Preview/Prediction

You can't slow it down, much less stop it from arriving.

No matter how much you fight it, "It's Goin' Down" in less than a week.

"It," of course is the start of the 2013 MLB regular season, where the games count and, for the most part, legitimate major league talent is on the field at all times.

What makes a fresh baseball season so beautiful? Maybe it's that moment when you first open the newspaper and see the standings, to find every team tied at zero. It's the only time during the season where every team has an equal chance to succeed. Even the Astros, however briefly, take comfort in not yet being mathematically eliminated.

No one ever wants to be labeled a "bust" or a "flop", but each season there are a handful of players who come up well short of expectations and turn in a disappointing campaign.

In some cases, this signals the beginning of the end, but for others a bounce-back season is a reasonable expectation.

With that, here are the 2012 MLB busts that are in the best position to post better seasons in 2013.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates' young talent has started to graduate from their farm system in recent years, their outfield has become a much more exciting unit.

Entering 2013, the Bucs likely have two thirds of their outfield set for the better part of the decade, with several interesting candidates to fill the third position in the short- or long-term future.

As the spring begins to wrap up, things that were once question marks are becoming clear for the Cardinals.

As expected, the Dominican Republic is in the 2013 World Baseball Classic final vs Puerto Rico. Raise your hand if you guessed it before the Classic started; I can barely see hands right now.

The powerful team of the Dominican Republic was one of the favorites to reach the final against two-time defending champ Japan. But the giant-killing machine from the 'Enchanted Island' had other plans.

The Toronto Blue Jays have some of the biggest question marks in regard to positional battles. With such an influx of talent, many opening day jobs are up for grabs. But with such a vast amount of assets, it will be tough to sit a very skilled player. As my father would always say, "It is a good problem to have".

So who gets the nod?

The World Baseball Classic has come and mostly gone, leaving us a sparsely attended but passionately watched Caribbean final that should be a boon for Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic.

I'll leave it for others to debate why the power teams of the USA and Venezuela went out so quickly, instead focusing on the lack of injuries. In fact, there's only one of any note, though there have been some minor injuries here and there, but nothing that doesn't happen at normal spring training. 

Looking to complete an undefeated run through the 2013 World Baseball Classic and make history, the Dominican Republic will have its sights set on a perfect 8-0 when it faces Puerto Rico in the WBC finale on Tuesday night.

The D.R. has already beaten the Puerto Ricans twice, including a 2-0 victory on March 16 that helped push the Dominicans into the semifinals.

In front of what's likely to be a sellout crowd at AT&T Park at 8 p.m. ET, the baseball world will see a new champion crowned in the WBC.

It’s never too early to think about the World Series.

Spring training may be barely underway, but we have some thoughts on which teams are the most likely to make it to the end of this marathon race.

From the Blue Jays and their mammoth overhaul this season to teams like the Giants and Tigers who left things relatively unchanged, we have you covered.  We even managed to find some love for the Nationals and Braves along the way.