A new baseball season is just around the corner, and right now every team has the chance to make this year something special. Some teams don't look poised to make much noise, but there are surprises every season. Is there reason for you to have hope? I say there is. Whichever team you root for, here's why you'll be seeing your guys play in October.

AL West:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. After making the Playoffs last year they added a big bat in Torii Hunter and bolstered one of the AL's best rotations with Jon Garland. It's pretty hard to imagine them not repeating the feat this year.

Oakland Athletics. OK, so Billy Beane gutted the team during the offseason. If you've ever read Moneyball though, you know never to underestimate that guy. He can unearth hidden gems like nobody's business. Some of these no-names are going to surprise everyone and lead the A's to glory.

Seattle Mariners. They found ways to win last year, there's plenty of talent on their roster, and they just added Erik Bedard. With another ace developing in Felix Hernandez, this team is much to be feared.

Texas Rangers. True, their pitching staff is full of guys who looked bad last year, but many of them have shown that they were capable of better in the past. When they all bounce back this year the Rangers will leave their division rivals in the dust.

AL Central:

Chicago White Sox. The last three times the Red Sox won the World Series the White Sox won the pennant the next year. Since the BoSox won the World Series last year it looks like the ChiSox have this year's pennant wrapped up.

Cleveland Indians. They came within one game of the World Series last year, and most of the same players are returning. You know they've gotten hungrier, and this time they won't accept anything less than an American League pennant.

Detroit Tigers. They were in the Playoff hunt most of last season but tailed off at the end. This offseason they've added a proven veteran in Edgar Renteria and two young stars in Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. How can the rest of the American League not be trembling?

Kansas City Royals. After three straight 100-loss seasons they only lost 93 last year. Clearly they're on the rise. With several promising youngsters and some solid veterans in the mix, this is the year the Royals finally break through.

Minnesota Twins. OK, so they traded Matt Garza and Johan Santana. The good news is they got some young guys in those deals who are going to surprise everyone with breakout years. Those Twins executives are a crafty bunch, and they know what it takes to get their team into the Playoffs.

AL East:

Baltimore Orioles. Their roster hasn't looked very good since they traded Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada, but now that those guys are gone the rest of the team will be inspired to pick up the slack. No more relying on the stars, it's time for everyone to step up. This kick in the pants is going to give them the boost they need to make it an Oriole October.

Boston Red Sox. They're the defending champions. Why wouldn't you expect them to make the Playoffs this year? Besides, Boston's teams are invincible (at least that's what their fans always tell me).

New York Yankees. They're the Yankees. The idea of these guys missing the Playoffs is like the idea of Amanda Overmyer winning "American Idol". It's simply unthinkable.

Tampa Bay Rays. With a talented young pitching staff, a solid lineup and freedom from that "Devil" in their old name, the Rays are ready to sneak up on everyone. Their youthful energy will be enough to carry them past the aging teams in their division.

Toronto Blue Jays. Two words: David Eckstein. The Blue Jays finished 13 games out of first last year, but everyone's favorite scrapper easily adds that many wins to a team's record just by being on the roster. Don't believe me? Ask Tim McCarver.

NL West:

Arizona Diamondbacks. They had the National League's best record last year with a bunch of unknown youngsters. Those youngsters are all a year older, Randy Johnson is returning from injury and they've added Dan Haren to their rotation. There's going to be some fun in the desert this year.

Colorado Rockies. They shocked the world by winning the pennant last year, they've brought back most of their key players, and they now have an extra year of experience under their belts. In the words of Freddie Prinze: "Looking good!"

Los Angeles Dodgers. They're solid all around and they've added Joe Torre as manager. With all that Yankee mystique at the helm how can they lose?

San Diego Padres. They have a great pitching staff and play in one of the best pitcher's parks. Their mediocre offense is good enough for them to win behind these hurlers, so it looks like there's a Petco postseason in store.

San Francisco Giants. They have one of baseball's most promising starting rotations. This is the year they pull a 1991 Braves on us.

NL Central:

Chicago Cubs. It's been almost 100 years since these guys won the World Series. I'd say the law of averages is on their side. Besides, they made the Playoffs last year, so we know they've got some talent.

Cincinnati Reds. Dusty Baker always does well in his first year managing a team. He took the Giants to 103 wins and the Cubs to Game 7 of the NLCS. It's his first year in Cincinnati, so you can count on this team making the Playoffs in the weak NL Central.

Houston Astros. They've got a solid bullpen, a good lineup, and one of the game's best aces in Roy Oswalt. The rest of their starting pitchers struggled last year, but they'll get it together this year and the Astros will reclaim their division-winning ways.

Milwaukee Brewers. With all those big bats in their lineup scoring runs won't be a problem. With a healthy Ben Sheets and a determination not to let the division title slip away like last year, the Brew Crew is going to cruise past the competition.

Pittsburgh Pirates. OK, so it's been a long time since they've had a winning season. Still, they play in baseball's weakest division, they have plenty of youth on their roster, and there's been an overhaul in the front office. The Pirates are clearly no longer satisfied with losing, and new manager John Russell says he's looking to start winning now. A post-Bonds Playoff appearance? This is the year.

St. Louis Cardinals. Their starting rotation is full of guys who'll be great once they complete their rehabs and they finally got rid of that crybaby Scott Rolen. The Cardinals are the most classy organization in sports, so you know they'll find a way to get to the postseason.

NL East:

Atlanta Braves. They've brought back Tom Glavine to an already-strong pitching staff and they don't have any truly weak hitters in their lineup. It's starting to look a lot like the 90's again in Atlanta.

Florida Marlins. Did anyone see it coming in 2003? Did anyone (other than team president David Samson) think that youthful but unproven Marlins team was going to win 91 games? The Marlins are in the business of shocking people. They've been laying low the last few seasons just so no one will be gunning for them this year when they do it all over again.

New York Mets. They missed the Playoffs by one game last year. This offseason they acquired one of the best pitchers in baseball. As the only National League team that matters to ESPN, this Mets squad is back with a vengeance.

Philadelphia Phillies. They have a power-laden lineup playing in a great hitter's park. Their pitching is good enough not to allow the opposing team to outscore the offense, so it looks like the Phils are going to repeat as NL East Champions.

Washington Nationals. Most people didn't realize it, but they actually had a .500 record after June last year. With all that momentum going into this season and Manny Acta's new-school management techniques, this is the year the Nationals finally claim some Playoff territory.

To sum things up, it's in the bag. When baseball's postseason arrives your team will be there, ready to inspire millions with their heroics. Sit back, enjoy the season, and don't forget to buy the champagne in September.