Let's Play 60

Four months later, amidst an unshakable pandemic, it's play ball for real.

Or at least as real as a sport can be without fans in the stands and the media kept at a distance.

Not 162 games, or even half that, a 60-game sprint begins with some stars in new places. Others will sit things out due to family and health concerns. Several return after injuries wrecked their 2019's. And another group will need more time to heal from illness or injury.

We have contenders and pretenders -- and a bunch of teams in the middle. There are favorites and underdogs, some likely to be upended by fresh faces and veterans on career years.

If 2020 comes down to resources and preparedness, pencil the Yankees and Dodgers in for the World Series. Miguel Andujar is healthy again, which is bad news for opposing pitchers. Whether he plays 3rd base, left field or is the DH, that sizzling bat hasn't lost any of its pop. Another returnee is pitcher Jordan Montgomery. 2017's standout rookie arm is two years past Tommy John surgery and ready to join Gerrit Cole, James Paxton and, hopefully J.A. Happ at the top of Aaron Boone's rotation. 

The AL East is a loaded division -- Tampa Bay pushes analytics-driven baseball to another level. Fundamentally sound while budgetarily light, they could outsmart the Yanks to claim the AL East. And Toronto, sadly still looking for a home ballpark due to Canada's strong virus protection rules, is brimming with rising young talent. Boston cashed in Mookie Betts for prospects and payroll relief, while Baltimore must think its CEO is Moses and not Peter Angelos. After three straight losing seasons, they apparently are prepared to wander in the desert -- and out of contention -- for another 37.

The A's, Angels and Astros will battle for the AL West. Oakland is the Tampa Bay of the West, short of cash, long on talent that fly under the radar. In Anaheim, Mike Trout is Mike Trout. Shohei Ohtani returns to being a two-way player -- the trouble is, he doesn't have a twin brother to further boost his team's pitching. And Houston, while scarred by scandal, still packs a star-studded lineup.

The Central division comes down to the slugging Twins and better balanced Indians -- who might be playing their final season under that name. Chief Wahoo is gone, while Francisco Lindor might be next to leave, of course for very different reasons.

In the National League, the Dodgers mirror the Yankees with impressive home grown stars plus a key import this year -- Mookie Betts, played The Price Is Right with Andrew Friedman and came away with the mega Showcase: a 12-year $350-plus million dollar deal. Add him to a talent base brimming with Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux, Corey Seager and veterans such as Justin Turner and Joc Pederson -- to go along with a rotation headed by Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Back to that Price Is Right reference -- the rest of the NL West must feel somewhat "spayed and neutered." The Padres have some impressive kids but not enough to make anything more than a Wild Card run. The Giants, Rockies and D'backs are even farther away.

The East is as loaded and balanced as its American League counterpart -- and will be playing a third of their games against this season. The Nationals won their first title after watching Bryce Harper walk away. Does Anthony Rendon's departure mean an even better regular season -- or a post-title letdown? The Mets look strong yet vulnerable. Marcus Stroman's torn calf muscle takes away their number-two starting pitcher. While they'll benefit from having the DH, there are about four guys on their roster whose best position doesn't involve fielding. Joe Girardi will bring order and logic back to Philadelphia. And Zach Wheeler will give Aaron Nola a talented running mate. But the front officer still hasn't built a good overall pitching staff. The Braves just keep developing minor league talent -- while plugging Marcell Ozuna in tto take over for Josh Donaldson. The Marlins, already used to playing in a quiet ballparks, might benefit from an entire schedule without crowds.

The NL Central should be a great battle -- but are the Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers or beefed-up Reds really on par with the Dodgers?

Of course, one or two unexpected injuries could upend anything. Another zero-to-hero rookie or onetime benchwarmer might propel an also-ran into and through October. All this while we cross our fingers that the virus remains enough at bay to complete a 60-game sprint with one team winning the 11 (or 12) post-season games to claim the crown that has spent all winter (and spring) in Washington.