American League Central
Cleveland Indians (92-70)
Chicago White Sox (84-78)
Detroit Tigers (78-84)
Kansas City Royals (77-85)
Minnesota Twins (70-92)
I really do think the White Sox have a legitimate shot of competing in this division but there are just too many question marks to pick them to win. But the Indians will win this division because they are the best team 1-25. They won't get quite the same year out of Cliff Lee and of course they don't have any CC this year, but I think overall their pitching will be better because it's deeper this year with Pavano and a healthy Fausto Carmona.
I'm not buying into the Royals being that much better. I still think they are 1 or 2 years from being an actual contender. I'm not saying they won't have stretches where they look like a good team, I'm just saying there are too many weaknesses. The Twins always out preform what people think they will do, so I figure if I pick them to win 70 games maybe they will win 80 and still not be in the running. Honestly I'm just sick of those pirhannas and I cannot wait until that damn dome comes down.
American League East
Boston Red Sox (99-63)
New York Yankees (98-64)
Baltimore Orioles (81-81)
Tampa Bay Rays (79-83)
Toronto Blue Jays (71-92)
Many believe the best three teams in baseball are in the AL East. And honestly I think if I were to rank teams right now as it may be true. But I just don't think the Rays will be able to do it again. They will be under a lot of pressure to compete with the two juggernauts at the top.
As far as he top two go, I'm taking the Red Sox because of the way the season will start. The Yankees are going to go through a rough patch to start the season. No Arod, new stadium, three key guys adapting to New York, and all the pressures that come with being the pre-season best team, it's going to be tough to go out there and be loose. The Red Sox on the other hand haven't seen too many changes and they now have a large chip on their collective shoulder to beat out the evil empire. I like the Red Sox to eventually come out on top, but ESPN will have a field day with how close it will be. Mark down Sept 25,26, and 27 for days to not watch TV if you don't like the AL East. No matter how the other races are going, Yanks/BoSox will be all that matters in the universe for those three days.
American League West
Oakland A's (84-78)
Texas Rangers (81-81)
Los Angeles Angels (78-84)
Seattle Mariners (60-102)
The Oakland A's are a team not too many people are talking about. But I really think this team is going to be tough. Their pitching staff consists of 5 guys you have never heard of. Dana Eveland, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, Trever Cahill, and Josh Outman. I will guarantee you that 1 (maybe 2) of the back three in that rotation will be a star this year. The A's have been doing this for years now, and there's no reason to believe it will stop now. The difference this year is thay the rest of the division is pathetic.
The Angels are the team in this division that I think will shock everyone with how bad they are. The are starting the season with half of their pitching staff on the DL, and they have no replacement for losing their best player from last year. Kendry Morales is the replacement for Teixeira, that's not good.
One to the other two teams. The Mariners are pathetic. That is all I have to say about them. The Rangers are not too bad but they will be the same Rangers as old. They will tear the cover off the ball, but then give up more runs then they score. I got them getting out to a good start, but I don't think it will last. They will win a good share of games and they may make it interesting with the A's at the end, but I think they will come up short.
Playoff Predictions
Yankees over Indians
A's over Red Sox
Yankees over A's
Just for fun here are my National League picks.
NL East
Mets, Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Nationals
NL Central
Cubs, Astros, Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, PiratesNL West
Dodgers, Giants (WC), Padres, D-Backs, Rockies
World Series Prediction
Yankees over Dodgers
No comments:
Post a Comment