Milwaukee Brewers
 This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves World Series upset
of the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, it appears that the Brewers will not be
able to bring a title to Wisconsin like the Packers. However, the early stages
of construction of their new stadium last year's late season rebuilding effort
have created optimism in the city of Beer. And, while the Brewers are a long way
from making the playoffs, manager Phil Garner will keep this team motivated and
moving in the right direction all season.
The Brewers enter the season with four solid starting pitchers. Former Oriole Ben
McDonald, Cal Eldred, Scott Karl and Jeff D'Amico are each capable of winning 12
to 15 games. While McDonald and Eldred are proven starters, D'Amico, the
youngest starter in team history, and Karl will probably need some time to
improve throughout the season. Mike Fetters has been a solid closer for several
years, and the addition of Milwaukee native Bob Wickman, Ron Villone and the
ageless Doug Jones have made the Brewers bullpen capable of shutting down
opponents in the final innings.
Offensively and defensively, the Brewers roster is extremely talented but
inconsistent. Shortstop Jose Valentin had a breakthrough season offensively, but
suffered defensively last season committing 37 errors. Joining him in the
infield are Fernando Vina and pickup Jeff Cirllo who batted .325 with 15 homers
last season. In the outfield, Chuckie Carr is coming off knee surgery and will
stand with rifle-armed Jeremy Burnitz, Marc Newfield, who should provide needed
pop in the lineup, and Matt Mieske who Garner will count on to terrorize
left-handed pitching.
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Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are two years removed from their exciting division title and
playoff defeat of the New York Yankees. But, with the excitement of a new
stadium under construction, some key additions to their pitching staff, and the
most potent batting order in baseball, you'd never know this team was rebounding
from missing the playoffs in 1996. Now, as the Mariners begin their fourth
season under manager Lou Pinella, they have become the odds-on favorite to win
the American League West and capture their first World Series tittle.
Randy Johnson returns from back surgery to lead the Mariners new and improved
starting rotation. Johnson, until his injury, was the most dominant pitcher in
baseball, leading the majors ins strikeouts and working on his second Cy Young
award. Joining the Big Unit in the rotation is free-agent pickup Jeff Fassero
from Montreal, Jamie Moyer, and Scott Sanders, who was traded to the Mariners by
the San Diego Padres for Sterling Hitchock. The bullpen continues to be the
Mariners biggest concern, lacking a strong middle reliever or set-up man. But,
closers Bobby Ayala and Norm Charlton are more than capable of shutting opponents
down in the late innings.
Offensively, the Mariners have the deepest and most talented lineup in the
majors. In addition to all-star left fielder Jay Buhner and former batting
champion Edgar Martinez (who will play the DH position full time this season),
are Alex Rodriguez, the league's fastest rising star and most prolific young
hitter, Paul Sorrento, who hit three grand slams last season, and Joey Cora, who
has blossomed into the AL's most dangerous lead-off man. Of course, you can't
forget about Ken Griffey Jr., who is on track to break Roger Maris' long standing
homerun record and lead his team to a World Series title.
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