AL Central Division Preview: Chicago White Sox Look to Be the Best

Now, this is difficult for a die-hard Cubs fan to admit, but the White Sox have what it takes to be the top team in their division in 2010.

Because it's the pitching, stupid. Yes, as Earl Weaver once stated, “Nobody likes to hear it, because it's dull, but the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same: pitching . ”

And that's the main reason why I like the Sox to win the Central this year. A rotation of Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, and Freddie Garcia is pretty damn good.

And when they come out, the bullpen should be up to the task.

Bobby Jenks, for all of the off-season rumors, is still an effective closer. And set-up men Matt Thornton and J.J. Putz look equally solid.

As for the offense, well, it may lack some of the thump that the 2005 team had, given the departures of Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome.

Yet, the development of future stars such as Gordon Beckham and the continued presence of Paul Konerko and a hopefully healthy Carlos Quentin should be sufficient, especially when combined with improved defense.

Last year, the Sox defense was bad. This year, it should be better. And that will help the pitching even further.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins will not enjoy that home field advantage that the Metrodome afforded them in previous years.

Last year's division champs are nothing to scoff at, of course. They bring back one of the game's best young position player in 2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer, but lingering questions around the health of Justin Morneau and stud closer Joe Nathan could prove to be too much to overcome.

They gave up on center fielder Carlos Gomez, and acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy, who had a miserable season for Milwaukee last year.

The Twins strength is the middle of the order, though their hitting at second and third base is questionable.

But the pitching staff just has too many question marks, with Liriano coming off a disappointing season (5-13,  5.80 ERA) to go along with Scott Baker. The remainder of the rotation fails to impress (Slowey, Blackburn, and Pavano). 

As for the Detroit Tigers, who lost the division on a wild one-game playoff with the aforementioned Twinkies, how much will the loss of Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, and versatile Placido Polanco hurt them?

And concerns linger over the decline of Magglio Ordonez, as well as question marks about the talented but youthful Austin Jackson leading off.

Their staff should be decent, as young Rick Porcello continues to emerge as one of the finest young pitchers in the game. Newly signed Justin Verlander provides a solid ace, but the back end of the rotation is rough with Bonderman and Galarraga.

The Cleveland Indians appear to be in full rebuilding mode, having traded Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez last year.

Their rotation is a mess, with no sure thing among Masterson, Carmona, Huff, Westbrook, and Laffey.

The Kansas City Royals actually shared first place in the AL Central in mid-May, but an anemic offense (league low in runs, next to last in OBP & HRs) dipped the Royals into their familiar last-place finish (tied with Indians).

Are AL Cy Young Zack Greinke and rising star Billy Butler enough? This author says no.

So that's the way I see the AL Central shaping up for 2010. Of course, having to compete with AL East power-houses Red Sox and Yankees won't help any of them. And in the West, Seattle has definitely improved.

But the White Sox look good this season, and so this should be a warning for us Cubs fans who often make bets with our friends.