It's almost here. 

I can almost smell it. 

95 mph heaters, cutters, sinkers, splitters, sliders, unbelievable breaking balls, the knuckler.  Splintered bats, singles, doubles, triples, dingers, bunts, bloop hits, infield singles.  Diving catches, web gems, stolen bases, caught stealing, pick-offs, balks, walks, and everyone's hated enemy, errors.  Hot dogs, crackerjacks, sausages, beer, pizza, and peanuts.

That's right people—Opening Friggin' Day is around the corner.  Soon enough we'll be in the midst of the tourney, NBA playoff races will be coming down to the wire, and the boys of summer will be out to play. 

God, I love this time of year.

This year will be a bit difficult to catch the first game of the year.  It will air at 6am EST.  As I currently live in a central time zone, I'd have to get up at a quarter to five am to even watch the game live.  It's a sacrifice I just might make. 

I don't necessarily approve of MLB opening its season in Japan, but hey, what can I do?  Really though, why is America's pastime beginning its season in the Land of the Rising Sun?  Is it only about marketing, and money?  If so, then a league that is awash in cash apparently can't satisfy is appetite for greenbacks (or yen, they're probably worth more seeing as how the dollar is in the crapper). 

It doesn't matter though, its about baseball people, and I don't care if they play in Mongolia or Timbuktu.

Just thinking about the game makes me want to pick up the glove and toss the ole' pill around.  I'd probably throw out my elbow screwing around with curve balls, but that's a price I'm willing to pay.

Even if your team isn't in the mix this year (I'm talking to you A's fans) there's still a good deal to look forward to.  Will the Yankees return to the glory land?  Can the Red Sox repeat?  Do the Mets have what it takes?  Or the Phills?  Can the Cubs break the curse?  What are the Angels chances?  Will John Kruk be wrong as always on baseball tonight?

The answers to these questions and more will come forth with the fast approaching baseball season. 

Here are some of the things that I'm looking forward to this year in no particular order (even though they're numbered)...

1)  Will Chad Billingsley emerge as a potential ace this year?

If you've been paying attention to his career to this point, this question seems like a hanging curve.   

Granted he was not-so-impressive in his debut in 2006, but that was due, in part, to the fact that the Dodgers rushed him to the majors.  Last year, in 147 innings, Billingsley went 12-5 with a 3.31 ERA. 

The kid's got the stuff required to be a good, if not very good pitcher in the bigs.  His fastball is between 92-94 and he has a 12-6 uncle charlie.  Add an improved changeup and this kid could be mowing down lineups on the Senior Circuit.

2)  Will Jon Lester break out this year?

Lester is an interesting story to keep your eye on. 

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