By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

JUPITER, Fla. - Glancing across the Cardinals' spring training clubhouse, pitcher Matt Morris shakes his head.

Hanging in lockers along the east wall are jerseys adorned with the last names Renteria, Vina, Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds and Martinez.

"That's pretty much our lineup right there," said Morris, the Cardinals' No. 1 starter, about shortstop Edgar Renteria, second baseman Fernando Vina, leftfielder Albert Pujols, third baseman Scott Rolen, centerfielder Jim Edmonds and first baseman Tino Martinez.

"I sit here and think to myself, 'Shoot, if I can hold the other team to 10 runs we might have a chance.' "

Based on that lineup's offensive and defensive production last season, St. Louis should be a favorite to win the National League Central for the fourth consecutive season.

"There's going to be a lot of competition, and we're the team everybody is going to rise up for," Morris said.

Despite considerable personnel turnover on the pitching staff - six pitchers from 2002 are gone, five are new - this essentially is the same team that overcame so much adversity last season.

Players dealt with the death of pitcher Darryl Kile and a host of early injuries to the pitching staff to still win 97 games overall and the NL Central by 13 games.

St. Louis won 57 of its 94 games after Kile's death in late June, going 21-6 in September.

But after sweeping defending World Series champion Arizona in the division series, the Cardinals lost Rolen to a shoulder injury and then were defeated in four of five games against the Giants in the National League Championship Series. The Cardinals were 3-for-39 with runners in scoring position and were outscored 23-16 in the series.

"Obviously it was disappointing," said Martinez, who hit .262 during the regular season and .080 combined in the postseason.

The attitude this season is one of optimism as St. Louis hopes for its first World Series berth since 1987.

Morris is firmly implanted as the No. 1 starter, with Woody Williams, who twice was on the disabled list last season, and Brett Tomko, acquired in a trade with the Padres, behind him. As many as four pitchers are vying for the final two spots.

Closer Jason Isringhausen has been delayed because of an arm injury but was impressive when he threw batting practice Friday for the first time this spring. He is expected to be ready for opening day.

"Some people kind of question their talent and health," manager Tony La Russa said of his pitching staff. "It's just a matter of staying healthy. I think we have enough talent to be a good club."

The pitchers expect plenty of support.

Renteria, Vina, Edmonds and Rolen, who hit .278 with 14 homers and 44 RBI after being traded from Philadelphia in July, are Gold Glovers. In his second season, Pujols led the Cardinals in batting (.314), homers (34), RBI (127) and runs (118).

"I think the guys got a lot of experience the past couple of years, getting to the postseason," Martinez said. "The guys that have been here are not satisfied with getting there anymore. They want to get to the next level and have a chance for a championship."

Cardinals at a glance

2002 record/finish: 97-65, 1st NL Central, lost 4-1 to Giants in NLCS

Manager: Tony La Russa (8th season with Cardinals, 604-592)

Coaches: Dave Duncan (pitching), Marty Mason (bullpen), Dave McKay (first), Jose Oquendo (third), Mitchell Page (hitting), Joe Pettini (bench).

Projected lineup:

Pos-player	2002 statistics
2B-Fernando Vina	.270, 17 stolen bases, 7 sacrifices
RF-Eli Marrero	.262, 18 home runs, 66 RBI
CF-Jim Edmonds	.311, 28 home runs, 83 RBI, .420 on-base pct.
LF-Albert Pujols	.314, 34 home runs, 127 RBI
3B-Scott Rolen	.266, 31 home runs, 110 RBI
1B-Tino Martinez	.262, 21 home runs, 75 RBI
SS-Edgar Renteria	.205, 36 doubles, 83 RBI, 22 stolen bases
C-Mike Matheny	.244, 3 home runs, 35 RBI
SP-Matt Morris	17-9, 3.42 ERA, 171 strikeouts, 64 walks
RP-Jason Isringhausen	3-2, 2.48 ERA, 32 saves

Additions: RHP Joey Hamilton, RHP Chris Carpenter, RHP Brett Tomko, C Joe Girardi, RHP Al Levine, RHP Dustin Hermanson, C Steve Torrealba, OF Orlando Palmeiro

Subtractions: LHP Chuck Finley, RHP Andy Benes, RHP Dave Veres, C Mike DiFelice, RHP Rick White, RHP Luther Hackman, RHP Jamey Wright, OF Al Martin