Preview/Prediction

Following a disappointing season in which they were comprehensively beaten in the ALCS by the Texas Rangers, the New York Yankees enter the 2011 season with an unusual label—underdog. With the Boston Red Sox making all the headlines with their free agent acquisition of Carl Crawford and trade for Adrian Gonzalez, the Yankees have taken their place in the background.

It was Aug. 10, 2010.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones had just made one of the best defensive plays of his career. The 38-year-old sprinted into foul territory to field a ground ball, gloved it, and made a rocket throw to first in time to get the runner—while in mid-air.

However, before viewers could finish processing what they just saw, Chipper landed awkwardly and the camera zoomed into a close-up shot of Jones' face, wincing in pain.

Hope.  For now.  

That's how baseball fans see it as we inch past Opening Day.  No matter how improbable it might be, fans everywhere believe this is the year their team takes it to the next level.

Yankees?  Phillies?  Red Sox? Forget about it!  We’ve all seen Tampa Bay shoot onto the scene, and we all witnessed the Rockies remarkable run to the playoffs only a few seasons ago. 

The New York Mets open the 2011 regular season tonight against the Florida Marlins with Mike Pelfrey set to oppose Josh Johnson.

Heading into this season, the Mets have a lot of questions that need answers. Can the rotation step up without their ace, Johan Santana. Will Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran stay healthy? How will the bullpen perform without Pedro Feliciano, their most reliable reliever last season?

We'll start to get those answers tonight.

That said, here is your Mets 2011 season preview.

The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies have had a rough spring so far, losing closer Brad Lidge and second baseman Chase Utley for indeterminate periods.

Luis Castillo could not even lock down the starting second-base job, which will now fall to Wilson Valdez for Friday's season opener.

Opening Day for the Chicago White Sox is finally here.

With the entire season before us, it's easy to be optimistic about the White Sox's chances in the American League Central in 2011.  Money has been spent (and then some) and everyone is itching to get onto the field and start winning ballgames, starting Friday in Cleveland.

If the snow is removed from Jacobs Field, that is.

Opening Day has arrived and the best part for each of the 30 major league teams is that the slate is clean.  A fresh start and renewed hope for another season have been long anticipated.

Each player looks forward to getting back on the field and setting team goals as well as personal goals.  For some, 2011 will be the perfect time to break out and show their true potential.

If the hard work and preparation pay off, these 25 players should have amazing seasons.

Flukes—it's a funny word to say, sounding more like a cereal than a sports reference, but it has a much deeper impact on sports than Wheaties.

There has been a lot of talk about the Texas Rangers world series run last year being a fluke; not even Cliff Lee could take the Rangers seriously when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

It's not hard to believe—after all there is reason to be skeptical.

I hate to be the ultimate Debby Downer. I love my Mets. I always will love my Mets, because they will always be my Mets.

But let's be realistic here, the Mets aren’t in great shape financially and they’ve had bad karma of late because their team was purchased using “Madoff money.”

I was a little bummed to go onto Metsblog today to see that Rich Coutinho had stole my thunder by saying he thinks the Mets are an 85 win team. Right now I have them penciled in for 85 wins minimum with a chance for a little more and a possible wild card push.