Hoping to avoid any November World Series games, Major League baseball opened the 2011 season a day earlier than normal with six games on March 31st.

The Phillies made headlines by signing pitcher Cliff Lee, giving them one of the best starting rotations in memory. NL East rival Atlanta countered by picking up 2B Dan Uggla and enter their first season in two decades without Bobby Cox in the dugout. The NL Central appears to be between Milwaukee, Cincinnati and St. Louis, with the acquisition of P Zack Greinke by the Brewers giving them a slight edge. The Giants and their marvelous rotation should be enough to repeat in the NL West, although Colorado’s bats will be a factor.

In the American League, Boston hopes it’s pitching will rebound after a disappointing 2010. The Yankees were uncharacteristically quiet in the offseason, while Tampa picked up Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon as insurance bats. Minnesota and the White Sox should be the class of the AL Central while defending AL champion Texas, behind Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, hopes to repeat in the AL West.