NL WEST : THE DIVISION RACE

STANDINGS

Team Won Lost Pct. GB GR Dodgers 85 63 .574 -- 14 Atlanta 84 63 .571 1/2 15

THE SERIES Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves At Dodger Stadium The race to decide the best in the West has moved to Chavez Ravine. After the Braves rallied to win two out of three from the Dodgers last weekend in Atlanta, the teams get together for three more at Dodger Stadium. But this time, the Dodgers are the leaders and on their home turf. They have won all four games on the current home stand and have the best home record in baseball (48-24). They will go over the 3-million mark in attendance again Saturday night, and the fans at the three sold-out games will be waving Dodger Dogs instead of tomahawks. DODGERSTEAM AVERAGES VS. BRAVES Batting Average: .249 Runs: 63 Home Runs: 8 Runs Batted In: 55 Stolen Bases: 7 Errors: 20 Record: 9-6 ERA: 3.06 Opponent BA: .232 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS VS. BRAVES BA Butler: (.434) Runs Butler: (11) Hits Butler: (23) HR Daniels: (2) HR Murray: (2) RBI Daniels: (12) Wins Morgan: (3) ERA* Belcher: (2.19) Saves Gross: (3) Inn. Morgan: (26 1/3) * Minimum 10 innings PLAYER TO WATCH Orel Hershiser has come back from major shoulder surgery hoping to be able to make a significant contribution in the stretch drive. Is he ready to recapture the magic of 1988? The answer may come this weekend. BRAVESTEAM AVERAGES VS. DODGERS Batting Average: .232 Runs: 58 Home Runs: 8 Runs Batted In: 51 Stolen Bases: 23 Errors: 17 Record: 6-9 ERA: 3.48 Opponent BA: .249 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS VS. DODGERS BA Pendleton: (.345) Runs Pendleton: (9) Runs Gant: (9) Hits Pendleton: (19) HR Justice: (3) RBI Justice, Gant: (8) Wins Avery, Glavine: (2) ERA* Avery: (1.19) Saves 0 Inn. Glavine: (33 1/3) * Minimum 10 innings PLAYER TO WATCH Outfielder Lonnie Smith returns to the spotlight with the suspension of leadoff batter Otis Nixon. Career .289 batter has a .299 average in postseason play. And this series qualifies as a playoff in its own right. TONIGHT’S GAME Tim Belcher (9-8) vs. Steve Avery (16-8) Time: 7:30 p.m. TV: SportsChannel. Radio: KABC (790), KWKW (1330) SATURDAY’S GAME Orel Hershiser (6-2) vs. Charlie Leibrandt (15-11) Time: 7 p.m. TV: Channel 11. Radio: KABC (790), KWKW (1330) SUNDAY’S GAME Ramon Martinez (16-11) vs. Tom Glavine (19-10) Time: 1 p.m. TV: Channel 11. Radio: KABC (790), KWKW (1330)