When the season starts — on Friday night against the Royals, in a 7:05 p.m. PT game in Anaheim — an Angels club that made the postseason six times from 2002-09 will look to return after a two-year hiatus.

Led by rising star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates — who made several additions in the offseason — are determined to end the club's streak of 19 losing seasons and contend for the National League Central title.

Wednesday marks the new beginning when Miami opens at night against the St. Louis Cardinals before a sellout crowd of 37,000 at Marlins Park and an ESPN national audience.

Unlike a year ago there has been less buzz around the Red Sox this year. But the prognosticators are about to give way to the players — and not soon enough for the Red Sox.

If the Nats can improve offensively, they could find themselves challenging the Phillies for the National League East division title.

After the Padres struggled to score, new general manager Josh Byrnes essentially reshaped the roster, making seven trades and signing two free agents. Whether the moves work remains to be seen, but the players are upbeat heading into Opening Day.

Tampa Bay earned a spot in the playoffs in the dying moments of the 2011 regular season. According to manager Joe Maddon, the team has improved from that odds-defying bunch.

It has been a markedly different spring for the Phillies. Instead of being anointed the preseason champions, they are trying to work through key injuries. But the Phillies still see a winner.

The Twins have some reason for optimism heading into the season, as Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Denard Span are all healthy and enjoyed productive springs.

While the main focus around the Dodgers this season will be their new owners, it's up to the players — led by Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw — to make things happen on the field.

After hovering under the radar during much of their run to a World Series championship last season, Jason Motte and the Cardinals welcome the presence of naysayers again. But they know that they do it with a definitive target on their backs.

With young hitters up and down the lineup supplementing an accomplished core, the Rockies have the pieces in place to contend. The rotation is in a similar place, giving Colorado hope entering 2012.

Welcome to the 2012 version of San Francisco Giants, a new and improved copy of last year's squad, complete with the same old nicknames, but better health and a lot more speed.

Many Braves players have attempted to distance themselves from a horrific September by adopting the mindset that this is a new year and a chance to make amends for all that went wrong last year.

The Indians are not worried about their ballclub and they certainly are not worried about where they might fall in season predictions. With the American League Central spotlight on rival Detroit, Cleveland will happily head into Opening Day lying in the weeds.

When the Mets stand shoulder-to-shoulder this Thursday on the first-base line, among them will be a two-time Cy Young Award winner and a five-time All-Star, both presumably healthy for the foreseeable future.

While Prince Fielder gets ready for life in the American League, the Brewers — led by reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun — enter life without him expecting to contend in the NL Central.