1. RHP Hiroki Kuroda

2. LHP Randy Wolf

3. RHP Chad Billingsley

4. LHP Clayton Kershaw

5. RHP James McDonald

ROTATION ANALYSIS: This is a shaky area for the Dodgers. All of their front four starters are capable, but none of them has ever shown the ability to dominate over a long period of time as have certain members of the rotations of the Dodgers' top division rivals, San Francisco and Arizona.

Kershaw might have the highest up-side of the group, but he struggled at times as a rookie last year, and there are questions as to his readiness. And while McDonald became the organization's top pitching prospect after Kershaw reached the majors, putting him in the fifth spot amounts to a wing and a prayer because he has only six big-league appearances.

BULLPEN:

RHP Jonathan Broxton (closer)

LHP Hong-Chih Kuo

RHP Cory Wade

RHP Guillermo Mota

RHP Claudio Vargas

RHP Jeff Weaver

LHP Shawn Estes

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The Dodgers managed to win the division last year without an airtight closer -- both Broxton and Takashi Saito were inconsistent -- but this could prove to be a problem area unless Broxton becomes more reliable. Kuo will step into the role on days when Broxton is unavailable, or perhaps permanently if Broxton falters.

Other than Wade, who made a strong impression as a rookie after coming up from Class AA last year, it's a veteran group, although there isn't a great deal of experience coming out of the 'pen. If Estes can grab the situational-lefty spot out of camp, he would be in an utterly unfamiliar role after spending his previous 13 big-league seasons as a starter. LHP Will Ohman will take over that role as soon as the team determines he's ready and summons him from Class AAA Albuquerque.

LINEUP:

1. SS Rafael Furcal

2. 2B Orlando Hudson

3. LF Manny Ramirez

4. RF Andre Ethier

5. C Russell Martin

6. 1B James Loney

7. CF Matt Kemp

8. 3B Casey Blake

LINEUP ANALYSIS: This is a strong group that shouldn't require a lot of tinkering, but fourth outfielder Juan Pierre still should get plenty of starts because he'll be the guy anytime Ramirez, Kemp or Ethier needs a day off. Blake brings a veteran presence to the No. 8 hole, one of the toughest spots for a National League hitter, but it is conceivable that Pierre could hit ninth, behind the pitcher, on the days he starts to give the Dodgers three speedsters hitting immediately ahead of Ramirez.

The lineup will create late-inning problems for opposing managers because it includes two switch hitters at the top and two left-handed batters staggered in the fourth and sixth spots. But the Dodgers don't have a great deal of depth, so health is a key.

RESERVES:

C Brad Ausmus

INF Juan Castro

INF Mark Loretta

INF Doug Mientkiewicz

OF Juan Pierre

RESERVES ANALYSIS: It's a veteran group that should do wonders in the clubhouse, but how much it produces on the field is anyone's guess. Ausmus is a three-time Gold Glove winner and master handler of pitchers, meaning manager Joe Torre finally can give Russell Martin a day off a week and feel comfortable about it.

Versatility was a key in selecting this group. Both Castro and Loretta can play all four infield spots, Mientkiewicz can play both corners and right field, and Pierre can play both left and center.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP James McDonald looks like a strong bet to begin the season as the Dodgers' fifth starter, but he might be simply holding down the fort until RHP Jason Schmidt comes off the disabled list. RHP Josh Lindblom, the Dodgers' second-round pick in last year's draft out of Purdue, has a good shot of being in the majors sometime this year after being promoted to major league camp on March 19.

MEDICAL WATCH:

OF Delwyn Young (sore right elbow) might open the season on the disabled list.

RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgeries in June 2007 and September 2008) was pitching in games in late March, but he wasn't comfortable completely cutting loose in his delivery. He likely will begin the season on the disabled list.

RHP Chad Billingsley (right groin tightness) is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season despite having his penultimate spring start reduced to a simulated game.

INF Mark Loretta (right groin tightness) was expected to miss four or five days in late March, but club officials were hopeful he would be ready by Opening Day.