It's spring, so that can only mean one thing -- the start of the Major League Baseball season. Here is a rundown of the top contenders to make the 2003 World Series.
Anaheim Angels
I'll start with the defending champs (yes, you weren't dreaming last fall, the Angels actually did win the World Series). Anaheim may have been the least active team in all of baseball this off-season, as it was content to retain the entirety of its lineup from last year's squad.
Why mess with a good thing, right? Well, while the Angels may have great team chemistry intact as well as the invaluable experience of winning the World Series, this is a team that was only able to garner the wild card last season. Unless some of Anaheim's less-heralded players step up again with career years, this team could be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
Oakland Athletics
Each of the last three years has seen the same ending to Oakland's season: a first round playoff loss. Just making the postseason will assuredly not be the goal of this year's A's; in fact, anything less than a World Series appearance will be a disappointment to the club that includes the reigning American League MVP and Cy Young winners in Miguel Tejada and Barry Zito.
The A's still seriously lack team speed and their defense will still be suspect at times, but they have baseball's best top three starting pitchers, a very powerful offensive lineup and plenty of motivation to finally end their first round playoff woes.
New York Yankees
Who is the key figure in the Yankees' success? Joe Torre? (The recently injured) Derek Jeter? Roger Clemens? Bernie Williams? No, no, no and no. It's George Steinbrenner. To be frank, Steinbrenner and his Yankees can (and will) field a team year after year that is chock-full of top-level talent.
This perennial stockpile of talent, combined with undeniable skill both on the field and on the bench, makes the Yanks automatic contenders. While many of the core players -- especially the pitching staff -- are getting up there in years, no team has more postseason experience then the men in pinstripes.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins made the ALCS last season, and this young and talented squad should be just as good, if not better, than 2002's outfit. Much like the team that beat them in the ALCS -- the Angels -- the Twins enter the year with the same lineup as they had during the previous campaign.
Centerfielder Torii Hunter is a legitimate MVP candidate, and if the pitching staff can avoid injuries and gain consistency, Minnesota could again be playing to get in the Fall Classic.
Boston Red Sox
Boston definitely has the team to overtake rival New York in the American League East this year. Pedro Martinez is the best pitcher in the major leagues, and Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra are two of the most consistently excellent hitters around.
The major question mark will be the bullpen, which managed to get off to a poor start by blowing the Opening Day game against the hapless Devil Rays. The "closer by committee" approach that the Red Sox are currently trying to implement rarely has much success.
San Francisco Giants
The reigning National League champions will have their work cut out for them in taking a second consecutive pennant. Besides Barry Bonds, the team's offense lacks pop, which is mostly a consequence of losing former MVP Jeff Kent in the off-season. The pitching staff isn't strong enough to carry the Giants either. Felipe Alou is a proven manager, however.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have the most complete set of everyday players in all of baseball. They can all hit and play defense, and the addition of Scott Rolen last year to play the hot corner was a major plus. They also have one of the best managers in baseball in Tony LaRussa.
The sole concern, then, is pitching. Matt Morris is a proven ace, but behind him lies much uncertainty. Additionally, the Cards will rely heavily on closer Jason Isrignhausen, who started this season on the disabled list.
Houston Astros
The Astros always have a bevy of big bats in the middle of their order, and this year is no exception thanks to Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell and new acquisition Jeff Kent.
The real reason for Houston's success stems from the most overlooked one-two punch in baseball in pitchers Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller. If the rest of the rotation can follow the lead of this pair of aces, Houston could be dangerous late in the season.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves keep getting older, but they also keep winning division titles. Much like the Yankees, they rely on an aging but rock-solid pitching staff and veteran experience.
However, the Braves seem to be losing offensive potency with each passing year. The key to the Braves' postseason prospects will be whether Andruw Jones can rebound from an off year (.264 batting average) and regain his status as a premier player in the National League.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies made a pair of huge additions in Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood over the off-season. The combination of Thome with fellow slugger Pat Burrell will put a scare into opposing pitchers.
The x-factor will be Millwood, who must prove he is worthy of being a number one starter after being able to pitch behind Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in Atlanta the past few years.
Arizona Diamondbacks
This team goes as Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson go. This pair of aces seem to continue to get better with age, but how long can their arms hold up?
Predictions:
Division Winners:
NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Oakland A's
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
World Series: Oakland over St. Louis
