David Wells believes it's time his old team took a fall.
"Everyone's picking the Yankees, but I don't think they're going to do it this year," he said. "If they win their division, someone is going to bump them off."
Wells, now pitching for the AL Central-champion Chicago White Sox, might get his chance in October. In the meantime, there's a lot of baseball to be played.
A day after Texas and Toronto started the major league season in Puerto Rico, most everyone else on the mainland was set for opening day Monday.
Well, most everyone. Derek Jeter, Kevin Brown and John Smoltz were some of the stars already on the disabled list, with Ken Griffey Jr., Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux among those ailing.
"Everybody wants to play opening day. You don't want to miss games," said Jeter, sidelined by a strained right quadriceps.
In other places, enthusiasm was building as 10 games were scheduled.
At Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies were eager for a close-up look at newcomer Mike Hampton when he pitched against Mark McGwire and St. Louis. At Camden Yards, Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox were excited to welcome Manny Ramirez to their lineup.
At Jacobs Field, Wells got ready to pitch — and perhaps take advantage of those high strikes that umpires plan to call — against Cleveland's recent arrivals, Juan Gonzalez and Ellis Burks.
And at Yankee Stadium, New York took aim at its fourth straight World Series championship. Yet even after adding Mike Mussina, the Yankees were not about to celebrate too early.
"When it comes down to it, there's only one day a year when we allow ourselves to get giddy — the parade," Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams said.
Roger Clemens was supposed to start for the Yankees against Kansas City, though rain and sleet were in the forecast.
In Cincinnati, the traditional opening day parade will lead to Cinergy Field, where a 40-foot wall in center field is part of the reconfigured ballpark.
The Reds and new manager Bob Boone face Atlanta, which will start John Burkett because Maddux has a bad toe. Burkett will pitch an opener for his fourth team, having done it for San Francisco, Texas and Florida.
"Not too many guys have done that with an 85-mph fastball," Burkett said.
Because of schedule logistics, the Braves and Reds will play only one game. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh will visit Cincinnati, while the Braves will be home against the Mets.
At Florida, new Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa sent Omar Daal, who led the majors with 19 losses last season, against the Marlins.
"I just can't wait for Monday," Daal said. "There's a lot of responsibility with being an ace, but I think I'm smart enough to handle the part."
At Dodger Stadium, new Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy took on Milwaukee. Most likely, Dodgers slugger Gary Sheffield would hear the same boos he got in exhibition play, prompt by his contract demand and trade request.