N.L. reports

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS The club has given SS Alex Cintron some starts at second base to get a look at Jerry Gil, 21, at shortstop and to determine whether Cintron is better suited for second.... RHP Brian Bruney gained confidence in his off-speed stuff while at Class AAA Tucson. But after the Diamondbacks called him up late last month, he also displayed a tendency to rush on the mound, causing his front shoulder to fly open and hampering his control. When that happens, he falls behind in the count, and hitters can sit on his mid-90s fastball. SCOUTING REPORT: Gil is sharp defensively, displaying above-average range and a strong arm. He is improving at the plate but still tends to be fooled by breaking balls. He has a quick bat, though, and it's hard to throw a fastball by him.--Steve Gilbert

ATLANTA BRAVES Class AAA Richmond coaches believe RHP Jose Capellan, the club's top pitching prospect, should get starts in the postseason. But the Braves likely will be patient with Capellan, using him primarily as a reliever.... Chipper Jones' turnaround since the All-Star break (he batted .337 in August) is the result of good health--and increased happiness after moving back to third base. SCOUTING REPORT: Much of RHP Jaret Wright's success stems from the rebirth of a sinker he wasn't able to use the past four years because of shoulder problems. His performance could be a key to the club's playoff run. Wright proved he has the makeup for October success when he pitched brilliantly in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.--Marc Bowman

CHICAGO CUBS The team acquired OF Ben Grieve as insurance if OF Todd Hollandsworth doesn't return from a stress fracture in his right leg. Grieve can play either corner outfield spot and provides the dub with a left-handed bat off the bench. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Mark Prior's walk totals are high compared with one year ago. In 2003, he walked 50 batters in 30 starts. In his first 16 starts this year, he issued 41 walks. The Cubs aren't worried. Prior still is catching up after missing the first two months of the season because of a tender Achilles' and right elbow. He blames the high number of walks on his aggressive approach. However, Astros manager Phil Garner called Prior "beatable" after seeing him firsthand.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS RHP Ryan Wagner is showing why the Reds took him with their first pick in last year's draft. He finally has figured out the importance of keeping the ball down in the zone, which has been the key to his consistency over the past few weeks.... RHP John Riedling has had a rough time since the All-Star break. He has the stuff to succeed at the major league level, so his problem seems to stem mostly from a lack of confidence. SCOUTING REPORT: LF Adam Dunn's run at the N.L home run title has resulted from his focus on hitting the ball to the opposite field. Since spring training, hitting coach Chris Chambliss has been getting Dunn to concentrate on keeping his hands back and going with pitches. The approach not only has led to an increased number of opposite-field home runs, but it has helped turn some long foul balls into home runs.--Todd Lorenz

COLORADO ROCKIES IF Clint Barnes has shown improved plate coverage and selectiveness in his recent call-up. Last year, he batted .320 in 12 games but had more strikeouts than hits. Last week against the Marlins, he struck out in his first at-bat but then put the ball in play in each of his next seven at-bats, getting a homer and two singles.... Prized LHP Jeff Francis has struggled with pitch selection and mechanics. Poor pitch selection is a matter of inexperience, but he is overstriding toward the plate, something he didn't do in the minors. SCOUTING REPORT: C J.D. Closser, who is auditioning for a starting job next season, is calling a confident game. But he has rushed his handling of pitches with runners on base, and he is not helped by the fact baserunners are testing him often and the pitching staff is not good at controlling the running game.--Thomas Harding

FLORIDA MARLINS Damion Easley is an invaluable backup who has played second, short, third, first and right field. At 34, the former All-Star is enjoying a strong comeback. A free agent in the offseason, he could get a shot at a starting second base job with some team.... RHP Ball Howard, a September call-up, has a 95-mph fastball and a good slider, but wildness and a lack of command have hurt him. The Marlins think he can be a quality setup reliever down the road. He'll be used in long relief in the final weeks. SCOUTING REPORT: CF Juan Pierre is having success again as a basestealer after teams effectively shut down him down in the first half of the season. Now, he's running with the aggressiveness he showed last year, when he led the league with 65 stolen bases. He also is getting on base more, bunting better and showing the ability to pull the ball.--Joe Frisaro

HOUSTON ASTROS The Astros are outscoring opponents in the first inning, and leadoff hitter Craig Biggio largely is responsible. His first-inning average (.398) is the highest among N.L. hitters, and his on-base percentage hasn't dipped below .347 all season.... The recent offensive surge has had a positive influence on the pitching staff, and it might be the key to the Astros winning the wild card. The starters are more at ease when they have runs to work with--which they hadn't for much of the season--and relief pitchers have been entering games with healthy leads. SCOUTING REPORT. The Astros have the most stolen bases of any N.L. team since the All-Star break after having one of the lowest totals in the first half. CF Carlos Beltran has a green light on the basepaths, and his presence has allowed the team to try more double steals.--Alyson Footer