AL Central preview

Well, after last weeks preview of the AL East, I had to take a couple of days to get ready to preview the AL Central. Last year, the Cleveland Indains won the division by 8 games over the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were very good last year, however, against the Indians the Motown Boys went 5-12 against the Hiawatha.

To be fair to the Tigers, they were hit really hard by the injury bug, especcially in the pitching side of the game. This year, I don't believe they will have as bad of a time, of course, who the heck knows who or how bad will get injured during the season. The pitching staff for the Tigers will be very good. When you have Verlander at the top of the rotation and vetern Kenny Rogers in the #5 hole, it can't be that bad of a rotation. So the rotation will be a good one, how bout the pen? San Dieagan Joel Zumaya will be on the shelf for maybe half the season becasue of an injury that he suffered during the October wild fires. So the setup and backup closer spot will be needed to be filled until he gets back. Todd Jones will do the job well. Offensivly, Detroit should be right back up there in the upper portions of the AL. Plus when you add in the off-season Jacque Jones, it can't be all bad.

The Indians pretty much stayed pat over the off season. Of course, just like the Red Sox, when you win the division, you can keep the same lineup. Persionally, I don't think that the Indians will be in the race. I fthey are lucky imho they will be 500 at best.

The White Sox were World Champions just back in 2005. The long ride down might have finally hit the bottom as last year they finished 3 games up on the cellar. I'm looking at the projected lineup and it is not that impressive. Thome is past his prime, Dye can still run (when he gets on base), Carlos Quintin whom they got from the Diamondbacks has never faced a AL Central team. They might be up from 4th to 3rd this year.

KC didn't do anything and therefore, will still be in the cellar. Minnesota will definatly be under 500. After an off season that saw Johan Santana and Torii Hunter both leave the homer dome, there is no way that the Twins will get anywhere near 500.

Final pridected finish for the AL Central:
1) Detroit Tigers
2) Cleveland Indians
3) Chicago White Sox
4) Minnesota Twins
5) Kansas City Royals