Overview: This is another tough division to figure out. I think it'll be very close, with 90 wins enough to make it to the playoffs. Ultimately, I think the Twins will eke it out over the Pale Hose, and the Royals will be relevant in September for the first time in a long time. The Indians and Tigers just don't have the pitching to contend.
1. Minnesota Twins (90-95 wins) Two big keys to success this year: Joe Mauer is healthy and Francisco Liriano becomes the next Santana. If either one of these does not happen, then this team very well could finish 3rd or worse. But my money's on their success. Plus, I think they'd like to see the dome go out in style. It'll be odd seeing them play outside in 2010.
2. Chicago White Sox (85-90 wins) OK, I'll admit it. I hate the White Sox. Not sure why, but I do. That's why I figure they'll finish better that I hope. This doesn't seem like a very good team to me, but they'll piss me off and win a lot of games.
3. Kansas City Royals (80-85 wins) Maybe it's the Pirates fan talking, but I like this team as a surprise this year. Maybe it's because I drafted Zack Greinke and Mike Aviles onto my fantasy team. Maybe I just feel sorry for them. But really, they have a lot of good young ballplayers who might just be gelling at the same time. Plus I think Coco Crisp is going to do very well now that he's out of Boston.
4. Cleveland Indians (75-80 wins) It all comes down to pitching in Cleveland this year. They have more than enough offense (with Travis Hafner's return to for), but beyond Cliff Lee it becomes hopefully Carmona, Pavano and ugh. Everything tells me that Lee is bound to regress big time, which is really bad news on the lake, especially with CC in pinstripes. Kerry Wood was a great pickup (if healthy) but he may not get as many chances as they hope.
5. Detroit Tigers (70-75 wins) Sorry Dad, but this team's in trouble I think. Justin Verlander should regain his form, and Edwin Jackson could be a huge pickup, but otherwise this is a softball team in a pitcher's park. Looking at the lineup, there are plenty of big sticks, but Cabrera and Ordonez worry me for some reason. And I think Sheffield's pretty much done after he hits #500. Now, if they can find a couple miracles (say the rebirth of Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman), they very well could be much closer to the top than I think.
1. Minnesota Twins (90-95 wins) Two big keys to success this year: Joe Mauer is healthy and Francisco Liriano becomes the next Santana. If either one of these does not happen, then this team very well could finish 3rd or worse. But my money's on their success. Plus, I think they'd like to see the dome go out in style. It'll be odd seeing them play outside in 2010.
2. Chicago White Sox (85-90 wins) OK, I'll admit it. I hate the White Sox. Not sure why, but I do. That's why I figure they'll finish better that I hope. This doesn't seem like a very good team to me, but they'll piss me off and win a lot of games.
3. Kansas City Royals (80-85 wins) Maybe it's the Pirates fan talking, but I like this team as a surprise this year. Maybe it's because I drafted Zack Greinke and Mike Aviles onto my fantasy team. Maybe I just feel sorry for them. But really, they have a lot of good young ballplayers who might just be gelling at the same time. Plus I think Coco Crisp is going to do very well now that he's out of Boston.
4. Cleveland Indians (75-80 wins) It all comes down to pitching in Cleveland this year. They have more than enough offense (with Travis Hafner's return to for), but beyond Cliff Lee it becomes hopefully Carmona, Pavano and ugh. Everything tells me that Lee is bound to regress big time, which is really bad news on the lake, especially with CC in pinstripes. Kerry Wood was a great pickup (if healthy) but he may not get as many chances as they hope.
5. Detroit Tigers (70-75 wins) Sorry Dad, but this team's in trouble I think. Justin Verlander should regain his form, and Edwin Jackson could be a huge pickup, but otherwise this is a softball team in a pitcher's park. Looking at the lineup, there are plenty of big sticks, but Cabrera and Ordonez worry me for some reason. And I think Sheffield's pretty much done after he hits #500. Now, if they can find a couple miracles (say the rebirth of Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman), they very well could be much closer to the top than I think.
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