MLB: AL Central Season Preview

Bryan Milward — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:38:54 -0500

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).

The bullpen isn't too spectacular outside of Bobby Jenks who quietly had a great season with a WHIP of 0.89 and ERA of 2.77 for an average Chi Sox team.

Prediction: 3rd place 78-85 wins

Kansas City Royals

Get excited Kansas City, this is finally the year you move out of the AL Central dungeon.

Leading the effort are Gil Meche, who proved worthy of the huge deal KC gave him last year, and Alex Gordon who should be ready to join the other elite AL third basemen this year.

Other than those two I couldn't pick a single other player on this team out of a lineup.

Prediction: 4th place 73-76 wins

Minnesota Twins

The Twins aren't an awful baseball team but the Central kicked it up a notch this year and the Twins went the wrong direction.

The Santana trade made no sense whatsoever and they should have kept the best pitcher in baseball. Better that than pin your hopes on a former stud pitcher who had elbow surgery (Francisco Liriano) and some prospects no one has ever heard of.

The Twins do have some pieces though in Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan, and Justin Morneau, but that won't be nearly enough to contend in the AL.

Put this team in the NL and they probably would be a top five team.

Prediction: 5th place 65-70 wins

Arizona-Washington State: The Cats Are Back

Bryan Milward — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:23:45 -0500

Just how hot were the Cats from behind the three point line against Washington State? As hot as a pistol? Don't think so. Try as hot as Anna Kournikova in a bikini in SoCal in mid-July and you'd be in the ballpark.

The Cats had the stroke going from deep so much so that Chase Budinger threw up a shot from at least 30 feet out and tickled the twine like it was a free throw.

But it wasn't just dialing deep that sealed the upset; it was the lockdown defense. The Cougars had to contend with Jordan Hill who had six blocks and who, for the first time this season, managed to stay out of foul trouble and factor significantly in keeping the Cougars from scoring.

Meanwhile, back at the other end, Jerryd Bayless and Nic Wise were getting to the rim and the foul line almost at will, or dishing it to the other to knock down some more threes.

With their inside game floundering, the Cougars were forced to take jump shots, usually with a defender in the vicinity and a hand in their face.

As the deficit continued to grow, Washington State abandoned its slowly paced, methodical offense and tried to speed things up. But this strategy worked just one out of every two or three possessions at best, and the Cats reigned supreme in a rivalry that is one of the Pac-10s most one-sided.

This was by far the Cats’ best game this season, and maybe in several seasons. Arizona allowed only a few offensive rebounds, played a stifling defense, worked cohesively on offense, and found open looks all night while shooting 55% against the alleged No. 1 defense in the country. They also got to the line and nailed all but 3 of their 23 free throws.

The transition to Coach Kevin O'Neill hasn't been easy. The Cats practiced one kind of offense in the off-season, and are now executing an entirely different sort. All this would be difficult enough, but the team has also faced the injury of one of its best players, Bayless.

Still, the Wildcats have managed to persevere after some early Pac-10 setbacks and look to reclaim their primacy near the top of the conference.

It remains to be seen whether these Cats have what it takes to make a deep tournament run. But one thing is for sure, this team is playing efficiently and in unison. If their effort and intensity stay at this level, the Pac-10 could see a familiar face on top once again.

The three early losses will hurt but the team with the toughest schedule in the nation looks ready to answer the call.

Sit tight and get your popcorn ready ‘cause these Cats aren't messing around anymore.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Bryan Milward

MLB: AL Central Season Preview

Arizona-Washington State: The Cats Are Back