Season Preview

Difficult to recall that at one point this winter, the Los Angeles Angels of Our Lady of Lost Causes in Terms of Acquiring Another Impact Bat had too much starting pitching. It's a rough spring when two pitchers who combined for 37 victories last season -- John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar -- are lost to the opening day disabled list. Still, there is enough here for Angel Stadium to be more fun than neighboring Disneyland for the entirety of the summer. Video Outlook

Strengths
While the Angels once were deep in starting pitchers, they are still loaded in the outfield. New center fielder Torii Hunter, displaced center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., veteran left fielder Garret Anderson and slugging right fielder Vladimir Guerrero are a solid foursome who will rotate between outfield spots and the designated hitter role. Check that: Hunter will play center every day, and the other three will play the two outfield spots and DH. Closer Frankie Rodriguez is an asset, and now that he's headed for free agency this winter, he should be on a mission. Second baseman Howie Kendrick, the key piece the Angels would not include in trade discussions for Miguel Cabrera with Florida, could win a batting title one day. And Mike Scioscia is as good as any manager working in a dugout today.

Weaknesses
Barring a trade or another move, the Angels probably are destined for another season of listening to critics zing them for being a bat short. They ranked 12th in the AL with 123 home runs last season, and while Hunter is an All-Star, he is not your classic slugger. The Angels are good enough to win the division, but stack them up against the other AL superpowers -- Boston, the Yankees and Detroit -- and they don't match up bat-for-bat. Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis will not be as solid at shortstop as Orlando Cabrera was while winning the Gold Glove last year.

Difference Maker
John Lackey. He led the AL with a 3.01 ERA and finished third in the Cy Young voting last season, emphasizing how important he is to this rotation. But they've got some pretty good pitching over in Seattle this year, and if Lackey, who is expected back by mid-May because of right biceps tendinitis, isn't right this summer, it's going to make the Angels' job that much harder.