American League Preview

Okay, so I'm a day late with this, big deal. Here we with the American League:


AL EAST
1. Yankees 97-102*
2. Red Sox 90-95*
3. Orioles 78-83
4. Blue Jays 76-81
5. Devil Rays 69-74

AL CENTRAL
1. Tigers 93-98*
2. White Sox 90-95
3. Indians 87-92
4. Twins 86-91
5. Royals 60-65

AL WEST
1. Angels 89-94*
2. A's 84-89
3. Rangers 76-81
4. Mariners 68-73


Quick note on the AL Central. I really have no idea who is going to win that division, it's gotta be the toughest in all of baseball. Every team has a chance, other than the Royals of course. Each team is strong but is flawed in some way. The Twins lost a good chunk of their starting rotation and replaced it with garbage (Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz) instead of plugging in some of the young guys (Matt Garza). The White Sox have an insane manager and have just been dreadful in Spring Training, not to mention the fact that they are old. The Indians were so bad last year despite everyone thinking they would be good, they could do the same thing this year. The Tiger's are the opposite, they were bad for so long they could just revert back to that, plus The Gambler is out until July. Just a tough call all together.

I really feel like the Red Sox are the new Yankees. Just spending willy nilly, putting together the best team that money can buy. The Yankees are the new Red Sox, still spending lots of money but also getting the good role guys along with some homegrown talent. As much as I hate the Yankees I put the Red Sox right there with them.

The AL West is garbage. A few really interesting situations out there too, but the bottom line is none of these teams can win it all. In a season or two if the Angels start playing some of their young guys they could win 100 games and be a real threat.

AL MVP: Travis Hafner (CLE) If the Indians get into the playoffs and Hafner spends at least some time as the first baseman he could easily win the award. No player in all of baseball scares me at the plate as much as Hafner. The fact that the Tigers don't have a lefty in the pen this year is going to make even more scared of the lefty Hafner. I'm calling for .320/50HR/140RBI, he's a monster.

AL Cy Young: Johan Santana (MIN): Best pitcher in all of baseball and it isn't even close. Should get plenty of MVP votes as well should Minnesota stay competitive.

AL Champ: New York Yankees: They seem due don't they? They haven't won a World Series since 2000. Not that I feel bad for them, this team just is scary. Hopefully Jeter has nagging injuries all year and A-Rod continues to choke. Their pitching is miserable in my opinion. I'm just hoping to jinx them out of winning.


World Series: Phillies over Yankees.