Bert Blyleven

There are some clubs that I look to heat up once the weather does. Here’s the five teams I feel have the best shots at torrid stretches under the hot summer sun.

RED SOX
Yes, David Ortiz has had a brutal first two months of the season, but those labeling him as “done” are going to be proven wrong. Besides a power outage, he has struggled to keep his average from dipping beneath the Mendoza Line. Manager Terry Francona sat Ortiz for a stretch, but that didn’t help so his latest remedy to try and get the slugger out of his slump is to move him to sixth in the order.

Ortiz is coming off a wrist injury last season, and it could well be he needs some more time for his wrist to fully recover. He’s trying to do too much with his swing, chasing pitches he would normally lay off. At 33, he has at least a few more good years left, and I look for him to regain his form this summer.

Boston has excellent pitching, especially a very solid bullpen. In addition to an elite closer in Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox probably have the best supporting cast of relievers to get to Papelbon.

They have quality starting pitching with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Brad Penny. And they will be adding depth to that rotation with the return from injury by John Smoltz in mid June. And even if the Boston pitchers make some mistakes, the Red Sox have a very potent lineup to make up for some of those mistakes.

ANGELS
Now that the Angels have John Lackey and Ervin Santana back from injury, they have all it takes to run away with their division. Even though Texas has a very good offensive team, the Rangers lack the pitching to stay with the Angels.

A big plus for the Angels is the return of Vladimir Guerrero from the disabled list. He missed 35 games because of a torn pectoral muscle in his chest. He is such a big presence in their lineup. Another big presence in their lineup is Torii Hunter, who is having an outstanding season.

The Angels play the game the right way, and they are rewarded for it. They do all the little things well. And they have a lot of weapons to beat opponents. Also, the Angels are led by one of the best managers in baseball in Mike Scioscia, who has assembled a tremendous coaching staff.

PHILLIES
The top thing Philadelphia has going for it is its offensive potential. As long as key bats like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins stay healthy, the Phillies can score with anyone. Rollins has had a slow first two months to the season, so I look for him to get in a groove real soon. And what a boost they have gotten from free agent Raul Ibanez, who leads the team in hits, batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.

Look for the Phillies’ starting pitching to improve. The ace of the staff, Cole Hamels, has already battled elbow, shoulder and ankle injuries this season. Now healthy, he’ll pitch better, and I expect Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer to also upgrade their performances.

The Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge was perfect last season, but he hasn’t been this year. He’s just showing that he’s human, and the Phillies shouldn’t lose any confidence in him. He’s still one of the best in the game.

CARDINALS
Once again manager Tony La Russa is doing a great job with a team that more than few experts weren’t expecting much from this season. The Cardinals’ pitching has been just as good as any team in the National League.

The ace of the rotation, Chris Carpenter, missed 30 games with an oblique injury so getting him back is a real shot in the arm for St. Louis. Other starters Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse and Joel Pineiro are all looking like they will turn in solid seasons. Pitching coach Dave Duncan deserves a lot of credit not only for the work he’s done with the rotation, but also with the bullpen. Duncan is a great communicator and teacher.

The Cardinals are built around Albert Pujols, and the NL MVP is ripping it up even though injuries to Troy Glaus and Ryan Ludwick have limited the number of pitches he sees to hit. Pujols not only has abundant talent, he has a tremendous attitude, wanting to play every day, and that rubs off on his teammates.

DODGERS
The Dodgers are going to do what the Angels did in the AL West last season – pull away from the pack and win the division with ease. Even without Manny Ramirez for 50 games, they have it all. They are a very solid team, top to bottom.

Los Angeles is seeing some of its younger talent, like Matt Kemp, James Loney, Russell Martin, and Andre Ethier, make significant strides. Juan Pierre has stepped in and done a solid job in place of Ramirez. And the addition of Orlando Hudson has paid off handsomely.

The Dodgers’ starting pitching is among the best -- if not the best – in the National League. The ace of the staff, Chad Billingsley, is off to a terrific start, and appears headed for a huge year. And add to the superb pitching an offense that is booming, and it’s easy to see why the Dodgers can leave the rest of the NL West in their dust.