 1B Jeff Bagwell (.278, 39, 100), LF Lance Berkman (.288, 25, 93, 107 BBs), 2B Jeff Kent (.297, 22, 93), RF Richard Hidalgo (.309, 28, 88, 43 2Bs), 3B Morgan Ensberg (.291, 25, 60), C Brad Ausmus (.229, 4, 47).

Rotation: RH Roy Oswalt (10-5, 2.97), LH Andy Pettitte (21-8, 4.02 for Yankees), RH Roger Clemens (17-9, 3.91 for Yankees), RH Wade Miller (14-13, 4.13), RH Tim Redding (10-14, 3.68).

Key Relievers: RH Octavio Dotel (6-4, 2.48, 4), RH Brad Lidge (6-3, 3.60).

Outlook: Few teams should be able to match their rotation. Dotel's numbers indicate he has the stuff to replace Billy Wagner. The lineup was fourth in NL in scoring and should put up plenty of runs again.ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

2003: 85-77, third place.

Manager: Tony La Russa

Projected Lineup: LF Kerry Robinson (.250 in 208 at-bats), RF Reggie Sanders (.285, 31, 87), 1B Albert Pujols (.359, 43, 124), CF Jim Edmonds (.275, 39, 89), 3B Scott Rolen (.286, 28, 104), SS Edgar Renteria (.330, 13, 100, 34 SBs), C Mike Matheny (.252, 8, 47), 2B Bo Hart (.277, 4, 28).

Rotation: RH Matt Morris (11-8, 3.76), RH Woody Williams (18-9, 3.87), RH Chris Carpenter (0-0), RH Jeff Suppan (13-11, 4.19), RH Jason Marquis (0-0, 5.53).

Key Relievers: RH Jason Isringhausen (0-1, 2.36, 22), RH Julian Tavarez (3-3, 3.66, 11), LH Steve Kline (5-5, 3.82, 3).

Outlook: Only area where Cardinals appear lacking is in the rotation.PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2003: 75-87, fourth place.

Manager: Lloyd McClendon

Projected Lineup: CF Tike Redman (.330, 3, 19), C Jason Kendall (.325, 6, 58), LF-RF Raul Mondesi (.272, 24, 71, 22 SBs), 1B Randall Simon (.276, 16, 72), LF Jason Bay (.287, 4, 14) or RF Craig Wilson (.262, 18, 48), 3B Chris Stynes (.255, 11, 73), 2B Bobby Hill (.276, 0, 0), SS Jack Wilson (.256, 9, 62).

Rotation: RH Kip Wells (10-9, 3.28), RH Kris Benson (5-9, 4.97), RH Josh Fogg (10-9, 5.26), LH Oliver Perez (4-10, 5.51), RH Rick Reed (6-12, 5.07) or RHP Ryan Vogelsong (2-2, 6.55).

Key Relievers: RH Jose Mesa (5-7, 6.52, 24/28 with Phillies).

Outlook: The Pirates are headed toward franchise-record streak 12th straight losing season.CINCINNATIREDS

2003: 69-93, fifth place.

Manager: Dave Miley

Projected Lineup: 2B D'Angelo Jimenez (.290, 7, 31), SS Barry Larkin (.282, 2, 18), CF Ken Griffey Jr. (.247, 13, 26), RF Austin Kearns (.264, 15, 58), LF Adam Dunn (.215, 27, 57), 1B Sean Casey (.291, 14, 80), C Jason LaRue (.230, 16, 50), 3B Brandon Larson (.101, 1, 9).

Rotation: RH Cory Lidle (12-15, 5.75), RHP Paul Wilson (8-10, 4.64), RH Jimmy Haynes (2-12, 6.30), RH Aaron Harang (4-3, 5.28), LH Brandon Claussen (1-0, 1.42).

Key Relievers: RH Danny Graves (4-15, 5.33, 2), RH Ryan Wagner (2-0, 1.66), RH Chris Reitsma (9-5, 4.29, 12).

Outlook: The Reds have been trying for years to develop young starters, without success. The Reds will probably try to trade Griffey if he proves he has fully recovered from ankle and shoulder operations.MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2003: 68-94, sixth place.

Manager: Ned Yost

Projected Lineup: CF Scott Podsednik (.314, 9, 58, 100 runs, 43 SBs), 2B Junior Spivey (.255, 13, 50), 1B Lyle Overbay (.276, 3, 28), LF Geoff Jenkins (.296, 28, 95, 0 Es), RF Ben Grieve (.230, 4, 17), 3B Wes Helms (.261, 23, 67, 131 Ks) SS Craig Counsell (.234, 3, 21), C Chad Moeller (.268, 7, 29).

Rotation: RH Ben Sheets (11-13, 4.45), LH Doug Davis (7-8, 4.03), RH Matt Kinney (10-13, 5.19), LH Chris Capuano (2-4, 4.64), LH Wayne Franklin (10-13, 5.50, 116 Ks).

Key Relievers: RH Dan Kolb (1-2, 1.96, 21), RH Leo Estrella (7-3, 4.36), LH Brooks Kieschnick (1-1, 5.26).

Outlook: The low-budget Brewers had some competition for spots in spring. They traded their best player (Richie Sexson) but have an eye on future thanks to stocked farm system that could begin producing prospects by midseason.