Gannett News Service

Oakland's Mark Mulder went a combined 149-66 with teammates and fellow starting pitchers Barry Zito and Tim Hudson. The Associated Press file photo

AL WEST

Predicted finish 1 Oakland (103-59 last season, first place): Big Three starters keep A's on top. 2 Anaheim (99-63 last season, second): The Team That Could still can. 3 Seattle (93-69 last season, third): Father Time is catching up. 4 Texas (72-90 last season, fourth): Still looking for pitching. Why the A's? Oakland has shown it knows how to win in the regular season - 205 wins combined in 2002 and `03 - but has floundered in the playoffs. New manager Ken Macha, an assistant under former skipper Art Howe, inherits the best starting pitching trio in the majors (Mark Mulder, Cy Young winner Barry Zito and Tim Hudson) and an MVP in shortstop Miguel Tejada, whom the club has already said it won't resign after this season. The cost-conscious club added designated hitter Erubiel Durazo and closer Keith Foulke. Impact acquisitions DH Erubiel Durazo (A's), RP Keith Foulke (A's), OF Eric Owens (Angels), OF Chris Singleton (A's), SP John Thomson (Rangers), RP Ugueth Urbina (Rangers), OF Randy Winn (Mariners) Managers on hot seats Bob Melvin (Mariners), Buck Showalter (Rangers)

1. OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Manager: Ken Macha

2002 playoffs: Lost to Minnesota in first round.

Overview: With shortstop and 2002 AL MVP Miguel Tejada a free agent after this season and likely to sign elsewhere, this could be the last chance for the A's to win a World Series for a long time.

Question marks: Can Keith Foulke replace Billy Koch as stopper? .... Can 2B Mark Ellis and 1B Scott Hatteberg do the job at the top of the lineup?

Super stat: Oakland's 20-game winning streak in 2002 was best in majors since 1931 Cubs. 2. ANAHEIM ANGELS

Manager: Mike Scioscia

2002 playoffs: Beat New York in first round, beat Minnesota in ALCS, beat San Francisco in World Series.

Overview: It took the Angels 42 years to play in a World Series. But once they got there, they won it. General manager Bill Stoneman stood pat over the winter because he believes most of his regulars can be even better in 2003.

Question marks: How much do RF Tim Salmon and No. 4 starter Kevin Appier have left? ... bottom of the lineup (DH Brad Fullmer, C Bengie Molina and 2B Adam Kennedy) ... will they be as hungry this season?

Super stat: They are 155-2 over the last two seasons when ahead entering the ninth inning.

3. SEATTLE MARINERS

Manager: Bob Melvin

Overview: The Mariners have slipped considerably since their 116-win season in 2001 but remain a balanced team with good pitching, defense and speed.

Question marks: How much does P Jamie Moyer have left? ... Can DH Edgar Martinez stay healthy? ... Starting pitching isn't as deep as in recent past years.

Super stat: Had AL's second-best on-base percentage (.350), but led AL in runners left on base.

4. TEXAS RANGERS

Manager: Buck Showalter

Overview: Pitching might not be "80 percent of baseball," but the lack of it is 100 percent why the Rangers managed to finish last in the division three straight seasons.

Question marks: Starting pitching, starting pitching and starting pitching. ... How much will catcher Ivan Rodriguez be missed?

Super stat: Led ML in HRs (230) and slugging percentage (.455) last season.