By BOB MATTHEWS
Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

The 2003 Atlanta Braves get another chance to prove they've been baseball's best team for more than a decade. But they'll again have to win the World Series to convince anyone.

The Braves won a record 12th consecutive divisional title this season. They've made five trips to the World Series over that span with only one championship to show for it.

The current edition of the Braves will try with a new formula: better offense and less pitching. It might work until they get to the World Series. Here's a look at the four National League playoff teams:

Why the Braves should reach the World Series:

Best-hitting team in the NL by far and not far behind the Boston Red Sox. ... Batted .284 and hit 235 HRs with pitchers hitting for themselves compared to Boston's .289 and 238 HRs with designated hitters in the lineup. ... nice 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup (Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles) to set the table for the power bats of Gary Sheffield (.330, 39 HRs, 132 RBI), Chipper Jones (.305, 27 HRs, 106 RBI), Andruw Jones (.277, 36 HRs, 116 RBI) and Javy Lopez (.328, 43 HRs, 109 RBI). ... bottom of the lineup no picnic with Vinny Castilla and Robert Frick or Julio Franco. ... decent but not dominant top three starting pitchers in Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton and Greg Maddux. ... closer John Smoltz (1.12 ERA and 44 saves) if his elbow holds up. ... tough to beat at home (55-26). ... Manager Bobby Cox is due to win a second World Series.

Why the Braves might not reach the World Series:

Shaky starting pitchers Shane Reynolds and rookie Horacio Ramirez. ... long relievers and set-up men not nearly as reliable as in the past. ... below average defensive team (playoff-most 121 errors). ... Furcal only consistent base-stealing threat. ... not much on the bench.

Why San Francisco might reach the World Series:

Barry Bonds, the best player of his generation and probable six-time league MVP (.341, 111 runs, 45 HRs, 90 RBI, 148 walks, .529 on-base percentage, .749 slugging percentage). In last year's postseason, he had 8 HRs, 16 RBI and 27 walks in 17 games. ... Bonds makes everyone in the lineup better and this season's lineup is better than last year's World Series lineup with the additions of Ray Durham, Marquis Grissom, Edgardo Alfonso and Jose Cruz Jr. ... No. 1 starter Jason Schmidt (17-5, 2.34 ERA). ... deep bullpen. ... solid defense (80 errors). ... improved bench. ... tough to beat at home (57-24).

Why the Giants might not reach the World Series:

Rest of the starting rotation (Sidney Ponson, Kirk Rueter and Jerome Williams) has much to prove. ... opponents will continue to walk Bonds at every opportunity unless Alfonso, Benito Santiago and J.T. Snow produce behind him in the lineup. ... ordinary road team (43-37).

Why Chicago has a fair chance to reach the World Series:

Power pitching staff (ML-most 1,404 strikeouts and held opponents to .241 batting batting average, by far the stingiest among the eight playoff teams). ... starters Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement. ... surprise closer ex-Red Wing Joe Borowski. ... power of Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou and Aramis Ramirez. ... Kenny Lofton leading off (.327 BA in 56 games with Cubs). ... decent road team (44-37).

Why the Cubs probably won't make the World Series:

Not a strong hitting team overall (.259 batting average and .416 slugging percentage lowest in the playoff field). ... no reliable left-handed starting pitcher. ... suspect middle relief pitching. ... average defense. ... don't dominate at Wrigley Field (44-37). ... they're the Cubs (last appeared in a World Series in 1945 and last won a World Series in 1908).

Why Florida has a slim chance to make the World Series:

Youth and enthusiasm can go a long away. ... 75-49 after manager Jack McKeon replaced the fired Jeff Torborg May 11. ... speed at the top of the lineup in Juan Pierre (ML-most 65 stolen bases) and Luis Castillo. ...MLB-most 150 stolen bases. ... some pop in the middle of the lineup with Ivan Rodriguez, Derrek Lee, Juan Encarnacion and Jeff Conine. ... decent starting pitchers Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Mark Redman and rookie Dontrelle Willis. ... stopper Ugueth Urbina. ... solid defense (playoff-fewest 78 errors). ... tough at home (53-28).

Why the Marlins probably won't make the World Series:

The team's best power hitter, 3B Mike Lowell, will try to play after recovering from a broken hand but he figures to be rusty. ... middle relief pitching isn't strong. ... lack big-game experience (recent addition Conine is the only member of the 1997 world champion Marlins on the current roster).