1: Can SP Zack Greinke build on the success of 2009? RHP Zack Greinke had a monster year in 2009. The Cy Young Award winner finished the year 16-8, with a 2.16 ERA and a Greg Maddux-like 1.07 WHIP. Topping those numbers would seem difficult for the 26 year old, but Greinke has all the makings of an absolute shut down starter. Greinke has a legitimate shot at winning 20 games for a team that may finish last in their division.

2: How will the starting pitching perform? The Royals are in a situation where they need all of the pitching they can get. While they have the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner taking the mound every five games, there are plenty of innings left over for this suspect staff. The best of the rest is RHP Gil Meche, who put together a solid 2008 for the Royals, going 14-11 with a 3.98 ERA. The rest of the rotation is full of potential but short on experience. RHP Kyle Davies has shown potential over the past two season, going 9-7 in 2008 and 8-9 in 2009, but has yet to take that next step. RHP Luke Hochevar flashed some brilliance in 2009, throwing an 80 pitch, three-hit complete game and showing big strikeout potential at other times. The Royals would not have let the 26 year old take the beating that he has over the past two seasons (6-12, 5.51 ERA in 2008; 7-13, 6.55 ERA in 2009) if they didn't see great potential in him. RHP Brian Bannister had a good year in 2007, going 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA, but regressed each of the past two seasons, going 9-16 in 2008 and 7-12 in 2009. The Royals need the back end of the rotation to take a step up as the look to improve in 2010.

3: Where are the runs going to come from on offense? The Royals added a true leadoff man in LF Scott Podsednik, who has the ability distract pitchers with his speed on the base paths. 1B Billy Butler showed great potential in 2009, hitting 21 homers with a .301 average and the Royals are hoping 2010 is a breakout year for him. CF Rick Ankiel showed good power (25 HRs) in 2008 with St. Louis, but needs to improve over his 2009 totals (.231, 11 HRs). RF Jose Guillen has had good years in the past, but was slowed by injuries in 2009. The Royals badly need him to stay healthy and produce.

4: How much has this team improved going into 2010? The Royals have a lot of young talent, and young talent only improves through getting on the field and playing. The team is clearly still a work in progress, but is heading in the right direction. The addition of solid veterans such as Podsednik and C Jason Kendall stabilizes the team and provides extra leadership. How much they have improved can really only be judged by how well they play, but the Royals have good young pieces that are getting better.

5: Where will the Royals finish the season? The Royals increased their win total each season from 2005 to 2008, but took a step back in 2009 finishing 65-97. Entering manager Trey Hillman's third year with the team, the Royals look to get back on track and improve their record again. Hoping for a contender in 2010 is an unreasonable goal for fans in Kansas City, but they have a good shot at finishing out of the cellar in the AL Central, possibly even fighting for the third spot if one of the division leaders (Minnesota, Chicago and Detroit) slip up during the year. You can find the Royals at win the American League at 45/1 and to win the World Series at 85/1 over at BoDog.