AL Predictions
Baseball season is finally upon us. It has survived the scrutiny of the US Congress, the American public, and itself to bring in a new season. Let's look at the AL East first. Winning the division has recently been a tradition for the Yankees, and this year won't change that. George Steinbrenner went out and spent a lot of money this offseason and he will see it pay off. The Yankees signed free agent pitchers Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano, and they also traded for pitcher Randy Johnson. The Yankees set another precedent, for the first time since 1903 a team added three 15 game winning pitchers in one offseason.
The Yankees have the potential to hit .300 as a team this season. 2B Tony Womack, SS Derek Jeter, OF Bernie Williams and 3B Alex Rodriguez just set the table for OF Hideki Matsui, OF Gary Sheffield, 1B Tino Martinez, DH Jason Giambi and C Jorge Posada to drive them in. Watching opening day against the Red Sox made the Yankees look like they were in good shape for the season. If Randy Johnson can stay healthy, he'll enjoy more run support than he got last year, and he looks like the 2005 AL Cy Young winner in the making. Last year they had a problem with an inconsistent pitching staff, which the Boss went out and fixed.
The Sleeper in the AL East is the Baltimore Orioles. In the last two offseasons they have added C Javy Lopez, SS Miguel Tejada, and OF Sammy Sosa. Along with 1B/DH Rafael Palmiero, and 3B Melvin Mora they have a potent line up. Their only problem is their inconsistent, young starting pitching staff. If they can get some good quality starts from their staff, their bullpen can close out games.
In the AL Central how can you go wrong with the Minnesota Twins? They have won the division for the last three years. They have experience and Johan Santana, the 2004 AL CY Young winner. Closer Joe Nathan looked almost unhittable until late last season. If P Brad Radke, P Kyle Lohse, P Joe Mays, or P Carlos Silva have a decent season the Twins will be hard to catch. The Twins also have a deep line up featuring phenoms 1B Justin Morneau, and C Joe Mauer. OF Shannon Stewart, OF Jacque Jones, and OF Torii Hunter are great in the field and always carry potent bats as well.
The Sleeper in the AL Central is the Cleveland Indians. They were in the race last year until a late August swoon that saw them go from eight games over .500 and in the race to four games under .500 in 20 days. If they can avoid crumbling late in the season, they might give the Twins a run for the division.
In the AL West the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look really good. With reigning 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero in the outfield you are going to win some games. Joining him in the outfield is a great hitter in Garrett Anderson, and gold glover Steve Finley. The Angels have a good pitching staff if they stay healthy. In the infield 1B Darin Erstad, 2B Chone Figgins, and SS Orlando Cabrera. Skipper Mike Scioscia has guided the Angels to the playoffs in 2 of the last 3 years.
The Sleeper in the AL West is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have the best compilation of young talent of any team in baseball. Looking around the infield they could all be allstars. 2B Alfonso Soriano, SS Michael Young, 3B Hank Blalock, C Rod Barajas, 1B Mark Teixeira along with OF Richard Hidalgo are things that keep pitchers up at night. All hit for average and power.
All in all the AL looks to be very competitive this year. The AL Wildcard will be a three team race between the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and the Boston Red Sox. The wildcard race is always exciting and the Red Sox have won it the past few years. The Red Sox will get past the opening day letdown and compete for the wildcard, which has been the slot of the World Series winner the last 3 seasons.
The Yankees have the potential to hit .300 as a team this season. 2B Tony Womack, SS Derek Jeter, OF Bernie Williams and 3B Alex Rodriguez just set the table for OF Hideki Matsui, OF Gary Sheffield, 1B Tino Martinez, DH Jason Giambi and C Jorge Posada to drive them in. Watching opening day against the Red Sox made the Yankees look like they were in good shape for the season. If Randy Johnson can stay healthy, he'll enjoy more run support than he got last year, and he looks like the 2005 AL Cy Young winner in the making. Last year they had a problem with an inconsistent pitching staff, which the Boss went out and fixed.
The Sleeper in the AL East is the Baltimore Orioles. In the last two offseasons they have added C Javy Lopez, SS Miguel Tejada, and OF Sammy Sosa. Along with 1B/DH Rafael Palmiero, and 3B Melvin Mora they have a potent line up. Their only problem is their inconsistent, young starting pitching staff. If they can get some good quality starts from their staff, their bullpen can close out games.
In the AL Central how can you go wrong with the Minnesota Twins? They have won the division for the last three years. They have experience and Johan Santana, the 2004 AL CY Young winner. Closer Joe Nathan looked almost unhittable until late last season. If P Brad Radke, P Kyle Lohse, P Joe Mays, or P Carlos Silva have a decent season the Twins will be hard to catch. The Twins also have a deep line up featuring phenoms 1B Justin Morneau, and C Joe Mauer. OF Shannon Stewart, OF Jacque Jones, and OF Torii Hunter are great in the field and always carry potent bats as well.
The Sleeper in the AL Central is the Cleveland Indians. They were in the race last year until a late August swoon that saw them go from eight games over .500 and in the race to four games under .500 in 20 days. If they can avoid crumbling late in the season, they might give the Twins a run for the division.
In the AL West the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look really good. With reigning 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero in the outfield you are going to win some games. Joining him in the outfield is a great hitter in Garrett Anderson, and gold glover Steve Finley. The Angels have a good pitching staff if they stay healthy. In the infield 1B Darin Erstad, 2B Chone Figgins, and SS Orlando Cabrera. Skipper Mike Scioscia has guided the Angels to the playoffs in 2 of the last 3 years.
The Sleeper in the AL West is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have the best compilation of young talent of any team in baseball. Looking around the infield they could all be allstars. 2B Alfonso Soriano, SS Michael Young, 3B Hank Blalock, C Rod Barajas, 1B Mark Teixeira along with OF Richard Hidalgo are things that keep pitchers up at night. All hit for average and power.
All in all the AL looks to be very competitive this year. The AL Wildcard will be a three team race between the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and the Boston Red Sox. The wildcard race is always exciting and the Red Sox have won it the past few years. The Red Sox will get past the opening day letdown and compete for the wildcard, which has been the slot of the World Series winner the last 3 seasons.
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