MLB

Opening Day countdown: 2011 previews

Updated Mar 31, 2011 10:43 PM ET

With the MLB season on the horizon, take a look at the key issues surrounding each team with our exclusive Opening Day Countdown series.

Pick out your favorite team and click for analysis.

AL EAST PREVIEWS

It was another busy (and expensive) offseason for the AL East. What will all the new faces mean?
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	BLUE JAYS: Built for the future \| 3 up and 3 down
	ORIOLES: On the rise \| 3 up and 3 down
	RAYS: Extreme makeover \| 3 up and 3 down
	RED SOX: Bigger acquisition? \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	YANKEES: Weighty issues \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

NL EAST PREVIEWS

The Phillies boast baseball's best rotation, but they're not the only improved team in the division.
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	BRAVES: Rookie ready to shine \| 3 up and 3 down
	MARLINS: Rotation under the radar \| 3 up and 3 down
	METS: Dollars and sense \| 3 up and 3 down
	NATIONALS: Making a splash \| 3 up and 3 down
	PHILLIES: Four of a kind ... Aces \| 3 up and 3 down

AL CENTRAL PREVIEWS

The Twins are the reigning AL Central champs, but do they have what it takes to defend?
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	INDIANS: Size matters \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	ROYALS: Seeing is believing \| 3 up and 3 down
	TIGERS: Triple play \| 3 up and 3 down
	TWINS: Morneau's impact \| 3 up and 3 down
	WHITE SOX: The land of Oz \| 3 up and 3 down

NL CENTRAL PREVIEWS

All the offseason buzz has been about the Cardinals, but the Reds won the division last year.
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	ASTROS: Youngster show promise \| 3 up and 3 down
	BREWERS: Pretenders to contenders \| 3 up and 3 down
	CARDINALS: Accentuate the positive \| 3 up and 3 down
	CUBS: Expensive vets need to wake up \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	PIRATES: Hope on the horizon \| 3 up and 3 down
	REDS: Young stars locked and loaded \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

AL WEST PREVIEWS

Texas is hoping Josh Hamilton can carry the squad to another World Series appearance.
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	ANGELS: Aiming to take title \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	A's: Deep, young pitching staff \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	MARINERS: A few good men \| 3 up and 3 down
	RANGERS: Young and restless \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

NL WEST PREVIEWS

The Giants are favorites to win the NL West again, but what about a World Series repeat?
VIDEO: DIVISION PREVIEW | WHO WILL WIN?

Team	Analysis
	DIAMONDBACKS: Star needs protection \| 3 up and 3 down
	DODGERS: Deep blue rotation \| 3 up and 3 down
	GIANTS: Poised to repeat \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	PADRES: Can't fill the void \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	ROCKIES: MLB's most dynamic duo \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

AWARDS PREDICTIONS AND MORE

MLB on FOX's Ken Rosenthal and Kevin Kennedy take a look at who could emerge as stars of the season.

Analysis
Team overviews: Expect the unexpected
Teams that could surprise: Don't count them out
Cy Young predictions: Not the Phillie you think
MVP predictions: One Giant leap for this player
Rookie of the Year predictions: Ready to impress

Tagged: Red Sox, Twins, Rangers, Phillies, Cardinals, Giants, Albert Pujols, Cliff Lee, Adrian Gonzalez, Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton, Tim Lincecum

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Team	Analysis
	BLUE JAYS: Built for the future \| 3 up and 3 down
	ORIOLES: On the rise \| 3 up and 3 down
	RAYS: Extreme makeover \| 3 up and 3 down
	RED SOX: Bigger acquisition? \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	YANKEES: Weighty issues \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

Team	Analysis
	BRAVES: Rookie ready to shine \| 3 up and 3 down
	MARLINS: Rotation under the radar \| 3 up and 3 down
	METS: Dollars and sense \| 3 up and 3 down
	NATIONALS: Making a splash \| 3 up and 3 down
	PHILLIES: Four of a kind ... Aces \| 3 up and 3 down

Team	Analysis
	INDIANS: Size matters \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	ROYALS: Seeing is believing \| 3 up and 3 down
	TIGERS: Triple play \| 3 up and 3 down
	TWINS: Morneau's impact \| 3 up and 3 down
	WHITE SOX: The land of Oz \| 3 up and 3 down

Team	Analysis
	ASTROS: Youngster show promise \| 3 up and 3 down
	BREWERS: Pretenders to contenders \| 3 up and 3 down
	CARDINALS: Accentuate the positive \| 3 up and 3 down
	CUBS: Expensive vets need to wake up \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	PIRATES: Hope on the horizon \| 3 up and 3 down
	REDS: Young stars locked and loaded \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

Team	Analysis
	ANGELS: Aiming to take title \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	A's: Deep, young pitching staff \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down
	MARINERS: A few good men \| 3 up and 3 down
	RANGERS: Young and restless \| Expert observations \| 3 up and 3 down

Breaking news

MLB

Opening Day countdown: 2011 previews

AL EAST PREVIEWS

NL EAST PREVIEWS

AL CENTRAL PREVIEWS

NL CENTRAL PREVIEWS

AL WEST PREVIEWS

NL WEST PREVIEWS

AWARDS PREDICTIONS AND MORE

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