BASEBALL

The American flag is blowing straight out from home plate, the sun shining brightly, the air clear. It is a hitter's day. Except there are no hitters on this day. It's May 23, and the major league baseball players are on strike.

Here's hoping that the owners will get their act together with an acceptable contract and Jim Rice and Don Baylor will be able to step up to the plate on May 23 and take advantage of that wind.

With that out of the way, when the season finally does end, who will be on top in the American League? In order of projected finish, here's how the American League East shapes up:

BOSTON RED SOX: With players like Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, and Rick Burleson just entering their prime, the Red Sox look tough. The Red Sox will go as far as catcher Carlton Fisk's fragile throwing arm and the pitching staff can take them. Eckersley's arm hurts, but he should be okay once the season opens, and look for Mike Torrez, Chuck Rainey and bullpen ace Skip Lockwood to have good seasons.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Last year, Earl Weaver got great pitching and a barrel full of ninth-inning three-run homers. The pitching, led by Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan and Jim Palmer, should be there as always, but don't look for as many game-saving performances off the bench from John Lowenstein and Pat Kelly.

NEW YORK YANKEES: The Yankees acquired a right-handed power hitter in Bob Watson, a new catcher in Rick Cerone and a new centerfielder in Ruppert Jones, but this team is getting old. And the pitching staff may be in trouble if Ed Figueroa or Luis Tiant don't give manager Dick Howser right handed help.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS: The Brewers have outstanding hitting, but their pitching, especially in the bullpen, is suspect. The loss of manager George Bamberger due to a pre-season heart attack could weigh heavily on young hurlers Moose Haas and Lary Sorenson.

DETROIT TIGERS: Sparky Anderson is building a team up there in Michigan, but they're probably still a few years away. Young hitters Steve Kemp, Jason Thompson and rookie Kirk Gibson and pitchers Jack Morris and Dale Schatzeder form the nucleus of what may be the team of the '80s.

CLEVELAND INDIANS: The Indians unloaded troublesome Bobby Bonds, but they still face the trouble of having to play in the same division as the Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Brewers and Tigers.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS: The Blue Jays seem destined for last once again. Young infielders Alfredo Griffin and Danny Ainge bode well for the future. Distant future.

The American League West:

CALIFORNIA ANGELS: They lost fireballer Nolan Ryan to free-agency, but they gained Bruce Kison, shortstop Freddy Patek and right-fielder Al Cowens. Of course, there's always MVP Don Baylor.

TEXAS RANGERS: Ranger's owner Brad Corbett finally had an off-season where he didn't decimate his team with trades and finally has a team that's ready to make a run for the play-offs. There's no better one-two punch in the bullpen than Jim Kern and Sparky Lyle.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: The Royals win most of the games played on the artificial surface at Royals Stadium but sometimes have trouble winning on the road. Willie Mays Aikens gives them bat strength.

MINNESOTA TWINS: The Twins lose free-agents every year and still come up with enough hitting and some decent pitching to hang around the leaders. In Iron Man Mike Marshall, the Twins have one of the top relievers in the game.

SEATTLE MARINERS: The Mariners are moving along nicely for an ex- pansion team and by acquiring starter Jim Beattie, they finally found a leader for the pitching staff. Ageless Willie Horton mans the DH role.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Bill Veeck is once again in a rebuilding year with his young White Sox but does have four left-handed starting pitchers--Ken Kravec, Steve Trout, Rich Wortham and Ross Baumgarten--who always seem to pop up when other teams talk trade with the White Sox.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS: The lowly A's, in past years compared to a Triple A minor league club, have new life in manager Billy Martin--not much else