Chicago Cubs
Manager: Lou Piniella
2007: 85-77, first, lost in NLDS
Projected lineup: 2B Ryan Theriot, LF Alfonso Soriano, 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, RF Kosuke Fukudome, 2B Mark DeRosa, C Geovany Soto, CF Felix Pie
Projected rotation: RH Carlos Zambrano, LH Ted Lilly, LH Rich Hill, RH Ryan Dempster, RH Jason Marquis
Closer: RH Kerry Wood
Outlook: This year marks the 100th anniversary of their last championship, and the Cubs would like to celebrate by putting to rest all curses. Fukudome gives them a needed left-handed bat and a high on-base percentage to help set up Ramirez and Lee. Youngsters Soto and Pie will be counted on at key positions. While the Cubs' top three starters are solid, there are questions surrounding the final two spots. Perennially injured starter Wood will start the year as a closer for the first time.

Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Dusty Baker
2007: 72-90, fifth
Projected lineup: CF Corey Patterson, 2B Brandon Phillips, RF Ken Griffey Jr., LF Adam Dunn, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, 1B Scott Hatteberg, SS Alex Gonzalez, C David Ross
Projected rotation: RH Aaron Harang, RH Bronson Arroyo, RH Josh Fogg, RH Johnny Cueto, RH Edinson Volquez
Closer: RH Francisco Cordero
Outlook: Baker was hired to pull the franchise out of its worst stretch in a half-century: seven straight losing seasons. Baker's biggest challenge will be cobbling a rotation out of a group of youngsters with little major-league experience and veterans with mediocre histories. Beyond Harang and Arroyo, there's no dependability. The offense is led by the power-hitting Dunn, Griffey (seven shy of 600 home runs) and Phillips, who had a breakout campaign in 2007 (30 HRs, 32 SBs).

Houston Astros
Manager: Cecil Cooper
2007: 73-89, fourth
Projected lineup: CF Michael Bourn, 2B Kaz Matsui, 1B Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee, SS Miguel Tejada, RF Hunter Pence, 3B Ty Wigginton, C J.R. Towles
Projected rotation: RH Roy Oswalt, LH Wandy Rodriguez, RH Brandon Backe, RH Shawn Chacon, RH Woody Williams
Closer: RH Jose Valverde
Outlook: Tejada was the cornerstone of an active offseason. Bourn, a speedster acqured from Philadelphia, will get a chance to lead off. The switch-hitting Matsui replaces franchise icon Craig Biggio and will team with Bourn to set the table in front of Berkman, Lee and Tejada. The rotation remains somewhat familiar - Oswalt, one of the best in the game, and not much else. The bullpen gets a facelift, with Valverde, last year's major-league saves leader with Arizona, replacing Brad Lidge (dealt to Philadelphia).

Milwaukee Brewers
Manager: Ned Yost
2007: 83-79, second
Projected lineup: 2B Rickie Weeks, CF Mike Cameron, 1B Prince Fielder, LF Ryan Braun, RF Corey Hart, 3B Bill Hall, SS J.J. Hardy, C Jason Kendall
Projected rotation: RH Ben Sheets, RH Jeff Suppan, RH Yovani Gallardo, RH Carlos Villaneuva, RH Dave Bush
Closer: RH Eric Gagne
Outlook: The Brewers, who haven't been to the postseason since 1982, are smarting after spending 133 days in first place last year only to miss the playoffs. Milwaukee addressed its defensive deficiencies, signing Cameron (who will serve a 25-game suspension to start the year), moving Hall to third and Braun, and atrocious defender at the hot corner, to left. The offense should be one of the league's best, and the pitching should be good, especially if the Brewers can get a full season out of Sheets.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Manager: John Russell
2007: 68-93, last
Projected lineup: CF Nate McLouth, 2B Freddy Sanchez, LF Jason Bay, 1B Adam LaRoche, RF Xavier Nady, 3B Jose Bautista, C Ronny Paulino, SS Jack Wilson
Projected rotation: RH Ian Snell, LH Tom Gorzelanny, LH Paul Maholm, RH Matt Morris, LH Zach Duke
Closer: RH Matt Capps
Outlook: Despite losing 94 games last season, the Pirates might be the least-changed club in the majors, returning their lineup intact. With Bay, Wilson and Nady on the trading block, that could change well before the end of a season in which the Pirates could match an all-time record for futility. If they endure another losing season - they haven't had a winner since 1992 - they'll tie the 1933-48 Phillies for the major-league record of 16 in a row.

St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Tony La Russa
2007: 78-84, third
Projected lineup: RF Skip Schumaker, LF Chris Duncan, 1B Albert Pujols, 3B Troy Glaus, CF Rick Ankiel, C Yadier Molina, 2B Adam Kennedy, SS Cesar Izturis
Projected rotation: RH Adam Wainwright, RH Kyle Lohse, RH Brad Thompson, RH Braden Looper, RH Todd Wellemeyer
Closer: RH Jason Isringhausen
Outlook: Two years after winning the World Series, the Cardinals appear to be heading downhill fast. Pitching is a big question mark after Wainwright, and outside of Pujols, the offense doesn't look threatening. And Pujols is playing with an injured elbow that may eventually require reconstructive surgery. The team still talks of being competitive, but it could be a long season for a proud franchise.