American League Preview

Ok, I know you are all going to say, "How can you put your preview up after the season has started?" Let's be honest with ourselves, it's at most two games into a 162 game season. Really, does me watching the first game of the season really give me an edge in making my prediction, I don't think so! I mean really, there has already been a game in Chicago postponed because of snow. The Orioles actually beat the Yankees and well, the Rangers blew out the Indians. If you really think the first two games have given me an advantage, you're crazy!

Let's get on with what I think or maybe hope is going to happen this year in the DH league!

AL East:

1. Boston Red Sox - 96-66
2. Tampa Bay Rays - 95-67
3. New York Yankees - 93-69
4. Toronto Blue Jays - 72-90
5. Baltimore Orioles - 62-100


The AL East may have 3 of the top 4 teams in baseball, but if not they are 3 of the top 5 teams are worst. This race is going to go down to the last weekend of the season. I really put the Yankees in third just because I think there is too many new faces and too many distractions for this team to win the division. I say that but I only predict them to lose the division by 3 games. The Red Sox, in my opinion, have the best rotation and arguably the best bullpen in the division. All three teams can hit so I think that will make the difference in the division win. I think the Rays will be serious again this year with all that talent and another year under their belt. David Price may be the difference maker in this division because if he comes up and is incredible like he was last year, they will have a top pitcher with less innings on his arm. As much as I hate it, I don't really think the other two teams are worth talking about. I hate it because I grew up a huge Cal Ripken Jr. fan and I would love for the Orioles to be good again.

AL Central:

1. Chicago White Sox - 85-77
2. Cleveland Indians - 84-78
3. Minnesota Twins - 82-80
4. Kansas City Royals - 76-86
5. Detroit Tigers - 72-90

This is the hardest division to predict. Like one the ESPN guys said, I could have this totally backwards and it wouldn't surprise anyone. I wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't even take 85 wins to win this division. Every team has a big question going into the season. For the White Sox its the starting Rotation. Oh wait, that is the question for every team in this division. I am really picking the Sox because I think with Jenks at the back end of the pen, I think they have the best bullpen. They also in my opinion have the best coach. Ozzie may be controversial but he gets the job done. Kansas City is a popular pick this year but really, I don't see it. The pitching staff is still really shaky, the lineup is still unproven and well the Soria is solid but that's about it for the pen. Jim Leyland may be the first coach to get fired this year unfortunately.

AL West:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or whatever their name is - 98-64
2. Texas Rangers - 85-77
3. Oakland A's - 84-76
4. Seattle Mariners - 63-99

As a Rangers fan I would love to say this division is now wide open. Again, let's be honest with ourselves here. The Rangers may start off fast but they will fade at the end of the season. If the A's get off to a good start they may be able to compete but their pitchers are soooo young. The Mariners may actually be worse then they were last year so let's forget about them right now. The Angels lost big Tex and K-Rod but they added Abreu and Fuentes to fill in. I know that's at least one step back but they could afford to take a step back or two and still win the division convincingly. I would love for this division to come down to the last week but I really don't see it happening in the next year or two.