With football season dead and buried and March Madness still a few weeks away, I figured it would be as a good a time as any to break out my first annual MLB season preview. I'll be covering every division one at a time with the exception of the AL East due to a self-imposed gag order that provides me protection should my unwritten words jinx any team in that division that rhymes with "lead box." Anyways here goes.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have one of the best lineups assembled in recent years and a have added to a quality pitching staff that made the World Series just two years ago. Detroit’s lineup has three MVP candidates in Miguel Cabrera, Gary Sheffield, and Magglio Ordonez.
Their one weakness come playoff time could be a bullpen that lacks any elite arms with Joel Zumaya recovering from an arm injury.
The acquisition of Dontrelle Willis isn't as big as you might expect as his numbers have been way down the last two years.
Prediction: 1st Place 97-103 wins
Cleveland Indians
The Tribe came within a few outs from their first World Series appearance in over a decade. Cleveland brought everybody back except Kenny Lofton who put on a show in the postseason. 
Obviously, the pitching staff is anchored by C.C Sabathia and Fausto Carmona; they also have some depth with the up and down Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd.
If this team is going to challenge for the division title or wild card it needs Travis Hafner to have a big comeback year after a atypical 2007 and breakthroughs from Asdrubal Cabrera and Ryan Garko.
The bullpen is the best in the division, but is weakened by the presence of Joe Borowski in the closer role which leaves the team sweating out games that aren't put away in the 9th.
Prediction 2nd: place 85-93 wins
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have been up and down since winning the World Series two years ago and lack the lineup or pitching staff of the top two teams in the division.
The pitching seems to have declined dramatically from the incredible 2005 team that was untouchable for most of that year.
The lineup is solid with the additions of Nick Swisher (he should have a big year playing in U.S Celluar Field), Carlos Quentin, and Orlando Cabrera to go along with the core of Paul Konerko and Jim Thome (who needs to stay healthy if they're to contend).
We're going to send you the most entertaining MLB articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
7 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete