How They Matchup

FIRST BASE: Shawn Green, who moved from the outfield on the eve of the regular season to accommodate Milton Bradley, surprised defensively in his first experience as an infielder. Green hit nine more home runs (28) than in 2003, but batted only .199 with runners in scoring position. However, he had several key hits in the final 16 games as the Dodgers withstood a late charge from the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. Albert Pujols is one of the best hitters in the majors. He batted .331 with 46 home runs, 126 runs batted in and 133 runs. Edge: Cardinals.

SECOND BASE: Although not a straight platoon, Alex Cora and Jose Hernandez formed a productive left-right tandem. The instinctive Cora is also a smooth fielder and the leader of the infield. The Dodgers got much more than they expected out of Hernandez. Tony Womack (.307, 26 stolen bases) provides the spark at the top of the Cardinal batting order but isn’t as efficient defensively (15 errors). Edge: Dodgers.

THIRD BASE: Scott Rolen or Adrian Beltre? A five-time Gold Glove award winner, Rolen has produced more than Beltre -- until this season. Beltre had a breakthrough year (.334, 200 hits, 48 homers, 121 RBIs) while emerging as leader in the clubhouse and an MVP candidate. He’s also younger and more athletic than Rolen (34 homers, 124 RBIs), but consistency matters.

Edge: Cardinals.

SHORTSTOP: Another interesting debate. The Cardinals’ Edgar Renteria is as good as it gets at his position, a Gold Glove winner with a .289 career batting average. However, Cesar Izturis isn’t far behind. The switch-hitter thrived in the leadoff spot -- establishing personal bests with a .288 batting average, 193 hits and 25 stolen bases -- and might be even better defensively than Renteria. Izturis and Cora are the league’s best double-play combination. Edge: Even.

CATCHER: Mike Matheny is an old-school receiver who inspires confidence in pitchers with his defense and game-calling skills. He also has had timely hits for the Cardinals. Brent Mayne, David Ross and Tom Wilson contribute behind the plate with their defense. They haven’t done much offensively, which could present problems in this series. Manager Jim Tracy is expected to carry all three on the division series roster because he might pinch-hit for the starter early in a game. Edge: Cardinals.

LEFT FIELD: The Dodgers believe Jayson Werth is on the verge of big things. He produced (16 homers) when given a chance to play every day and might be the opening-day left fielder next year. Some in the organization believe he has 40-homer, 100-RBI potential. How good is the Cardinal lineup? Reggie Sanders, who hit 22 home runs, bats seventh. Sanders was a member of Arizona’s 2001 World Series championship team. Edge: Cardinals.

CENTER FIELD: Steve Finley secured his place in Dodger history with a walk-off grand slam to clinch the team’s first NL West championship in nine years. Finley, 39, hit 13 homers after joining the Dodgers from Arizona and provided veteran leadership down the stretch. Jim Edmonds (.301, 42 homers, 111 RBIs) routinely makes highlight-tape catches and can carry an offense for long stretches. However, he finished the regular season in a 1-for-29 slump. The Dodgers hope it continues. Edge: Even.

RIGHT FIELD: Bradley returns after a five-game suspension to end the regular season. Bradley said he would seek help after his latest anger-management incident, and management is pleased to have him back on the field. The switch-hitter has big-time talent, but he must control his temper and strike out in fewer at-bats. He led the team with 123 strikeouts and batted only .250 after the All-Star break. Larry Walker is a former NL MVP winner (1997). Talk about a big addition before the trading deadline.

Edge: Cardinals.

STARTING PITCHING: St. Louis has four starters with at least 15 victories, but Chris Carpenter won’t pitch in the first round because of nerve damage in his pitching arm. How did the Dodgers overcome Hideo Nomo’s ineffectiveness and Kazuhisa Ishii’s inconsistency? With Jose Lima and Jeff Weaver, who combined for 26 victories, sharing the team lead with Ishii at 13. The Dodgers plan to use a three-man rotation of Odalis Perez, Weaver and Lima against the Cardinals. Edge: Even.

BULLPEN: Eric Gagne is still the game’s most dominant closer (he converted 45 of 47 save opportunities and struck out 114 in 82 1/3 innings), but his pitching arm was sore at the end of the season. The setup situation hasn’t been as good since Guillermo Mota was traded to Florida. Rookie Yhency Brazoban struggled down the stretch, so Tracy summoned Gagne for several two-inning saves. Jason Isringhausen converted 47 of 54 save opportunities and the Cardinals have a solid bullpen overall. But Gagne is a difference-maker. Edge: Dodgers.

BENCH: Hernandez and Olmedo Saenz led the most productive Dodger bench in Tracy’s four-year tenure. Robin Ventura can still provide a clutch pinch-hit -- especially with the bases loaded. Unlike in previous seasons, Tracy has confidence that his bench can deliver with the game on the line. He saw it happen many times. John Mabry, Ray Lankford and Hector Luna were valuable reserves for the Cardinals. Edge: Cardinals.

MANAGER: Finally off the hot seat in his fourth season at the helm, Tracy must now prove himself under the glare of October’s bright lights. Tracy enjoys matching wits with his counterparts in the other dugouts, and Tony La Russa is considered among the game’s brightest managers, though some believe he has a tendency to tinker too much. La Russa has 67 games of postseason experience to none for Tracy. La Russa’s teams are 3-1 in the division series. Edge: Cardinals.

SERIES PREDICTION: Dodgers in four.

-- Jason Reid