Feeling of Well-Being at Home

The Dodgers are optimistic about their six-game home stand beginning tonight against the Houston Astros and ending with the Colorado Rockies.

After a 3-6 trip, players said the club must regain momentum in the tight National League West.

The Dodgers have the division’s best home record at 16-7.

“Yeah, it was a long, tough trip,” shortstop Alex Cora said. “We had opportunities we didn’t take advantage of, and we didn’t feel good about that.

“But the good thing is that we have played well at home. For whatever reason, we’ve swung the bats a lot better [at Dodger Stadium] and we’ve just made more plays. So it’s good to be back.”

Reliever Mike Fetters said the Dodgers must build on their success.

“What you did in the past doesn’t matter--it’s about what you do today and tomorrow,” he said. “Most teams come into a season saying, ‘It’s only April, it’s only May.’ But at some point . . . it’s hard to be there in September having to make up so many games.

“The point is to win as many games as you can whenever you can. To win the last game of the trip, hopefully it brings some momentum for us.”

Kevin Brown is expected to start Monday against the Rockies despite having aggravated a rib-cage injury in Wednesday’s 6-4 victory at Coors Field.

“I don’t know if you’re ever 100%, but I’d take a few percentage points higher than what I am right now,” said Brown, who will be evaluated by team trainers today. “You just have to do what you can and hope it’s enough.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Houston Astros, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Records--Dodgers 25-22, Astros 24-21.

2000 record vs. Astros--3-4.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(4-4, 3.15 ERA)

vs.

ASTROS’

WADE MILLER

(6-1, 2.97 ERA)

Update--Manager Jim Tracy shuffled the rotation so that Park, among league leaders in several categories, could start twice on the home stand. The right-hander has the third-lowest opponents’ batting average at .203, is fifth with 65 strikeouts and is tied for sixth with 65 2/3 innings. He is 2-2 with a 4.53 earned-run average in 11 career appearances against the Astros. The Astros have dropped four in a row. Opponents are batting .188 against Miller on the road.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Luke Prokopec (5-1, 3.59) vs. Shane Reynolds (4-3, 5.88).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (3-3, 4.58) vs. Scott Elarton (4-4, 6.32). Jason Reid