MLB opens regular season this week

Mathew Elias Guest Writer

For the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams this week begins a time of hope and anticipation. Spring training is officially over and games that count toward team records have begun. As teams and fans start dreaming of play-off spots and a World Series win, there are a few top stories to keep an eye on during the 2007 season.

The Bronx Zoo The New York Yankees’ off-season has been filled with controversy, most of which has revolved around third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who will have the choice of opting out of his contract after this season. Rodriquez has been a lightning rod ever since he arrived in the Bronx in 2004 so all of his actions are closely watched by the press, including his post-season failures and teammate interactions, especially with Derek Jeter. The Yankees continue to boast a strong lineup and a solid pitching staff led by Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, and Mariano Rivera that should allow them to win their 10th straight Eastern division championship, and, with A-Rod, their first World Series title since 2000.

Dice-K Red Sox Nation is putting its faith into Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka. Having invested nearly $110 million in Dice-K, they plan for him to bolster a pitching staff that will enable them to contend and keep pace with the Yankees. The Red Sox lineup is still a potent offensive team, with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez continuing to make up a feared middle of the order. But they will need their pitching staff, led by Dice-K and Curt Schilling, to return top, dominanting form if they want to contend for the World Series title.

Spending Spree in Chicago The Chicago Cubs have revamped their team, beginning with new manager Lou Pinella and his winning attitude. Spending nearly $300 million on free agent players, they are also hoping to quickly move up from the bottom of the National League Central and compete for the division crown. With Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Derek Lee, the Cubs lineup will be a tough one to face day in and day out, but their success will depend on their pitching staff. Even with all the money they have spent in the off-season, they still do not have a strong pitching staff, will likely fail to seriously compete for the division title, and are probably still a year or two away from being contenders.

A New Homerun King Barry Bonds enters the 2007 season on the verge of breaking two records: the most steroids used and most homeruns hit. Currently 22 homeruns away from passing Hank Aaron and his 755 career homeruns, there has been constant controversy surrounding Bonds and his steroid use. Looking healthy this spring, he could challenge the record in late July or early August.

Rocket Return? A big question in the next two months will be whether or not Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros will return for a 23rd season. Coming off of another strong season, the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Houston Astros will pursue him hard, but Clemens only wants to play for a contending team, so Houston may be eliminated. The Yankees and the Red Sox will likely offer Clemens anything he wants in order to hold an advantage over their rival.