Wins for Kevin Millwood: 12

Rangers forecast: A young, improving team is competitive enough to keep the locals' interest until the Cowboys report for training camp.

HRs for Josh Hamilton: 34

Rangers forecast: Not quite enough pitching (what else is new?) means they won't catch the Angels despite a potent lineup. Second place and an over-.500 record are realistic goals.

"I don't think you could ask for more," Kendrick said after the Angels got good pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting in a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Kendrick hit a solo homer and singled in another run. Joe Saunders, filling in for John Lackey, checked Oakland on three hits over 6 2-3 innings. Jose Arredondo, Scot Shields and newcomer Brian Fuentes followed and didn't allow a baserunner. Fuentes, replacing Francisco Rodriguez, earned his first save with the Angels.

Catcher Jeff Mathis threw Mark Ellis out at third on the front end of an attempted double steal in the third inning, and center fielder Torii Hunter, shortstop Erick Aybar and third baseman Chone Figgins also came up with good defensive plays.

"Give the defense an A-plus," Saunders said after his first opening-day assignment. "It was an honor just for me to be out there.

"Then the fans gave me a standing 'O.' It was special."

Saunders, whose 17-7 record was the Angels' best last season, and Jered Weaver are the only two regulars in Los Angeles' rotation. Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar are on the disabled list and expected to miss at least the first month.