In some ways, the American League is boring, as the same four teams seem to make the postseason just about every year. Not so in the National League, where the best team in the league tends to falter the following season.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record in the league with 95 victories. We need only look at their 2010 roster to know that they won't come anywhere close to that total this season, but the Curse of the NL's Best portends an ill fate as well.

The Minnesota Twins have never employed an opening day payroll as high as $72 million. Their recent history has been hallmarked by their star players departing, but the team somehow scrapping together enough bits to compete.

This year is different. The revenue expected to be generated by newly-constructed Target Field has allowed the 2010 opening day payroll to exceed $100 million. Rather than enduring their perennial deficit of talent, the Twins have made three key acquisitions without losing anyone of real importance.

But they did lose some THING of great importance, and that was the HHH Metrodome.