Yankees, Phillies are teams to beat in 2010

Lest there be any doubt, manager Joe Girardi made the New York Yankees' 2010 intentions perfectly clear when he upped the number on his jersey from 27 to 28.

Girardi's gesture came after the storied franchise captured their 27th World Series title in 2009.

But the Yankees may find it's not so simple to get to number 28, with a bevy of challengers lying in wait in both the American and National Leagues.

"You have to work twice as hard to get back to where we were last year," said Yankees ace CC Sabathia, tabbed to start Major League Baseball's season-opener against the Red Sox on Sunday at Fenway Park.

"We've brought in some great players and quality people," said Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. "You know it's our job to navigate this to the same place."

Rodriguez, having finally captured an elusive World Series title, his homing in this season on another milestone: He's 17 home runs shy of 600.

The Yankees beat defending World Series champions Philadelphia in six games last autumn for their first title since winning three straight from 1998 to 2000.

After making their debut season at new Yankee Stadium such a success, New York have bolstered their roster with additions incuding pitcher Javier Vazquez and All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson.

Meanwhile the Phillies, trying to become the first team since St. Louis in the 1940s to win three straight National League pennants, added red-hot hurler Roy Halladay to go with their explosive offense.

"That's our goal, to get back to the World Series and win again," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "That's our ultimate goal this year."

Doping concerns have been less in the forefront this pre-season than last, but baseball again finds itself linked to a federal drugs probe.

Canadian doctor Anthony Galea is under investigation for possibly smuggling human growth hormone and another drug not approved for use in North America.

He has denied wrongdoing, but several players have been interviewed about him, including Rodriguez and Mets stars Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes.

As that simmers, attention will be on the field, where Boston and Tampa Bay will challenge the Yankees in their own American League East division and Anaheim, Minnesota and Seattle have geared up for strong AL runs.

Seattle won 85 games last season, and general manager Jack Zduriencik has continued to build and Ichiro Suzuki's Mariners could be contenders this year.

"I think we are going to be good, man," ace Felix Hernandez said. "I think this is our year."

The Twins, who were swept by the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs, shelled out for improvements as they head into their first season at their new open-air home.

AL Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer inked an 184 million-dollar, eight-year contract extension, and second baseman Orlando Hudson and slugger Jim Thome signed as free agents.

The Twins' hopes took a blow when closer Joe Nathan was sidelined for the season after reconstructive right elbow surgery.

But manager Ron Gardenhire said all was not lost.

"If we throw the ball over and give our guys a chance to catch it, things will work out pretty good," Gardenhire said.

In the National League, Rockies manager Jim Tracy is also tweaking his bullpen with closer Huston Street hindered in the pre-season by tightness in his arm and starting the season on the disabled list.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco - with two-time reigning Cy Young award-winner Tim Lincecum - should also be factors in the NL West, while the Cardinals still look like the team to beat in the NL Central.

After the season opens with one game on Sunday, Monday sees a full slate of openers, including Washington's home game against Philadelphia, where President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.