Out with the old and in with the new. Maybe not new -- just different.

Going into Tuesday’s games, each of Major League Baseball’s six divisions have a different team in first place than they did at the end of last year.

The Boston Red Sox, despite a boatload of injuries, are weathering the storm and lead the New York Yankees by 1.5 games in the American League East.

Even a sore shoulder by the best pitcher in baseball, in Pedro Martinez, hasn’t slowed them down. I think that is mostly because the Yankees have even more flaws and less starting pitching than the BoSox do at the moment.

In the AL Central, the surprising Minnesota Twins are hanging with the talent-laden Cleveland Indians.

Twins manager Tom Kelly has kept his young squad in the hunt but I think the Indians will outlast the Twins. Whichever team doesn’t win the division should lock the AL wild card.

Out west, the Seattle Mariners are rolling along a full 19 games ahead of the sub- .500 and second-place Anaheim Angels.

At 52-15, Seattle has, by far, the best record in baseball. They sport solid frontline starting pitching, the best bullpen in baseball and a consistent offense that often beats opponents into submission.

The upstart Philadelphia Phillies have watched most of their lead in the NL East erode as the Atlanta Braves are playing consistent ball and stand a mere 3.5 games back. Even the young and improving Florida Marlins are only 4.5 games back.

I’m sure ole’ Murph’ won’t admit it yet, but he must be starting to sweat.

And how about the Chicago Cubs?

The Cubs are like cicadas coming out of the ground every few years -- getting their fans excited before the inevitable collapse.

This is unlike the Red Sox who keep their fans in an almost constant uproar season after season.

I guess that’s what makes the Cubbies such lovable losers and the old slogan "there is no such thing as an ex-Cub’s fan" ring true.

Out in the NL West, the race has separated somewhat with the Arizona Diamondbacks taking a five-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The D’Backs Curt Schilling has reestablished himself as one of the premier power pitchers in the game as he has surged out to an 11-2 record and 127 strikeouts in 111 innings.

The San Francisco Giants’ Barry Bonds is in pursuit of Mark McGwire’s home-run record. His 36 home runs going into Tuesday’s games still put him ahead of McGwire’s 70- home-run-record pace.

All of Bonds’ home runs haven’t helped the Giants win games, though.

All told, things are much more interesting this season, especially if you like to see the Yankees struggle and long-suffering teams like the Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs and Twins in first place.