NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

By BEN BOLCH

April 2, 2004 12 AM PT

1. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Key additions: C A.J. Pierzynski, OF Michael Tucker and Dustan Mohr, P Brett Tomko.

Key losses: P Sidney Ponson, Joe Nathan and Tim Worrell, OF Jose Cruz Jr., SS Rich Aurilia, C Benito Santiago.

Strengths: Barry Bonds could eclipse Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time home run list with 57 homers. Edgardo Alfonzo and newcomer Pierzynski should provide adequate protection for Bonds in a lineup that features a nice blend of speed and power.

Weaknesses: Injuries are already wreaking havoc. Ace Jason Schmidt has been slowed this spring by a sore throwing shoulder and closer Robb Nen, recovering from shoulder problems, will begin the season on the disabled list.

Outlook: Health will go a long way toward determining the Giants’ fate in a wide-open division. If Schmidt, Nen and starter Kirk Rueter, limited last season by shoulder tightness, return to form, San Francisco should win big. The only guarantee is distractions brought on by Bonds’ pursuit of the home run record and his association with trainer Greg Anderson, who remains a focus in a federal investigation into a performance-enhancing drug ring.

At Dodger Stadium: April 23-25, June 29-July 1, Oct. 1-3.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Ray Durham

1B J.T. Snow

CF Marquis Grissom

LF Barry Bonds

3B Edgardo Alfonzo

RF Michael Tucker

C A.J. Pierzynski

SS Neifi Perez

STARTING PITCHERS

Jason Schmidt

Kirk Rueter

Brett Tomko

Jerome Williams

Dustin Hermanson

BULLPEN

Robb Nen

Matt Herges

Felix Rodriguez

Scott Eyre

Jim Brower

Jason Christiansen

2. DODGERS

Key additions: P Jeff Weaver and Jose Lima, OF Juan Encarnacion, Jayson Werth and Jason Grabowski.

Key losses: P Kevin Brown and Paul Quantrill, OF Brian Jordan and Jeromy Burnitz, 1B Fred McGriff.

Strengths: You don’t need a Frank McCourt news release to know that when it comes to the Dodgers, P stands for pitching, pitching, pitching. Starters Hideo Nomo and Odalis Perez should be 15-game winners, and closer Eric Gagne is as automatic as it gets.

Weaknesses: The Dodgers haven’t added the long-awaited bat their lineup so desperately needs, and there is no guarantee the rotation can repeat the results it achieved in 2003. Weaver has never posted a winning record in five major-league seasons, Kazuhisa Ishii is still wild despite a revamped delivery and rookie Edwin Jackson has struggled in the spring.

Outlook: The good-pitch, no-hit approach that kept the Dodgers in contention last season could spell a lower-division finish if the team doesn’t upgrade its offense. The lineup puts too much pressure on Shawn Green and Paul Lo Duca, who suffered from overuse last season and had only one homer after the All-Star break.

At Angel Stadium: July 2-4.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Dave Roberts

SS Cesar Izturis

3B Adrian Beltre

RF Shawn Green

C Paul Lo Duca

LF Juan Encarnacion

1B Robin Ventura

2B Alex Cora

STARTING PITCHERS

Hideo Nomo

Odalis Perez

Jeff Weaver

Kazuhisa Ishii

Edwin Jackson

BULLPEN

Eric Gagne

Guillermo Mota

Paul Shuey

Tom Martin

Darren Dreifort

Wilson Alvarez

3. SAN DIEGO PADRES

Key additions: P David Wells, Sterling Hitchcock and Akinori Otsuka, C Ramon Hernandez, OF Jay Payton and Terrence Long.

Key losses: OF Mark Kotsay, P Kevin Jarvis, C Gary Bennett.

Strengths: The Padres made the biggest off-season splash in the division by obtaining an ace in Wells, a dependable catcher in Hernandez and some help for the bullpen. The hope is that the unpredictable Wells can duplicate his 15-victory season of a year ago, while young starters Brian Lawrence and Jake Peavy progress from their growing pains of 2003. First baseman Phil Nevin returns from arm and shoulder injuries.

Weaknesses: The bullpen could be in trouble if Trevor Hoffman struggles coming off two shoulder surgeries. Rod Beck, who last season converted all 20 save opportunities and was expected to be Hoffman’s setup man, has left the team indefinitely because of personal problems.

Outlook: For all the excitement surrounding the opening of Petco Park, a new home will not be a panacea if the Padres get off to a slow start and the pitching struggles. But if the Padres can build some momentum, chances are good for the franchise’s first winning season since 1998.

At Dodger Stadium: April 5-7, July 23-25, Sept. 13-16.

PROJECTED LINEUP

3B Sean Burroughs

2B Mark Loretta

RF Brian Giles

1B Phil Nevin

LF Ryan Klesko

CF Jay Payton

C Ramon Hernandez

SS Khalil Greene

STARTING PITCHERS

David Wells

Brian Lawrence

Jake Peavy

Adam Eaton

Sterling Hitchcock

BULLPEN

Trevor Hoffman

Antonio Osuna

Akinori Otsuka

Jay Witasick

Ismael Valdez

Scott Linebrink

4. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Key additions: 1B Richie Sexson, 2B Roberto Alomar, P Shane Reynolds, Steve Sparks and Casey Fossum, C Brent Mayne.

Key losses: P Curt Schilling and Miguel Batista, OF Raul Mondesi, INF Craig Counsell, 2B Junior Spivey, 1B Lyle Overbay, C Chad Moeller.

Strengths: Wholesale changes in the infield, highlighted by the acquisition of the slugging Sexson and Gold Glover Alomar, are promising. Randy Johnson no longer has Schilling alongside him in the rotation, but Brandon Webb is coming off a solid rookie season. Hard-throwing reliever Jose Valverde is capable of assuming the closer’s role if injury-prone Matt Mantei falters.

Weaknesses: Diamondback players missed 646 games last season because of injuries, and things aren’t getting off to a good start this time. Catcher Robby Hammock (knee) and reliever Casey Fossum (shoulder) are starting the season on the disabled list.

Outlook: A youth movement pinning its hopes on up-and-comers such as shortstop Alex Cintron probably will translate into a middle-of-the-pack division finish. Prospects could improve if the gap in the rotation is filled or worsen if injuries and inexperience take a toll.

At Dodger Stadium: May 28-30, July 5-7, Sept. 7-9.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Steve Finley

2B Roberto Alomar

LF Luis Gonzalez

1B Richie Sexson

SS Alex Cintron

3B Shea Hillenbrand

RF Danny Bautista

C Brent Mayne

STARTING PITCHERS

Randy Johnson

Brandon Webb

Elmer Dessens

Shane Reynolds

Steve Sparks

BULLPEN

Matt Mantei

Jose Valverde

Oscar Villarreal

Stephen Randolph

Mike Koplove

Randy Choate

5. COLORADO ROCKIES

Key additions: 3B Vinny Castilla, LF Jeromy Burnitz, 2B Aaron Miles, P Joe Kennedy, Shawn Estes, Jeff Fassero and Turk Wendell, SS Royce Clayton.

Key losses: 2B Ronnie Belliard, P Jose Jimenez, Darren Oliver and Justin Speier, LF Jay Payton, 3B Chris Stynes, SS Juan Uribe.

Strengths: Todd Helton and Preston Wilson could be even more dangerous hitters if Larry Walker, whose 2003 season was marred by knee and shoulder injuries, returns to form. Fan favorite Castilla is back with the team for which he starred from 1993 to ’99.

Weaknesses: The starting rotation will again be a sore spot with Oliver gone and Denny Neagle out after Tommy John surgery. Late leads, always precarious at Coors Field, could be even more insecure with starter Shawn Chacon moving into the closer’s role. Walker opens the season on the disabled list with a groin injury.

Outlook: That sentiment about things having to get worse before they can get better applies to the 2004 Rockies. A potentially terrific batting order won’t do much good if it has to score seven runs a game to win. The saving grace is residing in one of baseball’s weaker divisions.

At Dodger Stadium: April 9-11, July 21-22, Sept. 27-30.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Aaron Miles

SS Royce Clayton

1B Todd Helton

CF Preston Wilson

RF Larry Walker

3B Vinny Castilla

LF Jeromy Burnitz

C Charles Johnson

STARTING PITCHERS

Shawn Estes