1. Atlanta--If the starters stay healthy, Kenny Lofton and Andruw Jones perform as expected and Alan Embree helps in middle relief, who knows how many games this team will win.

2. Florida--The most openly upwardly mobile team. Spent 90 million over the winter. Alex Fernandez, Jim Leyland, Moises Alou, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich, John Cangelosi, to go with Kevin Brown, Al Leither, Rob Nen and Gary Sheffield and Jeff Conine--Wow!

3. Montreal--Another good prospect comes down the chute, Vladimir Guerrero. Problems with the rotation and Carlos Perez's health are still in the air.

4. New York Mets--Baerga isn't hitting. Prospects Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isring-housen are hurt. Right now, it stinks to be Bobby Valentine.

5. Philadelphia--Bad in general. Third baseman Scott Rolen and center fielder Wendell Megee are the future. If the Phillies don't commit hara-kiri first.

National League Central

1. St. Louis--Ray Lankford is hurt. When he gets back, the team's outfield of Lankford plus Brian Jordon and Ron Gant will be awesome. The starters are good, but how long can the ancient bullpen including Dennis Eckersley and Rick Honeycutt hold up?

2. Cincinnati--Assumes Barry Larkin is healthy. Third baseman Willie Greene has finally stepped up this spring. Need Reggie Sanders to recover.

3. Houston--Better defense, but still need a starter other than Shane Reynolds. The team does have Killer B's in Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Derek Bell and a healthy Shawn Berry. If Sid Fernandez gets healthy, could challenge.

4. Chicago--Mel Rojas is a big acquisition and third baseman Kevin Orie is a nice surprise. But the Cubs? They can't win. It's in the rules.

5. Pittsburgh--Who are these pitchers? John Ericks is a closer?

National League West

1. Los Angeles--Awesome pitching and finally get Chan Ho Park in the starting rotation. If Bret Butler is effective, third baseman Todd Zeile and rookie second baseman wilton Guerrero could help a good offense as well.

2. San Diego--Get second baseman Quilvio Veras to lead off. Ken Caminiti is a superman, but have questions with a couple starters and someone to bridge the gap between the starter and set-up man Doug Bochtler.

3. Colorado--Bill Swift is healthy. He's not enough for this sorry pitching staff, though. Dante Bichette and Kirk Lescanic aren't healthy for the start.