The Times’ Major League Baseball rankings

THE CONTENDERS

1. WASHINGTON (4-1) Three names: Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper

2. SAN FRANCISCO (3-2) Best starting rotation in the major leagues

3. DETROIT (3-2) After reaching Series in ’12, Cabrera, Verlander hungry to win one this year

4. CINCINNATI (3-1) Stable lineup, stable manager will soften loss of OF Ryan Ludwick

5. DODGERS (2-2) Guggenheim Partners’ pockets deeper than the Marianas Trench

6. BALTIMORE (3-1) Had first winning season in 15 years in 2012

7. TAMPA BAY (2-2) Only one member of Rays’ standout rotation is older than 27

8. TEXAS (3-2) Solid rotation, experienced roster and 19 games with the Astros

9. ST. LOUIS (1-3) Made playoffs three times in last four seasons

10. ATLANTA (3-1) MLB’s youngest roster + weak division = playoff spot

11. ANGELS (2-3) Trout, Pujols, Hamilton, Trumbo give Halos new Murderers’ Row

12. TORONTO (2-3) Busy off-season proved ownership is all in

13. MILWAUKEE (1-3) Led the NL in scoring last season

14. CHICAGO (AL) (3-2) Spent 126 days atop division in Robin Ventura’s debut as manager

15. CLEVELAND (2-2) Terry Francona brings a pedigree and a new attitude to the Tribe

16. PHILADELPHIA (1-3) Aging roster could have one final pennant run in it

THE PRETENDERS

17. ARIZONA (3-1) Despite deep rotation and solid lineup, will have trouble keeping up in NL West

18. OAKLAND (3-2) Lost two members of rotation that posted third-best ERA in AL last year

19. NEW YORK (AL) (1-4) Yankees have MLB’s oldest roster, plus $84 million on the DL

20. BOSTON (3-2) Only four active players remain from 2007 champions

21. PITTSBURGH (1-3) Pirates a combined 38-77 after Aug. 1 last two seasons

22. SAN DIEGO (1-3) Gave up 21 runs in first series of season

23. KANSAS CITY (2-2) No regular starter older than 29

24. SEATTLE (3-3) Future could be bright, but present will be a little grim

25. MINNESOTA (2-2) See Seattle above. Plus Twins play in a deep division

26. NEW YORK (NL) (3-2) No Santana, no Dickey, no hope

27. COLORADO (3-1) Rotation returnees were a combined 11-17 in 2012

28. CHICAGO (NL) (2-2) 101 losses last year may be remembered as the “good old days”

29. MIAMI (1-3) Needed 20 innings to score their first run of the season

30. HOUSTON (1-3) Shut out twice in first three games, set record with 56 strikeouts in first four