Several teams pose threat to dethrone Yankees

It's been a long wait since October, but the premier sport, Major League Baseball, is finally back. The 2001 season kicked off with Sunday's game between Texas and Toronto, played in Puerto Rico. \nTwenty more teams played their season openers Monday, and the remaining eight play their first games today. \nLucky for me, baseball starts immediately after the culmination of the college basketball season. Otherwise, I might have been forced to watch the NBA to quench my daily thirst for sports.\nThe question that has been on everyone's mind during spring training this year is simple -- Can anybody beat the Yankees? \nIf the Yankees win the World Series this year, they would become the seventh team in the history of major team professional sports (baseball, basketball, football and hockey) to win four consecutive titles. That's some pretty select company, and I'm not sure they will be able to handle the pressure of pulling off such a feat.\nAnd there are too many good teams in the league this year. The Yankees won't be able to coast through the regular season and worry about the playoffs; this year, it might be difficult to even make the playoffs.\nThe final reason I don't think the Yankees will four-peat is because I think Oakland is going to win the Series (more on that later), and if the A's win it, that means the Yankees can't.\nBut before we start talking World Series, 30 teams each have 162 games to play. Five American League teams and seven or eight National League teams appear to be title contenders this year.\nAmerican League\nOakland, Cleveland, Chicago and Boston all tried their hardest to make clubhouse changes during the offseason so they could dethrone New York. Boston lured free-agent Manny Ramirez away from Cleveland, but the Indians signed Juan Gonzalez to take Ramirez' place. Oakland traded for Kansas City's Johnny Damon to give them a legitimate leadoff hitter. And the White Sox got David Wells from Toronto.\nWith Boston's Nomar Garciaparra out for at least two months because of wrist surgery, the Yankees' pitching and experience should be enough for them to win the AL East -- but not by much. Pedro Martinez and Ramirez will keep the Red Sox close early, and when Garciaparra returns, Boston will give the Yankees a challenge.\nThe Central Division race will also be a close one. If Frank Thomas can put up some big numbers early and put spring training behind him, the White Sox have a good shot at winning their second consecutive division title. Look for Cleveland to make a late-season deal for a quality pitcher. The Indians and the Red Sox will go down to the wire for the wild-card.\nOakland will win the AL West before the All-Star break. The Athletics are young, loose and dangerous. You have to love Oakland's offensive strategy, which first baseman Jason Giambi said consists of trying to get a few walks followed by a "3-run Jimmy Jack." In addition to its unorthodox, albeit potent, offense, Oakland has a solid, young pitching staff that will likely lead the team to the best record in baseball. And the team wears white cleats.\nTexas picked up Alex Rodriguez but left itself no money to sign any quality pitching. Lack of pitching will plague the team all season. If the Rangers can somehow pull off a deal for a few decent pitchers, they can at least compete for the wild-card; if not, look for them to lose a lot of high-scoring games.\nPlayoff teams: Yankees, White Sox, Indians (wild-card), A's.\nALCS: A's over Yankees.\nNational League\nThis year's NL picture seems to be wide open. Atlanta, St. Louis and San Francisco all look like strong candidates to repeat as division champs, but will face strong opposition.\nSan Francisco will have the hardest time holding off its challengers, as three other clubs (Colorado, Arizona and Los Angeles) each have the talent to win 90 games. But team chemistry in L.A. is terrible, and the Dodgers will likely self-destruct. Arizona arguably has the best top three starters in the league in Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and Todd Stottlemyre, and Colorado picked up lefties Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle.\nAtlanta shouldn't have a hard time winning another NL East crown. The Mets just don't have the offensive firepower to get past the Braves. \nThe NL Central race should be a great one. St. Louis has the best roster top to bottom, but if Ken Griffey Jr. can have a big year and the pitching staff avoids injuries, Cincinnati could give the Cardinals a push. Houston should come back strong this year.. And two new ballparks open in the Central -- PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Miller Park in Milwaukee.\nPlayoff teams: Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Rockies (wild-card)\nNLCS: Cardinals over Giants.\nWorld Series: A's over Cardinals.