The 2006 season was a charmed one for the Detroit Tigers, who rode a hot start into their first World Series appearance in 22 years. While retaining nearly every key player from last year’s surprising team, along with adding Gary Sheffield to their lineup, the Tigers will no longer be the darling underdogs. Unlike last season, the Tigers have already faced adversity, with the loss of postseason ace Kenny Rogers until at least July because of a blood clot. How they respond without him will be a key indicator of whether or not the Tigers will be a legitimate World Series contender.

No season could be complete without some Barry Bonds news and with Hank Aaron’s career home run record in sight (Bonds is just 20 short after his blast Wednesday), the Giants’ slugger will surely be making headlines again. His knees are healthy and he is more mobile than last year, when he hit 26 bombs. That can only mean 755 will definitely be threatened.

The annual Roger Clemens watch is on again, as the ageless fireballer once again has made no definitive claims as to whether he will return for his 23rd season in the majors. Last year, Clemens sat out until early June before making his first start for the Houston Astros. Unsigned so far, if he does return, it will be for either the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees or the Astros.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: BEN SHEETS

In the season opener, Ben Sheets showed why several experts think the Milwaukee Brewers could contend in the wide-open NL Central. The hard-throwing right-hander tossed the first complete game of the year, allowing two hits and retiring 22 straight in a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the first opening-day complete game of two hits or less in 15 years. Sheets has been limited by injuries since his breakout season of 2004, when he struck out 264 and posted a 2.70 ERA. The former Olympic hero (he beat Cuba 1-0 in the 2000 gold-medal game) can be dominant.