European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 4, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 the stars and stripes. Saturday april 4,1987 How Odd by bin  by will writer the los Angeles dodgers Are Tike a Small town traffic Light Stop go Slop go no yellow in Between. They were set to go in 198. 198.1 and 1985, and won the  league West each Lime. The Dodg ers stopped winning the next Wason. Injuries and inconsistency plagued los Angeles in1986 and it won Only 73 games and finished fifth its worst since divisional play started in 1969, the Las time the dodgers won fewer games we in 1958 in 1959, they rebounded to win inc world . Pedro Guerrero Mike Marshall Mike Scios Cia Bob Welch Bill Madlock and nine others arc no West Prev Evv healed. That should mean the dodgers will pass go an collect in the my West i can t see us winning less than 90 or 92  predicts. The dodgers could win even More and that should hold off the others. Defending Champion Houston probably won t get another repeat performance from its pitching while san Francisco has improved but not enough. Cincinnati second in 1986 under manage Rand part Lime player Pete Rose won t finish there again san Diego which added new manager Larry Bowa but lost Kevin Mcreynolds and Terry Kennedy and Atlanta without Bob Homer can t stay close. This season make it los Angeles Houston Sanfrancisco Cincinnati san Diego and Atlanta. Los Angeles dodgers Fernando Valc Nucla and Steve sax were the Only right spots during a season marked by shaky pitching Adhit log plus a major league Lead ing 181 errors. Injuries Hurt More than anything with Guerrero absence the most damaging. He batted ,320 with 33 Home runs and 87 Bis m 1983, but ripped up a knee last Spring and spent More than half the season on the disabled list doing Little .246, five homers 10 Bis when he returned Valenzuela 21-11, 3.14 earned run average Ted the pitchers. But Orel Hersh scr declined from 19-3 and a 2.03 Era to 14-14 and 3.85. Although seven losses were by shutout. Welch 7-13 had a Bone Spur re moved from his right Elbow and Tom Niedenfuer 6-6,11 saves 3.71 needed Relief so the dodgers obtained lefty Mutt Young 13 saves from Seattle. They also go starter Tim scary 14-14 from Milwaukee for Greg Brock sax .332, 40 stolen bases sets up the Power of Franklin Subbs 23 or and Marshall 19 or. Houston astros Mike Scott Glenn Davis Kevin Bass and the rest of the fired up Siros sneaked up on the division in 1986, winning 96 games and finishing 10 lengths ahead of Cincinnati. But Houston made no big moves in the off season often a bad move Scott whose split fingered fastballs brought the Yyoung award and allegations of scuffing is not Likely to duplicate a dominant year 18-10, with major league bests of a 2,22 Era Ana 306 strikeouts. Nolan Ryan now 40, Wilt throw Only 100 pitches per game while he recovers from an ankle fracture. Jim Deshaies 12-5 will get More attention relievers Dave Smith 33 saves and Charlie Ker Feld 11-2, seven saves helped Houston to a team Era of 3.15, second to the mets. But Good pitching is expected at the Astrodome the worst hitters Park in  31 or 101 Bis ass .311, 20 or 79 Bis and Bill Doran .276, 42 so form a Stro Gyoung nucleus and no manager of the year Hal Lan Ter instilled a winning attitude that had been missing. Son Francisco giants manager Roger Craig brought victories and excite ment to san Francisco along with split fingered fast balls the results were immediate the giants went from Joo game losers to contenders who finished third. Mike Krukow 20-9, 3.05 led the third Best pitching suit in the league and Craig converted Scott carrels from a reliever into a starter with Good results 13-9, 3.11. Craig has worked closely with Young Roger Mason and Handy Bockus. The giants have the potential to store runs they just need to do it. Chris Brown .317, seven Honus. 49 Bis and Jeffrey Leonard .279, six homers 42 Bis Green again  should gel Well with a healthy Pedro Guerrero. Need to slay healthy and work hard. First baseman will Clark .287, 11 or. 41 rib and second baseman Robby Thompson .271, seven Home runs 47 Bis were Good in their first full seasons. Eddie Milner .239, 15 or 18 so acquired fro Cincinnati could end the giants search for a consist ent Mcadoff Man. Cincinnati reds Pete Rose 46 next month is planning to play Les Sand watch More this season. Hell see a team with plenty of enthusiasm and emotion with pitching to determine How Well it does. Center fielder Eric Davis .277. 27 or 71 Bis sos at age 24 May be the game s next superstar and 35-year-old Dave Parker .273, 31 or 116 Bis i still productive. Third baseman buddy Bell .278, 20 or 75 rib joins with Rose Ron of scr and Rookie Barry Larkin As reds infielders raised in Cincinnati. Tom Browning tumbled from a Rookie 20-game win Ner to 14-13, Mario Solo had More Arm trouble and went 5-10, and John Denny was released after a poo year. Bui Ted Power became an effective starter after struggling As a reliever Bill Cullickson went 15-12 and John Franco continued As a stopper 29 saves. Frank Williams 4-3 in 64 games was obtained in the Milne Trade for Middle Relief. Rose batted just .219 last season his worst Ever. Theall time hit Leader is ineligible m play until May 15 and probably won t activate himself until later waiting trend his career with a hit. Son Diego padres the padres have tried a lot of things since winning the world series in 1984, none of them have worked and san Diego has steadily gone downhill. A photo Fernando Valcon Zutlas we rare Bright spot in 1986. Dick Williams the tempestuous manager was tired after the 1985 season. Easy going Steve Boros was hired last year As a calming influence but was also fired. Now the padres Are going Back to the fiery Lype having hired Bowa. Bowa led the padres class aaa team to a championship last year in his tint season of managing. He docs not have much to work with in san Diego. Mercy no is and Kennedy who combined for 38home runs and 153 Bis have been traded. In return san Diego got some Young prospects All purpose Kevin Mitchell and Pitcher storm Davis. Tony Gwynn is Fine .329, 14 or 59 Bis 37 so but Steve Garvey Rich Gossag Cand Garry Templeton Are getting old. Rookie Catcher Benilo Santiago May help. Atlanta braves manager Chuck Tanner and general manage Bobby Cox hired As a tandem prior the 1986 season did not Promise instant improvement and Here was none. The braves finished last for inc first time in six years. There s no Assurance that 1987 will be much Bette because pitching is weak. Rick Mahler 14-18, 4.88 Era was inc Best starter and Paul Assenmacher 7-3,seven saves. 2.50 did Well in Relief Nice Sutler the $10 million free agent will miss the entire season wit continued Arm problems. Rookie Steve Zim 15-7 in the minors May  Murphy remains of baseball s most consistent Power hitters 29 or. H3 Bis. Aided by Homer have Atlanta Fulton county stadium. Atlanta did not re sign free agents Homer 27 hr.87 kills and Doyle Alexander 11-10 Overall during the Winter