Breaking down the AL
June 6, 2006 | By Chris White | 
Discuss
Thus far, I’m pretty darned happy with my prognostications for the Phillies and the rest of the National League. It looks to be a three horse race in the NL East, with perhaps no more than 5 games separating Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia after the obligatory 162 are played.
Gillick will do something positive for the Phils this summer, that’s
why they went out and got him. The Ed Wade days are over, this team will
get its needed shot of B-12 at the appropriate time.
What’s the other side of the equation going to look like in October however? Glad you asked (or was that me)...
How many years now have we penciled in both New York and
Boston for one or two spots here in the East? For baseball purists, probably
too many. However, I’ll be the first to say that I really enjoy watching
this rivalry with each series. Nothing like a couple of beers, a stogie,
and my laptop with mlb.com watching
these two rivals on a hot summer night. I digress and immediately apologize.
AL East
Boston (93)
They seem to be getting back their swagger, and have a relatively decent
pitching staff. Throw in a gem they’ve found with Paplebon, and this
team can step on your neck when they’ve got you down. Should be a
wild finish with the Beantown Bunch, Stankies, and Wildcard team from the
Central right down to the final out in 2006.
New York (91)
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I think the Yankees may
not make the post season this year. Losing Matsui, their most consistent
hitter really hurt. Throw in the fact that they’ve got the aging Mike
Mussina, and really nobody else in the rotation, and that spells trouble
in the Bronx. A-Rod underperforms in big spots, Sheffield is starting to
hit his age, and it doesn’t get any hotter in the Big Apple when you’re
down on your luck. This is a stretch I know, but my “spidy-senses”
tell me this could be the end of the Yankee dominance as we know it. Quite
frankly, any time the Yankees can’t win the World Series, that’s
good for the game.
Toronto (87)
Toronto made some big moves in the off-season to get competitive with the
Jones’s Perhaps all will make an impact with the exception of AJ Burnett,
who will provide no help on the DL all season. They’ve mixed in some
young talent with a decent staff and some power hitting veterans. They should
be in the WC mix until at least late August.
Tampa Bay (77)
Here’s a team that does an exceptional job in garnering young talent.
Crawford, Lugo, Huff, Gomes, Kazmir, all these young guys can play baseball.
This team also does a nice job when facing the big guns in the AL East.
However, they just don’t have the bankroll to really compete, and
usually lose interest by mid summer, knowing there’s nothing they
can do to take that next step forwards.
Baltimore (76)
Owner sucks. Leo Mazzoni’s lack of early success is a minor surprise
to me. On paper this team looks solid. Then you throw in the injuries, bad
staff, and lack of chemistry and you’ve got yourself a nice version
of the early 90’s Mets. P and U. Time to sell, Angelos!
AL Central
Chicago (96)
The defending Champs went out and added Jim Thome, while keeping the major
players in place. The staff may be baseball’s best, and they get to
play the Royals a bunch of times. Should repeat in an increasingly interesting
division.
Detroit (92)
Jim Leyland, what a huge difference for this long suffering franchise. Not
since Alan Trammel was flipping double plays with Lou Whitaker there’s
been this much excitement in Motor City. These guys are for real. Pudge
is doing a great job with the young and talented pitching staff, and they
can score runs. Bottom line though goes back to Leyland, who doesn’t
take well to excuses. The Tigers are back, baby!
Cleveland (89)
The Indians are the Central’s version of the Devil Rays, with the
exception that they in fact do draw crowds, make money, and will spend it
in appropriate ways (let’s call them the Anti-Orioles). I like their
lineup a lot, and if they can keep CC Fat-Bastia healthy for the rest of
the season, they will play meaningful baseball through the “dog days”
of summer. Can they steal a WC? I wouldn’t count them out.
Minnesota (78)
Not since the 90’s have the Twins been this bad. The pitching staff
outside of Santana is average at best, and the left side of the infield
stinks. Now they have to contend with three teams in their division that
are better then they are, and you’ve got issues in the Twin cities.
At least they have a new ballpark coming¼ someday.
Kansas City (42)
Baseball’s worst team of 2006. They fire their GM, hire Dayton Moore
from Atlanta, and I’m sure the conversation went something like this¼”here’s
eight dollars, bring us home a pennant.” It hurts me to see a team
this bad, with the rich history of Brett, Saberhagen, and McRae. Oh yeah,
I liked it when Freddie Patek cried in the dugout at Yankee stadium after
Chris Chambliss crushed them in 78'.
AL West
Oakland (87)
The A’s will end up on top in September, probably more by default
then by ability. Nice starting pitching if they can stay healthy, some decent
offensive players, and fairly well coached. If they can deal Zito for some
help and/or prospects consider it done. He’s a, free agent at the
end of the season and most likely won’t be affordable to this bay
area squad for 2007. This is an area Oakland has been very strong with in
the past.
Texas (81)
If they only had pitching. If they only had pitching and didn’t play
in the desert. Outstanding lineup of young talent, but you have to think
all those 10-9 games at home throughout the season in that heat takes its
toll. They are still 2 strong starters away from being a serious late season
contender, but what else is new?
California at Anaheim or Sacramento near LA (77) Not sure which is worse. The stupid name change or Fatolo Colon’s clown hairdo. This team deserves whatever woes are in store for them. They’ve lost talent the last few years and are concerned what the hell their name is? Please, Mike Scioscia deserves better!
Seattle (69)
There’s always next year. Jamie Moyer is just counting the days to
be the games first 57-year-old starting day pitcher.
The Post Season Predictions
Chicago, Boston, and Oakland win their respective divisions. The Wildcard will go to...
Detroit, who’ s back in by back-to-back-to-back season ending losses by the Yankees!
The Red Sox however take care of the Tigers easily. The White Sox just get by the A’s, who get great starting pitching in the short first series, and the White Sox send Boston packing to represent the American League in the 2006 World Series.
Can the Phils get that far?
That remains to be seen...
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