The National League
Atlanta (69-92, NL West, fifth): No way. Dale Murphy and Dion James (.312, 10 HR, 61 HR) can't both pitch and still play the outfield. Best player: Murphy (.295, 44 HR, 105 RBI).
Chicago (76-85, NL East, sixth): Goose Gossage (1-1, 6.89 ERA in 32 innings for the Cubs) is the new stopper, along with Calvin Schiraldi (8-5 with Boston). Rick Sutcliffe (18-10, 3.68 ERA) is the only pitcher who stands out among the ivy troops at Wrigley. National League MVP Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg (.294, 16 HR, 59 RBI) will be the only good news coming out of Wrigley this season. Best player: Dawson (.287, 49 HR, 137 RBI).
Cinncinati (84-78, NL West, second): The starters, led by KC fireballer Danny Jackson (9-18) and Dennis Rasmussen (4-1), are potentially strong. The bullpen, led by John Franco (32 saves), is one of the best in the league. A possible Mario Soto comeback just might do it for the Reds. Last year, Soto finished the season at 3-2. Eric Davis and the rest of the Reds offense will score the runs. In 108 games, outfielder Kal Daniels hit 26 HR and batted .334. Best player: Davis (.293, 37 HR, 100 RBI).
Houston (76-86, NL West third) Joaquin Andujar is back. He will probably help Houston's already strong staff. Mike Scott (16-13) and Nolan Ryan (8-16, 2.76 ERA) still can throw smoke. The Astros have some fine talent in Bill Hatcher (.296, 11 HR, 63 RBI) and Glen Davis. But to turn this season around, the Astros cannot choke like they did after August. Last year, the Astros lost 26 of their final 37 games. Best player: Davis (.251, 27 HR, 93 RBI).
Los Angeles: Kirk Gibson (.277, 24 HR, 79 RBI), Alfredo Griffin (.263, 60 RBI), Jesse Orosco (3-9), Mike Davis (22 HR) and Jay Howell (3-4) all decided that southern California is a nice place to play ball. But where will all these guys play? Fernando Valenzuela (14-14) leads the staff, but the boys in Blue can't field. Case in point: Steve ("Stone Hands") Sax, who leads a Dodger bumbling crew that led the majors in errors (155). Best player: Pedro Guerrero (.338, 27 HR, 89 RBI).
Montreal (91-71, NL East, third): The Expos have the offense to stay close. Tim Wallach (.298, 26 HR, 123 RBI) and Tim Raines lead the Expo attack. Yet, the double-play combo of rookies Luis Rivera and Johnny Paredes will start for the first time. The return of Floyd Youmans from the Jacksonville minor league club will certainly help the staff. Too bad the Mets are in their division. Best player: Raines (.330, 18 HR, 68 RBI).
New York (92-70, NL East, second): Once Jack Clark left the division, the Mets started checking to see if their set of keys fit the NL East's lock. With the strongest starting staff in the division, the Mets will have no problems humming the seams. Darryl Strawberry and Co. should keep the offense gunning. Dwight ("Dr. K") Gooden (15-7) won't be taking the early season off this year. Best player: Strawberry (.284, 39 HR, 104 RBI).
Philadelphia (80-82, NL East, tied for fourth): Phil Bradley (.297, 14 HR, 67 RBI) and Bob Dernier (.317) are two new acquisitions the Phils needed. Steve ("Bedrock") Bedrosian (40 saves), last year's Cy Young winner, is one of the league's premier relievers. Thirty-eight year old Mike Schmidt still has the pop. But the Phils need some defense up the middle. Shortstop Steve Jeltz had more errors (14) than RBI (12). Best player: Schmidt (.293, 35 HR, 113 RBI).
Pittsburgh (80-82, NL East, tied for fourth): This team is young. Brian Fisher (11-9) and Bob Kipper (5-9) are the only two starters with more than two years of playing experience. Mike Dunne (13-6, 3.03 ERA) led the staff in victories. Mike LaVellere (.300) and Andy Van Slyke, former St. Louis players, sure made that deal for Tony Pena look good. Best player: Van Slyke (.293, 21 HR, 82 RBI).
San Diego (65-97, NL West, sixth): This team is brewing with youth. Rookie of the Year Benito Santiago (.300, 18 HR, 79 RBI) and John Kruk (.313, 20 HR, 91 RBI) head the Padre kiddie corps. But where's the pitching? Ed Whitson (10-13) and Eric Show (8-16)? Keith Moreland (.266, 27 HR, 88 RBI), acquired from Chicago, will help the San Diego offense. Best player: Tony Gwynn (.370, 7 HR, 54 RBI).
San Francisco (90-72, NL West, first): The Giants made a great off-season move when they signed Cleveland's Brett Butler (.295, 9 HR, 49 RBI). He'll join Will Clark and Jeffrey Leonard (.280, 19 HR, 63 RBI) in the line-up. The staff is sound, led by Dave Dravecky (7-5), Rick Reuschel (8-6) and reliever Don Robinson (5-1, 2.74 ERA). The double-dip combo of Robby Thompson and Jose Uribe give the Giants strength up the middle. Best player: Clark (.308, 35 HR, 91 RBI).
St. Louis (95-67, NL East, first): So long, Jack Clark and hello, Bob Horner? This is not Japan, Big Bob (.327, 31 HR, 73 RBI in 93 Japanese games). The Cards will need some punch from Willie McGee and Tommy Herr (.263, 2 HR, 83 RBI). John Tudor (10-2) and the rest of the staff will have to keep the runs on the low side for the Cards to even think of repeating. Best player: McGee (.285, 11 HR, 105 RBI).