We look into our crystal balls for what 2004 holds in store.

After a five-year stretch that hasn’t seen them finish with a winning record, the Padres move into Petco Park with legitimate hopes of contending.

Ben talks to Alex Beth, who is filling in for Larry, about whether or not there’s any reason to be concerned about either the Yankees or the Red Sox this early in the season.

A post-mortem of the decline from world champions to also-rans, and the poetntial impact of exciting newcomers on the Angels’ chances in 2004.

Will the “Curse of October First” continue to bedevil the Giants in 2004, or will the ballclub — clearly inferior to the 2003 version that won 100 games — be able to prevail in a decidedly unimpressive NL West?

After winning the AL East in 1997, the Orioles have finished fourth in each of the last six seasons. They’re in the wrong division to make a surprise run at the playoffs, but do they at least have a shot at escaping fourth place? Ben examines five key questions facing the team.

The Mariners are one of the oldest teams in baseball, but they’re trying to win in spite of their age. Matthew looks at some key questions facing the current team, as well as the Hall of Fame chances of three Seattle veterans.

Ben takes one final look at every team to find anything that could impact your fantasy team before the season really gets underway.

Sunday night, TNT will show “The Winning Season,” a movie about the guy who is likely to remain the greatest shortstop of all time, if ARod continues to play out of position. A look back at the accomplishments of the man called “The Flying Dutchman.”

Can the A’s make the playoffs for a fifth straight season, or will this be the year the naysayers are right? John Gizzi takes a look.