FREEWAY SERIES NOTEBOOK : NO FLEET OF FOOT IN HEART OF ORDER.

Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer

The best-laid spring plans for the Dodgers' batting order have long since been discarded.

Remember the hope that speed merchants Brett Butler, Wilton Guerrero and Raul Mondesi, in the Nos. 1-2-3 spots, would set things up for the heavy hitters? Well, in the face of Guerrero's inconsistency and Mondesi's chronically poor pitch selection, the power hitters have instead been moved up high: a stack of Todd Zeile, Mike Piazza and Eric Karros in the 2-3-4 positions.

As a result, the bases can easily get plugged with slow-footed runners, as was the case Tuesday night against the Angels. Consecutive singles by Zeile, Piazza and Karros succeeded in . . . loading the bases.

``You don't like to have a station-to-station club running the bases,'' said third-base coach Joey Amalfitano. ``You want to see that first and third.''

Thus, the Dodgers' best hope for that prospect resides in hits in the gaps or down the lines. Or in an occasional hit-and-run play. Or, in Amalfitano's view, aggressive running when any of the three are on base.

``The key to a guy who doesn't have blinding speed is to run through the bases,'' the coach said. ``By that I mean not dropping down a gear before he gets to second base, so he's ready to take the extra base (if a fielder is nonchalant or bobbles the ball). That's something we see Mondesi take advantage of all the time.''

Bug bites: Influenza has been causing havoc on the Angels roster.

Starting pitcher Allen Watson is the latest to be stricken and it is expected to cost him tonight's scheduled start at Oakland. Watson remained home from Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers, and manager Terry Collins felt it was unlikely the pitcher would regain his strength by tonight.

Rookie Matt Perisho, recently sent to the bullpen when his rotation turn was skipped, likely will get the assignment instead.

Meanwhile, relief pitcher Rich DeLucia returned to the club a day after staying home with the flu. Starter Chuck Finley was a victim last week.

Top pick signs: First baseman Glenn Davis, the Dodgers' No. 1 selection in the June amateur draft, signed and joined the major-league club for batting practice Wednesday afternoon.

He will be assigned to Single-A San Bernardino.

The big 4-oh: Dodgers center fielder Butler was back in the starting lineup one game after getting an unsolicited night off. Manager Bill Russell said he will periodically rest Butler - whether or not the time off is requested - to keep him fresh.