MLB

Hardball’s top 20 individual showdowns for 2010

The season begins tonight with baseball’s most glorified rivalry, Yankees vs. Red Sox. But as the schedule opens, Hardball has its eyes on less traditional, but no less vital, matchups that could determine how 2010 plays out. So here are our Top 20 mano a mano showdowns for the upcoming season:

1. Johnny Damon (Tigers) vs. Curtis Granderson (Yankees) — Technically they were not traded for one another. But if the Yankees did not obtain Granderson, they would have been much more invested in retaining Damon’s lefty bat. The Yankees joined the defensive revolution that intensified during the offseason, seeing the long-term, all-around value in Granderson. But that defensive furor suddenly turned Damon into an undervalued asset. Sure he is 36 with defensive deficiencies, but he remains an imperturbable offensive force. He became a one-year steal for the Tigers, who also will replace Granderson in center with the key man they obtained for him, Austin Jackson. Which team feels better about this version of trading places after the season?

2. Nick Johnson (Yankees) vs. Hideki Matsui (Angels) — Johnson replaces Matsui as the Yankees’ primary DH. The Yankees were worried about Matsui’s fragile knees, but Johnson has an entire body of soft spots. Who plays more games? Who has greater offensive impact?

3. Jason Bay (Mets) vs. John Lackey (Red Sox) — Bay preferred to stay with the Red Sox. But Boston was concerned about the long-term condition of his knees, and instead gambled on the long-term health of Lackey’s arm. The Mets probably should have gone after Lackey to aid an underwhelming rotation and instead signed Bay.

4. Ted Lilly (Cubs) vs. Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (Nationals) — Three shoulder surgeries. Three pitchers who have dreams of returning relatively early in the season. If Lilly and/or Webb can return effectively, they could impact playoff runs. There will be no playoff run for the Nationals, but Wang could help bring respectability to Washington.

5. Miguel Tejada (Orioles) vs. Placido Polanco (Phillies) vs. Jose Lopez (Mariners) — Three middle infielders who moved to the hot corner. Who makes the transition best? It could impact the playoffs, especially with the Phillies and Mariners.

6. Carl Crawford (Rays) vs. Jayson Werth (Phillies) — These are the two best outfielders on next year’s free-agent market. They have a whole season to prove who should get the highest bids.

7. Roy Halladay (Phillies) vs. Cliff Lee (Mariners) — They were in the same three-team trade in which Lee moved to Seattle and Halladay replaced Lee as the Phillies’ ace. The Phillies were oft-criticized for not figuring out how to keep both. But Lee has dealt with injuries this spring and will begin the year on the disabled list.

8. Phil Hughes (Yankees) vs. Clay Buchholz (Red Sox) — Which talented, young righty is most prepared to help in the Rivalry?

9. Ike Davis (Mets) vs. Logan Morrison (Marlins) — Which talented, young, lefty-swinging first baseman is ready to help sooner in the NL East this year?

10. Manny Ramirez (Dodgers) vs. David Ortiz (Red Sox) — Once the majors’ most feared 3-4 tandem, Ramirez and Ortiz are now fading and tinged by steroids. Others on their teams have usurped them as main men, but the offenses of the Dodgers and Red Sox still could use them not to be washed up.

11. Luis Castillo (Mets) vs. Orlando Hudson (Twins) — This was the second straight offseason that the Mets ignored Hudson to stick with Castillo. Will they regret it?

12. Rich Harden (Rangers) vs. Ben Sheets (A’s) — Talented and injury plagued, Harden and Sheets are now in the AL West on teams hoping to make a run at the Angels. Are they aces or wastes?

13. Jermaine Dye vs. Jarrod Washburn — These are the most talented players left from the free-agent class. Will they sign? When? And who will aid a team most?

14. John Smoltz vs. Pedro Martinez — Neither Hall of Fame-bound righty has announced his retirement. Does either savvy vet have something to bring a contender with the season already in progress?

15. Jason Heyward (Braves) vs. Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) — Neither has played a game in the majors, yet the hype out of spring makes it feel like as if NL Rookie of the Year is already a two-horse race between Heyward, a strapping outfielder, and Strasburg, the fireballer who begins the year in the minors (but not for long). Heck, it feels as if these two already are battling for who will be the signature player in the NL East for the next decade.

16. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) vs. Albert Pujols (Cardinals) — The only player to win more than three MVPs is Barry Bonds, with seven. A-Rod and Pujols are tied at three. Pujols, due to be a free agent after the 2011 season, has extra incentive as he will want to get as close to — or exceed — the record 10-year, $275 million deal of A-Rod.

17. Huston Street (Rockies) vs. Brad Lidge (Phillies) — Arguably the two best teams in the NL will begin the season without their closers. Who will get back first and be more effective? And how will Franklin Morales and Ryan Madson do as their at-least-temporary replacements?

18. Justin Upton (Diamondbacks) vs. B.J. Upton (Rays) — Justin broke out last year. His older brother, B.J., broke down. The Diamondbacks need Justin to climb another notch toward superstardom to be strong contenders. The Rays need B.J. to bounce back to have a better chance to outdo the Yankees and/or Red Sox.

19. Adrian Gonzalez (Padres) vs. Heath Bell (Padres) — Which Padres veteran will be traded first?

20. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) vs. Josh Hamilton (Rangers) — Troubled and talented players on teams with contention dreams. Cabrera says he removed alcohol from his life after an embarrassing late-season episode in 2009 hurt his status with the Tigers. Hamilton’s addiction history is well-known, and he had a relapse last year. Both of these guys can carry a team offense when right.

joel.sherman@nypost.com