Projected batting order Fernando Vina, 2B Edgar Renteria, SS Jim Edmonds, CF Albert Pujols, LF Scott Rolen, 3B Tino Martinez, 1B J.D. Drew/Eli Marrero, RF Mike Matheny, C Rotation Matt Morris, RHP Woody Williams, RHP Brett Tomko, RHP Jason Simontacchi, RHP Garrett Stephenson, RHP Bench Eli Marrero, OF Orlando Palmeiro, OF Kerry Robinson, OF Miguel Cairo, INF Joe Girardi, C Bullpen Jason Isringhausen, RHP (CL) Steve Kline, LHP Jeff Fassero, LHP Mike Crudale, RHP Al Levine, RHP Complete Cardinals roster  ESPN's Take Q: Can the Cardinals remain on top for another season in the NL Central? I thought they had the best pitching staff in the division last season, and I expect the Cardinals' starting rotation to be better in 2003. The Cards return as the best hitting and pitching team in the NL Central, as well as the sixth-best fielding team in the NL. They also have one of the best managers in the big leagues in Tony La Russa. The tragic losses of pitcher Darryl Kile and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck only brought this team closer. They'll battle the Astros for the division crown, but I expect them to come out on top. -- Rob Dibble Tino Martinez's stats bore little resemblance to his last few years in pinstripes, but he's not finished yet. Martinez suffered through a miserable April, and figures to improve on that this year. Look for at least 20 home runs for the season, making Tino close to a top-10 NL first baseman. With Jason Isringhausen still having shoulder problems, it's a good time to pick up Steve Kline, a lefty with experience as a closer. Don't expect Kline to get more than 20 saves, but he should be the guy in April and every save counts. -- Eric Karabell Jimmy Journell, RHP Is a hard-throwing righty that gets batters out with his 94-mph fastball and a hard slider. Journell pitched well in Triple-A Memphis last season, finishing with a 3.68 ERA. He could make his way to the big club if question marks in the Cardinals rotation are not answered.

Manager: Tony La Russa  Home: Busch Stadium (49,738)  '02 record: 97-65  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Mike Matheny Hit just .215 in the first half of last season and was benched, at times. The Cardinals need to have Matheny behind the plate for his defense and for the way he handles the pitching staff. Matheny hit .280 after July, but the Cardinals can live with less because they have offense throughout the lineup. First Base: Tino Martinez Found out that you have to make adjustments when switching leagues. Although it was a disappointing season, Martinez came on in the second half to finish with 21 HR and 75 RBI. Mark McGwire he is not, but the Cardinals are expecting 30 HR and 100 RBI from this power position. Second Base: Fernando Vina Took his nine HR in 2001 too seriously. Although he won his second straight Gold Glove, he saw his BA suffer from lifting too many balls in the air. Vina is most effective when he is slapping at the ball and using his speed to get on base. The Cards have enough power behind Vina; they just need him to get on. Third Base: Scott Rolen Upgrades the Cardinals lineup from good to great. Cardinals fans got a little taste of how good Rolen is when he belted 14 HR in just 55 G last season. Acquired from the Phillies in July, Rolen is the protection Albert Pujols never had. Expect a consistent 30 HR and 100 RBI for years to come. Shortstop: Edgar Renteria Hit over .300 for the first time since his rookie year with the Marlins in 1996. Renteria is only 27 and could be on the verge of a career year, hitting in the No.2 spot. He led the Cards in SB and hit .379 with RISP. Left Field: Albert Pujols Made history by being the first player ever to bat at least .300 with 30 homers, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored in each of his first two major-league seasons. Pitchers have yet to figure out the 23-year-old. He was hitting only .280 through the first three months of last season, but proceeded to hit .335 and a league-leading 61 RBI in the second half. His .340 batting average with RISP is valued in the four hole. Center Field: Jim Edmonds Hit a career high .311 last season and has been the model of consistency in the Cardinals lineup. Nagging injuries are starting to take its toll on the 32-year-old. He was bothered by a wrist injury last season, and hurt his calf in spring training this year. He may have to start the season on the DL; giving Kerry Robinson playing time. Right Field: J.D. Drew/Eli Marrero May be running out of chances. After hitting .323 with 27 HR in 2001, Drew fell to .252 and 18 HR last season. At 27, he should be entering his prime; instead Drew has found his was on the DL. He underwent surgery after last season to remove a tendon from the ailing knee and might not start this season until June. His absence opens the door for Marrero and Orlando Palmeiro to get more playing time. No. 1 Starter: Matt Morris Among players was affected the most by the death of teammate Darryl Kile last season. Kile was his closest friend and he was unable to regain focus after his death. Morris also suffered from a hamstring injury, but through it all, he still won 17 games. Morris won 22 games in 2001 and can expect to win 20 again this season. He is entering his prime and is a Cy Young Award candidate. No. 2 Starter: Woody Williams May be the key to the rotation. When healthy, Williams gives the Cardinals an above average second starter. He has not done much this spring to relieve the Cardinals' concerns. He was hammered in almost every spring outing, sporting a double digit ERA. He throws a 90-mph fastball to go with a devastating changeup. No. 3 Starter: Brett Tomko Pitched well for a bad Padres club last season. He pitched over 200 innings, including three complete games. He throws a mid-90s fastball to go with his slider. The key for Tomko is that he has to establish an inside presence. His stuff is not good enough to become predictable. The Cardinals hope 10-10 with the Pads translates to 15-8 with their lineup. No. 4 Starter: Jason Simontacchi/Garrett Stephenson Will battle each other for the No. 4 spot, with the loser being the fifth starter. Simontacchi was 11-5 with the Cards last year and he's had a great spring. Stephenson won 16 games in 2000, but has battled injuries since. Bullpen: Steve Kline, Jeff Fassero, Mike Crudale, Al Levine With closer Jason Isringhausen battling injuries last year, this pen stepped it up. The Cardinals' bullpen was third in the NL in ERA (3.11). Kline and Fassero can both step in and close if Isrighausen remains unhealthy. Closer: Jason Isringhausen Had surgery in October that may sideline him to start the season. Isringhausen converted 32 of 37 save opportunities last season and could reach 40 saves, if healthy. On March 19, Isringhausen experienced stiffness in his shoulder and might not make a spring appearance.

-- Matt Pike, ESPN The Magazine

Record: 97-65 | Finish: 1st in NL Central (lost in NLCS to San Francisco) | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 787 runs (2nd) Home: 390 (5th) Road: 397 (3rdt) 648 runs allowed (4th) Home: 284 (3rd) Road: 364 (8th) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Albert Pujols, .314 Runs: Pujols, 118 On-base pct: Jim Edmonds, .420 Stolen bases: Edgar Renteria, 22 Wins: Matt Morris, 17 Saves: Jason Isringhausen, 32 Home runs: Pujols, 34 RBI: Pujols, 127 Slugging pct.: Pujols/Edmonds, .561 OPS: Edmonds, .981 ERA: Morris, 3.42 Strikeouts: Morris, 171