AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW

In predicted order of finish, with last year’s records:

WEST

1. Seattle (88-74)

The Angels with more power: Mariners hit .287 last season, drew fewest walks in major leagues.

2. Angels (94-68)

Vladimir Guerrero would tie Lou Gehrig’s record by hitting .300 with 25 homers for 11th consecutive season.

3. Oakland (76-86)

Innings pitched by

the wondrous yet

fragile Rich Harden, starting in 2005: 128,

46, 25.

4. Texas (75-87)

Chan Ho Park II:

Two years into five-year, $60-million deal, Kevin Millwood is 26-26, 4.81.

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CENTRAL

1. Cleveland (96-66)

C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona combined for 486 innings last season, most of any 1-2 punch.

2. Detroit (88-74)

Jacque Jones, who batted fifth for Cubs two years ago, bats ninth in Tigers’

loaded lineup.

3. Chicago (72-90)

Orlando Cabrera

hit .301 for Angels

last season;

White Sox had

no .300 hitters.

4. Minnesota (79-83)

Last Twins’ opening-day center fielder not named Torii Hunter: Otis Nixon, in 1998.

5. Kansas City (69-83)

Jose Guillen now can say he has played for a team in each division -- and nine teams in

10 seasons.

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EAST

1. Boston (96-66)

David Ortiz, meet Susan Lucci: Big

Papi’s finish in AL MVP vote last five years: 5, 4, 2, 3, 4.

2. New York (94-68)

With 45 homers this season, A-Rod would catch Reggie

Jackson at 563.

A-Rod will be 33.

3. Toronto (83-79)

Complete games

last season: Roy

Halladay 7,

Angels 5, Red Sox 5, Yankees 1.

4. Tampa Bay (66-96)

Carlos Pena hit

one home run per

10.7 at-bats last

season, best ratio

in majors.

5. Baltimore (69-93)

Slouching toward irrelevance: Nationals have won more games than O’s every year since moving to town.