AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW

In predicted order of finish (2008 records)

Angels (100-62)

Last opening-day lineup without Garret Anderson (1995) included Tony Phillips, Damion Easley and Chili Davis.

Texas (79-83)

Rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus could become first player named Elvis to hit a home run in the majors.

Oakland (75-86)

Jason Giambi’s salaries: Oakland 2001 -- $4 million; Yankees 2008 -- $21 million; Oakland 2009 -- $4 million.

Seattle (61-101)

Ken Griffey Jr., back after nine years, remains the Mariners’ all-time home run leader, with 398.

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HOT TOPIC

Even Ryan couldn’t help this staff

The Rangers led the major leagues in runs scored last year and still finished under .500, no thanks to a pitching staff that posted a 5.37 earned-run average, highest in the majors. So President Nolan Ryan, who knows a little about pitching, lured perhaps the game’s best pitching coach, Mike Maddux, away from the Brewers. Maddux has to cobble a rotation from overpaid veterans Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla, youngster Matt Harrison, long-ago top prospect Brandon McCarthy and long-dormant Kris Benson. The most important task for Maddux: Make sure Millwood does not pitch 180 innings this year, so the Rangers can void his contract this fall, perhaps to pursue Texan John Lackey.

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KEY PLAYER

It might be a quick stop in Oakland

Matt Holliday, OF, Athletics

The A’s imported Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra to fortify a lineup that scored the fewest runs in the league last season. If Oakland’s young pitchers grow up quickly, perhaps the A’s can sneak into contention and keep Holliday all season. If not, the A’s can flip him in July for three prospects, including a shortstop. Holliday might be the best player in the division, and he has millions in free agency riding on playing well in a pitchers’ park. His career splits: .357 batting average and .645 slugging percentage in Coors Field, .280 and .455 elsewhere.