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The major league baseball season is right around the corner – actually, it’s already started with a series between Seattle and Oakland in Japan – so it’s time to preview the races in both leagues for 2012, starting with the National League.

The balance of power looks like it’s shifted from the NL to the American League this season, with 2 of the game’s premier hitters – Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder – signing with AL clubs. The defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals appear to be a classic one-year wonder champ, with Pujols gone, manager Tony LaRussa retired and pitcher Chis Carpenter recovering from injury. The San Francisco Giants, champs of the previous season, have arguably the best pitching in the NL and will be contenders. The best team in the league, however, has to be the Philadelphia Phillies, who have all the ingredients to reach the World Series, besides maybe a proven closer. The biggest challenge to the Fightin’ Phils in the NL East may come, surprisingly, from the up-and-coming Washington Nationals. They’ll be an improved club, especially if pitching phenom Steven Strasburg is recovered from injury. Another possible East challenger could be the Miami Marlins. The Fish are traditionally a scrappy team, and the boost they get from playing in their new stadium, coupled with the signing of shortstop Jose Reyes, should give them a lot of positive momentum.  I see both the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets headed for long losing years.

Despite the loss of Pujols and LaRussa, the Cards could have enough left to at least reclaim the NL Central title, although I believe the Cincinnati Reds will rebound from a disappointing 2011 campaign and win the division. The rest of division looks like a group of pretenders. The Milwaukee Brewers had a great 2011 campaign but lost Fielder and saw slugger Ryan Braun tainted with a possible steroids scandal. The doormat Pittsburgh Pirates could surprise and stay in contention if some of their youngsters develop, but at this point the Reds look like the better club. The Houston Astros definitely will bring up the rear in this division.

I see the Giants reclaiming dominance in the NL West, with defending division champ Arizona backsliding. The Giants’ biggest challengers will be their hated rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, rejuvenated under a new ownership group that includes former Laker great Magic Johnson. The Colorado Rockies, in my opinion, are also a better team than the Diamondbacks, and will be right there in the race with San Fran and the Dodgers. The San Diego Padres, unfortunately, will finish in the basement of this division. In the end, I see the Phillies representing the Senior Circuit in the Series, although the health of Chase Utley is a concern.