MLB Spring Training 2012 Schedule: Most Anticipated Showdowns This Spring

While Spring Training for baseball fans (and fanatics) is simply a tease of what the regular season will bring, it's still exciting to get the first glimpses of highly hyped squads and players. While all these preseason games are exhibition, there are still some interesting games that you can kick your feet up and enjoy after work or class.

Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners, March 14th

Now, before you yawn and click the "next article" button, here me out. I know neither team is headed to the World Series this season, but with young guns like Dustin Ackley, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, this exhibition is a look into the future of both franchises.

Both the Mariners and the Royals have had success with their farm system as of late, and this game will surely feature some more of both organization's up and coming talent. This isn't a game for fans looking to see a clash of the biggest names in the MLB, but it is for those who want a sneak peak into the names that could be there soon.

Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, March 17th

Those star-studded clashes I mentioned earlier, yeah, here's one for you. This game has everything a baseball fan could ask for: solid pitching staffs with quality relievers, big-name batters and consistent defensive play.

It'll be a glimpse into what could be much later in the season as Ryan Braun, Zack Greinke and Rickie Weeks take on Albert Pujols, Dan Haren and Vernon Wells. This regular season warmup isn't one we'll get to see that often, and with two of the most hyped teams in the league squaring off, it's well worth turning on the television for.

Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers, March 20th

Like the Brewers/Angels matchup, the Braves and Tigers are evenly matched and equally scary heading into 2012.

Atlanta is coming off arguably the largest collapse in franchise history after finding a way to miss the postseason last year, while Detroit was just two games away from making it to the World Series.

For the Braves, there's no better way to get the fanbase hopeful and forget (at least for a few days) the debacle that was 2011 than getting a win over a team that almost made it to the big game. For the Tigers, it's probably their best chance all Spring Training to test out their new team's defensive capabilities as well as how the team plays against a similarly built opponent.

NL East meets American League Central on only a rare occasion, with two of each division's best going at it on the last day of Spring Training. It'll be fun to watch Brian McCann, Jason Heyward and Martin Prado try to get on base against Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer or Doug Fister in what should turn out to be one of the most exciting games before Opening Day comes around.