Editor's note: ESPN.com has teamed with ESPN The Magazine and the SweetSpot Blog Network to produce this year's preview capsules. Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian examined the American League and the National League, respectively. They ordered the teams based on how they think they'll finish, while also breaking down each team's best- and worst-case scenarios.
The SweetSpot bloggers provided the projected lineups, pitching rotations and bullpens, which are mostly approximations based on the latest information. In most cases, they don't include players who will open the season on the disabled list. The lineups reflect the most likely batting order against a right-handed starter and are subject to change.
Arizona Diamondbacks
PROJECTED LINEUP
PLAYER POS
Willie Bloomquist SS
Aaron Hill 2B
Justin Upton LF
Miguel Montero* C
Chris Young CF
Jason Kubel* LF
Paul Goldschmidt 1B
Ryan Roberts 3B
BENCH POS
Gerardo Parra OF
Geoff Blum INF
PITCHING
ROTATION POS
Ian Kennedy SP1
Daniel Hudson SP2
Joe Saunders* SP3
Trevor Cahill SP4
Josh Collmenter SP5
BULLPEN POS
David Hernandez RP
Takashi Saito RP
J.J. Putz CL
* -- left-handed
# -- switch-hitter
New players in italics
THE PICK
1st Place
Best-case scenario: Newcomer Trevor Cahill shines in a rotation led by repeat 20-game winner Ian Kennedy, Justin Upton is the NL MVP and Jason Kubel adds an offensive spark. Manager Kirk Gibson refuses to allow complacency to set in after a surprising 2011, and the Diamondbacks repeat as division champs.
Worst-case scenario: History shows that it's difficult to maintain a high level of play after making a huge jump like the D-backs did last season (plus-29 wins). Starter Josh Collmenter turns out to be a one-year wonder, Ryan Roberts can't handle the everyday 3B job and Arizona falls from first to third in the West.
San Francisco Giants
PROJECTED LINEUP
PLAYER POS
Angel Pagan# CF
Melky Cabrera# LF
Pablo Sandoval# 3B
Buster Posey C
Aubrey Huff* 1B
Nate Schierholtz* RF
Mike Fontenot* 2B
Brandon Crawford* SS
BENCH POS
Freddy Sanchez 2B
Brandon Belt OF/1B
PITCHING
ROTATION POS
Tim Lincecum SP1
Matt Cain SP2
Madison Bumgarner* SP3
Ryan Vogelsong SP4
Barry Zito* SP5
BULLPEN POS
Sergio Romo RP
Javier Lopez* RP
Brian Wilson CL
* -- left-handed
# -- switch-hitter
New players in italics
Information courtesy of Bay City Ball
THE PICK
2nd Place
Best-case scenario: Brandon Belt ditches left field to settle in at first base, a healthy Buster Posey is able to catch 125 games and the Giants have a demonstrably better offense than last year. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain do their one-two thing, and the Giants finish first.
Worst-case scenario: Posey's surgically repaired left ankle bothers him all year, meaning more time at first base and less production at the plate. Angel Pagan isn't the answer in the leadoff spot, or any spot, and the Giants again score the fewest runs in the league and fall to third place.
Los Angeles Dodgers
PROJECTED LINEUP
PLAYER POS
Dee Gordon* SS
Mark Ellis 2B
Matt Kemp CF
Andre Ethier* RF
Juan Rivera LF
James Loney* 1B
Juan Uribe 3B
A.J. Ellis C
BENCH POS
Adam Kennedy* IF
Jerry Hairston Jr. UTIL
PITCHING
ROTATION POS
Clayton Kershaw* SP1
Chad Billingsley SP2
Ted Lilly* SP3
Aaron Harang SP4
Chris Capuano* SP5
BULLPEN POS
Matt Guerrier RP
Kenley Jansen RP
Javy Guerra CL
* -- left-handed
# -- switch-hitter
New players in italics
Information courtesy of Dodger Thoughts
THE PICK
3rd Place
Best-case scenario: The club's impending sale provides a cash infusion that is used to acquire a slugger at the trade deadline to support Kemp. Kershaw repeats as the NL Cy Young winner, and the Dodgers not only rebuild their brand but also win the West.
Worst-case scenario: Kemp doesn't get pitches to hit and fails to reach his goal of becoming MLB's first 50/50 player, the residue of the Frank McCourt years persists, changes can't be made in time and the Dodgers finish around .500 again. That could mean fourth place in this division.
Colorado Rockies
PROJECTED LINEUP
PLAYER POS
Dexter Fowler CF
Marco Scutaro 2B
Carlos Gonzalez* LF
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Todd Helton* 1B
Michael Cuddyer RF
Ramon Hernandez C
Chris Nelson 3B
BENCH POS
Jason Giambi* 1B
Wilin Rosario C
PITCHING
ROTATION POS
Jeremy Guthrie SP1
Jhoulys Chacin SP2
Drew Pomeranz* SP3
Juan Nicasio SP4
Tyler Chatwood SP5
BULLPEN POS
Matt Belisle RP
Guillermo Moscoso RP
Rafael Betancourt CL
* -- left-handed
# -- switch-hitter
new players in italics
Information courtesy of Blake Street Bulletin
THE PICK
4th Place
Best-case scenario: Troy Tulowitzki runs away with the NL MVP, Carlos Gonzalez returns to his 2010 form, and young hurlers Drew Pomeranz and Juan Nicasio help pitch this team to a first-place finish in what is arguably the most wide-open division in the game.
Worst-case scenario: The addition of Jeremy Guthrie to the rotation can't mask the fact that the Rockies lack a bona fide ace, Rafael Betancourt can't handle closing and there just isn't enough thump surrounding Tulo and CarGo to keep this club out of fourth place.
San Diego Padres
PROJECTED LINEUP
PLAYER POS
Cameron Maybin CF
Will Venable* RF
Chase Headley# 3B
Jesus Guzman LF
Yonder Alonso* 1B
Orlando Hudson# 2B
Nick Hundley C
Jason Bartlett SS
BENCH POS
Chris Denorfia OF
Everth Cabrera# SS
PITCHING
ROTATION POS
Tim Stauffer SP1
Cory Luebke* SP2
Edinson Volquez SP3
Clayton Richard* SP4
Dustin Moseley SP5
BULLPEN POS
Andrew Cashner RP
Anthony Bass RP
Huston Street CL
* -- left-handed
# -- switch-hitter
new players in italics
Information courtesy of SweetSpot
THE PICK
5th Place
Best-case scenario: 1B Yonder Alonso is the NL Rookie of the Year, former White Sox OF Carlos Quentin provides needed punch and Cameron Maybin adds power to his repertoire. The Padres don't contend, but at least they're fun to watch.
Worst-case scenario: The big ballpark spooks Alonso, Quentin and every other hitter, and the team scores fewer than 600 runs again. The starting pitching slides back without ace Mat Latos, the Padres miss closer Heath Bell's energy and they finish last without making a sound.