The Philadelphia Phillies re-armed in hopes of toppling the champion San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox beefed up their lineup for a title run in the 2011 Major League Baseball season that starts Thursday.
The Phillies and Red Sox were tipped as favorites to oust defending National League and American League champions San Francisco and Texas, with the big-spending New York Yankees also tabbed a contender for a trip to the Fall Classic.
Accustomed to bludgeoning opponents with their booming bats in reaching back-to-back World Series from 2008, the Phils look to be trying to beat the pitching-rich Giants at their own game after falling to them in last year's NL Championship Series.
Cliff Lee, the most prized pitcher in the free agent market, was snatched up by the NL East Phillies for five years and $120 million to round out a daunting rotation that includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
Quickly dubbed "R2C2", the foursome has drawn comparisons to some of Major League Baseball's best rotations, from the Atlanta Braves group that dominated the 1990s, to the 1971 Baltimore Orioles staff that produced four 20-game winners.
Nothing in baseball's six-month season generally comes easy, however, and Philadelphia will have to deal with early setbacks including a knee injury to hard-hitting second baseman Chase Utley and a shoulder problem for closer Brad Lidge.
The Giants, meanwhile, are sticking to their guns with the formula that brought them their first World Series crown in 56 years -- great pitching led by double Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and just enough offense to support them.
GREEN MONSTER
In the American League, the Red Sox, wracked by injuries last season, assembled a batting order equivalent of the Phils' starting staff by signing free agent outfielder Carl Crawford and trading for slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Crawford and Gonzalez, left-handed hitters who are both comfortable shooting the ball to left field where they can take advantage of Fenway Park's inviting Green Monster wall, join forces with Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury, all returning from injury-shortened seasons.
The Yankees, stopped of a chance to defend their Series title by the Texas Rangers, were stunned to lose the bidding war for Lee and will be scrambling to complete their rotation with a long list of aged candidates in line to give it a shot.
Age is also the operative word in an AL East lineup that still could be potent, although the Bronx Bombers are counting on Alex Rodriguez, 35, Derek Jeter, 36, and Jorge Posada, 39.
In the Central Division, the Minnesota Twins hope slugger Justin Morneau, who missed the second half of last season with a concussion, can help them repeat as division champions.
Pushing the Twins should be the Chicago White Sox, who added slugger Adam Dunn and his usual 40 home runs, and the Detroit Tigers, who signed free agent catcher Victor Martinez.
The Rangers, who reached their first World Series in 50 years as a franchise in 2010, could have a hard time winning the West after losing Lee to free agency and being forced to rely on young arms to complete their pitching rotation.
The Los Angeles Angels and Oakland A's could make it a good race. The Angels added outfielder Vernon Wells, while Hideki Matsui, Josh Willingham and David DeJesus have joined the A's.
BROKEN RIB
The National League Central also could be tight, with title holders Cincinnati Reds looking for their young hitters to hold off the improved Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals.
The power-hitting Brewers added former AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to their rotation, though Greinke starts the season sidelined with a broken rib, and the Cardinals will be missing injured starter Adam Wainwright.
In the West, the Giants may have an easier time since the San Diego Padres, who threatened them until the final weekend last season, took a step back after trading Gonzalez to Boston for prospects.
Six games launch the six-month-long regular season Thursday, with San Francisco capping Opening Day action by taking on rivals Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Yankees open American League play by hosting the Detroit Tigers.
The rest of the 30 teams join the fray on Friday.
The Phillies and Red Sox were tipped as favorites to oust defending National League and American League champions San Francisco and Texas, with the big-spending New York Yankees also tabbed a contender for a trip to the Fall Classic.
Accustomed to bludgeoning opponents with their booming bats in reaching back-to-back World Series from 2008, the Phils look to be trying to beat the pitching-rich Giants at their own game after falling to them in last year's NL Championship Series.
Cliff Lee, the most prized pitcher in the free agent market, was snatched up by the NL East Phillies for five years and $120 million to round out a daunting rotation that includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
Quickly dubbed "R2C2", the foursome has drawn comparisons to some of Major League Baseball's best rotations, from the Atlanta Braves group that dominated the 1990s, to the 1971 Baltimore Orioles staff that produced four 20-game winners.
Nothing in baseball's six-month season generally comes easy, however, and Philadelphia will have to deal with early setbacks including a knee injury to hard-hitting second baseman Chase Utley and a shoulder problem for closer Brad Lidge.
The Giants, meanwhile, are sticking to their guns with the formula that brought them their first World Series crown in 56 years -- great pitching led by double Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and just enough offense to support them.
GREEN MONSTER
In the American League, the Red Sox, wracked by injuries last season, assembled a batting order equivalent of the Phils' starting staff by signing free agent outfielder Carl Crawford and trading for slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Crawford and Gonzalez, left-handed hitters who are both comfortable shooting the ball to left field where they can take advantage of Fenway Park's inviting Green Monster wall, join forces with Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury, all returning from injury-shortened seasons.
The Yankees, stopped of a chance to defend their Series title by the Texas Rangers, were stunned to lose the bidding war for Lee and will be scrambling to complete their rotation with a long list of aged candidates in line to give it a shot.
Age is also the operative word in an AL East lineup that still could be potent, although the Bronx Bombers are counting on Alex Rodriguez, 35, Derek Jeter, 36, and Jorge Posada, 39.
In the Central Division, the Minnesota Twins hope slugger Justin Morneau, who missed the second half of last season with a concussion, can help them repeat as division champions.
Pushing the Twins should be the Chicago White Sox, who added slugger Adam Dunn and his usual 40 home runs, and the Detroit Tigers, who signed free agent catcher Victor Martinez.
The Rangers, who reached their first World Series in 50 years as a franchise in 2010, could have a hard time winning the West after losing Lee to free agency and being forced to rely on young arms to complete their pitching rotation.
The Los Angeles Angels and Oakland A's could make it a good race. The Angels added outfielder Vernon Wells, while Hideki Matsui, Josh Willingham and David DeJesus have joined the A's.
BROKEN RIB
The National League Central also could be tight, with title holders Cincinnati Reds looking for their young hitters to hold off the improved Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals.
The power-hitting Brewers added former AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to their rotation, though Greinke starts the season sidelined with a broken rib, and the Cardinals will be missing injured starter Adam Wainwright.
In the West, the Giants may have an easier time since the San Diego Padres, who threatened them until the final weekend last season, took a step back after trading Gonzalez to Boston for prospects.
Six games launch the six-month-long regular season Thursday, with San Francisco capping Opening Day action by taking on rivals Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Yankees open American League play by hosting the Detroit Tigers.
The rest of the 30 teams join the fray on Friday.
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