Orioles
Manager: Lee Mazzilli
2003 finish: 71-91 (fourth)
On deck: Tired of six straight losing seasons, all of them ending in fourth place, the Orioles spent $121.5 million on shortstop Miguel Tejada, catcher Javy Lopez, pitcher Sidney Ponson and first baseman Rafael Palmeiro. The lineup is much better, but the same can't be said of a rotation filled with unproven starters. And what about a dugout with an unproven manager?
Man on a mission: Palmeiro didn't like the Rangers making him a designated hitter last season and implying he couldn't play first base regularly. He's 220 hits shy of 3,000 and out to prove that the end isn't in sight.
How it shakes out: The jury is out on Mazzilli, but change usually is good. Ponson never has been a No. 1 starter, and nobody can be sure that the young arms behind him will be consistent enough to win games and prevent the bullpen from burning out. How the starters fare will go a long way toward determining whether the Orioles can pass Toronto.
April
4-8 vs. Red Sox
9-11 at Devil Rays
13-15 at Red Sox
16-18 at Blue Jays
20-22 vs. Devil Rays
23-25 vs. Blue Jays
26-29 vs. Mariners
30 at Indians
May
1-2 at Indians
3-5 vs. White Sox
7-9 vs. Indians
11-13 at White Sox
14-16 vs. Angels
18-20 at Mariners
21-23 at Angels
25-27 vs. Yankees
28-30 at Tigers
June
1-3 at Yankees
4-6 vs. Devil Rays
8-10 vs. D'backs
11-13 vs. Giants
15-17 at Dodgers
18-20 at Rockies
22-24 vs. Yankees
25-27 vs. Braves
28-30 at Royals
July
1 at Royals
2-4 at Phillies
5-7 vs. Devil Rays
9-11 vs. Royals
15-18 at Devil Rays
19-20 at Royals
21-22 at Red Sox
23-25 vs. Twins
26-28 vs. Red Sox
29-31 at Yankees
August
1 at Yankees
3-4 vs. Mariners
6-9 vs. Rangers
10-12 at Angels
13-15 at Blue Jays
16-18 vs. Athletics
20-22 vs. Blue Jays
23-26 at Athletics
27-29 at Rangers
31 at Devil Rays
Sept./Oct.
1-2 at Devil Rays
3-5 at Yankees
6-8 vs. Twins
10-12 vs. Yankees
13-16 at Blue Jays
17-19 at Twins
20-23 at Red Sox
24-26 vs. Tigers
27-30 vs. Blue Jays
1-3 vs. Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
Manager: Terry Francona
2003 finish: 95-67 (second, wild card)
On deck: Boston will score runs, and it shouldn't give up many in the ninth with closer Keith Foulke on board. It also has a tremendous 1-2-3 punch in the rotation with Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and Derek Lowe. But it's never a smooth ride for the Red Sox, whose clubhouse could unravel at any moment.
Man on a mission: Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra probably wonders what he's still doing in Boston after the club made multiple attempts to acquire Alex Rodriguez. He would like nothing more than to have a monster season before becoming eligible for free agency and make Red Sox Nation forget he batted .170 in September and had a poor postseason.
How it shakes out: On paper, this team is good enough to win it all. But Francona might not have the same touch as Grady Little, who became the AL Championship Series scapegoat after holding the team together through the usual turmoil.
New York Yankees
Manager: Joe Torre
2003 finish: 101-61 (first, AL champion)
On deck: It's time to find out whether a team can lose starting pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, and still make it back to the World Series. Who knows whether Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez are suitable replacements, or if outfielder Gary Sheffield can stay in the lineup with his thumb injury? Also keep an eye on Alex Rodriguez's move to third base, and the pressure that it puts on shortstop and team leader Derek Jeter.
Man on a mission: Jason Giambi's power numbers had better not shrink as much as his body, or the steroid whispers might get louder. Though he hit 41 homers last year, his .250 batting average gives the appearance that he had a down season.
How it shakes out: This could be Torre's last season, and owner George Steinbrenner won't make it comfortable for him. Look for the Yankees to hold off the Red Sox unless they're overrun with injuries.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Manager: Lou Piniella
2003 finish: 63-99 (fifth)
On deck: The Devil Rays were one of the more active teams this winter, but that doesn't necessarily translate to victories. Does anyone feel good about this rotation? Or having Danys Baez as the closer after he led the league in blown saves and relief losses with the Indians? Tino Martinez should provide leadership in his declining years.
Man on a mission: Piniella has compared left fielder Carl Crawford to a young Barry Bonds, with possibly more range. Crawford's only 22, and he led the league in steals last season. He could win a batting title one day.
How it shakes out: Athletics pitcher Tim Hudson noted last year that the Devil Rays played harder "than any last-place team I've ever seen." At least that's something. The outfield defense should be spectacular with Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and new right fielder Jose Cruz. Aubrey Huff might be the best-kept secret in baseball. And this still is a last-place team.
Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: Carlos Tosca
2003 finish: 86-76 (third)
