BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Dodgers Ready For Challenge

The Dodgers returned to Los Angeles from Vero Beach, Fla., Wednesday convinced they can challenge the Atlanta Braves for the National League pennant.

“This is the best collective club I’ve been on in 15 years,” center fielder Brett Butler said. “If I’m going to compare it to any club, it would be ’89 in ‘Frisco [when the Giants reached the World Series]. But collectively, that club couldn’t hold a candle to this team. We had a M*A*S*H unit pitching staff.

“The one thing I see in this room is that guys are more focused. There’s this determination. It’s a similar feeling we had in ’89 with the Giants.”

The Dodgers (17-9), who won their fifth consecutive game with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Expos, finished with the best record of any National League team in Florida. They also had their finest spring-training record in a non-strike season since 1988.

“It’s been a good spring for us with the exception of the health problems of [first baseman] Eric Karros,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “The way the team has come together from a personality standpoint and a performance standpoint, I am pleased with. I firmly believe we are a notch better in every area.”

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Karros, who will take batting practice today for the first time in four days, is cautiously optimistic that he will be ready for opening day Monday at Houston. He said he has felt better the last two days since undergoing treatment for tendinitis in his left shoulder.

“It feels better,” Karros said, “but the bottom line is hitting. If I can’t hit, I can’t play.”

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If Karros is sound, the Dodgers have largely determined their 25-man roster:

Catchers: Mike Piazza and Tom Prince or Carlos Hernandez.

Infielders: Karros, Delino DeShields, Greg Gagne, Mike Blowers, Chad Fonville and Dave Hansen.

Outfielders: Butler, Raul Mondesi, Todd Hollandsworth, Billy Ashley, Roger Cedeno and Milt Thompson.

Starting pitchers: Ramon Martinez, Ismael Valdes, Hideo Nomo, Pedro Astacio and Tom Candiotti.

Bullpen: Todd Worrell, Darren Hall, Antonio Osuna, Mark Guthrie, Scott Radinsky and Joey Eischen.

The Dodgers hope to trade Hernandez and either John Cummings or Billy Brewer before opening day.