Division by Division Preview: AL East

Furthermore, the Jays were 9-9 against the Sox and 6-10 against the Yankees. Give them a winning record against either team and they are a 90-win team. Take away a few victories from the Yanks and Sox and the Jays are in the playoffs.

I am predicting that the Jays will be the 2008 AL Wild Card team.

The rotation is in tact and should provide the same, if not better numbers as 2007 (when they finished tied for seventh in starter ERA). Consider now that McGowan and Marcum have room to improve. Additionally Halladay and Burnett have better seasons in them then they displayed last year.

Could this be the American League's best division? Maybe with a trade for an expiring starter, the Jays could stabilize the final spot in the rotation. Let us also remember the awful Ohka, Zambrano, and Kennedy trials from 2007. At worst, the number five spot this year will equal last year's.

The bullpen finished third in the majors in ERA.

BJ Ryan is returning and looks strong in Spring Training. His injury in 2007 ended up being a blessing in disguise, as it allowed young pitchers such as Downs and Accardo to show their dependability. While the loss of Jansen will definitely be felt, it is softened by the fact that Ryan has returned.

Look for the Jays to be a vastly superior team in 2008 than they were in 2007.

Vernon Wells should be more determined than ever to prove that the big contract he received last winter was not a waste. Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay both vastly underperformed last year, so one can look forward to bounce-back seasons from that duo.

Rios is a player who is still coming into his own and the left field platoon, while terrible in the field, should provide the same if not superior offensive punch as 2007. I also anticipate that Adam Lind will be moved at some point this season to help fill whatever void the Jays may have.

Breakout Candidate: Dustin McGowan

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