Seattle: Combination of LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Felix Hernandez gives Mariners best 1-2 pitching punch in league. RHP J.J. Putz might be best closer in league. Pitching wins.

Los Angeles Angels: Talent abounds, but RHP John Lackey is already hurt, and RHP Kelvim Escobar is always concern, as is OF Vlad Guerrero. They might have to settle for wild card.

Rangers: Can't start as badly as last year. Key is – surprise! – number of innings they get from RHPs Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla and Jason Jennings. Need 600 to compete.

Oakland: Mad scientist GM Billy Beane is rebuilding again with eye toward 2011, when new stadium opens. In meantime, this team will be B-A-D. A's might score fewer than 700 runs.

Detroit: Only two things could keep Tigers from returning to playoffs: Health of LHP Kenny Rogers, DH Gary Sheffield and/or shaky bullpen. Lineup, with C Ivan Rodriguez possibly batting eighth, is stacked.

Cleveland: Indians won last year despite poor seasons from DH Travis Hafner and RHP Jake Westbrook. Both need to bounce back to have chance to hang with Tigers.

Kansas City: Four-year streak of 90-plus losses will end. With young OF Mark Teahen, 3B Alex Gordon, DH Billy Butler, RHPs Joakim Soria and Brian Bannister, Royals might flirt with .500.

Chicago White Sox: The worst hitting team in league added CF Nick Swisher and SS Orlando Cabrera, but unproven bottom half of lineup is full of outs.

Minnesota: Lost LHP Johan Santana and CF Torii Hunter and might not be through churning roster. At least LHP Francisco Liriano is healthy.

Boston: Red Sox built a Nation the last four years; now they have sights set on empire. No big losses from last year's world champions. LHP Jon Lester and RHP Clay Buchholz should make rotation even better.

New York Yankees: They will find out how much they miss Joe Torre's calm leadership when they fail to qualify for postseason for first time since 1993. 3B Alex Rodriguez will have impressive statistics, though.

Tampa Bay: Newly renamed Rays have never won 70 games in a season. That changes this year, particularly if they keep LHP Scott Kazmir healthy. This team is on rise.

Toronto: Initial thoughts are if RHP A.J. Burnett and LHP B.J. Ryan stay healthy all season, Blue Jays could stick around race longer than expected. Important for CF Vernon Wells (.245 last year) to bounce back.

Baltimore: OF Adam Jones (acquired in Erik Bedard deal) is nice addition, but Orioles are so bad, they might absorb another 30-3 beating this season.