AL Owns MLB Again in 2008: Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox Look Like World Series Contenders

Pitchers and catchers have not reported yet, but baseball season is upon us. 

With that being established, it's only right that predictions be made.

I give you my predictions in the race for 2008 World Series Champions.

Looking at all the teams (on paper), there are only two teams that stand a chance to win the World Series this upcoming season (barring any major injuries or major in-season trades.)

Those two teams are the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox.

For personal reasons, it better not be the Red Sox...again!

Let's take an in-depth look inside both teams, and then see if we can decide on which team stands the better chance.

DETROIT TIGERS

Speaking of major trades, Detroit's blockbuster during the offseason vaulted it to the top of my list of teams I find likely to win the World Series.

The additions of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis add an aura of dominance to this team, as long as both of the players live up to their potential, and don't bomb in 2008.

Looking at Detroit's opening-day lineup, you have to discuss it as one of the best  ever put together, from one through nine.

The lineup will look something like this:

1. Curtis Granderson     .302-23-74 122 runs, 26 SB
2. Placido Polanco          .341-9-67 105 runs, only 30 Ks
3. Miguel Cabrera           .320-34-119 91 runs
4. Magglio Ordonez        .363-28-139 117 runs, 216 hits
5. Gary Sheffield            .265-26-75 107 runs, 22 SB
6. Carlos Guillen            .296-21-102 86 runs, 13 SB
7. Ivan Rodriguez          .281-11-63
8. Edgar Renteria           .332-12-57 87 runs
9. Jacque Jones             .285-5-66

That is an insane lineup. 

Not to mention, the Tigers have Marcus Thames (18 HR) and Brandon Inge (14 HR) coming off the bench.

That lineup (if completely healthy) has the potential to score 1,000 runs. Only one team has achieved that feat since 1950, the 1999 Cleveland Indians. If the Tigers are unable to reach 1,000 runs; 900 seems extremely feasible.

Not to be outdone by the offense; the Detroit's pitching staff is also one to reckon with.

With Justin Verlander as the ace (18-6, 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP), it has someone to count on every fifth start as somebody who can end any mini-losing streak.

After Verlander, the staff isn't anything to scoff at. Although it might not be everything you want, statistically, the potential it carries outweighs the numbers.

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