The arrival of Kirk Gibson in Los Angeles in 1988 was the spark needed to give the Dodgers a world championship. The addition of free agent Darryl Strawberry in 1991 from the Mets to a lineup already loaded with big bats makes one begin to wonder if Cincinnati's hopes of repeating as world champions are in jeopardy.

The National League West figures to be a three-team race between the Dodgers, Reds and San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers with a superior offense and strong pitching should win easily. Cincinnati will need a more productive offense to repeat while the Giants desperately need a 15-game winner to have a chance.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers -- The addition of outfielders Brett Butler (.309 average, 192 hits, 51 stolen bases) and Strawberry (.277, 37 HRs 108 RBIs) give the Dodgers the leadoff man and cleanup hitter they've searched for since Steve Sax and Ron Cey, respectively. Strawberry, a born-again Christian, has a new, positive outlook and is ready to lead the Dodgers' version of Murderers Row with leftfielder Kal Daniels (.296, 27, 94) and first baseman Eddie Murray (.330, 26, 95) coming off his best season ever. The 'Straw Man' is the consummate power hitter (.518 slugging percentage) and is also showing better control at the plate (70 walks in 1990). Butler's leadoff stats (90 walks, .397 on-base percentage) make him the best leadoff hitter in baseball next to Oakland's Rickey Henderson. Free agent Kevin Gross will join an already deep pitching staff led by Cy Young candidate Ramon Martinez (20-6, 2.92 ERA, 223 strikeouts). If Orel Hershiser returns 100 percent healthy a five-man rotation of Martinez, Tim Belcher (9-9 in 24 starts last year), Mike Morgan (11-15, 3.75 ERA), ex-Met Bob Ojeda and Hershiser or Gross could be too much for opposing hitters.

2. Cincinnati Reds -- The Reds possess the best bullpen in baseball and play excellent defense. The problem is Cincinnati only has one run-producer, Eric Davis (.260 24, 86). The Reds must get more production out of Davis and infielders Barry Larkin (.301, 67 RBIs) and Chris Sabo (25 HRs, 70 RBIs) need to have MVP-type seasons. The pitching staff led by Series MVP Jose Rijo (14-8, 2.70 ERA) only needs to pitch six strong innings before giving way to the Nasty Boys: lefthander Randy Myers (2.08 ERA, 31 saves, 98 Ks) and righthander Rob Dibble (8-3, 1.74 ERA, 11 saves, 136 Ks in 98 innings).

3. San Francisco Giants -- With the addition of NL batting champ Willie McGee and Kevin Bass, San Francisco has its own version of Murderers Row. This group is led by the triumvirate of Kevin Mitchell (.290, 35, 93), Will Clark (.295 19, 95) and Matt Williams (.277 33, 122). The Giants have two reliable closers in Jeff Brantley (19 saves) and ex-Yankee Dave Righetti (36). If San Francisco can find consistent pitching, the offense could be enough to steal a division title. Second baseman Robby Thompson (.299 on-base percentage) must work out as a leadoff hitter to help the Giants' chances.

4. San Diego Padres -- The chaos in the front office hurt this already-fragile team very badly in 1990. Not surprisingly the turmoil filtered into the clubhouse (i.e. Jack Clark-Tony Gwynn feud) and onto the field. While Clark and Joe Carter are gone, they took their big bats with them. The leading returning home run hitter is catcher Benito Santiago (11). Stability is the Padres chief and only asset. San Diego lacks depth, leadership, experience, consistent pitching and a productive offense to be a contender this year. The additions of Tony Fernandez, Fred McGriff and veteran Marty Barrett could have a positive influence in what will be a trying season. Gwynn, the spiritual leader of the Padres, will recover very well from last season's turmoil.

5. Atlanta Braves -- What else is there to say? The situation in Atlanta is potentially scary. If 'Prime Time' Deion Sanders is on, he would fill plenty of seats in Fulton County Stadium. Atlanta's primary strength is its outfield with Rookie of the Year Dave Justice (.282, 28, 78), Ron Gant (.303, 32, 84) and veteran Lonnie Smith (.305, 42 RBIs). John Smoltz is the only Brave who could win 15 games and his ERA last season was 3.85. The bullpen was next-to-last in saves last season (30) with 15 pitchers getting saves. It'll be another long hot summer in Atlanta.

6. Houston Astros -- Next. Seriously. This team is scary -- very scary. Losing 100 games is a strong possibility for this club. The only advantage Houston has is playing in the Astrodome (49-32 last season). Houston lost their only true cleanup hitter in Glenn Davis when they traded him to Baltimore for pitching. The Astros have virtually no offense, an unproven defense and no leadership on a very inexperienced team. Mike Scott (9 wins, 3.81 ERA) is looking to rebound from a disastrous 1990 season. The way Scott goes, Houston's pitching will go. A strong season from him could save the Astros from losing a 100 games. Houston is hoping that Curt Schilling, acquired in the Davis deal, measures up as a reliever.