Tampa Bay Rays (2008 Record: 97-65, 1st place in AL East, AL Champions)
The Rays as a team were definitely one of the feel good stories of the year in 2008, riding a healthy mixture of youth and optimism all the way to the AL Pennant. Perennial bottom dwellers since their inception 10 years earlier, the ’08 Rays came out of the gate strong and never really looked back.
Seattle Mariners 2008 Record: 61-101, 39 GB in AL West
By far the most disappointing team in baseball last year, the Mariners and new manager Don Wakamatsu look to return some semblance of respectability to the Pacific Northwest. On paper this was a club filled with promise as it broke camp last March, carrying a pitching staff that had the potential to keep the M’s in the playoff chase all season.
Chicago Cubs 2008 Record: 97-64, NL Central Winner
After early post-season exits the past two seasons, the North Siders are in prime position to make a run at their third straight NL Central title. Heartbreak has been a common theme for this franchise since what seems like the dawn of time, but they will once again sport a roster that all but guarantees that they’ll at least be in the mix for a playoff spot in ’09.
