Armed and Dangerous

Last season, Chicago's bread and butter was the foursome of Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Carlos Zambrano, all of whom worked at least 200 innings and won at least 13 games. Now the fifth wheel is some guy named Maddux, who happens to be a four-time Cy Young Award winner. So when you face the Cubs, who do you hope is on the mound? Offensively, it's easier to blow fastballs by Sammy Sosa than it used to be, but it's still fun to watch him try and hit the darn thing on to Waveland Avenue. Chicago will score more runs in 2004 with the benefit of full seasons from third baseman Aramis Ramirez, centerfielder Corey Patterson and newly acquired first baseman Derek Lee.

On a Championship Quest

A lot of folks assumed the Astros were packing it in when they traded All-Star closer Billy Wagner not long after the World Series. That turned out to be a false read when Houston signed free agent Andy Pettitte and his buddy Roger Clemens. As long as Octavio Dotel does the job in place of Wagner, this club will go toe-to-toe with Chicago for the division title. Jeff Kent, Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman and Richard Hidalgo are all entering the final year of their contracts. So it may be now or never for the Astros.

Good Hitting and Fielding

Cardinals' broadcaster Mike Shannon calls Albert Pujols The Machine, and it's not hard to figure out why. In three seasons, the 24-year-old slugger has hit .334 and averaged 38 homers and 127 RBI. Manager Tony La Russa's line-up also includes two other 30-HR, 100-RBI men in third baseman Scott Rolen and outfielder Jim Edmonds. Last season, four Cards, Rolen, Edmonds, shortstop Edgar Renteria and catcher Mike Matheny, received Gold Gloves, so defense isn't a problem. The starting rotation is.

Fighting Doom and Gloom

Everyone is predicting doom and gloom for the Pirates, but here are a few things that could make the season a lot more palatable: Kris Benson being healthy and pitching like an ace. Oliver Perez tapping into his enormous potential. Tike Redman proving the second half of last season wasn't a fluke. Jason Bay establishing himself as a productive everyday outfielder. Raul Mondesi providing power and consistency in the middle of the lineup. The bullpen pitching like it did in 2002. Someone, anyone, stepping up and serving as an effective closer. Nothing is more damaging to team morale than blowing late-inning leads.

Hardworking Blue Collar

The Brewers traded first baseman Richie Sexson, and now with the team for sale, outfielder Geoff Jenkins could be headed out the door next. But don't discount what's going on in Milwaukee. The team experienced a 12-game improvement in 2003 under new manager Ned Yost, who has quietly assembled a hardworking, blue-collar line-up.There is one huge problem though. Last season, Brewers' starting pitchers were a disastrous 39-73 with a 5.48 ERA, and basically the same group is coming back.

Picking Up the Pieces

Cincinnati's first year at the Great American Ballpark turned out to be an ugly 93-loss campaign. An abundance of injuries played a role, but the Reds had no real strengths.They were next-to-last in the NL in team batting and team ERA, and they made more errors than any team in baseball. It used to be folks wondered when Ken Griffey Jr. was going to be healthy again. Now they wonder if it's ever going to happen.       

Playoff Contenders
Chicago, Houston and St. Louis

NL West