BETTER OR WORSE?

The starting rotation is again solid, the lineup is better and more patient, the defense is improved in key areas, and the bench should give manager Jim Tracy more options. In short, the club overhauled key areas, and the result should be a better overall team. 1B Fred McGriff gives balance to a lineup that was in desperate need of it—RF Shawn Green slugged 42 of the 52 homers hit by Dodgers' lefthanded batters last season. 2B Joe Thurston should provide consistent defense, and bench players IF Mike Kinkade, C Todd Hundley and OF Daryle Ward will force opposing managers to make tough decisions with games on the line. The starting rotation of RHPs Hideo Nomo, Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort and LHPs Kazuhisa Ishii and Odalis Perez needs to stay healthy because there isn't much depth, though RHP Andy Ashby will help.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER

RHP Eric Gagne. He is coming off one of the best seasons in history for a closer, and the Dodgers play an inordinate number of one-run games. The biggest reason the Dodgers went 33-15 in one-run games was Gagne. He recorded a team-record 52 saves and dominated opponents. Thanks to Gagne, the club was 80-2 when leading after eight innings. If he can master his curveball, to go with his mid-90s fastball and devastating changeup, he could have an even better season.

ON THE SPOT

Brown, who is primed to show he's back after two unhealthy and unproductive seasons. Brown is having a tremendous spring and is being counted on to move back into the starting rotation. He was limited to 10 starts in 2002 because of elbow soreness and back surgery. He pitched at least 230 innings in five straight seasons, but injuries limited Brown to 1791/3 innings the last two seasons. Brown needs to show he can be a productive member of a starting rotation again.

WHO'S HURTING

Not many health issues entering the season—although Brown will be watched closely. The club took it slow with its injured players. Gagne missed time in spring training because of back soreness, but he is over that, and it shouldn't be an issue. LF Brian Jordan has experienced only sporadic and slight soreness in his surgically repaired knee.

WHAT'S AHEAD