NATIONAL LEAGUE (Astros vs. Mets)

CATCHER--Although his average has fallen off and he is not as mobile behind the plate, the Mets’ Gary Carter still rates as one of the game’s top catchers. He had his third straight 100 RBI season, and is given much credit for shaping the Mets’ young pitching staff. Alan Ashby for the Astros is solid and a good leader, but he cannot match the offensive threat of Carter. Substantial edge to New York.

FIRST BASE--In the field, the Mets’ Keith Hernandez sets the standard, and he is one of the game’s best clutch hitters. Houston’s Glenn Davis, on the other hand, could well be the Astros’ MVP. While Hernandez did not match his RBI production of a year ago, Houston Manager Hal Lanier calls him the Mets’ MVP because of his ability to hit with runners aboard. Hernandez compensates for the edge that Davis holds in RBIs by the amount of offense he takes away from the opposition with his fielding. Davis has given the Astros something they have long needed--power, with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs. Slight edge to New York.

SECOND BASE--Astros coach Denis Menke feels there is none better at turning the double play than Billy Doran. He also is the club leader in stolen bases and runs. The Mets platoon switch-hitter Wally Backman and right-hander Tim Teufel. They are stronger with Backman playing against right-handed pitchers. Even.

SHORTSTOP--Neither Dickie Thon nor Craig Reynolds hit particularly well for the Astros, but Rafael Santana was an abysmal failure at the plate for New York until late in the season. Don’t look here for offense. In the field, Santana is smooth. Thon can be excellent; Reynolds is workmanlike. Edge to Houston.

THIRD BASE--The Mets started out platooning Ray Knight and Howard Johnson at third. But, by hitting right around .300, Knight won the full-time job. Defensively, he’s as good as either Denny Walling or Phil Garner, who platoon for Houston. Walling, though, had one of his best offensive seasons, while Garner was typically tough. Slight edge to Houston.

LEFT FIELD--At age 39 and bothered by injuries, Jose Cruz got off to a slow start. Then, as they say in Houston, he went into “Cruz control,” raising his batting average by more than 70 points, and he could be a key for the Astros. Rookie Kevin Mitchell and Mookie Wilson share the position for the Mets. Mitchell, a cut-and-slash hitter, has been hot and cold--hot more often. Wilson can really make things happen with his speed. Edge to Houston.

CENTER FIELD--The Astros went after the Chicago Cubs’ Billy Hatcher because they wanted more speed. What they got was speed, runs and defense--much the same as Len Dykstra gives the Mets. Hatcher may have a slight edge in the field, but Dykstra had one of those years where everything seemed to go right. Edge to New York.

RIGHT FIELD--With a .311 average and 20 home runs, Kevin Bass has been the prime rival to Glenn Davis for Houston MVP. He led the club in doubles, trailed only Doran and Davis in runs and was second in RBIs. Darryl Strawberry, on the other hand, has been an inconsistent performer for the Mets. Still, he wound up second to Carter in RBIs and led the team in homers. Edge to Houston.

PITCHING--Dwight Gooden vs. Mike Scott. Bob Ojeda vs. Nolan Ryan. Ron Darling vs. Bob Knepper. Gooden was the Mets’ Cy Young winner last year. Scott, with his no-hitter to clinch the division, may win it this year for Houston. Ojeda has been outstanding for the Mets since arriving from Boston. Ryan, well, is Ryan. Although the master of no-decisions, Darling always keeps the Mets in the game. Struggling in the late going, Knepper was Houston’s Met-killer this year with a 3-1 record. In the bullpen, the Mets throw Roger McDowell and Jesse Orosco; Houston uses Charlie Kerfeld and Dave Smith. Even.