Repeating -- as in, defending a championship -- is one of the hardest tasks in sports. The Angels won't be able to sneak up on anyone this year, and everyone will be ready to give them their best shot.

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Remember, the Angels won the World Series as a wild card last season (with a 99-63 record). The A's (103-59) won the division. And if every team in the AL West plays its best baseball in 2003, I don't see the Angels winning the division. The A's are more talented, in my opinion.

So it looks to me like the Angels will need to take the wild-card route to the postseason again.

I believe they'll be in a dogfight with the Mariners and Red Sox for the wild card. I don't see the wild card coming out of the AL Central, where I expect the White Sox to challenge the favored Twins for the Central crown.

But as Anaheim proved last year, you don't have to win your division to win it all in the end. So what do the Angels need to do to win back-to-back World Series championships? Here are five key questions the Angels must answer if they want to return to center stage come October.

1. Can K-Rod shine for an entire season?
It's still hard to believe that postseason star Francisco Rodriguez was a September call-up -- that's right, with all his postseason success in 2002, the reliever will only be a rookie this season.

Some might wonder if Rodriguez can produce over a full season the way he produced in the postseason. Memo to all Angels fans: Don't wonder -- and don't worry. This kid (he turned 21 in January) has an electric arm. I saw him pitch in spring training, and his stuff is tremendous. His fastball/curveball combination is devastating.

	In 24.1 innings in September and October, Francisco Rodriguez struck out 41 batters.

Remember, a national audience saw him in the playoffs, but there are lots of American League hitters who haven't stepped into the batter's box to face him yet. So hitters know about him, but most don't know what his stuff looks like live.

This will give K-Rod a major advantage, especially early in the season. After all, his first appearance for the Angels was Sept. 18, and in his five late-season appearances he faced only three teams (the A's, Mariners and Rangers).

He posted absolutely incredible numbers in that brief time span. In those five September appearances, he didn't allow a run, striking out 13 and walking just two in 5.2 innings. Then, in 11 postseason appearances, he had a 1.93 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and only five walks in 18.2 innings.

The Angels didn't have him for most of their run last year, so they probably could overcome an average season from K-Rod and still get to the playoffs. He isn't the closer, he isn't the No. 1 starter, and he isn't the big run producer in the middle of the lineup. He'll be the setup guy who can eat up innings (and opponents) to get the game to closer Troy Percival.

But I don't see an average year in K-Rod's future. I believe he'll be the same pitcher we saw in October against the Yankees, Twins and Giants.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a closer down the road. How that would work with Percival is unclear, but K-Rod certainly has a closer's mentality, approach and attitude. I don't see him moving the other direction, though, and becoming a starter. His personality is perfect for the bullpen. Plus, he has just two pitches (fastball and breaking ball). While they're great pitches, I haven't seen him display a third pitch yet, which a starter would need.

2. Can Salmon come through again?
After a lackluster 2001 season (.227, 17 HRs, 49 RBI), right fielder Tim Salmon rebounded in 2002, when he was the players' choice as comeback player of the year (.286, 22 HRs, 88 RBI). The question is, which Salmon will show up in 2003?

He's such an integral part of Anaheim's offense. His production is key if the Angels hope to repeat. Salmon's presence in the lineup is essential for unsung left fielder Garret Anderson, who I believe is one of the top 10 players in baseball. Salmon needs to be a run-producing threat to provide protection for Anderson. Salmon, Anderson and Glaus can be a potent righty-lefty-righty combo.

Salmon is Mr. Angel -- he's spent his entire 10-year career with the club. He won the 1993 AL Rookie of the Year, one year after being voted the Triple-A player of the year. And last year he provided the veteran leadership for one of the most improbable World Series runs ever. The Angels will need more of the same from Salmon if they're to do it again.

3. Can the starters rise to the occasion?
The starting rotation holds another key to the Angels hopes. First, right in their own division, the A's starters are as talented as any rotation in baseball. And if any of Anaheim's starters get injured or falter, the Angels become vulnerable.

The bullpen is a definite strength for the Angels, but their starters have question marks. I'm not sure that last year's ace, Jarrod Washburn, can duplicate his '02 performance (18-6, 3.15 ERA). Ramon Ortiz (15-9, 3.77) and John Lackey (9-4, 3.66), who was promoted from the minors last June, must continue to develop. If the starters can provide a solid six or seven innings and turn it over to the bullpen, the Angels should be in good shape.

4. Can Erstad set the tone?
Another productive year from Darin Erstad will be key for the Angels. In the No. 2 spot, Erstad needs to get on base, move leadoff hitter David Eckstein along and be aggressive on the basepaths.

Anaheim excels at getting a guy on, getting him over and getting him in. I can't tell you how many times I saw the Angels do that last year. They play a National League style, but while they're good at small ball, they also can bash the ball (with Salmon, Glaus and Anderson). Not many teams can do both.

5. Can role players produce once more?
The Angels got tremendous performances from their role players in '02.

First baseman Scott Spiezio posted career highs in average (.285) and RBI (85). Benji Gil did a great job coming off the bench in various ways throughout the season. Reliever Brendan Donnelly, who started 2002 as a 31-year-old rookie, had a solid season after bouncing around the independent minor leagues.

It seemed that all the moves manager Mike Scioscia made related to his role players came up roses. And the Angels need them to come through again to repeat.

5a. Can Anaheim avoid injuries?
Staying healthy is especially important for the Angels. Big-market clubs find it easier to deal with injuries because they can afford to get a replacement midseason. But small-market clubs like the Angels don't have that luxury. When injuries hit, they usually have to rely on support from their farm systems. With such a slim margin for error, the Angels need to hope they avoid major injuries in 2003.