NATIONAL LEAGUE

The only current major league team never to reach the postseason
(the Marlins) bought its way into contention; another club (the
Astros) named a broadcaster as its manager; and as baseball's
Rotisserie-league mentality persisted, one prominent player
joined his fifth team (the Dodgers) in 18 months. The more the
National League changes, as the following reports on the 14
teams attest, the more it remains the same: The Braves are still
the best.

EAST

Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
Montreal Expos
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies

CENTRAL

St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh Pirates

WEST

Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants

Division Series: Marlins over Cardinals, Braves over Dodgers
Championship Series: Braves over Marlins

STAT FACTS BY ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU

COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY V.J. LOVERO Here's the Pitch After a long off-season, we deliver relief: our annual preview issue. [Eight members of Cincinnati Reds in dugout and silhouette of pitcher's legs--T of C]

B/W PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER READ MILLER [Baseball]