European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 04, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes saturday april 4,1992 Page 22 1992 National league West preview braves go Best to first this time by Jim Donaghy a baseball writer. The National league West is clearly a three team race but who a no. 1? the defending no Champion Atlanta braves have that marvelous Young Trio of starters the Cincinnati reds have put together a formidable starting rotation and the los Angeles dodgers have Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis together. There s reason to think the braves will be even better this year. They know they can win now. The dodgers led the no in pitching last season and that May not be so easy in 1992 because Tim Belcher and Mike Morgan no longer Are on the team. Last season the two right handers combined for 445 innings. Instead the reds May have the Best starting rotation in the group with Jose Rijo Tom Browning Greg Swindell and Belcher. But there a some concern about reliever Rob Dibble s sore right shoulder. San Francisco and san Diego have enough Talent at various spots to pretend to be contenders for a while but their weaknesses will Start to show by july at the latest. Done to look for the Houston astros to to from worst to first even though they Ost the same number of games 97, As the 1990 Atlanta braves. A it seems like everyone in the division is better a Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. Quot its going to take at least 95 wins to finish on top a 1. Atlanta braves pitchers Tom Glavine f s 92 braves Cool 1st 1901 key for talc Sim Lyons Kif mar Oum elder. Kayde per Tore fee Heath Catcher. Popular pros Picc Mph Nora via Ivr Eros Boot with Tom gift Vine Sim Avery and John smoke i Kory to Gal Banar foe Bam he a Good Chance to raps Al 9 Tony Pendleton Sid beam and David Juste can slay healthy. The Breve also he Aejandro Pena in too bullpen Tom tha Start of tha season this year. A stretch drive acquisition Pena appeared in 15 with att ants and barring injury Steve Avery an John Smoltz Are just going to get better and better. Despite what happened in the world series Charlie Leibrandt is still a reliable left hander. The starring cast is Back in the starting lineup but there Are doubts third baseman Terry Pendleton can repeat his map season of .319, 22 homers and 86 Bis. There a not much offence at second base Mark Lemke and shortstop Rafael Elliard. The bulk of Atlanta s Power comes from outfielders Ron Gant 32 hrs 105 Bis and David Justice 21 hrs 87 Bis. The Speed will come from Otis Nixon 72 steals and Deion Sanders. Catcher Greg Olson May get some help this season from Damon Berryhill. 2. Los Angeles dodgers the combination of boyhood pals Strawberry and saved 11. Key tet Puttre vie Ace of the Hal Smoltz wee 9-11 11 a aeon before the afe Star break and 12-2 Der that Davis has some scary potential. The dodgers also have Center fielder Brett Butler to get on base. Butler led the league in runs scored for the second time in his career becoming the first player since Arky Vaughn to Lead the no in that category As a member of two different teams. Kal Daniels moves from the Outfield to first base and Juan Samuel is Back at second. The left Side of the infield could be a problem. Shortstop Jose Offerman has yet to wb�3g or Tommy be Floc part 9369. And. Key in Vata Eric debts. M to Tor Tom Candom pfc or Todd Bam Togar in Bazaman Rudy Seopaz. Elovar. Nay Deportee Eddie Murray irs Bazaman Mha Morgan Pitcher Tim Belcher Pakchar John wart land Pitcher Chris Gwynn out mar. Pepi Riar Prosper Eric Karroma feat Bazaman. Outlook big Kay Tor dodgers be performance cd Joaa ottoman a Short atop. Kay Fob Brad Buder lad Zafora we 61 in Ltd hits bet Agaaoa major  of 010 i f d finish ship ill Feltl. 2. Los Angeles 4. San Francisco 6. Houston Sas Gar to prove he can hit major league pitching and the defense of Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson at third is average. Mike Scioscia returns at Catcher. Only 12 dodgers have appeared in More Ames for the club a in Brooklyn and s Angeles. The pitching was weakened by the defection of Morgan to the cubs but . Signed free agent knuckle Baller Tom Candiotti to go with Ramon Martinez Orel Hershiser Bob Ojeda and Kevin Gross. Tie bullpen could be shaky if Jay Howell is hurting. Having Roger Mcdowell around from the Start of the season should help. 3. Cincinnati reds the reds went from a world series title to a 74-88 record and a fifth place finish in 1991. It was obvious the team needed More than just some Fine tuning. General manager Bob Quinn acquired Swindell and Belcher to go with Rijo and Browning. Swindell was 60-55 lifetime with the Cleveland indians a record that Speaks highly of his ability. Randy Myers 92 reds Lou pm Leda. 1991 record 7448, sati. Kay arrival Greg a Tkv pm Pitcher Tim Belcher Pitcher Bip Robert toil Elkjer out Fleifer Dave Martinez outfielder Scott Bankhead Pitcher Scott Ruskin reliever. Key departures Eric Davia outfielder Jack Armstrong Pitcher Soott Scudder Pitcher no great Pitcher Randy Myers reliever. Popular or aspect Reggie Sanders out Der. Outlook Many con Aidar the reds favourites in the West because of a rotation of Jose Rijo Tom Browning Belcher and so Kje. The was traded for second baseman out fielder Bip Roberts but the bullpen is still Strong with Dibble 31 saves Norm Charlton and Scott Ruskin. Dibble has a sore shoulder and it could mean huge problems if he a unavailable. The big change in the reas lineup was the Trade of Davis to los Angeles for Belcher. Manager Lou Piniella has been impressed with the play of Rookie Center fielder Reggie Sanders Sanders hit .315 with eight homers and 49 Bis in double a. Right fielder Paul of Neill led the reds with 28 homers and 91 Bis. The rest of the Outfield is deep with Billy Hatcher Glenn Braggs Dave Martinez and Roberts. The infield remains one of the Best in baseball with Hal Morris .318 at first Bill Doran at second Barry Larkin .302, 20 hrs 69 Bis at Short and Chris Sabo .301, 26 hrs 88 Bis at third base. Joe Oliver who is healthy again will be the starting Catcher on opening Day. 4. San Francisco giants the giants usually run out of Quality pitchers about mid june so pm Al Osen traded Kevin Mitchell to Seattle for Bill Swift Mike Jackson and Dave Rob Dibble Eore Viohl shoulder. M Dibble it fed lined Norm Chariton could emerge a toe Topper. Key eat the 1991 Rede were Only 6ie fourth team in a or league history with a shortstop Larkin and a third baseman Sabo who both had fog Ujj Jwj Eva Ragee of .500 or a. A was file Atlanta left hander Steve Avery 21, Hopes to follow through on his 1991 Success. Burba. It looks like san Francisco will need All three. Starter Trevor Wilson May miss a Start or two because of a broken rib and Scott Garrelts is out until the All Star break. Eventually Wilson will join a rotation of Swift Bud Black John Burkett Kelly Downs and perhaps Paul Mcclellan. The bullpen is deep with Dave Righetti 24 save Jackson and Jeff Brantley leading the Way. With Mitchell gone first baseman will Clark .301, 29 hrs 116 Bis and third baseman Matt Williams 34 hrs 98 Bis will be counted on to hit even More Home runs. In in Vii elder. Popu Boyce Clay a. Outlook 92 giants manager Roger Craig 1991 record 7547,. 4th. Key arrival bin Swift Pitcher Mike Jackson Pitcher Dave Burba Pitcher Chris James outfielder. Key departures Kevin Mitchen outfielder Lar Prospect pm. Shortstop. With slugger Karin Mitchell gone first baseman win Clark .301, 29 hrs 116 Bis and third baseman Matt Williams 34 hrs 96 Bis Wil be counted on to hit even More Home tune. The Middle infield could he a new look with Royce Clayton at shortstop. Of the Rookie tatters Jose Uribe i still around. The giants need another .300-plus season from Willie Mcgee. Key a Tab Bud Black and John Burkett led a Bella gutted pitching staff with three Complete game each. Benes Greg Harris Ricky Bones and de Whitson has a Chance to make the padres contenders if they stay healthy. It also looks like Craig Lefferts 23 saves May become a starter. Pm Joe mall Vaine helped the bullpen by acquiring left hander Randy Myers. 6. Houston astros because of the gop convention at the Astrodome Houston is looking at a 26-game, 28-Day Road trip. The last place astros were 37-44 at Home in 1991 and a miserable 28-53 on the Road. Houston is rebuilding with youth and the infield is 92 padres manager Greg old Doch. 1991 record 84-78, 3rd. Key arrival Randy Myers reliever Gary Sheffield third Baa. Key de parture Bip Roberts Irv fielder out Leclef Ricky Bones Pitcher. Popular Prospect Dan wallers Catcher. Outlook there s Fred Mcgriff Tony Gwynn Benito Santiago Gary Sheffield and a lot of inconsistent hitting Dler that key Tab Gwynn la trying to become the first in no since Stan Murald 194158 to i .300 or better in 10 straight Seebons. 92 astros there a not much Power left in the Outfield but Willie Mcgee Kevin Bass Mike Felder and Darren Lewis have the ability to get on base. Catchers Steve Decker and Kirt Man Waring both Are coming off disappointing seasons. 5. San Diego padres the padres finished 84-78 and third last season but they were never really in the running. If san Diego gets off to a slow Start Greg Riddoch could be the first managerial casualty of the season. There Are too Many holes in the padres lineup to think they will play much above .500. Its too easy to pitch around Fred Mcgriff Tony Gwynn and Benito Santiago who is talking Trade. The rotation of Bruce Hurst Andy Tough with Rookie of the year Jeff Bagwell .294, 15 hrs 82 Bis at first the transplanted Craig Biggio .295 at second Ana Jar Cedeno at shortstop and Ken Caminiti 13 hrs 80 Bis at third. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez .254, 13 hrs 69 Bis had an underrated year. After All Star Pete Hamisch 12-9, 2.70 Rathe pitching staff has a lot of talented youngsters who Arentt quite ready. That list is headed by Ryan Bowen Jeff Juden and Darryl Kile. Mark Portugal remains the no. 2 starter. Tomorrow american league East _ Art Howe. 1981 recent 85-97, Flo. Key arrival Eddie Tau Benaree Catcher lie bar Pitcher Pale incest a in out Frokjer Doug Jonee reliever. Key departure Kenny la run out Tecton do Rohde welder. Pender Prospect Jeff Juden Pitcher. Outlook the big Eto Wernent of toe new a aeon be mooring Catcher Craig Biggio to second base. Key Eton the Laet piece latrae were 37-44 at Home in 1981 and a it Marabie 28-53 on the Road. Because of the gop convention Houston a a 26-game, 28-Day Road trip scheduled for late july