Preview/Prediction

This is something that the Royals haven't had for awhile: two All-Stars in the same season.

However, it could very well be a reality this year for KC, with a strong possibility of their two best players making the cut.

If you really think about this, it starts to make some sense.

On one hand, you have a two-time All-Star closer in Joakim Soria, and on the other hand, you have an emerging, young hitter in Billy Butler who has really improved in many areas throughout his short big league career.

As the Indians continue to rebuild, this season's storylines revolve around the development of young guys like Matt Laporta and Carlos Santana.

Grady Sizemore's health is another thing to keep an eye on.  He's in the final year of his contract, and if he can stay on the field and contribute his trade value will increase if the Indians decide to shop him.

It's going to take time in Cleveland.

Starting Pitchers

Heading into the season, the Cardinals rotation looked like one of the best in all of baseball. That all changed on February 24, however, when it was announced that Adam Wainwright suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery and would sideline him for the entire season.

BOSTON RED SOX

Last Year: 89-73, 3rd in AL East

Manager: Terry Francona 

PROJECTED LINEUP: 

C- Jarrod Saltalamacchia (S)

1B- Adrian Gonzalez (L)

2B- Dustin Pedroia (R)

3B- Kevin Youkilis (R) 

SS- Marco Scutaro (R)

LF- Carl Crawford (L)

CF- Jacoby Ellsbury (L)

RF- JD Drew (L) 

DH- David Ortiz (L) 

The White Sox are a popular dark-horse candidate to win the AL Central.

The x-factor to me is Jake Peavy.  When healthy, he can dominate.  With him healthy, the rotation has great depth, although they don't really have a true ace.

Chicago also revamped the bullpen.  After several successful seasons as closer, Jenks scuffled over recent years. 

With the signing of Dunn, he adds more power to the lineup.

Lost amid the drama of the Miguel Cabrera DUI, the decision on the starting second baseman and the battles for the final roster spots is the fact that Justin Verlander had a dominating spring.

Verlander ended the spring 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA and 23 Ks and only three walks in 28 innings. He was utterly dominating and bucked his trend of mediocre springs over the last couple of years. If the Tigers are going to be serious contenders, they need Verlander to move up from a quality ace to a top ace.

Every team has players that are up and coming or on the club's last straw. With spring training coming to a close and the rosters spots all filled out, it is time to take a look at the future. The White Sox have talent at every level of the game. These are the top six players to keep an eye on in the Sox system in 2011.

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The countdown has started.

Friday evening is the time.

Orioles baseball will be back, and for many, it couldn't have come too soon.

I, for one, have been so impatiently waiting for this 2011 baseball season to start. In fact, I've been much more excited for it than in any of the past five or so years.

I'm sure there are a lot of Balmer Hons who are in the same boat as I am.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Last Year: 90-82, 2nd in NL West

Manager: Bud Black

PROJECTED LINEUP

C- Nick Hundley (R)

1B- Brad Hawpe (L)/ Jorge Cantu (R)

2B- Orlando Hudson (S) 

3B- Chase Headley (S) 

SS- Jason Bartlett (S)

LF- Ryan Ludwick (R)

CF- Cameron Maybin (R)

RF- Will Venable (L)

For the fourth time in five years, the Blue Jays played over .500 baseball.  They finished 85-77 in 2010 after a promising start.

They also flat-out pounded the ball.  Led by Jose Bautista's MLB leading 54 home runs, Toronto led the majors in dingers with 257.

The Jays traded Vernon Wells and his hefty contract to the Angels.  They then turned around and gave Bautista a five year, $65 million deal.